by Gareth Shaw, Founder of Pera Prometheus
Table of Contents
If your organisation is involved in communications or IT infrastructure for the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD), you’ve likely come across the term SCIDA—the Site Coordinating Infrastructure Design Authority. It is a critical part of how infrastructure work is reviewed, approved, and delivered on MOD sites. According to the Government website, SCIDA services are provided by Adecco UK Limited, although you may find that your Contracting Authority has a different POC within wider HMG. The application of SCIDA standards ensures that the installation of cabling, fibre optics, power, ducting and general infrastructure does not compromise MOD’s sensitive ICT systems and information.
What is SCIDA?
SCIDA is the body appointed to oversee and assure the design and implementation of communications infrastructure within MOD estates. Its job is to make sure all work complies with strict technical and security standards. This ensures that projects not only work as intended but also don’t compromise the MOD’s operational integrity.
It is important to understand what the SCIDA requirements are for any infrastructure-related project delivered within HMG information environments.
Why SCIDA Is So Important?
If your project doesn’t align with SCIDA expectations, it can be delayed or stopped altogether, SCIDA requirements should be agreed and understood before any new project commences. Beyond approvals, the SCIDA process helps reduce risks by making sure everything is properly planned, documented, and tested. Failing to meet SCIDA requirements can lead to:
- Project delays or cancellation
- Introduction of security vulnerabilities
- Compliance breaches that could affect future contract eligibility
- Additional costs due to unforeseen requirements and rectification measures
Key SCIDA Service Areas
SCIDA services typically follow the full lifecycle of a project. Here’s a breakdown of the main areas Adecco supports with:
- Planning: It is the first and most critical step in any SCIDA led infrastructure project. It involves a thorough assessment of the current environment to identify which systems are ready for migration and which need preparation. This stage ensures that the proposed solution aligns with business goals and that the transition process will be secure, controlled, and low risk. Effective planning reduces the chances of outages and data loss and builds a clear path for future implementation.
- Training: It is essential to ensure that all teams involved understand the infrastructure changes and the standards required on MOD sites. It includes access to detailed documentation, formal training sessions, and hands-on support. Proper training helps technical teams and end users manage new systems confidently and correctly, reducing errors and ensuring continuity throughout the deployment and beyond.
- Setup and Migration: This stage covers the technical setup of infrastructure and the migration of systems to the new environment. It begins with an in-depth readiness assessment and is followed by configuring the environment according to the migration plan. This ensures consistency between the planned strategy and the actual implementation. A well-executed setup and migration minimises disruption and ensures the infrastructure is fully functional from day one.
- Quality Assurance and Performance Testing: Once the infrastructure is in place, it must be tested to confirm that it meets all design, performance, and compliance requirements. Quality assurance involves structured testing, including technical checks and user acceptance testing, with results clearly documented. This step ensures that the system performs reliably and is fit for purpose before it goes live.
- Security Testing: It is a core requirement in MOD environments. It involves a full review of the infrastructure to identify any weaknesses and ensure compliance with defence security standards. This may include risk assessments, penetration testing, cyber security consultancy and security audits. Robust testing protects against both physical and cyber threats, safeguarding critical systems and data.
- Ongoing Support: Support does not end once the system is live. Ongoing support includes monitoring, incident resolution, and performance tracking. Teams have access to support portals and dedicated service managers to ensure any issues are quickly resolved. Scalable support services also allow organisations to adapt to change while maintaining compliance and performance over time.
Final Thoughts
SCIDA services plays a vital role in protecting MOD infrastructure and ensuring that all work on Defence or Defence Industry estates is carried out to the highest standards. If your organisation is delivering infrastructure in this space, understanding how SCIDA works is essential.
Pera Prometheus are not SCIDA experts but we understand the requirements and always consider the requirements when planning assurance of IT Systems or the establishment of Secure Facilities. We know the right questions to ask to make sure that there are no nasty surprises further down the line.
