Secure Gov – 200,000 User IT Platform design & support (Shared Services)
Secure IT by Design.
Trusted When It Matters Most.
Client Overview
A secure client supporting over 200,000 users through a scalable IT Platform
Design & Support including portal-based access, application services and an agile expandable secure infrastructure & network
The Challenge
Secure Central Government required a robust shared services platform to support its large-scale user base while meeting stringent government regulations.
Key requirements included:
- Highly Available IT Infrastructure: A reliable platform with 99.99% availability across three data centres using real-time replication for continuous service.
- Multiple Environments: Support for Development, Testing, Pre-Production, and Production environments.
- Security Standards: Adherence to strict IL3 and IL5 Government Security Standards.
- Efficiency and Compliance: Fast deployment while maintaining regulatory and security compliance.
Initially, a major consulting firm was engaged to design the platform. However, critical design flaws were discovered, threatening project deadlines and operational success.
Solution Delivered
Cased Dimensions, supported by Microsoft, provided comprehensive 24x7x365 support and oversaw the design, procurement, delivery, and configuration of the entire platform. The new solution was tailored to meet the platform’s performance, security, and scalability requirements.
Infrastructure Design
- Secure Data Centres: Utilised existing data centres with structured LAN and WAN networks built to meet IL3 standards.
- LAN Network: Installed structured cabling with labelled points for remote access and compliance.
- WAN Network: Collaborated with BT to deploy dark fibre connections, ensuring secure, high-speed connectivity across data centres.
End-to-End IT Services
- Server and Storage Management: Managed hardware procurement, virtualisation, patching, and maintenance.
- Email Management: Built a highly available Microsoft Exchange system spanning two sites.
- Database Services: Optimised database performance, backups, recovery, and replication.
- Backup and Recovery: Comprehensive backup solutions to safeguard data integrity.
- Disaster Recovery (DR): Ensured 99.99% uptime through regular DR testing.
Comprehensive 24x7x365 Support
- Design and Deployment: End-to-end ownership of solution design, infrastructure setup, and validation.
- Ongoing Monitoring and Maintenance: Continuous monitoring to ensure service availability and performance.
- Incident Management: Rapid incident resolution through around-the-clock support, minimising downtime and disruptions.
Service Desk Excellence
- ITIL-Aligned Support: Provided Tier 1 to Tier 3 support to manage incidents, problems, and service requests, ensuring user issues were addressed promptly.
IT Service Management
- Service Level and Capacity Management: Ensured optimal service performance and scalability.
- Availability and Continuity: Maintained uninterrupted service delivery with robust incident recovery plans.
- Information Security: Managed security policies to maintain IL3 compliance.
- Change and Release Management: Facilitated seamless updates and deployments.
- Service Validation and Testing: Ensured all solutions met quality standards pre-deployment.
- Knowledge and Configuration Management: Maintained an accurate Configuration Management Database (CMDB) and knowledge repository.
- Incident and Request Management: Streamlined user support with efficient incident handling.
- Access and Release Management: Controlled user access and managed system/software rollouts.
Third-Party Collaboration
Collaborated with application and database teams to ensure the seamless delivery of services while maintaining performance and security benchmarks.
Continuous Improvement
With a commitment to continual service improvement, Cased Dimensions monitored platform performance and made ongoing optimisations as needed.
Implementation Highlights
- Redesign and Proof of Concept: Replaced flawed designs with validated architecture.
- Accelerated Delivery: Achieved full redesign, procurement, and deployment in just eight months.
- Security and Compliance: Ensured data integrity and safety by meeting strict IL3 security standards.
Microsoft Core Themes
- Security and Compliance: Applied Microsoft best practices to meet IL3 standards.
- Collaboration and Integration: Seamlessly integrated Microsoft tools with third-party systems.
- Agility and Scalability: Built a flexible platform capable of supporting future growth beyond 200,000 users.
- Operational Excellence: Enhanced service management, improving performance and user satisfaction.
Impact and Results:
- Accelerated Time-to-Market:
- Delivered the platform in just eight months, meeting critical project deadlines.
- Enhanced Availability:
- Maintained 99.99% uptime through real-time data centre replication.
- Improved Compliance:
- Fully aligned with IL3 security standards, meeting government regulatory requirements.
- Streamlined Operations:
- A secure and structured network enabled remote access, simplified management, and operational efficiency.
- Scalable Shared Services:
- Supported over 200,000 users, with scalable infrastructure designed for future expansion.
- Accelerated Time-to-Market:
Client Feedback
“Cased Dimensions gave us a safe pair of hands to deliver and manage a turnkey environment. Their expertise in Microsoft technologies and commitment to delivering a secure, compliant solution allowed us to meet our contractual obligations efficiently.”
— CIO
Conclusion
By partnering with Cased Dimensions and utilising Microsoft technologies, Secure Central Government transformed its IT infrastructure into a secure, scalable, and compliant platform. Through 24x7x365 support, strategic design, procurement, delivery, and configuration, Cased Dimensions demonstrated how to achieve accelerated implementation, robust security, and long-term service excellence.