We outline how we can facilitate through services and the availability of an Open Source Appliance, shared access to government networks using govroam, a Public Sector Service provided by JISC, available for local authorities, the police, fire service and ambulance service, and it integrates with eduroam the service already in place for teaching in universities and the NHS. This access is in addition to internal secure networks.

govroam is already used in Kent, London, Glasgow and Yorkshire and Humber.

The system offers many benefits not only to the user, but also to public sector finances, because the operational costs are shared.

The appeal of the system is that it provides authenticated zero-touch access to Wi-Fi across partner organisations, enabling shared use of buildings and providing cost savings.

govroam is a service that allows staff from an organisation to authenticate onto a common wireless network using their usual organisation credentials. This is enabled by a network of servers that pass authentication messages in a hierarchical structure, thus potentially enabling any user from any govroam connected site to authenticate on any connected common network.

The top of the hierarchy is controlled by JISC, a not for profit company who support the education sector in the UK. Its network is run out of Harwell and is funded by HE and FE funding bodies and the devolved administrations.

Example scenarios:

• A Police Officer could be positioned at a Fire Brigade Station and be linked by govroam to the wireless network by any device they need.
• Collaborative working by multi-agency staff, with access to the same shared network provided by their own organisation.

Next Steps

We work closely with the only company in the UK to offer an already deployed Open Source Appliance that provides an accountable and secure RADIUS system to be deployed in member's sites, to provide control over WiFi access for both govroam and eduroam.

We are happy to discuss further how synergies can be facilitated across a segmented Public Sector.

This information is provided in collaboration with Essington Computer Consultancy.