UK border control systems get IT revamp

The government is planning to revamp the IT systems which underpin UK border control operations.

The Immigration and Nationality Directorate at the Home Office is looking for a supplier to support and maintain the system known as the Warnings Index, the "primary" IT system supporting UK border control operations.

It is used by immigration staff in the UK and Europe and by visa-issuing posts abroad to check against a database of information on names, organisations and lost and stolen documents.

The Home Office said performance of the system is "critical" and it needs to be constantly available.

It said the system is "protectively marked" to confidential level and security and encryption technology is used to protect data and access.

The system is currently used at 110 sites in the UK, seven in Europe and 170 visa-issuing posts abroad.

The eight-year contract will provide support and maintenance of the WI system and its components at all sites, and the framework for the future development of the system.

The Home Office said that during 2005 and 2006 the system will be upgraded to new hardware and software platforms.

"It is anticipated that the new support and maintenance contract would commence during 2006," the Home Office said.