Main eGovernment infrastructure components

Last updated: May 2011

Portals

'Directgov'

'Directgov' is the Government's citizen portal. It provides the people in England and Wales with easy and effective digital access to all public services and related information. 'Direct.gov.uk' is not organised on a 'life-cycle episodes' model, but rather on the basis of major public services areas (e.g., health, education, employment) and of target customer groups (e.g., parents, disabled people, youth). The breadth of information presented is vast, reducing the need for users to navigate further sites.

Besides the Internet, services are also available through digital TV and mobile telephony. By using the digital TV channel, more than 10 million UK households are able to access public services information through this communication means. Mobile access is also an important communication channel, having a major impact on the way citizens interact with the Government. In this context, 'Directgov' is working with NHS Choices, the official website of the National Health System, to deliver health information and services on the 'Directgov' mobile phone platform. This helps people search for local NHS Health Services, hospitals, A&E departments, doctors, dentists, opticians, pharmacies and Walk-in Centres from their mobile, thus taking the service to people regardless of where they are.

Within the framework of an ongoing large scale websites rationalisation process aimed at reducing the main public-facing sites for service delivery to just three ('Directgov', 'Business Link' and 'NHSChoices'), the portal has already received the contents of several websites.

'Directgov' usage has continued to grow as the portal had over 26 million visitors in April 2011. The ownership of 'Directgov' has moved to the Cabinet Office. The portal services are currently under review with the aim to increase citizens' engagement.

'Business Link'

This separate eGovernment business portal was launched in November 2003 for businesses seeking authoritative information and advice from the Government. It is a comprehensive tool to help employers with all aspects of dealing with employees and simplifying Government support to businesses by providing clear information on products available. More precisely, it provides access to Government information and services for businesses, business owners and managers. Business Link provides information, advice and support to set up, maintain and grow a business. It also supplies information and advice to help customers make the most of their opportunities. Rather than supplying all the advice and assistance on the site itself, it fast-tracks customers to the expert help they require. It is primarily funded by the Department of Trade and Industry, with the support of a number of other Government departments, agencies and local authorities. A January 2011 survey of site visitors revealed that 89 % of respondents were likely to use the site again and 79 % likely to recommend it.

The Government has recently reviewed how it delivers business improvement and support services, announcing a series of changes. As part of these changes, the closure of the regional Business Link advisory service by November 2011 has been confirmed.

Until that time the Business Link regional advisory service will continue to offer advice and support - although the service available may vary regionally until it is closed. Since April, much of the local business support information that was previously found on regionally-branded Business Link websites can now be found within the national Business Link website directories ('Events', 'Business Support Finder' and 'Contacts').

The 'Business Link' website will remain and continue to provide businesses of all sizes with access to information, support and Government services. The Government has also announced that improvements will be made to the website to help provide an enhanced experience for business users.

These include:

• interactive help and information, including easy-to-use online training materials and links to key Government services;
• a single intelligent form for registering for tax, a new tax 'dashboard' enabling businesses to view a single online statement of all their main taxes and Companies House Web Incorporation service;
• notification of public procurement opportunities through 'Contracts Finder' (already in service);
• better and clearer information on Government regulation.

Networks

Government Secure Intranet (GSI)

The GSI is the primary network infrastructure for connecting and joining up central Government departments and agencies. It provides a secure and reliable connection to the Internet, including secure access to the web, file transfer and search facilities; directory services, web publishing and a mechanism for exchanging electronic mail both within the GSI community and over the Internet.

An upgraded and improved version of the GSI went live in February 2004, providing users with restricted-level access to better services and functionalities while at the same time driving down costs. The GSI has been integrated with the Government Secure Extranet (GSX), under the new larger network known as the Government Connect Secure Extranet (GCSx). The service, based on an IP Virtual Private Network, is capable of carrying voice and video data, involves broadband technology and allows for separate virtual private networks for closed user groups. It also expands beyond the boundaries of the previous network to cover local authorities. Already connecting over 350 000 users in central and local Government, the new GSI, whose duration has been extended up to August 2011, is designed to become a central infrastructure for eGovernment throughout the country. In the future the GSI network could be extended to organisations, such as the National Health Service and the Ministry of Defence, and may ultimately link a million users.

Government Connect Secure Extranet (GCSx)

The GCSx is a pan-government funded programme to provide a secure private Wide-Area Network (WAN) which enables secure interactions between connected Local Authorities and organisations. The Government Connect network is a key enabler in the drive to transform services, with particular focus on joined-up working, shared services, identity management and efficiency gains via solutions that provide secure communication capabilities.

GCSx also includes the Government Secure Intranet (GSI), which also enables secure interactions between local authorities and central government departments and national bodies. The GCSx provides a range of connectivity options to enable access to the GSI network and its hosted services, though it does not use the Internet or any other public networks.

GCSx provides secure access from connected Local Authorities to many other secure networks, such as:

• Government Secure Extranet (GSX)
• Government Secure Intranet (GSI)
• National Health Service (NHS)
• Criminal Justice Extranet (CJX)
• Police National Network (PNN).

Public Sector Network (PSN)

The PSN intends to create a 'network of networks' for the public sector from the existing commercial networks and to develop a marketplace providing opportunities for industry and savings for the public sector. The PSN seeks to change the way Government departments and agencies, local authorities and the third sector buy and use voice and data networks. It is expected to drive efficiencies in procurement through a range of technical and service standards leading to an open, collaborative environment for all UK public sector employees.

eIdentification/eAuthentication

'Government Gateway' platform

The Government Gateway is the main central UK identification platform and a central registration and authentication engine enabling secure authenticated eGovernment transactions to take place over the Internet. Users are required to register in order to use online Government services and subsequently transact securely with the respective departments. Built on open standards, the site also enables the joined-up delivery of Government services by allowing various systems in different departments to communicate with it and with each other. Depending on the type of Government transactions, user identification is based either on a digital certificate issued by an accredited certification authority, or on a user ID (supplied by the Government Gateway) and a password (chosen by the user) for Government services that do not require the level of security provided by digital certificates.

The services offered address both citizens and the business community. Services to citizens include submission of forms to Government departments as well the ability to carry out some services by filling in online forms on Government or private company websites. For other services, online forms will not be available and users will only be able to send forms by using software packages (such as payroll software).

Security

Global system for checking the fingerprints of visa applicants

Completed in January 2008, the global system for checking the fingerprints of visa applicants currently covers visa applications from 133 countries, approximately 75 % of the world's population. Biometric cross-checks with UK databases have helped the Home Office identify several cases of identity fraud.

eProcurement

'Buying Solutions' platform

The UK runs a decentralised eProcurement policy. Contracting authorities are free to decide upon their own procurement strategies. A large number of private or public platforms achieve some or all the eProcurement subphases.

Buying Solutions is the UK's non-mandatory national eProcurement platform, which is an Executive Agency of the Office of Government Commerce in the Cabinet Office. It is a Trading Fund which is run on commercial lines. It generates income to cover its costs and operates at no cost to the taxpayer. It is the only platform permitted to procure on behalf of all UK contracting authorities.

'Buying Solutions' is the largest of over 40 Professional Buying Organisations (PBOs) in the wider public sector. While the Office of Government Commerce sets procurement policy and best practice to help the UK public sector to achieve value from its spending, 'Buying Solutions' delivers procurement solutions for nationally sourced commodity goods and services to customers in both central civil Government and the wider public sector.

xChangeWales platform

In Wales, a new platform, 'xChangeWales', was launched in December 2007, making it the first eProcurement solution on this scale. A National eProcurement Project (NePP) run by and for local authorities aims to enable them to gain the maximum benefit from eProcurement tools and techniques. The project is funded by the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Government Procurement Service (GPS) Online

The Government Procurement Service (GPS) represents and supports procurement professionals across Government. In response to the growing challenge of those within the GPS, it has been reformed to develop proactive support and a range of career options for those operating as procurement professionals, or those working towards gaining professional status.

In its capacity as an online space for Government procurement professionals across the country to interact, it includes:

• procurement vacancies and careers advice;
• discussion forums where Government procurement professionals can discuss with colleagues about procurement-related topics, ask for advice or share good practice;
• a resource library, where users can post documents, images, audio and video;
• wiki functionality to enable users to collaborate on developing documents, or collectively share useful information;
• a contacts directory, where users can post their profile and find others with similar interests;
• an events' calendar where users can highlight conferences, seminars or training opportunities;
• news feeds that provide live updates on procurement-related topics.

Other Infrastructure

GovTalk website – eGovernment policies and standards

The GovTalk website enables public sector, industry and other interested participants to work together to develop and agree on policies and standards for eGovernment. A major part of the site is dedicated to a comprehensive presentation of important eGovernment schemas and standards, such as the eGIF (the eGovernment Interoperability Framework), the eGMS (the eGovernment Metadata Standard) and the GDSC (the Government Data Standards Catalogue). Another part of the site is dedicated to policy documents, even though its contents are more oriented towards technical matters and standards.

Security

'Employee Authentication Service' (EAS) project

EAS is a cross-government project which enables authorised public employees to access sensitive information safely and securely. It is an example of how the re-use of existing technology can contribute to significant cost savings to central and local Government.

Education

'Excellence Gateway' portal

The Excellence Gateway is a complete national online service for practitioners at all levels within the learning and skills sector in England. It provides practical help for improving daily work and aims at promoting innovations in teaching and learning. Furthermore, this portal enables practitioners to share both professional knowledge as well as examples of effective practice with other users.

Pan London eAdmissions System

eAdmissions has been created by the London Local Authorites to provide a website where parents can easily find details about the schools maintained by the 33 London Local Authorities and Surrey County Council, and complete an application online.

'Myguide' service

The 'Myguide' service converts increasing numbers of people into confident Internet users, including the disadvantaged and the digitally excluded. More importantly, its guidance modules have enabled people to explore the benefits of the Web, whether to save money, find a job or use public services.

Health

'NHS Choices' website

NHS Choices is the primary health information website in the UK. It offers easy online access to health information and services from the National Health Service (NHS) website. It serves as a portal to 'HealthSpace', a part of the NHS suite of digital products. 'HealthSpace' offers a completely secure account where patients and their clinicians can access, store and amend personal medical information.

The Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) enables prescribers - such as GPs and practice nurses - to send prescriptions electronically to a dispenser (such as a pharmacy) of the patient's choice. This makes the prescribing and dispensing process safer and more convenient for patients and staff.

In addition, the Picture archiving and Communications System (PACS), which operates under the NHS, captures and stores digital images, including X-rays, scans and 3D images. It helps patients to be assessed and treated more efficiently, supports clinicians in providing the best possible diagnosis and provides remote access to images, thus enabling diagnoses to be made out of normal practice hours.

The NHS Care Records Service links patient information from different parts of the NHS electronically, ensuring that authorised staff and patients have access to the information they need to make care decisions. The service includes detailed records (held locally) and the Summary Care Record (held nationally), which contains information such as current medications, adverse reactions and allergies.

Criminal Justice eSystems

Criminal justice is served by a modern IT infrastructure and case management system called the Criminal Justice System (CJS), which ensures rapid, secure information exchange between organisations. Criminal Justice Secure eMail serves over 40 000 users and 1 600 organisations and departments, processing more than 800 000 secure messages each month.

A dedicated 'Guidance' section is used by CJS organisations to share information securely via the web, thus saving time, lowering costs and improving the management of victim and witness care. It delivers its services both by linking case details to the police, the courts and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency and by providing exchange portals which meet the needs of citizens and businesses. In addition, Exchange enables the electronic sharing of risk and assessment data between the Prison and Probation Offender Assessment System (OASys).

The National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) carries out its mission to support the police to enhance and deliver better services to the public. The following major programmes are involved:

• The 'Mobile Information' Programme promotes the roll-out of hand-held computers to front-line officers.
• The 'Custody and Case Preparation' Programme and the 'CJS Joined-up Justice' Programme enable police forces to exchange information amongst themselves and with other CJS agencies electronically.
• Mobile fingerprint identification (MIDAS) allows remote searching against the national policing fingerprint collection (IDENT1) and other databases.
• Airwave radio has replaced outdated, individually-run force analogue radio systems with a national digital radio service.

The HM Revenue & Customs

The HM Revenue & Customs is the tax authority in the UK. Services cover all aspects of taxation, including individuals and employees, employers, businesses and corporations. The Authority also provides the citizens with a series of online services in order to help them save time and reduce the amount of possible errors.