Student Loans Company to boost IT security

SLC was plagued by delays when processing student loans last year

The Student Loans Company (SLC) has served a contract notice for the implementation and real-time management of an intrusion detection system.

According to the official tender, the specialist information security provider will be expected to work with the SLC security and IT departments to investigate any events that “cannot be explained by expected network or system behaviour.”

The supplier will also provide support by phone and online as well as assist in the investigation and resolution of any incidents.

The contract will last for three years, with an option to renew for another year.

Prospective vendors should submit their bids by 8 March.

An academic report released in December blamed prolonged delays to student loans last year on a "technical, management and services failure".

At the time, Liberal Democrat universities spokesman Stephen Williams said the report revealed "a breathtaking level of incompetence”.