Government selects CGI to develop National Security Vetting Solution

Four-year deal will see IT services firm develop tool to manager more than 200,000 security clearance applications a year

The government has selected IT and business services provider CGI do develop a National Security Vetting Solution (NSVS) to improve the efficiency and security of personnel vetting processes across the UK government.

CGI has previously delivered a vetting solution named Cerberus to the Ministry of Defence, but the new deal will see this role expanded to encompass all of Whitehall.

The NSVS will be based on Cerberus's Oracle platform and, if deployed successfully, will enable government departments and agencies to manage more than 200,000 security clearance applications each year.

Each application requires a range of detailed checks on applicants, including financial status, address verification and criminal record checks. The NSVS will replace a range of systems and manual processes with a single user interface which will enable government employees to vet applications from any location, while remaining secure.

"We are delighted to be working closely together with CGI to make the NSVS application a reliable and robust solution, able to manage the ever-changing needs for security vetting," said Vince Groome, CIO and head of change delivery for Defence Business Services - the Serco team that's contracted by the Ministry of Defence to run its shared services.

"As we continue our drive for efficient and customer-focused processes, we are confident NSVS will provide a single solution with a modern, intuitive, scalable and effective approach to managing this critical security process," he added.

Steve Smart, vice-president for space, defence and national security at CGI, also welcomed the deal with the government.

"Security vetting is a fundamental enabler that underpins the integrity of the UK government. With our history of providing vetting services, the transition to this pan-governmental vetting system will be swift, low risk and will ensure business continuity," he said.

"We have a strong team with the experience required to provide a secure and effective vetting solution for the UK government and we look forward to working closely with Defence Business Services to deliver this important programme," Smart concluded.