DWP investigates the possibility of managing thousands of mobile devices – PublicTechnology

The department is hiring external consultants to test and explore the capabilities of a range of MDM systems that will be used to manage connections from both corporate and employee devices

The Department for Work and Pensions is to investigate technological options for managing thousands of mobile devices, including both department-owned devices and technology belonging to employees.

According to recently published sales documents, the division currently uses VMware technology to manage an asset of 16,000 devices. The system is “software that allows IT to automate, control and secure administrative policies on smartphones, tablets or other DWP devices connected to our network.”

However, the Department is keen to explore potential alternatives and, under a three-month contract with IT security firm Logiq Consulting, will conduct proof-of-concept (POC) tests to test the capabilities of various mobile device management (MDM) products currently available in the store. This will form the basis of a future strategy for securing and managing devices used by staff.

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“DWP Mobility plans to conduct POC on at least two – potentially more – mobile management platforms to understand how they can meet future requirements and make changes needed to our mobile service,” reads the text of the agreement. “Once on-board, the temp (from the vendor) will conduct POC on at least two MDMs; Each POC is expected to take three weeks to complete. Once completed, they will communicate findings to senior stakeholders.”

Before the exploratory exercise begins, security company employees will be provided with a “low-level design… as well as (current) plans to deliver” MDM technology in the long term.

First, Logiq will perform an “initial assessment” and try to understand the functionality of the MDM tools and how it compares to the department’s requirements. These requirements will cover the management of government-issued Apple iPhones, iPads and Samsung Android devices, as well as Android and iOS devices owned by staff and used to connect to DWP networks.

The agreement in its current form sets out a schedule for up to three POC exercises, which will end in late July, with arrangements to be delivered by mid-September. The contract currently sees consultants support DWP for nine working weeks – at a cost of £79,080. It can be extended for a further 22 working days, taking the contract value to £116,368.