The UK government faces growing challenges in modernising infrastructure and ensuring public safety, requiring strategic, future-proof solutions to address evolving threats and operational inefficiencies
From rapid technological advancement and legacy systems to fragmented funding models and evolving security threats, agencies face mounting pressure to modernise while maintaining operational effectiveness.
Public sector leaders must navigate these complexities with strategic decisions that balance immediate needs with long-term efficiency and resilience.
Interconnected challenges demanding integrated solutions
Cyber-resilience gaps in legacy systems pose significant risks to government operations. The National Audit Office reports 58 critical government IT systems with substantial cyber-resilience vulnerabilities, many built on outdated infrastructure that attracts cybercriminals.
Addressing these vulnerabilities requires careful modernisation that minimises service disruption while adapting to evolving security threats.
Complex funding and governance constraints often hamper these modernisation efforts. The government’s Performance Review of Digital Spend highlights how intricate governance structures delay crucial decision-making while short-term cost-cutting frequently takes precedence over strategic digital investment. This approach perpetuates a cycle of outdated systems, increased security risks, and operational inefficiencies.
The impact of these challenges becomes particularly acute in mission-critical areas like emergency communications. The Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme (ESMCP) across England, Scotland and Wales is one such example. This cross-government program will deliver a new critical communications system, known as the Emergency Services Network (ESN), helping to keep the public safe. ESN will enable fast, safe, and secure voice video and data across the 4G network and give responders immediate access to life-saving data, images, and information on live situations and emergencies on the front line.
It’s clear there is a broader need for strategic infrastructure modernisation across government. All sectors require comprehensive digital transformation, from aviation and energy to transport and public services, to enhance efficiency, security, and sustainability. Success depends on long-term planning that balances immediate operational needs with future capabilities.
A partnership approach: Delivering complex solutions together
Government agencies need more than just a supplier; they need a trusted, long-term partner that understands their mission-critical needs. At CGI, delivering complex solutions requires a collaborative approach, where expertise, innovation and operational capability come together seamlessly.
We take a leadership approach, bringing together innovators, SMEs, academia and other technology providers to ensure that government organisations benefit from the best talent, latest technologies, and industry-leading best practices. By fostering these structured partnerships, we deliver solutions that affect change today and are ready for future challenges.
Our approach is built on key pillars:
- Client-First Mindset:
- Rather than just deploying technology, we focus on delivering real, measurable outcomes that align with the unique needs of public sector organisations.
- Future-Ready Solutions:
- We develop systems that work today and for tomorrow, ensuring long-term resilience, security, and adaptability in an ever-changing digital landscape.
- Ecosystem Leadership:
- We build and manage structured supplier networks, ensuring government organisations can access the best expertise and niche capabilities while maintaining stability and security.
This partnership approach has enabled us to deliver transformative projects across multiple sectors, supporting government agencies to improve public services, enhance security and future-proof national infrastructure.
CGI: Delivering expertise across the complexity spectrum
Successfully addressing these interconnected challenges requires a partner with deep government expertise and proven delivery capabilities. CGI has established itself as a trusted partner through consistently delivering high-stakes projects that enhance resilience, security, and efficiency across government departments.
In mission-critical systems, CGI has transformed essential services for UK law enforcement and public safety. By developing a national law enforcement data store, we’ve replaced one of the UK’s most complex policing systems with a modern solution that enhances real-time information sharing and supports evidence-based decision-making. Our specialist consultancy on electronic information admissibility ensures that modernised data systems maintain legal compliance and public trust.
This expertise extends to securing and modernising national infrastructure – a critical priority for government resilience. Our strategic partnership with National Air Traffic Services (NATS) has delivered a secure, scalable digital platform that improves airspace management and strengthens cyber resilience. Our modernisation of transport infrastructure leverages predictive analytics, cloud-based infrastructure, and AI-driven automation to enhance safety and efficiency. Across the public sector, our secure, cloud-based solutions help government agencies migrate from legacy systems while improving service continuity and strengthening cyber-defence capabilities.
Future-proofing government operations
UK government agencies’ complexity requires trusted partners with the expertise to manage intricate transformations effectively. CGI’s demonstrated ability to deliver large-scale, mission-critical solutions positions us as an ideal partner in shaping the future of national infrastructure and public safety.
By addressing cyber vulnerabilities, navigating funding constraints, securing critical communications, and modernising essential infrastructure, CGI provides integrated solutions to the government’s most pressing challenges. Through our partnership approach, we create ecosystems that bring together the best expertise and capabilities to deliver solutions that are effective today and adaptable for tomorrow’s challenges.
We remain committed to equipping government agencies with the capabilities to ensure secure, efficient, and future-proof public services in an increasingly complex environment.
This content was written and provided by CGI
