Thales work colleague

I have worked with Richard on the Business Managed Networks (BMN) Programme for one and a half years, and this is the current Programme that we both work on. Since joining the Programme Richard has gone from strength to strength both in terms of process expertise and developing Leadership capabilities. 

Richard is the Product Owner (PO) for the BMN Portal Update Project and openly shares his knowledge of 

Agile methodology and Jira to facilitate the Portal team ways of working and to empower the team. He has shared an inspiring vison for the BMN portal for the engagement of the BMN portal team and also the stakeholder community. He has communicated the goals for the Portal and demonstrated the value that each portal update brings (improved user experience. alignment to process, costs saving for the Businesses etc).

In addition to the Portal work Richard is also very stakeholder focussed. He is the BMN lead for two Business (ISR and MMS) and uses his position and influence to drive BMN external accreditation, internal assurance and connection work, as well as offering his technical expertise to problem solve, both within his own BLs and other BLs as and when they reach out for technical support. 

Richard is a key contributor to the BMN Community (which includes representatives from all UK BLs and CHQ) and, as of recently, has started working more closely with the DIS and Netherlands BMN communities whom we are growing our relationship with through knowledge share.

Also has been a valued contributor to the BMN Wiki and has helped others technical aspects of MoD Directives as well as looking how to improve the risk approach.

In addition to global knowledge share Richard is using his process and technical expertise to develop learning materials for the wider audience, including Project Security Officers, Bid and Project Managers, BMN Owners and Administrators  and the general Thales UK population. 

Thales behaviours demonstrated: Imagine the future, Inspire to engage, Deliver User-Centric Solutions, 

Act with Agility and Grow self and others, include others 

THINK BIG : “Imagine the future” &  “Inspire to engage”

Business Managed Networks (BMNs) are complex in nature, ranging from a single device to a full system (100s of assets) and they can comprise both current and legacy operating system, infrastructure etc. BMNs by their nature are not IS managed therefore it is critical to the smooth operating of Thales Businesses that they are managed in a strict and structured way, with the right level of technical knowledge embedded in each Business. Richard has a detailed and broad ranging knowledge of BMNs which he uses to the advantage of Thales UK, and not purely in support of his own Business. He is influential in his role of BMN Lead (ISR/MMS) and as the Product Owner for the BMN Portal, offering viable solutions to BMN issues and a strong vision of how the BMN estate should be managed moving forward. He is supporting Business leaders with futureproofing their BMN estates; analysing and putting measures in place to reduce risk, for example uplifting kit, facilitating risk management via the BMN Portal and process, increasing stakeholder knowledge and guiding projects on standing up and maintaining safe and secure BMNs.  He is also using his process expertise to update the BMN Portal (used to capture, and report on, all BMNs in the UK estate) with enhanced features to assist key BMN stakeholders (BMN Leads, Owners, Admins) in managing their BMN estates.

TOGETHER : “Grow others and self” & “Include others”

There are few people in Thales with the level of understanding that Richard possesses in regards to BMNs, and for this reason Richard ensures he commits time to helping others develop their technical and operational capabilities, adapting his communication style to benefit the individual or team.

Richard has a passion for upskilling others, both within his own Business and all other Businesses within the UK, ensuring that there is an adequate knowledge of BMNs. He has organised workshops and training sessions for his Business (for example educating those in key BMN roles – BMN Owner, Administrator, Project Security Officer) and contributes to the workshops and training sessions organised via the BMN Programme. He has also taken control of his own development and has achieved multiple certificates in the past year for online training courses, ranging from cyber security to Agile methodology to support both the technical and operational needs to his role. As a Product Owner he arbitrates across the UK Business Lines, ensuring that each customer “voice” is heard and their individual requirements taken into account. Richard values the diverse opinions and contributions of the BMN Community; each BMN Lead, Security Assurance, Information Assurance and end users to solidify a sustainable approach to managing BMNs. 

Thales work colleague

I work in the Security Assurance Team and I have worked with Richard now for the last couple of years.  Richard has always been a great help to both the business and Security Teams in the completion of accreditation for MoD IT systems and has assisted the business greatly with all the documentation that is required. Richard has an in depth technical knowledge of IT systems which ensures he quickly understands all the requirements and acts on them. He is a pleasure to work with and is always available for assistance and offers excellent support to the Security Assurance Team’.

Thales work colleague

I have worked with Richard over the last 12 months in securing the accreditation of the connection of the Sonar 2076 integration rigs to <NETWORK>; the business need for this activity was paramount to the successful and efficient delivery of a number of critical programmes to Thales UK. Richards’s professionalism and enthusiasm were crucial in achieving the accreditation in challenging timescales and being a great team player, his proactive nature ensured that activities progressed with any blockers rapidly removed. His extensive knowledge of the BMN process and understanding of the MOD security process is well respected by his peers and is always willing to help guide colleagues to the most appropriate solution.

Thales work colleague

‘Richard has provided significant professional value to the T26 Project in the last 12 months. His knowledge of the Information Assurance process has been invaluable in allowing the T26 Project to progress, specifically regarding the approval of a BMN to support remote access during the CV19 Pandemic. Richard continues to support weekly with all Information Assurance elements. His proactive nature and ability to problem solve ensures that issues are resolved in a timely manner cognisant of Project priorities’

Thales work colleague

I have only known Richard for a relatively short period of time. However in that time he has been really supportive to both <PROJECT>  Projects advising and supporting all security related issues on both projects as follows;

BMN’s – Richard has expertly advised both projects on Business Management Networks which has resulted in a marked improvement in our management of them. There was an especially difficult to the project task to be able to allow maintenance laptops to connect to RN Ship systems. Thanks to Richard’s advice and support we were able to create the BMN, SYOP’s and RMAD’s for this and we are now in the process of clearing this very difficult issue. We also have the added knowledge that having been advised by Richard our methods are secure and acceptable.

Mod Certs – Richard has personally advised myself and members of my team on the management of Mod Certs. The excellent advice given has resulted in the projects managing the issues better and having the ability to fully open discussions with our customer on the future management of Mod Certs.

ECLYPT Drives – Richard has fully advised and helped the project obtain ECLYPT Drives for the maintenance laptops to be used on RN Ships. This has been a real issue for several years and with Richard’s help we have been able to unblock this and find a route to procuring them.

Overall Security Issues – Since Richard started to support the <PROJECT> Block 1 projects we are now in a much better place on security management. I was somewhat nervous and doubtful on our management in this area, however with Richard’s help this has improved dramatically. As security including the recent mandatory training on Cyber Security has shown all projects now need to step up and ensure we follow all of the guidelines and get the support we require. I will certainly be using Richard as a major source of advice on all aspects of security. I now consider <PROJECT> to be well advanced in management of security aspects thanks to Richards support.