GOV.UK puts small files (known as ‘cookies’) onto your computer to collect information about how you browse the site. Find out more about the cookies we use, what they’re for and when they expire.
GCS Connect (connect.gcs.civilservice.gov.uk) puts small files (known as 'cookies') onto your computer to collect information about how you browse the site.
Cookies are used to:
- measure how you use the website so it can be updated and improved based on your needs
- remember the notifications you've seen so that we don't show them to you again
- maintain the site security and ensure it copes with the number of visits it receives
You can find out more about how to manage cookies, including how to delete and block them, on the Information Commission Officer’s (ICO) website.
How cookies are used on GCS Connect
Measuring website usage (Google Analytics)
We use Google Analytics software to collect information about how you use this site. We do this to help make sure the site is meeting the needs of its users and to help us make improvements.
Google Analytics stores information about:
- the pages you visit on the site
- how long you spend on each page
- how you got to the site
- what you click on while you’re visiting the site
It doesn’t collect or store your personal information (e.g. your name or address) so this information can’t be used to identify who you are. We don’t allow Google to use or share our analytics data.
Google Analytics sets the following cookies:
| Name | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|
| _ga | These help us count how many people visit GCS Connect by tracking if you’ve visited before | 2 years |
| _gid | These help us count how many people visit GCS Connect by tracking if you’ve visited before | 24 hours |
| _ga_R7GRRD4PTL | This cookies uses a tracking ID to connect the data about website visits to our Google Analytics account | 2 years |
You may opt out of Google Analytics cookies.
Strictly necessary cookies
You may see a banner when you visit GCS Connect inviting you to accept cookies or review your settings. We’ll set cookies so that your computer knows you’ve seen it and not to show it again, and also to store your settings.
We also set cookies to ensure the site remains secure and able to cope with the number of visits it receives.
These cookies are all essential for the safe and proper running of the site.
| Name | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|
| cookie_policy | Stores users cookie preferences | 1 year |
| connect_session | This cookie is provided to identify a user session instance | 2 hours |
| connect_2fa_prompt | This cookie is provided to identify 2fa renewal option | up to 14 days |
| connect_copilot_session | This cookie is provided to support access to the Assist API | 24 hours |
| XSRF-TOKEN | This cookie is provided to help prevent cross-scripting attacks | 2 hours |
| AWSALBCORS | This cookie is managed by AWS and is used for load balancing | 7 days |
| AWSALB | This cookie is to provide load-balancing functionality | 7 days |