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CISx plans scrapped

DWP slams brakes on gov data sharing system

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that it has halted the development of a central data sharing system for government.

A spokesperson for the department told GC News on 23 August 2010 that the work has been terminated, attributing it to the government's decision to close the National Identity Scheme (NIS).

Named CISx, the system was based on the DWP's Customer Information System (CIS), combining information specific to the department with some that could be shared across government. It was intended for use as part of the NIS, although it had the potential to be a shared service for other departments.

The DWP spokesperson said: "The National Identity Scheme has closed and as a result the development plans for CISx have been stopped."

Chris Pennell, principal analyst at Kable, said: "The cancellation of identity cards meant that the CISx was unlikely to go ahead. But the CIS is still likely to be seen as a key part of any identity system within central government.

"The situation will lead to opportunities within other organisations which have the need to create citizens records containing information not currently recorded in the CIS."

Pennell warned: "The problem is that this could lead to duplication and the creation of more databases than needed, which seems counter-intuitive to programmes such as Tell Us Once."

This article was originally published at Kable.

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