June 2024 – Update
September 2023 – Update
A couple of years ago we wrote about how the Public Services Network (PSN) was due to be retired in 2023 and to be replaced with the Future Networks for Government (FN4G), and how PSN for Policing (PSNfP) would be replaced by the Law Enforcement Community Network (LECN).
Whilst the PSN network is still in use, FN4G has defined the technical concepts for four alternative ways to connect to the PSN; details of which can be found at: Future Networks for Government (FN4G) – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
The Home Office LECN team has made significant progress on this programme, with the migration from PSNfP to LECN starting at the end of 2021. Most of the UK Police Forces and Law Enforcement agencies are now using LECN with the Law Enforcement Network-to-Network Interface (LE-NNI) providing a bridge to services that have not yet migrated.
For other HMG agencies that require access to, or delivery of, Law Enforcement applications and data, or for commercial organisations that provide existing and new services for Law Enforcement, third party assurance is required. Police Digital Services (PDS) Cyber Security Services are providing this Information Assurance function. Currently the pathway for third parties to connect to LECN has not been announced, so PSNfP connectivity remains necessary for now.
May 2021
If you are consuming services over the PSN for Policing (PSNfP) – via the PSN (Public Services Network) you may be aware that this is now changing.
The PSN is due to be retired in 2023 with services being moved away from this over time. If you use services such as this, you may need to look at how you are to consume them shortly.
The Law Enforcement Community Network (LECN) is a new network overlay entering service by the end of 2021, designed and built by the Home Office to replace PSNfP. If you are currently using PSNfP it would be worth considering your options to move onto this new service.
LECN still has a compliance element, however unlike the previous PSN Service, you will require a specific service access need. This could be for your enforcement requirements or if you provide services to Police Forces in the UK. Assurance requirements are driven by UK policing assurance standards and will need to be applied via NPIRMT (National Policing Information Risk Management Team).
How can Nine23 help?
Nine23’s UK data centre services are due to have LECN connectivity shortly. We can help with:
- Transition from PSN to LECN Services
- Provide a simple access gateway service from your site
- Or
- Provide a fully managed connectivity service including devices for remote working
If you have an immediate requirement, please get in touch and we will work with you to understand the best way to get you connected to your policing needs.
Nine23 are your refreshingly honest, trusted partner – we are here to help you from start to finish to deliver complete cyber secure services and solutions to enable the end users in today’s workplace to use technology, securely.
We have consistently achieved the highest levels of accreditation (ISO 9001, ISO/IEC 27001, ISO/IEC 20000-1, ISO 14001) from national bodies to provide confidence that the systems we develop can be used at highly classified levels of cyber security (OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE to SECRET).
To start your LECN journey with us please fill in the contact form or call us on 023 8202 0300.
