1st October 2006
West Midlands Police are the first organisation in the world to use a newly developed
and highly sophisticated integrated Physical and Logical solution comprising the
Lenel On Guard and Imprivata OneSign™ solutions integrated with Smart card technology.
The two disciplines of physical and logical access security have been prominent
issues for Police Forces and other organisations for some time, as has the desire
to achieve convergence between the underlying technologies. West Midlands Police
have been able to do precisely this. In order to gain logical access (onto the
network/domain/to applications), staff must have first authenticated to the premises
by using their identity smart card. This forms the first line of security, protecting
data from those without the appropriate authority to view it as well as providing
full auditability of the process.
Paul Williamson the lead for the Gateway Programme said “When we looked around
the market place we quickly discovered that the full integration of both Physical
and Logical access utilising a single smart card was not standard for the industry
and the vision of a fully integrated system was deemed as difficult to achieve.
The proof of concept exercise that we have undertaken with 400 users is progressing
well and our ability to secure our buildings and information systems with an integrated
solution is certainly ground breaking and puts the force in a unique position
with the police service”.
Jim Patterson, Managing Director of G4S Security Systems , the security company responsible
for the overall implementation of the project to meet the requirements of the
West Midlands Police, was delighted with the efforts of the partners, and especially
the support of the West Midlands Police, in making this concept work. “The client
identified the need, and we were able to meet that need, overcoming a number of
problems along the way. It is a “first” for the Police force and for the UK security
industry in general.”
About G4S Security Systems Ltd
G4S Security Systems is one of Europe’s leading security systems integrators, and has
installed security systems for some of the most sensitive locations in the UK.
G4S Security Systems method of operation is to work with the client to determine what he
needs, and then design a system that most closely matches that need. Although
not tied to any one equipment supplier, G4S Security Systems works with the top suppliers
and manufacturers in the industry to produce a cost effective “ best fit” security
solution for all high security applications.
Based in Slough, Berks, and with Regional offices in the Midlands and North,
G4S Security Systems has been supplying security solutions to all sectors of Government,
and both the public sector and private sector for over 20 years . For more information,
visit our comprehensive web site on www.accontrols.co.uk
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World First for G4S Security Systems 
