Please find below the most frequently asked questions. If you have any questions which are not covered within this section or elsewhere on the site, please feel free to contact us .
1) What are the different types of access mechanisms?
2) What is the PKI access mechanism?
3) What must be in place to access DCP via the Internet?
4) Who are the British Chambers of Commerce?
5) How do I apply for a PKI card?
6) Which MoD Trading Partners are already registered for DECS?
7) How do monthly seats work?
1) What are the different types of access mechanisms? DCP can be accessed via the three routes detailed below:-
- RLI - Restricted Lan Interconnect
- GSI - Government Secure Intranet
- Internet - utilising a PKI card
2) What is the PKI access mechanism? The internet service is aimed at those companies who have a requirement to share and collaborate on information and projects but are unable to connect to either the RLI or GSI. A digital certificate held on a smartcard is used to authenticate the DCP user in order to access the DECS home page through a web session. The user is then asked to provide the appropriate DECS Login and Password via an encrypted link before final access to the specific workspaces is granted. This mechanism meets the stringent accreditation and security measures of the UK MoD and the wider Defence industry. The certificate issuing service is operated by Chambersign (a subsidiary of the British Chambers of Commerce) under the brand name of Chambercard. Chambercard uses the leading security technology provided by the Trust Assured solution
3) What must be in place to access DCP via the Internet? The following are required to be in place to enable DCP to be accessed via the internet.
- A web browser (the full functinonality is only available through Internet Explorer) and a internet connection.
- A digital certificate for each user verification.
- Specific hardware supplied by the British Chamber of Commerce (BCC).
4) Who are the British Chambers of Commerce? The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is the national body for a powerful and influential Network of Accredited Chambers of Commerce across the UK. Face-to-face authentication is done by trained Certificate Managers, meeting government level 3 (“strong authentication”) requirements.
5) How do I apply for a PKI card? The initial step is to register your company on the DECS Stage 1 Registration form. Further information of the specific tariffs and steps in the process can be found on the Chambercard website.
6) Which MoD Trading Partners are already registered for DECS? A list of the Trading Partners which are already registered to DECS can be found by clicking on the link to the DECS registered Trading Partners
7) How do monthly seats work? Rather than purchasing a number of seats which are to be used for the whole year, a Client may select to purchase monthly seats. If this option is selected then a number of seats would be purchased and a monthly exercise would then subtract the number of seats used during that month to give the remaining seats which would be carried forward for the next month. e.g. Purchased seats - 1,000 Number of seats used in month - 100 Remaing seats carried forward to next month - 900 These seats work out more expensive than the standard seat, however they offer a lot more flexibility in that seats can be taken out for only part of the year rather than a whole year and that the Client only pays for those seats that they actually use. The Capgemini implementation consultants can assist in calculating which seat type would offer best value for money.
