Local authorities risk failing CoCo, says Novell

Novell has issued a warning to today local authorities that they risk failing to meet the assessment criteria for the GCSX Code of Connection (CoCo) because many have implemented systems that do not continuously secure, monitor and audit systems.

With the recent launch of version 4.1 of CoCo* and the announcement that from October 31 2009 the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), one of the principal sponsors of CoCo, will enforce its Data Access Policy, Novell believe that many authorities will struggle to meet these new requirements quickly because they lack integrated desktop management, asset management and end-user security solutions.

Given the annual assessments that will take place - with many happening between April and September, and carried out by recently appointed Siemens Enterprise Communications - Novell is urging local authorities to turn to IT suppliers and partners that can provide the security and management solutions, or risk being switched off from accessing Central Government systems.

Brian Green, director of end-user computing, Novell UK, says, “There is very real risk for many local authorities of not being able to use the GSCX, or being rejected after assessment, unless they take action to lock down their systems, electronically police them all the time, and have full audit capabilities. Many local authorities have taken steps through point solutions to meet CoCo but its continual evolution means this is not sufficient. We are providing a robust framework of solutions for CoCo compliance for many of our customers like Bracknell Forest Council and Surrey County Council, but many authorities have yet to bridge the gap between security and management of their IT systems.”


* Version 4.1 of Code of Connection main changes from version 3.2 are a fully compliant service for mobile working, increased firewall protection, execution of unauthorised software, requirements for regular IT health checks, and labelling emails with protective markings.