Guidance

Updating government email domains: migrating from .gsi

Updated 17 May 2019

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/changing-government-email-migrating-from-gsi/changing-government-email-migrating-from-gsi

All gsi-family domain names (gsi.gov.uk, gse.gov.uk, gcsx.gov.uk or gsx.gov.uk) must now be replaced with a government domain like gov.uk, gov.scot, llyw.cymru or gov.wales.

1. Foreword

Government Digital Service (GDS) has stopped issuing any new gsi-family domains. These domains no longer offer value for money and our security needs can be delivered in more efficient ways, such as through a secure public cloud service.

This guidance covers the migration of all services that use a gsi-family domain name, but you must prioritise the migration of your email.

2. What you need to do

If you use your gsi-family domain name for email, you must migrate your email service domain to a public cloud or other internet service and configure it using our secure email guidance.

For other services, like websites, the first step is to change to your new domain name. You should also consider migrating your service from the PSN to the internet. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has published Cloud Security Guidance that can help organisations configure, deploy and use cloud services securely.

2.1 Public sector organisations migrating services off gsi-family domains

If you’re an eligible public sector organisation that uses a gsi-family domain name, you must replace it with a government domain like gov.uk, gov.scot, llyw.cymru or gov.wales.

We’ve published guidance that sets out the eligibility criteria and naming conventions when registering a new domain name. Not every organisation that currently has a gsi.gov.uk domain is eligible for a gov.uk, llyw.cymru, gov.wales or gov.scot domain.

If you’re a government department, agency or non-departmental public body domain guidance is available for:

Separate domain guidance is available for local and regional government bodies, including town and parish councils.

2.2 Commercial and other non-government organisations migrating off gsi-family domains

If you’re a commercial or other non-government organisation that uses a gsi-family domain name, you must replace it with a non-government domain.

3. Timescales and support

Government email should move to public cloud, but you can use hosted or on-premises email services in the short term if you can’t move right away.

The timescale should be achievable for most organisations but we understand it may be difficult to achieve if you have:

  • competing priorities
  • large-scale changes to make
  • internal services or processes that depend on gsi-family domains

If your organisation is unlikely to meet the timescale for migrating its services off gsi, or you have other questions about this policy, contact emailassurance@digital.cabinet-office.gov.uk.

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