Exponential-e Ltd

Remote Access as a Service

Organisations require Secure Remote Access (SRA) mechanisms connecting users to infrastructure, applications and networks aligning to Government and Industry standards .We provide Remote Access (RAS) Encryption, Identity Management and Data flow controls using;

Encryption, Admission Control, 2 Factor Authentication
Certificate Authority URL verification
Connectivity to Internet, Cloud, WAN and HSCN

Features

• Remote Access over Internet: Broadband, 3/4G, corporate, public hotspot
• Virtual Private Network with strong transport encryption (AES256)
• Stand Alone or Customer Active Directory Integration
• Multi-Factor Authentication, NAC and 2nd factor (Hard and soft Token)
• Works with TLS and SSL based applications
• Connects users to Cloud, Corporate, WAN, LAN and HSCN services
• Aligns to NCSC 14 Security Principles, meets ISO27001
• Web based client options with low device footprint
• Integrated Network Admission Control (NAC) options
• Self Service password reset and tiered user management

Benefits

• Enables mobile and home working
• Increases productivity allowing access to sensitive data securely
• In-flight data security and integrity, with rigid security controls
• Security goverance and compliance to government standards
• Cost effective access sensitive services including Health and Social Care
• Simplifies data and process auditing
• Flexible Access Control and Identify management to adjust to requirements
• Provides scalability without upfront investment
• Reduces time to deliver and project complexity
• Provides Peace of Mind and Distaster Continuity of employee working

£14.79 a user a month

Service documents

• Pricing document

  PDF

• Skills Framework for the Information Age rate card

  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 psbids@exponential-e.com. Tell them what format you need. It will help if you say what assistive technology you use.

Framework

G-Cloud 13

Service ID

110675070816241

Contact

Kay Sugg
02034358835
psbids@exponential-e.com

Service scope

• Service constraints: The service may be subject to planned maintenance outages, customers may be required to upgrade components on-line (in line with security best practice).; ; The service may preclude the use of previously acceptable weak security practices.; ; When used in conjunction with Public Sector Networks such as the HSCN, some use cases will also need to align to those network standards. ; ; Legacy versions of Windows, OSX and Android may not be supported
• System requirements:
  • A compatible opperating system such as windows, android, IOS
  • Hardware meeting Windows 7 or better CPU/RAM specification
  • An Internet connection and/or 3g connection
  • Local Firewall eg.Bitdefender (Network Access Control only)
  • Disk Encryption eg. Bitlocker (Network Access Control only)
  • Anti Virus Software
  • A valid HSCN connection agreement (when connecting to HSCN)

User support

• Email or online ticketing support: Email or online ticketing
• Support response times: 1 Hour
• 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: 24 hours, 7 days a week
• Web chat support: No
• Onsite support: Yes, at extra cost
• Support levels: 99.9% availability; 24x7 operation; We may provide a technical account manger based on size of requirement.
• Support available to third parties: Yes

Onboarding and offboarding

• Getting started: We provide a product description, product manual and quick start guidance.; ; We may provide onsite training and additional documentation at cost; ; Project management, co-ordination, integration services and data security audits are available at cost should they be needed.
• Service documentation: Yes
• Documentation formats: PDF
• End-of-contract data extraction: The system holds Meta-Data only and not data therefore this is not applicable
• End-of-contract process: The price includes the basic connectivity service with a soft token, priced on a per user basis.; ; Optional extras will be charge accordingly and can include;; ; 1. Multi-factor authentication; 2. Hard Tokens; 3. Network Admission Control; 4. Customisation of User experience; 5. Single Sign-on

Using the service

• Web browser interface: Yes
• Using the web interface: The service consists of a user administration portal that provides on-boarding of users and self-service password resets.; ; Users are added to the system via a web portal and can use a number of mechanisms including a Comma Separated List (CSV), manual user addition, AD Join and other mechanisms.; ; User interaction with the web interface is provided using Role Based Security profiles and allows users management capabilities ranging from Admin to Self-Service depending on the given profile.; ; Users may make changes via the Web portal via the internet and only via a supported browser using a secure (SSL/HTTPS) transport.
• Web interface accessibility standard: None or don’t know
• How the web interface is accessible: Access is governed by role. There are two roles - user and administrator.; ; Administrators are allowed to manage and add users.; Users may only perform password resets and changes.
• Web interface accessibility testing: The service works with standard screen readers and colour scheme based desktop profiles.
• API: Yes
• What users can and can't do using the API: The service comes with a default API and utilised the OKTA and Citrix Netscaler integration capabilities.; ; Customers may choose to use their own identity agent, in which case they will connect directly to the Netscaler orchestration API.; ; In order to maintain best value, we may at our discretion provide alternatives API interfaces, however by default, the service provided will utilise the OKTA API.; ; Integration with OKTA API may be achieved, but is not a standard component of the service. Features and functions available will vary between customers, solution elements and adjacent requirement. Please contact us for further details
• API automation tools: Other
• API documentation: Yes
• API documentation formats:
  • HTML
  • ODF
  • PDF
• Command line interface: No

Scaling

• Scaling available: Yes
• Scaling type:
  • Automatic
  • Manual
• Independence of resources: Maintained via contractual mechanisms including SLA; Maintained through technical mechanisms including provisioning and platform scaling.
• Usage notifications: No

Analytics

• Infrastructure or application metrics: Yes
• Metrics types: Other
• Other metrics:
  • Log on
  • Active users
  • Historical audit
• Reporting types: Real-time dashboards

Resellers

• Supplier type: Reseller providing extra features and support
• Organisation whose services are being resold: Microsoft, Fortigate, Okta, Symantec, RSA, Gemalto, Yubico

Staff security

• Staff security clearance: Conforms to BS7858:2019
• Government security clearance: Up to Security Clearance (SC)

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: No
• Datacentre security standards: Supplier-defined controls
• Penetration testing frequency: At least once a year
• Penetration testing approach: ‘IT Health Check’ performed by a CHECK service provider
• Protecting data at rest: Encryption of all physical media
• Data sanitisation process: Yes
• Data sanitisation type:
  • Explicit overwriting of storage before reallocation
  • Hardware containing data is completely destroyed
• Equipment disposal approach: Complying with a recognised standard, for example CSA CCM v.30, CAS (Sanitisation) or ISO/IEC 27001

Backup and recovery

• Backup and recovery: No

Data-in-transit protection

• Data protection between buyer and supplier networks:
  • Private network or public sector network
  • TLS (version 1.2 or above)
  • IPsec or TLS VPN gateway
  • Other
• Other protection between networks: Firewall controls including ACL and boundary separation; Virtual Domains; Network Address Translation, filtering and Access Controls (ACL); Network edge content control (via HSCN SBS - HSCN services only )
• Data protection within supplier network:
  • TLS (version 1.2 or above)
  • IPsec or TLS VPN gateway
  • Other
• Other protection within supplier network: Firewall Controls and Access Lists (ACL); Virtual Domains; Network Address Translation; Inspection of Edge Traffic

Availability and resilience

• Guaranteed availability: TBA
• Approach to resilience: Available on Request
• Outage reporting: Dashboad and email

Identity and authentication

• User authentication:
  • 2-factor authentication
  • Public key authentication (including by TLS client certificate)
  • Identity federation with existing provider (for example Google apps)
  • Limited access network (for example PSN)
  • Username or password
  • Other
• Other user authentication: Users provide first factor authentication using Username and Password; Second Factor authentication is then required using both Hard Token and Soft Token Mechanisms; Soft Token Mechanisms include SMS, Application and Email ; Hard Token Mechanisms include Yubikey (and NFC), Gemalto and RSA; Network admission control is then applied and the user is checked for Disk Encryption, Local persistent firewall and Anti-Virus.
• Access restrictions in management interfaces and support channels: Password, User, Role and 2Factor Authentication for front end systems.; Network Admission Control; Separate Management LAN where appropriate
• Access restriction testing frequency: At least once a year
• Management access authentication:
  • 2-factor authentication
  • Public key authentication (including by TLS client certificate)
  • Identity federation with existing provider (for example Google Apps)
  • Limited access network (for example PSN)
  • Username or password
• Devices users manage the service through: Directly from any device which may also be used for normal business (for example web browsing or viewing external email)

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: Less than 1 month
• Access to supplier activity audit information: Users have access to real-time audit information
• How long supplier audit data is stored for: Less than 1 month
• How long system logs are stored for: Less than 1 month

Standards and certifications

• ISO/IEC 27001 certification: Yes
• Who accredited the ISO/IEC 27001: BSI
• ISO/IEC 27001 accreditation date: 13/04/2021
• What the ISO/IEC 27001 doesn’t cover: Details available on request.
• ISO 28000:2007 certification: No
• CSA STAR certification: Yes
• CSA STAR accreditation date: 13/04/2021
• CSA STAR certification level: Level 3: CSA STAR Certification
• What the CSA STAR doesn’t cover: Details available on request.
• PCI certification: Yes
• Who accredited the PCI DSS certification: Blackmores UK
• PCI DSS accreditation date: 19/3/2019
• What the PCI DSS doesn’t cover: Hosting Provider – Applications, Storage, Security Services, shared hosting, Online Hosting, Managed Services – System Security, IT Support, Backup, Cloud Services Payment Processes – All payment services
• Cyber essentials: Yes
• Cyber essentials plus: Yes
• Other security certifications: Yes
• Any other security certifications:
  • ISO 27017
  • SOC2 Type 2 Report
  • BS 10012 Personal Information Management
  • ISO 22301
  • ISO 20000
  • ISO 9001
  • ISO 50001
  • ISO 14001
  • SOC Check

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: The security of our Network is fundamental to our business and have implemented a wide range of security measures.; ; Our network has undergone rigorous security assessments - undertaken by BSI - and has achieved ISO 27001 (tested every six months) and PCI-DSS (tested annually) certifications to ensure security standards. These audits and controls are continuous and executed in-line with the appropriate HMG data security standards.; ; Exponential-e are currently at HSCN Stage 3 accreditation.

Operational security

• Configuration and change management standard: Supplier-defined controls
• Configuration and change management approach: Available on Request
• Vulnerability management type: Undisclosed
• Vulnerability management approach: Available on Request
• Protective monitoring type: Undisclosed
• Protective monitoring approach: Available on Request
• Incident management type: Undisclosed
• Incident management approach: Available on Request

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 v3.0)

Separation between users

• Virtualisation technology used to keep applications and users sharing the same infrastructure apart: No

Energy efficiency

• Energy-efficient datacentres: Yes
• Description of energy efficient datacentres: TBA

Social Value

• Fighting climate change:

  Fighting climate change

  MAC 4.1: Delivering environmental benefits; Exponential-e is committed to continually improving environmental performance and monitoring environmental effects from our activities to identify potential areas for improvement.; We are accredited and operate within internationally recognised management standards (9 ISO’s) of which two are focused on Environment Management (ISO 14001:2015) and Energy Efficiency (ISO 50001:2015). This standard specifies the requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining and improving an energy management system with a systematic approach in achieving continual improvement of energy performance, including energy efficiency, energy security, energy use and consumption.; Critical to our core operation is our national network infrastructure, and cloud infrastructure. Thanks to unique cooling technology, our Data Centres are the most environmentally efficient in the UK. They save customers on average around £1.1 million per megawatt and 6,000 tonnes of taxable carbon annually compared with an average Data Centre facility.; Some of the practices deployed to achieve carbon footprint include: ; • All our Data Centres are ISO 14001 accredited with robust environmental management systems; • Procuring consumed energy from sustainable energy sources wherever possible; • Ensuring the use of hot/cold aisle cooling design in our Data Centres, which reduces energy consumption as the cooling is more efficient and helps our customers to reduce their carbon footprint; • Using the latest virtualisation (VDC) technologies to ensure the most efficient utilisation of hardware resulting in the overall optimisation of our client’s infrastructure. Our VDC delivers dedicated processing instead of having multiple, underutilised physical servers, which helps minimise our environmental impact; • The business considers the environmental impact of goods and services within procurement processes. Working with suppliers, contractors and indeed clients to lessen the environmental impact of their operations. ; • Homeworking practices have been developed to allow homeworking whilst preserving security of company data and access to IT systems.
• Covid-19 recovery:

  Covid-19 recovery

  MAC 1.5: Improvements to workplace conditions; Exponential-e operates to ISO22301 – Business Continuity Management System (BCMS) standard. This means our critical business functions have existing and proven business continuity plans which are reviewed, exercised and/or tested regularly.; In line with this standard, we have taken the following steps:; • Implemented flexible working arrangements for any high-risk employees, or employees who are unable to travel due to other reasons relating to the coronavirus (Covid-19); • Conducted a full Business Impact Analysis (BIA), considering shift patterns, physical segregation and cover arrangements across all of our core 24*7 service operations to maintain the appropriate resource levels; • Implemented ongoing monitoring of our workforce and skills capability to ensure all our personnel are multi-skilled and have monitoring in place to address any weakness or gaps; • Completed capacity planning and forecasting of the current and future levels of resource utilisation, taking into consideration the enactment of multiple Business Continuity scenarios; • Introduced enhanced presence of our on-site cleaning personnel throughout the day and evening to ensure the cleanliness of our facilities is maintained; • Initiated a change freeze across our core platforms to allow our key resources to focus on service availability and reacting to changes our customers may require; • Limited any non-essential travel to customer or vendor sites, making the best use of remote technology to ensure we maintain our quality of service and open engagement throughout this period of uncertainty.; Exponential-e has since initiated remote working at a larger scale in a controlled manner. Our Head Office has implemented a Hybrid working model for all staff who are able to work remotely for two days a week and in the office for maximum of three days a week. This also reduces our carbon emissions through travelling and heating/lighting of office premises.
• Tackling economic inequality:

  Tackling economic inequality

  MAC 3.1: Diverse supply chain; Exponential-e maintains a policy of working with diverse partners and SME organisations where there is a defined benefit to our customers, and where the limitations of the contract or security requirements are not at risk in any way, which must be our overriding consideration. We reach out to our wider supply chain partners should any subcontracting opportunities arise during the contract duration.; If any strategic supplier fails to deliver and thus breaches the terms of their contract, we will invoke the use of alternative and pre-qualified suppliers. We plan for these contingencies and maintain a supply chain that does not rely on any single source of fulfilment.; MAC 3.2: Supporting innovation & disruptive technologies; We will hold regular engagements, in which we will review, present, and collaborate on new technology and commercial initiatives throughout the life of the contract, and (when applicable), driving equality throughout our supply chain.; MAC 3.3: Scalable & future-proofed methods to modernise delivery/increase productivity; We work with innovative and agile supplier organisations who bring innovative technology solutions to market, by providing a framework to enable the deployment of their services within our stable and risk-controlled corporate environment.; MAC 3.5: Manage cyber security risks; Exponential-e maintains Cyber Essentials Plus and ISO 27001 accreditations. Additionally, Exponential-e operates a 24 x 7 x 365 CSOC desk to alert for any cyber security issues and potential risks. Our CSOC is built using trusted Unified Security Management (USM) technology, which unlike other SIEM software, combines powerful SIEM and log management capabilities with other essential security tools such as asset discovery, vulnerability assessment, intrusion detection (NIDS and HIDS) to provide a centralised security monitoring of networks and endpoints, all through a single pane of glass.
• Equal opportunity:

  Equal opportunity

  MAC 5.1 Provision of inclusive working environment; As a commitment to reducing the disability employment gap Exponential-e has adopted a hybrid working model that allows flexibility. Hybrid working, sometimes referred to as "blended working", is a form of flexible working that allows employees to split their time between attending the workplace and working remotely (typically from home).; MAC 6.1: Tackling inequality in the contract workforce; We are committed to equal pay for the contract workforce. To address our gender pay gap, we have a number of initiatives in place, to not only attract more female talent, but to encourage a more balanced, and rewarding workplace:; • Working with educational institutions to help attract more women into STEM focused roles; • The data shows that the disparity in the bonuses paid is due to the fact there a very few women in senior sales positions. We have a junior sales mentoring programme for both men and women, equally, to encourage progression into senior sales roles, especially for women; • Training is available to cover areas like Equality & Diversity, Unconscious Bias; • We have established a Women’s Working Group who will assist in supporting the attraction, retention and promotion of our female talent across the business; • Flexible working arrangements for all staff to encourage work life balance.; Placement Programme & Apprenticeships; Every year Exponential-e offers placements and apprenticeships to students whose degrees would benefit from working in an operational technical environment. The students are paid, which allows them to practice the theory learnt in the classroom in a real world environment; while also supporting themselves financially. ; As part of our commitment to the Government’s Apprenticeships Levy Programme we actively work with registered apprenticeship companies to provide upskilling opportunities to employees across a range of subjects.
• Wellbeing:

  Wellbeing

  MAC 7.1: Support health and wellbeing in the workforce; All staff are eligible to join our Private Health scheme (on completion of probationary period) run by Vitality which actively encourages physical and mental wellbeing through a broad variety of programmes design to promote and incentivise wellbeing. ; Exponential-e has also implemented the six standards in the Mental Health at Work commitment and where possible follows the mental health enhanced standards in Thriving at Work, as follows:; ; 1. Prioritise Health Wellbeing Through Systematic Programme of Activities; Exponential-e partnered with Care first as an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to provide online and counselling services to all our employees.; 2. Work Design & Culture Drives Mental Health Outcomes; Exponential-e offers the following benefits package for all eligible employees - Life Assurance, Private Medical Scheme, Employee Assistance Programme, Ride to Work Scheme, Season Ticket Loan, Employee Referral Scheme and Purchase of Holiday Scheme.; 3. Promote Open Culture Around Mental Health; Exponential-e has seen a huge shift in attitudes to mental health and we promote and support employees to think and talk about their mental health which subsequently helps the organisation to thrive.; 4. Increase Organisational Confidence & Capability; Exponential-e recognises the importance of leadership and management development and provides programmes designed to upskill our managers and strengthen our leadership capabilities.; 5. Provide Mental Health Tools & Support; Exponential-e partners with Care first as an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to provide online and counselling services to all our employees, including a series of webinars including stress awareness, social anxiety, long Covid, how weather can affect mood and behaviour, financial wellbeing, and breaking bad habits.; 6. Increase Transparency/Accountability Through Reporting; Annual Employee Opinion Surveys are used to drive improvements. A monthly Employee Engagement Pulse Survey helps to keep our finger on the pulse of the organisation.

Pricing

• Price: £14.79 a user a month
• Discount for educational organisations: No
• Free trial available: No

Service documents

• Pricing document

  PDF

• Skills Framework for the Information Age rate card

  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 psbids@exponential-e.com. Tell them what format you need. It will help if you say what assistive technology you use.