Connectivity and Network Services contract

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.22.026436

I note you seek access to the following information:

Connectivity and Network Services
a. Who provides your WAN and internet connectivity and the annual spend on each
b. Who provides your SIP trunks and what is the annual spend
c. Who provides your WAN services, is this MPLS, SD WAN or Internet, and what is the annual spend
d. Who provides your LAN infrastructure and what is your annual spend
e. Who provides your WIFI infrastructure and what is your annual spend
f. Please confirm the manufacturer(s) of your wired network core and edge switching?
g. When was your core network installed?
h. Has it been updated subsequently?
i. Who maintains your core network?
j. When is the contract renewal date?
k. Please confirm value of the initial project?
l. Please confirm the value of annual support/maintenance services (in £)?

Decision

I have today decided to disclose some of the requested information. Some data has been withheld as it is exempt from disclosure and therefore this response serves as a Refusal Notice under Section 17 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act) by virtue of the following exemptions:

Section 31(1)(a)(b) - Law Enforcement
Section 43 (2) - Commercial Interests

Reason for decision

Section 31(1)(a)(b) - Law Enforcement is engaged in this case as disclosure under the Act would, or would be likely to, prejudice the prevention and detection of crimes and the apprehension or prosecution of offenders.

Release would have the effect of compromising law enforcement tactics and strategies and would also hinder any future investigations or review investigations into similar matters.

Disclosure would technically be releasing sensitive operational information into the public domain which would enable those with the time, capacity and inclination to try and map strategies and tactics used by police forces.

Release would have the effect of compromising law enforcement processes and would also hinder the ability of the MPS to fulfil its primary aim of enforcing the law and protecting the public. Any release of tactical information could harm our ability to conduct that assessment and reduce our ability to conduct future investigations.
Disclosure would technically be releasing information into the public domain which would enable those with the capacity and inclination to try and use the information to commit crime or evade justice.

The MPS has a duty to protect the integrity of tried and tested investigative techniques used now and for future criminal investigations. Therefore, I consider that considerations favouring non-disclosure of the requested information far outweighs the considerations favouring disclosure.

The disclosure of this information to the public by the MPS would undermine individuals' confidence in helping the MPS with investigations, if disclosure of the MPS manufacturer(s) of our wired network core and edge switching led to the system being hacked or compromised in some way. Anything that undermines this would have a detrimental effect, reducing the quality of information the MPS receives and consequently compromising the effectiveness of any investigation.

The disclosure of this information to the public by the MPS would inhibit the flow of free and frank discussion, sharing of advice and best practices for investigations between police services. Anything that undermines this would have a detrimental effect on the thoroughness, efficiency and effectiveness of police investigations and ultimately the apprehension and prosecution of offenders.

Section 43 (2) - Commercial Interests - By disclosing the information requested would damage ongoing contract selection processes and undermine business relationships. To disclose the requested information would be contractually sensitive. By placing this information in the public domain would give an unfair advantage to future contract processes and may lead to the most suitable companies not being selected for the contract, thus rendering the selection process ineffective.

Having considered your request, I can see no public interest in disclosing the requested information. On balance and having reviewed the requested information, I have found that the public interest lies in favour of protecting the commercial interests of those who provide products and services to the MPS for Connectivity and Network Services.

Constituents of this information attract Section 31 and other constituents Section 43 of the Act.

It should not be surmised that we are applying Sections 31 & 43 to the same pieces of information.

You have asked for the following:

Qf - Please confirm the manufacturer(s) of your wired network core and edge switching?

The MPS refuses access to the requested specific information regarding the manufacturer(s) of your wired network core and edge switching by virtue of the following exemptions, due to reasons of security.

Section 31(1) - Law Enforcement

You have also asked for the following:

Qk - Please confirm value of the initial project?

The MPS refuses access to the requested specific information regarding the value of the initial project by virtue of the following exemption, as it is considered commercially sensitive.

Section 43 (2) - Commercial Interests

Disclosure

Connectivity and Network Services
QA - Who provides your WAN and internet connectivity and the annual spend on each

WAN: Capgemini (£4.2m pa) / Internet: Vodafone (£0.1m pa)

QB - Who provides your SIP trunks and what is the annual spend

Capgemini (£0.4m pa)

QC - Who provides your WAN services, is this MPLS, SD WAN or Internet, and what is the annual spend

As above and MPLS

QD - Who provides your LAN infrastructure and what is your annual spend

Capgemini (£1.8m pa)

QE - Who provides your WIFI infrastructure and what is your annual spend

Capgemini (£0.5m pa)

QF - Please confirm the manufacturer(s) of your wired network core and edge switching?

MPS does not divulge make/manufacture of equipment deployed in its infrastructure on security grounds. Section 31.

QG - When was your core network installed?

2017

QH - Has it been updated subsequently?

Yes – hardware refresh as relevant during this time

QI - Who maintains your core network?

Capgemini

QJ - When is the contract renewal date?

2025

QK - Please confirm value of the initial project?

This information is considered commercially sensitive, Section 43.

QL - Please confirm the value of annual support/maintenance services (in £)?

See answer to above questions