Councillor Neil Fawcett, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Resources, approved the procurement of Zscaler secure connectivity, access, and cyber security services. The meeting also deferred a decision on the TVFCS Command and Control System.

Zero Trust Network Access Broker

The Cabinet Member for Resources and Deputy Leader authorised the procurement and award of a contract for Zscaler secure connectivity, access, and cyber security services. This decision aims to replace the current contract with Softcat PLC, which expires on 26 December 2026. The Zscaler services, originally introduced as part of the Council's 2019-24 IT Strategy, enable officers to securely access the internet, council applications, and internal resources. This approach aligns with the Council's Technology Strategy 2025-2028 and supports the move towards a Zero Trust model, which allows for the removal of the Wide Area Network and the use of more efficient internet services.

The Zscaler services consist of Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA), which inspects internet traffic to block malicious activity, and Zscaler Private Access (ZPA), which ensures users can only connect to authorised applications. This strengthens the Council's security posture and mitigates cyber risks. The report highlighted that these services are crucial for supporting Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) by providing secure access across multiple environments and a flexible foundation for collaboration and organisational change.

The estimated cost for a three-year contract is included in the IT Service cost centre R41000. The contract will be awarded in compliance with relevant legislation and the Council's Contract Procedure Rules, utilising the Software Products and Associated Services (Y23065) Framework Agreement established by Kent Commercial Services. The decision was made by Councillor Neil Fawcett, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Resources.

TVFCS Command and Control System

A decision regarding the TVFCS Command and Control System was deferred until a future date. No further details were provided in the available documentation.