Physically the service is located in and delivered from one of Capgemini’s secure List-X accredited facilities. However, the service benefits from the support of Capgemini’s national “centres of excellence” based around the country from which key technical expertise can be drawn. Centres of excellence supporting DECS are located in specific centres throughout the UK and  are connected to DECS with secure data links - all staff working on DECS are security cleared. The delivery of the services is regulated through a set of Service Level Agreements, performance against which is monitored through a Performance Management System each month. Adverse performance against the service levels will result in financial penalties against Capgemini, but the key principle is the regular, joint review of the service by both parties in order to manage performance actively both to pre-empt potential problems, and to react to problems promptly and cooperatively. The effectiveness of the services delivered through DECS is governed by a joint forum consisting of senior MOD and Capgemini representatives who meet on a regular basis.