At i3Secure, our consultants bring unparalleled expertise in auditing and assessing critical infrastructure to the highest industry standards. Below is an example of how we successfully supported the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) in delivering Crown Hosting (RM1069 & RM6262), a wide-ranging provision of public-sector data centres, ensuring operational excellence and compliance.
The Crown Hosting Framework Authority (CHFA) is responsible for overseeing and assuring the delivery of data centre services provided by Crown Hosting Data Centres; one of the leading UK operators catering to public sector needs.
CHFA’s primary objective is to ensure that these data centres consistently maintain the highest standards of availability, resilience, and security. In addition, they are tasked with ensuring that all operations comply with the specific requirements outlined in the framework agreements, while promoting sustainable growth, delivering transparency, and ensuring optimal value for their public sector customers.
To address CHFA’s objectives and drive continuous improvement in service assurance, our consultants adopted a structured, multi-faceted approach, ensuring both technical rigour and strategic oversight.
We conducted comprehensive audits of all mechanical and electrical infrastructure to validate the facilities’ resilience, availability, and redundancy. Our assessments covered critical components including power supply, cooling systems, and backup capabilities, ensuring alignment with the highest operational standards. In addition, we evaluated energy efficiency measures, focusing on optimising power density and sustainability to support environmentally responsible growth.
Our consultants conducted in-depth compliance assessments against key national standards and guidelines, including NPSA protection classes and NCSC best practices. Physical, personnel, and cyber security protocols were meticulously audited, thus ensuring adherence to stringent Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) requirements.
To reinforce these efforts, we engaged with HMG subject matter experts, such as the Cabinet Office Commercial Information Assurance Team and Government Security Group. This served to commission independent assurance activities, including IT Health Checks and Red Team activities.
To ensure value for money and market competitiveness, we developed robust benchmarking specifications, supported procurement processes, and conducted market pricing analyses.
Our consultants played a vital role in leading key governance forums, fostering collaboration and transparency. We chaired the Security Working Group to oversee all security related matters, facilitated Contracts & Operations Boards to monitor service delivery, and led the Technical Sub-Committee to address technical concerns and communicate improvements. Additionally, we steered the Crown Collaboration Board to promote customer collaboration and share best practices across the public sector network.
A critical output of our approach was the creation and dissemination of an Advisory Note focused on improving Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery (BCDR) and resilience strategies across the customer network.
This note served as an authoritative guide, distilling key information and offering actionable recommendations to strengthen resilience. It empowers public sector organisations to enhance preparedness, reduce risk, and align with best practices in resilience and continuity planning.
Our comprehensive approach delivered measurable improvements in service assurance, operational resilience, and customer confidence across the Crown Hosting framework.
The Advisory Note was particularly impactful, offering clear, actionable recommendations to bolster BCDR strategies across the public sector customer base. Several customers adopted the guidance to refine their resilience planning, thus leading to a more robust, standardised approach to continuity management.
By leading key governance forums, we fostered a collaborative environment where public sector customers could openly discuss challenges, share best practices, and collectively drive service improvements. This established a culture of continuous improvement and stakeholder engagement, hence strengthening relationships and reinforcing the authority’s leadership role.
Overall, our delivery of this key capability has strengthened the CHFA and Crown Hosting Data Centres position as trusted, secure, and resilient partners to the public sector, supporting their sustainable growth. Our consultants have received laudatory praise from the client for upholding the highest standards of service delivery and assurance. We are very proud of this project’s success, which has resulted in contract extensions and further opportunities for i3Secure.
At i3Secure, we excel in providing critical infrastructure consultancy, combining deep technical expertise with strategic insight. Whether you need to assess availability, security, compliance, or operational resilience, our consultants ensure your facilities and services meet and exceed expectations.
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“I am delighted to express my sincere appreciation for the outstanding technical and assurance support provided by i3Secure in advancing the Crown Hosting Framework, a cornerstone of the UK Public Sector’s digital infrastructure. Their expertise, professionalism, and unwavering commitment have been instrumental in ensuring the framework’s resilience, compliance, and alignment with the highest standards of public sector governance.
i3Secure’s consultant demonstrated exceptional technical acumen, delivering robust solutions tailored to the unique challenges of Crown Hosting. Their rigorous assurance processes provided invaluable peace of mind, safeguarding critical systems while enabling seamless service delivery for public-sector partners. Their collaborative approach, responsiveness, and ability to navigate complex requirements underscore why they are a trusted partner in such mission-critical initiatives.
I extend my deepest gratitude to the i3Secure team for their vital contributions and look forward to continued collaboration in supporting the UK’s digital future.”
Commercial Lead, Crown Hosting Framework Authority
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