HMRC Goes Digital

It is reassuring to learn that HMRC are keen to use "cutting edge" technology in their fight against fraud.

HMRC have awarded a £60M 15 year contract to Airwave, to provide its law enforcement teams with digital communications.

The department's enforcement arm is charged with investigating and detecting crimes involving tax fraud, smuggling and related issues. The network will involve 4,000 devices and a central control room.

Stephen Walton, HMRC's manager for the project, is quoted:

"Security was always going to be a major factor when it came to choosing our radio network.

We were also keen to have a network that could provide coverage across as wide an area as possible."

Nice to see that security is a major concern of HMRC.

Now remind me again, were those missing data discs encrypted?

How did they send those data discs?

The digital system will also allow HMRC officers to communicate with police, the fire service and port authorities.

Airwave says its network provides coverage of 99% of Great Britain.

However, there is one small problem with this new system.

Computing reported in 2006 that the network will last only a few hours in the event of a mains power blackout caused by accidents, freak weather or terrorist attacks.

Not so "cutting edge" after all then!

Tax does have to be taxing.

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