The new system, supplied by reseller Global Secure Systems (GSS), will enable services in Sunderland, such as the blue light services, the council, and drug and alcohol action teams, to securely access information shared through the Information Sharing and Assessment (ISA) project.
The Inter-Business Vault is a web application that sits on a Windows platform and is hosted in a data room at the council’s offices. The council has control over what information certain members of staff can access, which the company claims will help protect the data within the ISA.
The council will be using the new system to help tackle crime and anti-social behaviour throughout the region. If a particular area is regularly falling victim to graffiti, for example, the council can use the information contained in the ISA to determine the best course of action. That may be installing CCTV cameras or implementing new recreational activities to offer local people something to do.
The data contained within the ISA can also help to identify vulnerable children and their families, and different services will be able to share and keep track of information regarding the family, enabling agencies to provide support.
Craig McNally, geographical information systems manager at Sunderland City Council, said: Fundamentally this project is about tackling crimes and incidents within our region. Having the Cyber-Ark Vault allows the partners to be able to tackle crimes effectively and pin point people who are in need of help and/or support. Basically it’s pinnacle in improving our citizens lives. It is the only product that would allow us to do what we’re doing and, for the price, it does more than it says on the tin.
