Double finalist at e-Gov National Awards

'Protecting Information', a data security e-learning programme developed by Epic for the Cabinet Office in conjunction with NSG, has been shortlisted in two categories at this year's e-Government National Awards.

These highly sought-after awards recognise excellence in the use of technology in government, enabling businesses and citizens to better communicate with councils, central government, NHS and other public sector organisations. This year's awards saw 447 entries whittled down to just 72 finalists across 11 different categories, with 'Protecting Information' reaching the final for Central e-Government excellence: Take-up & usage growth and e-Government excellence: Leadership & Professionalism.

Tracy Capaldi-Drewett, Epic's Commercial Director, commented, 'This programme really has been a phenomenal success. Over a quarter of a million civil servants have now completed the course and passed the test, which is 8 times as many as any previous pan-government e-learning. Over 300 departments and agencies are using it, with numbers growing every day, acting as a catalyst for collaborative working and sharing resources across government."

Ken Ingram, Head of e-learning at NSG explains, "Attempting to engage all of central government in a single training programme was a tough brief. E-learning was the obvious way forward given the audience size, but meant achieving something never before attempted on this scale, with huge technical and cultural challenges. We've done it, we've achieved widespread and enthusiastic adoption across very diverse areas of the public sector. I cannot emphasise enough what an enormous achievement that is."

The awards ceremony takes place on 20th January 2010 at a black-tie Ministerial dinner at the City of London's Guildhall.