Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)

PSN Gateway Service

Executive Summary

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) needed to enhance the way it gained access to the Public Services Network (PSN) and facilitate a more robust service that enabled the end user to work remotely.

Nine23’s Platform FLEX PSN Gateway Service is available from the Digital Marketplace (here) – G-Cloud was selected to deliver the FCA requirements.

About

The Financial Conduct Authority aims to make markets work well for individuals, large and small businesses and the economy as a whole. By regulating the conduct of nearly 50,000 businesses in the UK, prudentially supervising 46,000 firm and setting specific standards for around 17,000. The FCA is responsible for regulating a sector which plays a critical role in the lives of everyone in the UK and without which the modern economy could not function.

Key points

Public Service Network (PSN) Gateway Service
Secure Enterprise Mobility Management Solution
Mobile Device Management (MDM)
Mobile End-User Focused
OFFICAL-SENSITIVE to SECRET
Accredit-able Solution
Managed IT Service
Secure Private Cloud

“Working with the FCA has been a great example of how an SME can add enormous value to enterprise scale clients with stringent security requirements such as the PSN. Our agility and ability to work at pace has delivered a fully accredited service in less than 6 months and we look forward to building the relationship with the FCA.”

The Challenge

In 2017, the FCA approached Nine23 via G-Cloud for support in improving its current Public Services Network (PSN) access solution as part of a large-scale HQ location move. The FCA was moving from Canary Wharf to Stratford, home of 2012 Olympics.

The Financial Conduct Authority recognised its current PSN gateway service was becoming no longer fit for purpose, using older technology and relatively expensive for the service being provided. For example, a dedicated PSN line was in place and fixed terminals were being used around the building and in a dedicated area.

This was unproductive and frustrating for the teams using the PSN and a model that the FCA wished to change.

The replacement service would need to include added mobility to connect to the PSN outside the office, reduce costs and have the ability to scale as needed.

The FCA needed a solution that would match the working patterns of the modern remote worker.

The Solution

Following an initial approach through the Digital Marketplace (G-Cloud), Nine23 worked with the FCA to deliver a report with the options for PSN access.

This report was key to understanding how to best exceed requirements. This early engagement was a key to later success of the PSN Gateway Service as it was critical to helping the FCA understand what was and wasn’t possible.

Following due commercial process Nine23’s Platform FLEX PSN Gateway Service was selected to deliver a fully managed PSN Gateway Service. The key fundamental benefits of using Nine23’s service was that:

– It had already gained the stringent accreditation and was already established as a PSN Code of Service.
– Was ready and able to provide the service quickly
– Cost effective
– Provided all the requirements that the FCA needed and is scalable

Related Fields

Results

The FCA are now provided a managed service that is fit for today’s mobile worker. Secure and accessible whilst enabling the user to do what they need to do wherever they may be.

Nine23’s Platform FLEX is providing a private cloud-based service, with the ability to scale not only in user/devices but by adding additional services on the same platform when needed simply and securely.

FCA quote:

“The staff are a core strength of why Nine 23 is so highly regarded by myself – you have a great team there; they have never failed to be responsive and have never let us down. They always seem to be one step ahead. The service has always been excellent.
I too have no constructive criticisms. Just keep doing what you are doing HOW you are doing it.”

Nine23 quote:

“Working with the FCA has been a great example of how an SME can add enormous value to enterprise scale clients with stringent security requirements such as the PSN. Our agility and ability to work at pace has delivered a fully accredited service in less than 6 months and we look forward to building the relationship with the FCA.”

To find out about Platform FLEX  – Click here.

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