Secure e-mail

Since April 2008, the Met have proposed that "all written information about children and young people will only be shared by the MPS with partner agencies electronically if the recipient uses a secure e-mail address". In a similar announcement, DWP have insisted that sensitive data must be sent via their PGP encryption solution.

Both these approaches illustrate a major change in the way local and central government regard the security of personal information. But they also present some significant challenges in coordinating activity around secure e-mail, raising awareness and ensuring that the right connections are in place between agencies.

The good news is that an estimated two thirds of London boroughs are now using secure e-mail to talk to the police within children's services and (although not ideal) most authorities have accepted PGP as an interim solution for talking to DWP.

The only free and immiediately available secure e-mail system in London is Criminal Justice Secure e-Mail (CJSM) and a document is attached here giving you a quick introduction and links to further information - including the very useful http://www.cjsm.cjit.gov.uk/

We have also just updated our comprehensive briefing on secure e-mail within London authorities - see below to download!

On our website you can also see http://www.londonconnects.gov.uk/extranet/secure_email.cfm and advice on how to manage a rollout + definitions of restricted info at www.londonsecureemail.com.

For further discussion or details of the next secure e-mail user group, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Note: We should note at this point that although we recommend CJSM as the only currently available free system, there may later be some costs proposed where usage is not for criminal justice related purposes. Also, you may have heard of the Government Connect project which aims to link up all local authorities and also offers a secure e-mail channel. Authorities in London will be linked up to this through the London Public Services Network (LPSN) which has been developed by London Connects and uses the London Grid for Learning. A recent letter to Chief Execs mandated sign up to GC by April 2009 - your local ICT manager can tell you about plans to join up within your own borough.  

STOP PRESS:  First secure e-mail sent between CJSM and GCSX! Look out for a full update on secure e-mail tests from GC (see updated briefing note for high level explanation) - but this early test confirms that you'll be able to talk to CJSM webmail users without any problem - so the migration will hopefully be stress free... 

Related documents:

LC briefing note - Secure e-mail 

Quick reference: using CJ secure e-mail with all partners

Reponse to Met secure e-mail letter - Nov 07

CJSM Technical Overview