Working closely with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s Project Manager and key stakeholders, we redesigned the infrastructure of the cabling sympathetically to ensure business-as-usual operations would continue. It was vital we delivered a seamless project with minimal interruption during the transition from the old cabling to the new design - so that post could continue to function effectively.

Whilst overseeing the implementation of the project, it was important existing security systems remained operational with minimal disruption.

During the redesign of the cabling, we took the opportunity to make improvements, incorporating up-to-date technology to ensure the best possible connectivity for the new system thus increasing longevity.

FCDO Services’ Secure Technical Services Officers (STSOs) are based all over the world to support security systems at post, including access control, CCTV and intruder detection. Leveraging technical expertise and experience, our lead STSO in Islamabad implemented the design and oversaw the project.

During the redesign of the cabling, we incorporated up-to-date technology to ensure the best possible connectivity]

Whilst overseeing the implementation of the project, it was important existing security systems remained operational with minimal disruption. These systems are crucial to enable posts to function. We overcame this challenge by sending out an additional STSO to support business as usual activity. With this extra resource keeping the large complex security systems operational, we were able to dedicate speed, scale and accuracy to the recabling works.

The project, which was completed in February 2020, was highly complex and involved all aspects of the mission: personnel, kit and systems. We were able to support the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office with technical input on the ground, a very necessary collaboration for the effective completion of the cabling works. The cabling was successfully rerouted away from the Swedish plot, with the British compounds remaining connected with greater security benefits.

“This was a novel problem needing a collaborative approach for a successful outcome, in a very short space of time. The FCDO Services team provided this which meant British High Commission Islamabad could continue its core business with the least impact.”

Service Portfolio Owner, Knowledge and Technology Directorate (KTD), FCDO