A Teesside based firm providing software solutions and web applications for its clients has enlisted the help of a Newcastle based cyber expert to ensure that its customers have confidence that they have a safe and secure standard of cyber hygiene.
AES Digital Solutions Ltd of Stockton have used the skills of Signacure Resilience and their new Cyber Security Service which provides protection for clients’ networks and delivers the detailed information they need to find security weaknesses before they present a threat to the business.
The new service was developed in response to feedback from businesses concerned about protecting themselves against risks but unsure how best to do so. Crucially, it allows business that have outsourced their networks to infrastructure providers to bring oversight and governance of security threats back in house, while continuing to work with those providers.
Signacure Resilience Principal Partner, Dave Lloyd said: “Many businesses now use outsourced network and communications providers to manage their IT infrastructure, but providers are not always sufficiently skilled in security techniques that are directly concerned with protecting and enabling your own business objectives.
“Instead of reporting back on risks to the network, suppliers tend to focus on other key performance indicators such as system availability and performance. That means business owners don’t always have the data they need to create or adapt their security strategy.
“Our new Cyber Security Service has been developed to allow businesses to bring the security governance and oversight back into their direct control, while enabling them to continue outsourcing their IT infrastructure.”
This includes information about the health of the network including intelligence ranging from whether it is more or less secure than last month, to details about whether the servers are up to the job and complying with current policy, information about who is logged on to the network, what they can access and whether passwords are sufficiently strong to protect the system. Unlike network monitoring, which focuses on the performance of individual devices, this service looks more holistically at overall network and device risk based upon the total issues impacting the network.
Managing Director of AES, Lesley Moody MBE was pleased that her firm had gained the accreditation.
“Being able to show our Cyber Essentials certificate means every customer and supplier we deal with can be reassured that we have a level of cyber hygiene in place that inspires confidence. It is not just our word but also that of a government scheme. Gaining certification ensured we had worked through each of the five key domains of Access Control, Malware, Software Patching, Secure Configuration and Network and Firewall Connectivity.”
Mr Lloyd, working in partnership with the police and UK government is the North East’s Champion of the Cyber Information Sharing Partnership, a key part of the recently launched National Cyber Security Centre, which assists businesses with advice about the threats facing organisations from Tweed to Tees.
His feedback from businesses shows that owners and executives have a range of questions about their networks’ security that are not being addressed by providers.
The Signacure Resilience Cyber Security Service was developed to provide answers to these questions and more, with monthly reports that allow executives to measure and control risks consistently.
Subscribers are provided with their own Unique Network and Security Risk Profile and Score, which allows companies using outsourced providers to regain a central understanding and control of the threats their business faces.
Mr Lloyd said: “The monthly results and recommendations help you to prioritise and set specific tasks with your suppliers and drive supplier performance in full confidence that the results of the change will be visible next month.
“It also speeds up the decision making process by providing clarity of cause and effect without having to book a meeting for a supplier to visit for a discussion. The framework is an excellent basis and aide for negotiating discounts with insurance providers, so saving the business money in the long term.”
The new service is also able to determine whether any non-compliant software packages have been downloaded to any specific device, and can help organisations to work towards compliance to PCI DSS standard.
Ends
Photo shows Dave Lloyd and Lesley Moody MBE
Further information on the service can be obtained by contacting dave@signacure.co.uk
ENDS
Media contacts: Keith Newman Highlights PR 07814 397951