Date : 12 November 2008

A consortium including Serco and led by Logica has today announced that it is one of two bidders selected by the Defence Cryptosecurity Authority (DCA) for the Assessment Phase of the CIPHER programme.

The purpose of CIPHER as specified in the Single Statement of User Need is to "provide the capability for a security management infrastructure for all grades of devices necessary to meet the needs of UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) and wider government." It covers the provision of all high grade cryptographic devices for UK MoD to meet the communications confidentiality, availability, interoperability and data integrity needs of the UK MoD for Defence Business and Operations, and will enable the provision of a pan-Government security management infrastructure.

The consortium comprises Logica, QinetiQ, Serco and Ultra Electronics, all of whom bring extensive experience of security within the defence, public sector and commercial markets.

During the initial 26 month phase, the consortium will carry out a comprehensive assessment of the technologies, processes and methodologies to establish how best to deliver the CIPHER programme in the future, while maintaining a vibrant UK market for the manufacture and supply of cryptographic equipment. It will also have the opportunity to bid for the subsequent delivery phase of CIPHER.

Sean Mallon, the CIPHER Programme Manager for the DCA, said: "CIPHER is an ambitious programme that seeks to exploit the skills and experience of the UK sovereign industrial base to deliver Information Assurance Components and their management over the next decade and beyond. I am looking forward to a compelling competition over the next two years that will yield the best solution for defence and wider HMG as a whole."

Chris Theobald, Managing Director of Serco's technical and assurance services business, said: "We are very pleased to have been downselected as part of the Logica-led consortium for CIPHER. Serco has a long and successful track record of service delivery in support of UK defence, particularly in high security environments. This experience makes us a key partner in a very strong team that has the breadth of capability to deliver success in every area of the programme."

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