PEN-LINK TECHNOLOGIES UK LTD.

PLX by Penlink

From call detail records to social media and mobile extractions, PLX creates a unified timeline so you can quickly spot connections and build stronger cases.

Features

• Call detail records
• Social media extractions
• Mobile forensic extractions
• Artificial intelligence powered
• Report and summarise

Benefits

• Unify call detail, social media, and mobile forensic files
• Timeline conversations, interactions and movement
• Identify and link connections
• Surface insights from huge amounts of data
• Graphical and textual summary of large data sets

• Free trial available

Service documents

• Pricing document

  PDF

• Service definition document

  PDF

• Terms and conditions

  PDF

Request an accessible format

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need versions of these documents in a more accessible format, email the supplier at paul.miller@penlink.com. Tell them what format you need. It will help if you say what assistive technology you use.

Framework

G-Cloud 15

Service ID

292378800411375

Contact

Paul Miller
07552 424231
paul.miller@penlink.com

About your service

• Service categories:

  Applications

  Production and operations

  Service industry and public sector operations

  • Public Order and Safety
  • Police
  • Defence
• Multi cloud support: Yes

Service scope

• Software add-on or extension: No
• Cloud deployment model: Private cloud
• Service constraints: No constraints. Deployment and future maintenance is all done in coordination with client.
• System requirements:
  • Minimum internet connection of 50Mbps
  • Minimum 16GB RAM
  • Minimum 256GB Disk Space
  • Windows 10 and up preferred
  • Chrome browser preferred

User support

• Email or online ticketing support: Yes
• Support response times: Critical matters - within 4 hours; Major matters - within 6 hours; Minor matters - within 1 business day
• User can manage status and priority of support tickets: Yes
• Online ticketing support accessibility: None or don’t know
• Phone support: Yes
• Phone support availability: 9 to 5 (UK time), Monday to Friday
• Web chat support: Yes
• Web chat support availability: 9 to 5 (UK time), Monday to Friday
• Web chat support accessibility standard: None or don’t know
• How the web chat support is accessible: Through support portal which registered users have access to.
• Web chat accessibility testing: N/A.
• Onsite support: Yes
• Support levels: Registered system users have access to support portal in which they can view frequently asked questions as well as contact support team by message, phone and chat. For some system technical support, our engineers may need to connect to a clients system but will only do so under written instruction from clients. In cases where it is necessary, our engineers can visit client sites.
• Support available to third parties: Yes
• AI chatbot: Yes

Onboarding and offboarding

• Getting started: Training is discussed during the sales conversation so that buyers obtain the specific level of service to suit their needs. Typically users begin with 2 days of onboard training, followed by a further 2 days of enhanced training, followed by a further 1 day of thematic training. This can be condensed or expanded to suit needs and can incorporate additional vocational training to develop foundational understanding before, during and after learning system specifics.
• Service documentation: Yes
• Documentation formats: PDF
• End-of-contract data extraction: Users can export data in formatted reports using either standard system report formats or customised ones. Additionally data can be exported in formats such as PDF, CSV, and JSON.
• End-of-contract process: Should a contract come to an end, users will be informed beforehand and will have the opportunity to export any and all data before system shutdown. Following system shutdown, data will be forensically expunged.
• Documentation accessibility standard: None or don’t know
• How the documentation is accessible: Available from within the system itself, from within the learning management system, and can also be sent directly upon request.

Using the service

• Web browser interface: Yes
• Supported browsers:
  • Microsoft Edge
  • Firefox
  • Chrome
  • Safari
  • Opera
  • Other
• Application to install: No
• Designed for use on mobile devices: Yes
• Differences between the mobile and desktop service: Mobile application is licenced separately and offers simplified functionality.
• Service interface: No
• User support accessibility: None or don’t know
• API: No
• Customisation available: Yes
• Description of customisation: Buyers can select which modules to include / exclude, what AI features to include / exclude, and what of all of this to deploy to each user profile.

Scaling

• Independence of resources: Each client system runs in its own private cloud built to a specification to support their size of system. Our support engineers run diagnostics regularly to track systems are staying within their forecasted use and will expand build specification if there is risk a client is nearing their limit.

Analytics

• Service usage metrics: Yes
• Metrics types: Users can view their own usage (for example number of searches performed, success/failure rate, and so on). Supervisors can view the above for their team. All hierarchy users can view their respective teams, up to administrators who can view the metrics system wide.
• Reporting types: Real-time dashboards
• Resource tagging: No
• FOCUS resource tagging: No

Resellers

• Supplier type: Not a reseller

Staff security

• Staff security clearance: Conforms to BS7858:2019
• Government security clearance: Developed Vetting (DV)

Asset protection

• Knowledge of data storage and processing locations: Yes
• Data storage and processing locations: United Kingdom
• User control over data storage and processing locations: Yes
• Datacentre security standards: Managed by a third party
• Penetration testing frequency: At least once a year
• Penetration testing approach: Another external penetration testing organisation
• Protecting data at rest:
  • Physical access control, complying with SSAE-18 / ISAE 3402
  • Encryption of all physical media
• Data sanitisation process: Yes
• Equipment disposal approach: Complying with a recognised standard, for example CSA CCM v4.0, CAS (Sanitisation) or ISO/IEC 27001
• Data sanitisation type:
  • Deleted data can’t be directly accessed / Cryptographic Erasure
  • Explicit overwriting of storage before reallocation / Secure Erase

Data importing and exporting

• Data export approach: Users can export data in formatted reports using either standard system report formats or customised ones. Additionally data can be exported in formats such as PDF, CSV, and JSON.
• Data export formats:
  • CSV
  • Other
• Other data export formats:
  • PDF
  • JSON
• Data import formats:
  • CSV
  • Other
• Other data import formats:
  • PDF
  • JSON

Data-in-transit protection

• Data protection between buyer and supplier networks: TLS (version 1.2 or above)
• Data protection within supplier network: TLS (version 1.2 or above)

Availability and resilience

• Guaranteed availability: PenLink's Disaster Recovery plan leverages Azure Recovery Vault capabilities, enabling the recovery of Customer Azure Virtual Machines from the latest available VM snapshot within an estimated 5-hour duration. The platform is deployed in a High Availability (HA) configuration, with disaster recovery configuration also supported and customizable based on preferred cloud instance requirements. Hardware and Virtual Machine availability SLA adhere to Azure or AWS hardware availability commitments, ensuring reliable performance and uptime, as validated by certifications such as SOC2 and ISO.
• Approach to resilience: PenLink's Disaster Recovery plan leverages Azure Recovery Vault capabilities, enabling the recovery of Customer Azure Virtual Machines from the latest available VM snapshot within an estimated 5-hour duration. The platform is deployed in a High Availability (HA) configuration, with disaster recovery configuration also supported and customizable based on preferred cloud instance requirements. Hardware and Virtual Machine availability SLA adhere to Azure or AWS hardware availability commitments, ensuring reliable performance and uptime, as validated by certifications such as SOC2 and ISO.
• Outage reporting: We have several monitoring tools used on a production system. For the backend services our DevOps have a monitor and tester to each source service and they are all monitored 24/7:; ; • Application errors; • Infrastructure issues; • CPU ,RAM and disk utilizations. ; ; For the customer system itself as part of the installation we deploy an agent that monitors the system CPU RAM and Disk utilization . In cases utilization exceeds a preset threshold, we will be notified.

Identity and authentication

• User authentication needed: Yes
• User authentication:
  • Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
  • Identity federation with existing provider (for example Google Apps)
  • Username or password
• Access restrictions in management interfaces and support channels: User identities are verified and managed with formal procedures, including access control, role-based privileges, and regular audits, all validated during SOC2 audits. Security measures include two-factor authentication, regular access reviews, and monitoring of remote connections, ensuring robust protection of sensitive data and prompt response to security incidents.
• Access restriction testing frequency: At least every 6 months
• Management access authentication:
  • Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
  • Identity federation with existing provider (for example Google Apps)
  • Username or password

Audit information for users

• Access to user activity audit information: Users have access to real-time audit information
• How long user audit data is stored for: User-defined
• Access to supplier activity audit information: Users have access to real-time audit information
• How long supplier audit data is stored for: User-defined
• How long system logs are stored for: User-defined

Security governance

• Named board-level person responsible for service security: Yes
• Security governance certified: Yes
• Security governance standards: ISO/IEC 27001
• Information security policies and processes: Extensive set of policies and procedures directly related to our SOC2 and ISO standards.
• Software Security Code of Practice: Yes

Operational security

• Configuration and change management standard: Complies with a recognised standard, for example CSA CCM v4.0 or SSAE-18 / ISAE 3402
• Configuration and change management approach: A meticulous change control process is fundamental to our Secure Software Development Life Cycle (S-SDLC), where all codebase modifications undergo rigorous approval, validation, documentation, and testing, ensuring changes maintain system security and integrity, as confirmed during ongoing SOC2 audits. Tight management of change control minimizes the risk of unauthorized alterations and vulnerabilities.
• Vulnerability management type: Complies with a recognised standard, for example CSA CCM v4.0 or SSAE-18 / ISAE 3402
• Vulnerability management approach: We maintain an inventory of assets and services, categorized based on criticality and information classification. Protection requirements are aligned accordingly. Regular reviews ensure accuracy, and authorized personnel are identified for system components.; ; Applications adhere to secure coding guidelines undergoing testing to prevent vulnerabilities. System and information integrity requirements are documented, disseminated, and updated.; ; A technical vulnerability management program monitors, assesses, ranks, and remediates vulnerabilities identified. Patches are rigorously tested before installation.; ; Regular penetration testing is conducted by independent agents. Historic audit logs are reviewed to identify exploited vulnerabilities, and monthly vulnerability scans are conducted automatically.
• Protective monitoring type: Complies with a recognised standard, for example CSA CCM v4.0 or SSAE-18 / ISAE 3402
• Protective monitoring approach: Cloud resource utilization and status are continually monitored through a dedicated agent, providing real-time status information and alerts, as confirmed during ongoing SOC2 audits.
• Incident management type: Complies with a recognised standard, for example, CSA CCM v4.0 or ISO/IEC 27035:2011 or SSAE-18 / ISAE 3402
• Incident management approach: Identification: System and security alerts are analyzed, incidents investigated, and severity classified for escalation within PenLink, involving product, security, and engineering specialists.; ; Containment: Escalation teams assess incident scope and impact, prioritize containment to safeguard data, and implement response measures, including forensic analysis if needed.; ; Eradication: After containment, efforts focus on eliminating damage and identifying root causes, with vulnerabilities reported to product engineering for resolution.; ; Recovery: System updates and services restoration are undertaken to return operations to full capacity.; ; Lessons Learned: Each incident is analyzed to apply appropriate mitigations, ensuring future protection against recurrence.
• Post-quantum cryptography secure: Yes

Secure development

• Approach to secure software development best practice: Independent review of processes (for example CESG CPA Build Standard, ISO/IEC 27034, ISO/IEC 27001 or CSA CCM v4.0)

Public sector networks

• Connection to public sector networks: No

Pricing

• Discount for educational organisations: No
• Free trial available: Yes
• Description of free trial: Length and specifics are discussed with potential buyers beforehand on a case by case basis. Generally, a trial will last for 1-2 weeks, will begin with training input, include check-ins throughout, and conclude with a debrief.

Discount percentage by annual call-off contract value (excluding VAT)

• Less than £250,000: 0%
• Between £250,000 and £500,000: 6%
• Between £500,001 and £1,000,000: 6%
• Between £1,000,001 and £2,500,000: 12%
• Between £2,500,001 and £5,000,000: 25%
• Over £5,000,001: 35%

Non-mandatory Standards and certifications

• ISO/IEC 27001 certification: Yes
• Who accredited the ISO/IEC 27001: SII audited us, ANAB audited SII
• ISO/IEC 27001 accreditation date: Monday 17 February 2025
• What the ISO/IEC 27001 doesn’t cover: N/A
• ISO 28000:2022 certification: No
• ISO 9001 certification: No
• Quality management systems (QMS): Yes
• CSA STAR certification: Yes
• CSA STAR accreditation date: Monday 8 April 2024
• CSA STAR certification level: Level 1: CSA STAR Self-Assessment
• What the CSA STAR doesn’t cover: N/A
• PCI certification: No
• Cyber essentials: No
• Cyber Essentials Alternative: In relation to the services you do not have a current and valid Cyber Essentials certificate which has been awarded by one of the government approved Cyber Essentials accreditation bodies but you are working towards gaining it, and will be in a position to confirm that you have been awarded a current and valid Cyber Essentials certificate by one of the government approved accreditation bodies within 12 months of the date of award.
• Cyber essentials plus: No
• Cyber Essentials Alternative: In relation to the services you do not have a current and valid Cyber Essentials Plus certificate which has been awarded by one of the government approved Cyber Essentials accreditation bodies but you are working towards gaining it, and will be in a position to confirm that you have been awarded a current and valid Cyber Essentials Plus certificate by one of the government approved accreditation bodies within 12 months of the date of award.
• Other security certifications: Yes
• Any other security certifications:
  • SOC 2 Type 2
  • SOC 3
  • ISO/IEC 27017
  • ISO/IEC 27018
  • NIST SP 800-171
  • TX-RAMP Level 2

Social value

• Section B - Commitment for Future: Delivery:

  • Mission: Kick start economic growth. To secure the highest sustained growth in the G7 - with good jobs and productivity growth in every part of the country making everyone, not just a few, better off.

    Policy Outcome 1: Fair work: That offers fair wages and good working conditions. Help people get a job, stay in work, and progress in their careers, with good employment opportunities across the country. Notes: Where there is a large proportion of labour costs in the contract, commercial teams should consider MAC in Outcome 1 as a priority

    • New or retained jobs on the contract workforce in the relevant area that meet the criteria set out in MAC 1b, 1c and 1d
    • Providing opportunities for, and measuring and monitoring of, staff workforce conditions over time, including employee engagement, involvement in decision-making and satisfaction and adapting to any changes in the results, with clear processes for acting on issues identified
    • Plans to engage the contract workforce in deciding the most important workplace issues to address
    • Monitoring of employee engagement rates (by protected characteristic) and, where necessary, the development of actions to ensure all voices are heard across the diversity of the workforce
    • Employment contracts that reflect actual hours worked; steps taken to ensure employees understand their contracts and have the ability to review and adjust them if actual hours regularly exceed contracted hours
    • Activities that support an environment where staff are educated about, and feel empowered to, address their physical wellbeing
    • Activities that support an environment where staff are educated about and feel empowered to report and address bullying and harassment
    • Payment of more than the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage (as appropriate) to the contract workforce
    • Monitoring and reporting of gender and ethnicity pay gaps and plans to address them where necessary
    • Understanding of in-work progression issues affecting the market, industry or sector relevant to the contract, and in the supplier’s own organisation and those of its key sub-contractors
    • Measures to support in-work progression to help people in the contract workforce, to move into higher paid work by developing new skills relevant to the contract
    • Support for educational attainment relevant to the contract, including training schemes that address skills gaps and result in recognised qualifications
    • Understanding of the modern slavery risks and issues affecting the market, industry, sector or country (of origin or of source) relevant to the contract, and the workforce in the supplier’s own organisation and those of its key subcontractors
    • Outline policies and practices to be applied to or put in place for the contract to mitigate and manage modern slavery risks, including: Pre-employment checks, recruitment practices. Workplace conditions, safeguarding plans and processes in place and regular monitoring with relevant groups considered, which may include sampling

  • Mission: Kick start economic growth. To secure the highest sustained growth in the G7 - with good jobs and productivity growth in every part of the country making everyone, not just a few, better off.

    Policy Outcome 2: Skills for growth: Supporting growth sectors and addressing skills gaps.

    • Support for educational attainment relevant to the contract, including training schemes that address skills gaps and result in recognised qualifications

  • Mission: Kick start economic growth. To secure the highest sustained growth in the G7 - with good jobs and productivity growth in every part of the country making everyone, not just a few, better off.

    Policy Outcome 3: Resilient, innovative and flexible supply chains: Support economic growth through enabling resilient businesses, opportunities for small businesses and voluntary, community and social enterprises

    • Understanding of local demographics, needs and opportunities for the co-design of the goods, services and works to be delivered under the contract
    • Measures to involve local stakeholders and/or users in design (e.g. in the design of services, systems, products or buildings)

Service documents

• Pricing document

  PDF

• Service definition document

  PDF

• Terms and conditions

  PDF

Request an accessible format

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need versions of these documents in a more accessible format, email the supplier at paul.miller@penlink.com. Tell them what format you need. It will help if you say what assistive technology you use.