Networks / Cyber Security / Command & Control

WMFS OFFICIAL – NEW – FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST – FOI24102 

Ref: FOI/24102 

RE: FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000 REQUEST 

I am writing to confirm that the West Midlands Fire Service has now completed its search for the information you requested further to your Freedom of Information request. 

Please find below a summary of our findings. 

Request 

Networks 
1. What network vendor(s) / service provider does your emergency service currently use for their LAN, WAN, wireless and core network (e.g., BT, Virgin, Cisco)? 
2. Is the network managed / run internally, or is the network managed and/or supplied by a third party? Please specify which elements of the network are outsourced and to which companies. 
3. Please may you provide an indication of the size of the network (e.g., number of switches, routers, access points etc.)? 
4. How much money was spent on the last major network refresh (referring to replacement of the LAN / WAN / core network)? 
5. When was the last major network refresh (month & year)? 
6. When is the next major network refresh likely to take place (month & year)? 
7. What frameworks are likely to be used when releasing a tender for a network refresh? 
 
Cyber Security 
1. Which cyber security providers / vendors are used, and for what technologies (e.g., firewalls, SOC etc.)? 
2. When is your service due for a renewal of these technologies (month & year)? 
3. Is all cyber security managed in-house, or is it / parts of it outsourced to a third party? Please specify which elements are outsourced and to which companies. 
 
Command and Control 
1. Which technology suppliers / vendors are used in your command and control rooms? 
2. Is your command and control room managed in-house, or is it / parts of it outsourced to a third party? Please specify which elements are outsourced and to which companies. 
3. How much was spent on the last major command and control technology refresh (referring to the replacement of the CAD / ICCS)? 
4. When was the last command and control technology refresh (month & year)? 
5. When is the next command and control technology refresh likely to take place (month & year)? 
 

Reply 

Networks: 

1. As a major emergency service provider, you will appreciate that releasing information about product versions has wider implications that we must consider.  By this we mean that disclosing this information may prejudice our ability to maintain our own and national security. We believe that maintaining security and ensuring public safety in a national and local context takes precedence over this request. Therefore, we refuse the request to release product versions under S24 National Security of the Freedom of Information Act.  We accept that this type of information is of interest to commercial companies and to researchers but believe that it is not in the greater public good to release detailed information on the versions of products we use. 

2. Internally 

3. 420 assets 

4. 300k 

5. Feb 2023 

6. Feb 2027 

7. The last framework we used for networks was CCS Mobile Voice and Data Services RM6261 

Cyber Security: 

1. As a major emergency service provider, you will appreciate that releasing information about product versions has wider implications that we must consider.  By this we mean that disclosing this information may prejudice our ability to maintain our own and national security. We believe that maintaining security and ensuring public safety in a national and local context takes precedence over this request. Therefore, we refuse the request to release product versions under S24 National Security of the Freedom of Information Act.  We accept that this type of information is of interest to commercial companies and to researchers but believe that it is not in the greater public good to release detailed information on the versions of products we use. 

2. August 2025 

3. Internally 

Command and Control: 

1. As a major emergency service provider, you will appreciate that releasing information about product versions has wider implications that we must consider.  By this we mean that disclosing this information may prejudice our ability to maintain our own and national security. We believe that maintaining security and ensuring public safety in a national and local context takes precedence over this request. Therefore, we refuse the request to release product versions under S24 National Security of the Freedom of Information Act.  We accept that this type of information is of interest to commercial companies and to researchers but believe that it is not in the greater public good to release detailed information on the versions of products we use. However, periodically when a significant change to technology happens, we publish some information about the systems that we use. We would like to direct you to the link on our website that will provide you with some information about the systems that we use in our Control Room. 

2. CAD and ICCS support is under contract with a third party 
3.This information is exempt under Section 21 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 as this information is reasonably accessible to the requestor. The information can be found on the Contracts Finder West Midlands Fire Service website at the following link: 
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/64bef27c-678f-4a26-95cd-590638dcbd71 
4. Ongoing 
5. Ongoing 

If you have any queries about this Freedom of Information request, please contact us. Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications.  

For service complaints, issues or comments regarding this request please contact The Public Relations Department, West Midlands Fire Service, 99 Vauxhall Road, Birmingham, B7 4HW 

Further information concerning Freedom of Information requests can be found on the Information Commissioner website at either the following link: https://ico.org.uk/ or at Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, SK9 5AF.