30/07/24
Request
Dear Freedom of Information team,
Please may you provide some information on the following areas:
Networks
1. What network vendor(s) / service provider does your emergency service currently use for their LAN, WAN, wireless and core network (e.g., BT, Virgin, Cisco)?
2. Is the network managed / run internally, or is the network managed and/or supplied by a third party? Please specify which elements of the network are outsourced and to which companies.
3. Please may you provide an indication of the size of the network (e.g., number of switches, routers, access points etc.)?
4. How much money was spent on the last major network refresh (referring to replacement of the LAN / WAN / core network)?
5. When was the last major network refresh (month & year)?
6. When is the next major network refresh likely to take place (month & year)?
7. What frameworks are likely to be used when releasing a tender for a network refresh?
Cyber Security
1. Which cyber security providers / vendors are used, and for what technologies (e.g., firewalls, SOC etc.)?
2. When is your service due for a renewal of these technologies (month & year)?
3. Is all cyber security managed in-house, or is it / parts of it outsourced to a third party? Please specify which elements are outsourced and to which companies.
Command and Control
1. Which technology suppliers / vendors are used in your command and control rooms?
2. Is your command and control room managed in-house, or is it / parts of it outsourced to a third party? Please specify which elements are outsourced and to which companies.
3. How much was spent on the last major command and control technology refresh (referring to the replacement of the CAD / ICCS)?
4. When was the last command and control technology refresh (month & year)?
5. When is the next command and control technology refresh likely to take place (month & year)?
Thank you for taking the time to respond to these questions. Any information you are able to provide is greatly appreciated.
Kind regards,
Response
Hi
We thank you for your request for information, which has been received by Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (the Service) and considered under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2000.
The Service can confirm that the information that you have requested is held and is partially granted as below. Some information pertaining to security, cybersecurity and firewalling is withheld under section 24 (National Security) of FOIA. The Service comprises part of National Security infrastructure and disclosing such information could render it vulnerable to attack. In this case we consider the public interest to fall in favour of withholding this information.
Networks
1. What network vendor(s) / service provider does your emergency service currently use for their LAN, WAN, wireless and core network (e.g., BT, Virgin, Cisco)? Cisco Hardware, MLL Telecom WAN, some circuits provided by, Vodaphone and BT.
3. Please may you provide an indication of the size of the network (e.g., number of switches, routers, access points etc.)? Approximately 175 switches, 40 routers, 150 access points, across 26 sites.
4. How much money was spent on the last major network refresh (referring to replacement of the LAN / WAN / core network)? Approximately £500K
5. When was the last major network refresh (month & year)? Approximately Jan 2022
6. When is the next major network refresh likely to take place (month & year)? Approximately 2027
7. What frameworks are likely to be used when releasing a tender for a network refresh? The usual blue light portals including but not limited to crown commercial.
Cyber Security
1. Which cyber security providers / vendors are used, and for what technologies (e.g., firewalls, SOC etc.)? We use various technologies including but not limited to Dark Trace, Cisco.
2. When is your service due for a renewal of these technologies (month & year)? Approximately Jan 2027 -28
3. Is all cyber security managed in-house, or is it / parts of it outsourced to a third party? Please specify which elements are outsourced and to which companies. Dark Trace is co-managed everything else is managed in house, we are not looking to outsource.
Command and Control
1. Which technology suppliers / vendors are used in your command and control rooms? Motorola, 3TC, Lampada.
2. Is your command and control room managed in-house, or is it / parts of it outsourced to a third party? Please specify which elements are outsourced and to which companies. Co-Managed CAD and ICCS
3. How much was spent on the last major command and control technology refresh (referring to the replacement of the CAD / ICCS)? Approximately £2.5M
4. When was the last command and control technology refresh (month & year)? Approximately May 2023.
5. When is the next command and control technology refresh likely to take place (month & year)? Approximately May 2030.
If you have any questions regarding your request, please contact Information Governance and Committee Services on tel: 0345 122 4454 or by e-mail informationrequests@hwfire.org.uk. In any such communication please include the reference number assigned (see Subject).
Should you have any queries regarding the management of your request and wish to make either a complaint or request a review of the information disclosed to you, please do so by using Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service’s complaints system: Comments and Complaints. This must be done within 40 working days of our response to your request. After this date and in line with ICO guidance the Service is not obliged to provide an internal review of your request.
If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the internal review, you may appeal the decision by contacting the Information Commissioner, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, SK9 5AF, Tel: 0303 123 1113 (alternatively 01625 545745) or E-mail: casework@ico.org.uk.
Further information on Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service may be viewed at the Service’s website: www.hwfire.org.uk
Thank you for your request for information.
Kind regards
Information Governance Team