Enfield Borough Council deploys 3,000 laptops for homeworking

Enfield deploys Sophos encryption security

Enfield Borough Council has begun implementing a transformation programme that has seen it standardise an estate of 4,500 computers and deploy Sophos security software, making it compliant with government regulations.

The programme has seen it roll out 3,000 laptops, to replace PCs and allow remote working, while the 1,500 remaining desktops will come from Dell.

The council has also installed a Juniper SSL VPN front end that connects to a back end comprising six Citrix servers.

The next phase of the council’s transformation programme will see it virtualise its server environment, which will mean it can get rid of all but two of the servers, according to Alan Andrews, technical architecture and delivery manager.

The moves should allow the council to save money by shutting several buildings as more employees work from home.

In accordance with the Government Connect Secure Extranet’s (GCSX’s) Code of Connection (CoCo) regulations, the council has implemented encryption technology from Sophos that is FIPS 140-2 compliant. The solution was originally provided by data loss protection company Utimarco, which was bought by Sophos last summer.

GCSX’s CoCo regulations aim to improve security and allow local government to share data with central government.

The Sophos system has been set to recognise unique IDs attributed to council-provided USB sticks to enable workers to transfer information between machines.