Survey Reveals Security Concerns Remain Principal Barrier To Public Sector Network Sharing

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) July 19, 2011 -- Socitm is the membership association for all ICT professionals working in Local Authorities and the Public and Third Sectors and suppliers to those sectors. As such, its members are uniquely placed to examine the merits of network sharing and, where appropriate, to implement such programmes.

MLL Telecom, the Thames Valley based network provider, sets up and operates public sector networks and recently conducted a survey of SOCITM members to gauge how they felt about factors influencing the roll-out of shared TCM facilities.

The company found that although they advise that savings of up to 25% are possible with shared services, no less than 85% of respondents claimed that their own network providers had not detailed any cost savings that could be achieved through network sharing.

Although 75% of those surveyed confirmed plans to implement network sharing initiatives within the foreseeable future, they cited a number of barriers holding up this process with 77% identifying security concerns as the main impediment to progress followed by traffic assurance, procedural and policy issues.

MLL Telecom is in no doubt as to what needs to happen. “What’s needed is a secure way for local government organisations to share network services without compromising network performance or security”, said Eddie Minshull, the company’s CEO. “The best way to achieve this is to build a dedicated network for each community. This has advantages over a general-purpose VPN (virtual private network) in that it provides a customised community network, which gives the users greater control. Performance levels can be guaranteed for critical traffic, such as the police and emergency services, and security for restricted traffic can be assured.”

More information can be found online at http://www.mlltelecom.com

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