The Softcat News Team
Softcat announces its inclusion on a new two-year cyber security framework, which is designed to simplify cyber security procurement for the UK public sector. The national framework was created by NHS Shared Business Services (SBS) and comprises a three-lot agreement, to provide public sector authorities with access to support and services for cyber security.
The new framework, which is now live and worth an estimated £250 million, will provide NHS trusts, local and central government departments, education, police forces, charities and housing associations with simplified access to approved cyber security service options.
Framework Lot Detail:
Lot 1 Emergency Cyber Incident Management – Softcat’s Incident Response Service is designed to mitigate security incidents swiftly and effectively, 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year. The service helps organisations to contain the threat, minimise financial and reputational loss, and reduce downtime to keep businesses up and running.
Lot 2 Cyber Security Consultancy Services – Softcat provides a comprehensive set of services covering the strategy, improvement, and technical validation of an organisation’s cyber security. This enables organisations to confidently deliver cyber security programmes that are right for them.
Lot 3 Security Personnel – Softcat can offer the provision of a highly regarded network of cyber security professionals; through delivery partner Via Resource.
Softcat is one of only seven suppliers to secure all three lots on this framework, but is already a trusted cyber security advisor to many healthcare, government, education and local authority customers with a wealth of experience ranging from:
· Assessment Services
· Governance Risk and Compliance
· Managed Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)
· Incident Response Services
· Penetration Testing
Softcat’s Contract Manager, Andy Bruen, commented, “This is a UK first, a stringently competed framework with a sole focus on cyber security. As customer happiness and success is at the heart of our business, we are delighted to have been awarded all LOTs, as this will provide our customers with valuable one-stop-shop efficiency; from emergency response, through to sourcing the best in-house personnel.”
“What’s exciting about this new framework is that it goes beyond technology procurement to include assessment and consultancy – helping organisations understand where to put cyber security tools and how to optimise them. And the Framework’s direct award facility enables customers to respond rapidly; in areas where time can be critical to successful outcomes. This provides a major benefit to our customers as we can make recommendations and put the solution in place quickly and efficiently.”
Phil Davies, Procurement Director at NHS SBS, said: "Technology plays a huge part in the way the NHS delivers patient care, so it is vital that healthcare providers keep data secure, whilst being prepared for and resilient against attacks.
"The NHS and public sector has been proactive in harnessing improvements in cyber security since the WannaCry attacks in 2017 but there is still more work to be done. This framework provides a sustainable and trusted solution to help organisations meet the challenges around cyber security head on."
This is the latest in a number of recent successes for Softcat on NHS SBS framework competitive procurements – including the Cloud Solutions Framework, launched in October 2019, in which Softcat was also awarded all the available lots. The new NHS SBS Cyber Security framework furthers Softcat’s mission to help businesses take a positive attitude to cyber security. According to Matthew Helling, Head of Cyber Security Services at Softcat, “it’s more beneficial to help businesses build a strategy for success, rather than pointing out the things that they might not be doing so well.”
Softcat has a strong track record in cyber security and the public sector. It was recently declared EMEA Partner of the Year by AT&T Cybersecurity for the second year running and was awarded the ‘CRN Public Sector reseller of the Year 2020.
Further information about Softcat’s comprehensive cyber security offering can be viewed here.