Thales

Thales has been awarded a new five-year contract to provide secure network connectivity services for the UK’s Highways Agency.

The contract will see Thales deliver a variety of services to the Highways Agency, including network connectivity, encryption security, wide area networks local area networks, as well as remote access services for employees, under the government’s public services network (PSN) connectivity framework.

With a network service that will link 49 sites across the UK, the Thales solution will allow the Highways Agency to use secure communications that are in line with PSN standards with enhanced cyber-security, while significantly reducing information and communication technology costs and improving operational effectiveness.

This secure network will facilitate improved information sharing between various Highways Agency sites, and will support secure voice and improved data communications services.

"Thales will supply a high-security remote access solution that will allow users to connect securely to the Highways Agency networks from remote or home-based locations."

Under the latest contract, Thales will manage transformation and migration of all users from their existing network to the new encrypted service.

In addition, it will deliver gateway services in order to ensure the data integrity and security of information, while allowing the Highways Agency staff to work more flexibly and efficiently.

Thales will supply a high-security remote access solution (RAS) that will allow users to connect securely to the Highways Agency networks from remote or home-based locations.

Thales UK Secure Communications and Information Systems vice-president Phil Naybour said that the company aims to be a leading provider of secure network and cyber-security services for UK Government and Critical National Infrastructure.

"Securing this contract, one of the largest contracts awarded under PSN, helps to confirm Thales as one of the leading providers of PSN connectivity solutions where there is a requirement for enhanced security," Naybour said.

Image: Thales’ network service will link 49 sites across the UK. Photo: courtesy of Thales.