Government Digital Service

The Challenge

Traditionally, the provision of guest wireless networking (Wi-Fi) at government departments and related locations was implemented by each building owner. For example, HMRC would design, procure, deploy and operate Wi-Fi within their department and office locations, the Home Office would go through the same process, as would all other government departments, regulators and other agencies and bodies

​For civil servants, and members of the public, visiting and working at these sites, the experience was poor: 

• Movement between buildings was a not a seamless experience – a username/password combination was typically required for each site location
• At least 24 hours’ notice was often required for access to wireless network services
• Some organisations were in contracts which charged for each temporary guest account

Also, in light of emerging threats, GDS and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) had issued new advice on wireless security, which few of the existing solutions complied with

bedigital Solution

• CTS (Common Technology Services), a programme within GDS initiated a project to introduce a centrally managed Wi-Fi solution that enabled government organisations to replace their current user and guest Wi-Fi solutions with a single secure Wi-Fi connection
• Supporting a mixed team of internal resources and external consultants, bedigital provided specialists to fulfil technical architecture, product and service owner roles. Focusing on Government design principles, bedigital engaged with users and stakeholders including HMRC and the Home Office, identifying user needs, maintaining regular communication and facilitating department briefings
• Prior to bedigital’s involvement, GovWifi had failed its beta assessment stage, however, within 6 months, GovWifi passed the beta assessment stage. Within 11 months the project was cited as an exemplar of how to turnaround a project, as well as one of the major successes for GDS