Computacenter (UK) Ltd

Computacenter - Palo Alto Networks VM-Series Next-Generation Firewall

Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls and Security Operating Platform is the industry’s most advanced prevention solution for highly evasive zero-day malware/exploits. Our service uses unique approaches that combine dynamic/static analysis, innovative machine learning (AI) techniques, and an advanced analysis environment to detect and prevent evasive cyber threats.

Features

• App-ID: Comprehensive application visibility across all network ports.
• Device/User-ID: Identify devices, users, and groups for policy enforcement.
• Content-ID: Detect and manage files traversing the network.
• Advanced Threat Prevention: Stop known threats, detect unknown command-and-control traffic.
• Advanced WildFire: Analyse and identify unknown malware threats.
• Advanced URL Filtering: ML-powered URL filtering with malware detection.
• DNS Security: Detect threats and anomalies in DNS traffic.
• IoT Security: Deep visibility and analysis of IoT/OT device activity.
• GlobalProtect: Extend NGFW policies to remote endpoints securely.
• Deployable in any public or private cloud environment.

Benefits

• Proactively detect and block zero-day malware, reducing security risks.
• Consolidate diverse security services into one cost-effective, scalable platform.
• Economical solution suitable for environments of any size.
• Flexible, policy-based access control tailored to diverse user needs.
• Detect and prevent cyber-attacks with proactive security measures
• Detailed threat analysis and reporting for informed decision-making.
• Monitor application usage, users, and data for enhanced security.
• Optimise productivity by enabling appropriate applications during work hours.
• Prevent unauthorised data transfer, reducing the risk of data breaches.
• Automated protection shields against evolving cyber threats.

£10 a unit

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 government@computacenter.com. Tell them what format you need. It will help if you say what assistive technology you use.

Framework

G-Cloud 14

Service ID

136439649393604

Contact

Karen Baldock
+44 (0) 1707 631000
government@computacenter.com

Service scope

• Service constraints: There are no service constraints.
• System requirements:
  • For Hardware: Racking, Power, Cabling etc.
  • For Virtual: A supported hypervisor/public cloud environment
  • For Cloud-Delivered: A Panorama/Strata Cloud Manager Instance,
  • For Cloud-Delivered: Cortex Data Lake instance

User support

• Email or online ticketing support: Email or online ticketing
• Support response times: Our support is available round-the-clock, every day of the year (24/7/365), ensuring assistance whenever you need it most. We pride ourselves on our swift response times, tailored to the urgency of your issues:; ; Critical Priority: Guaranteed response time of less than one hour.; High Priority: Issues addressed within two hours to ensure prompt resolution.; Medium Priority: Attention within four hours, balancing urgency and efficiency.; Low Priority: Response within eight business hours, demonstrating our commitment to comprehensive support.; Our service level agreements (SLAs) remain consistent throughout the week, including weekends and public holidays, ensuring reliable assistance whenever you require it.
• 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: Onsite support
• Support levels: All deployments include standard support, which can be enhanced with additional capabilities:; ; Standard Support: Included with all products, offering 24/7/365 email, telephone, and web support.; Platinum Support: Enhanced option with expedited response times, a designated technical account manager, and proactive support services.; Dedicated 'Resident Engineer': Optional service providing personalised expertise aligned with your needs, available for an additional purchase at $385.000 USD (List Price) per engineer.
• Support available to third parties: Yes

Onboarding and offboarding

• Getting started: Palo Alto Networks offers comprehensive support to help users start using our service efficiently. We provide both on-site and online training sessions tailored to the specific needs of our users, ensuring they have the knowledge and skills necessary to leverage our offerings effectively.; ; In addition to training sessions, we offer publicly accessible user documentation covering everything from initial setup to ongoing maintenance and usage, including detailed guides on how to utilize the API for advanced configuration and automation.; ; For organisations seeking rapid onboarding, we offer Professional Services in the form of "Quickstart" packages. These packages are designed to expedite the onboarding process, providing expert guidance and support to ensure a smooth transition to our service.; ; Furthermore, our Strata Cloud Manager offering provides operational health and configuration health analysis, ensuring that operators are deploying correctly against best practices and extracting maximum value from our service. This feature enhances operational efficiency and helps users maintain a healthy and optimised environment.; ; Overall, our goal is to empower users with the resources and support they need to start using our service confidently and efficiently, whether through training, comprehensive documentation, or personalised professional services
• Service documentation: Yes
• Documentation formats:
  • HTML
  • PDF
• End-of-contract data extraction: Users have the ability to extract their data when the contract ends to ensure compliance and continuity. Palo Alto Networks facilitates the export of all customer data, allowing users to retain ownership and control over their information.; ; For cloud data held by Palo Alto Networks on an organisation/tenant, users can initiate the export and deletion process by contacting Palo Alto Networks support. Our support team will assist users in securely exporting their data, ensuring a smooth transition and compliance with data protection regulations.; ; In the event that users do not initiate the export process, Palo Alto Networks automatically purges the data after 90 days following the cessation of the contract(s). This automated process helps to ensure data security and privacy, mitigating the risk of unauthorized access or retention of sensitive information.
• End-of-contract process: At the conclusion of the contract, the organisation retains ownership of the VM-Series firewall licences along with the data stored on them. They have the autonomy to manage the disposal of these licences in alignment with their internal policies and procedures.; ; For hardware appliances, the organisation holds the authority to determine the disposal method. Palo Alto Networks does not intervene in this decision-making process, allowing organisations to choose the most suitable disposal approach based on their specific needs and requirements.

Using the service

• Web browser interface: Yes
• Using the web interface: The web interface serves as the primary tool for accessing and managing our service. Users can set up the service through the web interface by accessing either the dedicated management interface or enabling web management capabilities on a traffic-processing (dataplane) interface. This interface facilitates various tasks, including initial setup, system and network configuration, supporting objects configuration, security policy creation, and monitoring/reporting.; ; Users can make changes seamlessly through the web interface, enabling them to adapt configurations as needed. Additionally, a role-based access control mechanism is available for administrators to tailor access permissions, restricting certain users or roles to specific configuration functions or views. Overall, our web interface provides a user-friendly platform for efficient setup, configuration, and management of our service, with the flexibility to adapt to diverse user requirements.
• Web interface accessibility standard: None or don’t know
• How the web interface is accessible: Our web interface can be accessed in two ways: either through the dedicated management interface or by enabling web management capabilities on a traffic-processing (dataplane) interface. For added security, access to the management interface can be restricted by IP address if desired.; ; Integration with external authentication services such as LDAP, RADIUS, TACACS, SAML, and MFA is supported, providing enhanced security and user management capabilities. This allows organisations to leverage their existing authentication infrastructure, ensuring seamless access control and user authentication processes. Administrators can configure the system to authenticate users against these external services, enhancing security posture and streamlining user management processes.; ; Most modern browsers are supported for accessing the UI, ensuring compatibility and ease of use across various devices and platforms. Users can expect a seamless experience, enabling efficient management and configuration of our service while leveraging advanced authentication capabilities for enhanced security
• Web interface accessibility testing: N/a
• API: Yes
• What users can and can't do using the API: The XML API offers extensive functionality for configuring, operating, and monitoring the platform programmatically. The management CLI and Web UI are clients of the XML API itself, this design approach ensures that any action or function available in those modes are also available in the XML API.; ; Users can fully configure every aspect of the platform, including network and security policies, using the XML API. Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) ensures that only authorised keys can be used for specific functions, enhancing security and access control.; ; Additionally, the XML API seamlessly integrates with external libraries, such as Terraform and Ansible. This integration allows users to automate platform management tasks within existing workflows, streamlining operations and enhancing efficiency.; ; In summary, the XML API provides a powerful mechanism for users to programmatically configure, operate, and monitor the platform, offering extensive capabilities for automation and integration into existing workflows.
• API automation tools:
  • Ansible
  • Chef
  • OpenStack
  • SaltStack
  • Terraform
  • Puppet
  • Other
• Other API automation tools:
  • Cortex XSIAM: Integrates XDR (endpoint, NTA) and SOAR functionalities.
  • Python Libraries: Standardised libraries for custom project automation.
  • Go Libraries: Published libraries supporting custom project automation.
  • Ansible: Automates configuration management and deployment tasks seamlessly.
  • Terraform: Enables infrastructure as code automation for efficient deployment.
  • Puppet: Automates IT infrastructure provisioning and configuration management.
  • Chef: Streamlines infrastructure automation and continuous delivery processes.
  • Kubernetes: Automates container orchestration and management for scalable deployments.
  • ServiceNow: Integrates with ServiceNow for streamlined IT service management processes.
  • Generic-CI/CD-Tool: Any CI/CD tool with a sufficient API for automation.
• API documentation: Yes
• API documentation formats:
  • HTML
  • PDF
  • Other
• Command line interface: Yes
• Command line interface compatibility:
  • Linux or Unix
  • Windows
  • MacOS
  • Other
• Using the command line interface: The CLI provides extensive functionality for configuring, managing, and monitoring the platform. Users can perform various tasks, including but not limited to:; ; Configuration: Configure network and security policies, system settings, and supporting objects.; Management: Manage user authentication settings, system status, and device administration.; Monitoring: Monitor system performance, network traffic, and security events.; Troubleshooting: Diagnose issues, troubleshoot connectivity problems, and debug configurations.; Testing Command Hierarchy: Utilise the testing command hierarchy to perform diagnostic tests, verify configurations, and assist with troubleshooting.; The CLI offers a robust set of commands to accomplish these tasks efficiently. However, it's essential to note that certain administrative actions may require elevated privileges or authentication. Additionally, complex configurations or specialized tasks may be more efficiently handled through other interfaces, such as the web interface or API.; ; Overall, the CLI provides a powerful and flexible tool for administrators to configure and manage the platform, offering extensive capabilities for efficient administration and troubleshooting.

Scaling

• Scaling available: Yes
• Scaling type:
  • Automatic
  • Manual
• Independence of resources: In either deployment model (Private/Public Cloud) the VM-Series platform offers horizontal scaling with a clustering capability (external load balancing/distribution required) for hot-running instances. Additionally, organisations can leverage the health metrics to automate the provision/insertion of new VM-Series instances in order to scale the service as required.; ; In our public cloud environments, where the VM-Series is delivered as a service (e.g. Google-Cloud-Firewall-Plus) each user receives dedicated resources, eliminating shared tenancy. This ensures users are unaffected by others' demands on the service. Dynamic scaling mechanisms further optimise performance and reliability, guaranteeing uninterrupted service availability and performance, even during peak demand periods.
• Usage notifications: Yes
• Usage reporting:
  • API
  • Email
  • Other
• Other usage reporting: Syslog and/or HTTP Event Forwarding

Analytics

• Infrastructure or application metrics: Yes
• Metrics types:
  • CPU
  • Disk
  • HTTP request and response status
  • Memory
  • Network
  • Number of active instances
  • Other
• Other metrics:
  • Network-Traffic-Analysis: Inspects incoming and outgoing traffic patterns for anomalies.
  • Threat-Intelligence-Updates: Real-time alerts on emerging security threats.
  • Threat Intelligence Updates: Real-time alerts on emerging security threats.
  • Threat-Intelligence-Updates: Real-time alerts on emerging security threats.
  • Application Performance Metrics: Measures response time, throughput, and error rates.
  • Application-Performance-Metrics: Measures response time, throughput, and error rates.
  • Application Performance Metrics: Measures response time, throughput, and error rates.
  • DNS Traffic Analysis: Identifies malicious domains and DNS-based attacks.
  • Cloud-Security-Monitoring: Assesses security posture and compliance in cloud environments.
  • Cloud-Security-Monitoring: Assesses security posture and compliance in cloud environments.
• Reporting types:
  • API access
  • Real-time dashboards
  • Regular reports
  • Reports on request

Resellers

• Supplier type: Reseller providing extra support
• Organisation whose services are being resold: Palo Alto

Staff security

• Staff security clearance: Other security clearance
• Government security clearance: Up to Developed Vetting (DV)

Asset protection

• Knowledge of data storage and processing locations: Yes
• Data storage and processing locations:
  • United Kingdom
  • European Economic Area (EEA)
  • Other locations
• User control over data storage and processing locations: Yes
• Datacentre security standards: Complies with a recognised standard (for example CSA CCM version 3.0)
• Penetration testing frequency: At least every 6 months
• Penetration testing approach: In-house
• Protecting data at rest:
  • Physical access control, complying with CSA CCM v3.0
  • Physical access control, complying with SSAE-16 / ISAE 3402
  • Physical access control, complying with another standard
  • Encryption of all physical media
  • Scale, obfuscating techniques, or data storage sharding
  • Other
• Other data at rest protection approach: If deployed in a public cloud environment, using the cloud providers encryption capabilities.; Service are supplied from Google and Amazon Data centers (further information to follow); Google Security statement; https://cloud.google.com/security/overview/ ; https://cloud.google.com/security/; ; AWS Security Statement; https://aws.amazon.com/compliance/data-center/controls/ ; https://d1.awsstatic.com/whitepapers/aws-security-whitepaper; https://aws.amazon.com/compliance/data-center/data-centers/; ; All logs can be stored in the customer's instance of a Palo Alto Networks' Cortex Data Lake, user activity is monitored and stored in the Cortex data lake for the agreed retention period.
• Data sanitisation process: Yes
• Data sanitisation type:
  • Explicit overwriting of storage before reallocation
  • Deleted data can’t be directly accessed
  • 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: Yes
• What’s backed up:
  • Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) environment
  • Network configurations
  • Security profiles
  • All settings essential for network security and functionality
  • Back up and restore configuration data
  • Firewall policies
• Backup controls: The service can back up and restore configuration data within the Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) environment. This includes firewall policies, network configurations, security profiles, and other settings essential for network security and functionality.
• Datacentre setup:
  • Multiple datacentres with disaster recovery
  • Multiple datacentres
  • Single datacentre with multiple copies
  • Single datacentre
• Scheduling backups: Users schedule backups through a web interface
• Backup recovery: Users can recover backups themselves, for example through a web interface

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: Custom TLS certificates unique per customer.; ; We ensure data security during transit by utilising standard encryption protocols and deployment-specific certificates. These measures establish secure communication channels between the buyer's network and our network, safeguarding data integrity and confidentiality. Our security practices align with industry-leading frameworks such as SOC2, NIST, and Cyber Essentials, demonstrating our commitment to compliance and adherence to rigorous security standards. By integrating these frameworks, we mitigate risks and provide customers with assurance that their data is protected against unauthorised access or interception during transit.
• Data protection within supplier network:
  • TLS (version 1.2 or above)
  • IPsec or TLS VPN gateway
  • Other
• Other protection within supplier network: Internally, we employ a multi-layered security approach to safeguard data. This includes robust access controls, encryption mechanisms, and regular security audits. Our security protocols adhere to industry standards and frameworks, ensuring comprehensive protection against internal and external threats. By continuously monitoring and updating our security measures, we mitigate risks and maintain the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data within our network.

Availability and resilience

• Guaranteed availability: N/A - Responsibility of the cloud provider and/or customer if deployed within a private cloud environment.
• Approach to resilience: N/A - Responsibility of the cloud provider and/or customer if deployed within a private cloud environment as this is configuration dependant. For additional inforamtion, contact Palo Alto Networks as more specific information is available on request.
• Outage reporting: In a typical scenario this is not-applicable, however customers can leverage the API & Email functionality of the VM-Series NGFW in order to attain a similar experience within their own tooling infrastructure.

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)
  • Dedicated link (for example VPN)
  • Username or password
  • Other
• Other user authentication: Users predominately authenticate using a username and password combination, a role-based access control (RBAC) system is in place to specify what each user has access too.
• Access restrictions in management interfaces and support channels: Restrictions can be implemented by restricting IP addresses able to access the management interface(s). In addition a role-based access control (RBAC) system is in place to further restrict users to user definable configuration views and modes.
• Access restriction testing frequency: At least every 6 months
• 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)
  • Dedicated link (for example VPN)
  • Username or password
  • Other
• Description of management access authentication: Restrictions can be implemented by restricting IP addresses able to access the management interface(s). In addition a role-based access control (RBAC) system is in place to further restrict users to user definable configuration views and modes.
• Devices users manage the service through:
  • Dedicated device on a segregated network (providers own provision)
  • Dedicated device on a government network (for example PSN)
  • Dedicated device over multiple services or networks
  • Any device but through a bastion host (a bastion host is a server that provides access to a private network from an external network such as the internet)
  • 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: User-defined
• Access to supplier activity audit information: No audit information available
• How long system logs are stored for: User-defined

Standards and certifications

• ISO/IEC 27001 certification: Yes
• Who accredited the ISO/IEC 27001: MSECB
• ISO/IEC 27001 accreditation date: 06/07/2020
• What the ISO/IEC 27001 doesn’t cover: Our ISO/IEC 27001 certification relates to the information security management system and not the products or services of the certified organisation
• ISO 28000:2007 certification: No
• CSA STAR certification: Yes
• CSA STAR accreditation date: NDA
• CSA STAR certification level: Level 1: CSA STAR Self-Assessment
• What the CSA STAR doesn’t cover: N/a
• PCI certification: No
• Cyber essentials: Yes
• Cyber essentials plus: Yes
• Other security certifications: Yes
• Any other security certifications:
  • SOC2
  • Fedramp
  • Common Criteria
  • FIPS 140-2
  • NCSC Foundation Grade Certification

Security governance

• Named board-level person responsible for service security: Yes
• Security governance certified: Yes
• Security governance standards:
  • ISO/IEC 27001
  • Other
• Other security governance standards: ISO/IEC-27001: Information security management systems.; GDPR: Data privacy/protection regulations.; CIS-Controls: Cybersecurity best practices for effective protection.; Cyber-Essentials: UK government-backed scheme for cybersecurity basics.; CSA-STAR: Cloud security and transparency.; NIST-Cybersecurity-Framework: Aligning with comprehensive cybersecurity guidelines.; COBIT: Following governance/control objectives for IT processes and systems.; Telecom Security Act Code of Practice
• Information security policies and processes: Palo Alto Networks has a formal Enterprise Risk Management program, which includes the performance of an annual risk assessment, with periodic updates, as applicable, to identify and assess key risks and their mitigation approaches. The scope of the program encompasses information security risks and product risks. Our security program consists of a risk-based approach that includes administrative, technical and physical safeguards reasonably designed to protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of customer data. Palo Alto Network's information security program is aligned to ISO 27001/2, and includes key controls from HIPAA, PCI, SOC2, Cyber Essentials and more. Additional information is available at: https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/trust-center/

Operational security

• Configuration and change management standard: Supplier-defined controls
• Configuration and change management approach: Both Palo Alto Networks and the end-user organisation are in full control of their relevant and respective change control processes.; Additional details are available upon request.
• Vulnerability management type: Supplier-defined controls
• Vulnerability management approach: Applications and software that collect, transmit or display, or process End User Data, Palo Alto Networks conducts an application security assessment review to identify common security vulnerabilities as identified by industry recognized organizations annually or for all major releases, whichever occurs first. The scope of the security assessment will primarily focus on application security, including, but not limited to, a penetration test of the application, as well as a code review.; ; Palo Alto Networks utilizes a qualified third party to conduct the application security assessments. Palo Alto Networks may conduct the security assessment review directly, following industry standard best practices.
• Protective monitoring type: Conforms to a recognised standard, for example CSA CCM v3.0 or SSAE-16 / ISAE 3402
• Protective monitoring approach: Applications and software that collect, transmit or display, or process End User Data, Palo Alto Networks conducts an application security assessment review to identify common security vulnerabilities as identified by industry recognized organizations annually or for all major releases, whichever occurs first. The scope of the security assessment will primarily focus on application security, including, but not limited to, a penetration test of the application, as well as a code review.; ; Palo Alto Networks utilizes a qualified third party to conduct the application security assessments. Palo Alto Networks may conduct the security assessment review directly, following industry standard best practices.
• Incident management type: Conforms to a recognised standard, for example, CSA CCM v3.0 or ISO/IEC 27035:2011 or SSAE-16 / ISAE 3402
• Incident management approach: This information is available upon request

Secure development

• Approach to secure software development best practice: Supplier-defined process

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: Computacenter have been signed up as active Participants to the EUCOC since 2011 for our UK Data Centres. During this time we have worked towards the best practice guidelines, attended the annual conference in Ispra Italy at the European Commission to review each new update of the code. In addition to this we have spoken at numerous events and championed energy efficiency in our sector. To further demonstrate our commitment in 2018 we signed up to a climate change agreement scheme administered by Tech UK to work towards governments targets for our sector.; ; Quick Summary; ; • Engaged with our Peer Group; • Attended annual conference in Italy at EU Commission; • Participated in each annual review of the code; • Work towards and supported best practice recommendations; • Signed up to a Climate Change Agreement and committed to CO2 reduction targets.

Social Value

• Social Value:

  Social Value

  • Fighting climate change
  • Covid-19 recovery
  • Tackling economic inequality
  • Equal opportunity
  • Wellbeing

  Fighting climate change

  Computacenter ensures that our business practices deliver effective stewardship of the environment in line with the Social Value Model. Computacenter's science-based emissions reductions targets are approved with the SBTi. Our Net Zero Journey Group Emissions is now just 16% of 2015 levels as outlined in our carbon reduction plan to achieve ‘Net Zero’ carbon emissions by 2040.; ; Business travel is necessary, both for our customer requirements and for our staff. We have materially reduced business travel, ensuring all business trips are necessary, helping reduce carbon emissions. We are investing in technology to allow greater use of existing communication platforms as part of our ‘hybrid working’ strategy. One of the key benefits we believe this will help us realise is reducing emissions from business travel by 35 per cent by 2025 (compared to 2019). For G-Cloud services this means that we will drive the use of virtual, technology-enabled meetings as much as possible for all internal and external sessions, including those with our wider supply chain.; ; Further to this we can provide customer advisory services which include guidance and recommendations on how to improve their sustainability performance to help inform customer decision making whilst achieving the desired commercial and technical outcomes through the services being provided.; ; Computacenter has introduced incentives to encourage the replacement of the existing Fleet with Ultra Low Emission Vehicles. We have 44 electric charging points across 2 of our locations to encourage the adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles, either through our company car scheme or privately. For this framework specifically, this means that our consultants, project managers and engineering resource will have access to a ULEV vehicle via our company car scheme and the ability to charge a vehicle at Computacenter office locations.

  Covid-19 recovery

  Throughout the pandemic we have closely followed and implemented government guidance relating to the workplace and COVID-19. We created a COVID-19 risk assessment to enable us to understand the improvements that need to be made to our workplace conditions in line with the Government COVID-19 secure workplace guidelines and the business advice that is now current. It looks at the risks of COVID-19 in the workplace, such as hygiene, & cleaning and then states what we must put in place to mitigate these risks.; ; As we enter the recovery phase of the pandemic, we have introduced hybrid working for our employees. This will allow most employees including those delivering G-Cloud services increased flexibility in how and where they work ensuring that we still deliver the best service to our customers whilst looking after our people.; ; Our COVID-19 steering committee is there to identify activities that will improve workplace conditions then plan, build and regularly monitor various programmes focused on supporting the COVID-19 recovery effort. At these meetings, chaired by our Chief People Officer (‘CPO’) Sarah Long, our CIO John Gibbs and Services operations, the steering committee discuss changes that need to be implemented, identify areas of improvement, and review our roadmap of new activities.; Throughout the life of the contract, we will use our existing activities (as well as those that are in development in due course) to continue to improve workplace conditions in support of the COVID-19 recovery effort.; ; Questions relating to travel were included in the COVID-19 surveys that were issued through the pandemic. The assessment highlighted concerns people had about public transport. To help all employees; managers were coached and given guidance about being flexible with start/finish times. We continue to adapt our approach based on feedback received through the steering committee and employee surveys.

  Tackling economic inequality

  As a diverse and inclusive organisation with a strong focus on equality and driving in-work progression, our approach to recruitment and employment is aligned to recognised industry best practices such as the 5 principles of quality work as set out in the Good Work Plan.; ; Our Employee Impact Groups for disadvantaged or minority groups provide representation, support, and community engagement, feeding into our People Panel ensuring all voices are heard, underpinning our wider ambition of building a sustainable business for the long term.; ; We put specific measures in place to provide opportunities to under-represented groups or those who face barriers to employment, including comprehensive outreach programmes for schools and universities, as well as partnerships with non-profit organisations within our communities. We continue focus on reaching harder to reach groups and people who are underrepresented in our sector by working with charities and schools in the local community to offer career talks and work experience opportunities. Our school outreach programme has over 130 volunteers dedicating over 2,600 hours running activities for employability and life skills in schools, colleges, and universities.; ; Computacenter is one of the 9 founding members of ‘Technology Community for Racial Equality’ (‘TC4RE’), a group set up to drive racial equality throughout the technology industry, with which we are delivering a half-day virtual event on ‘Enabling Ethnic Diversity’ featuring a series of expert keynotes, live panel discussions and interactive workshops with representation from across the UK technology community.; ; Furthermore, Computacenter are a silver level partner in the Armed Forces Covenant and has introduced a programme that provides the opportunity to attain a degree and ServiceNow certification whilst receiving full salary for armed forces leavers. This programme is the first of many programmes we intend on running to help ex-forces personal transition back into the workplace and the IT industry.

  Equal opportunity

  Computacenter is committed to providing equal opportunities to all through fair recruitment practices and employment conditions across our organisation.; We are a Disability Confident ‘Committed’ employer, committed to making lasting changes to our business creating a diverse talent pool. We work with partners through our community outreach, who are specialists in disability. An example is our work with Knightsfield School in Welwyn Garden City, a specialist school for deaf children. We run at least 3 ‘get work ready’ events with them, as well as offer up to 4 work experience opportunities and onsite visits every year.; ; For this contract, we will use existing initiatives (as well as others that are in development) to provide career opportunities for individuals from under-represented groups to address requirements for specific skills or roles with a focus on increasing skillsets through the life of the contract. This will include apprenticeships aligned to security and cloud/infrastructure departments, as well as industrial placements and graduate schemes for our ServiceNow Centre of Excellence, with specific focus on delivering cloud-based services to our customers.; ; Our workforce for services delivered under this framework will have access to existing initiatives aimed at supporting in-work progression and development for those from disadvantaged/minority groups. For example, our gender diversity initiatives include our Growing Together programme, which over 150 women have been through so far, of which over one-third have been promoted or taken a new role within a year following the mentoring and coaching provided.; ; We are also committed to driving racial equality across our business and the wider technology industry. We are a founding member of ‘Technology Community for Racial Equality’ which recently delivered a half-day virtual event on ‘Enabling Ethnic Diversity’ featuring a series of expert keynotes, live panel discussions and interactive workshops with representation from across the UK technology community.

  Wellbeing

  We understand how important employee Wellbeing is for a sustainable business model, therefore we are committed to creating a sustainable supply chain. Ensuring the wellbeing of our employees are looked after will positively affect productivity, recruitment, and retention rates.; ; In November 2021, a designated UK wellbeing manager was appointed and has since launched our wellbeing strategy, which aligns with the Social Value Model and the 6 standards of the Mental Health at Work Commitment, signed in July 2021. We are actively implementing the enhanced mental health standards as recommended through the ‘Thriving at Work’ review, and NICE mental health at work guidelines, as part of our Wellbeing strategy. The strategy encompasses four pillars of wellbeing, mental, physical, financial, and social. We are a Menopause friendly organisation and have created a support network for those in need.; ; We have 109 Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) accredited staff in the UK, trained by Mind, who act as Wellbeing Champions providing mental health first aid support and promoting our wellbeing services which those delivering G-Cloud service provisions will have access to. These champions are from every business area and from different seniority. We hold events throughout the year organised by our UK wellbeing manager and Champions, which have included celebrating World Mental Health days, Menopause awareness, financial wellbeing webinars and sponsored events to raise money for our mental health charity partners.; ; 2021 also saw the launch of our new groupwide app-based programme ‘Be Well’ which gives our people access to over 3,000 fitness, nutrition, health and wellbeing courses through Humanoo. Through this app we have launched an extremely popular groupwide step challenge and has encouraged our people to be more active, with over 35% of our workforce now using the app and covering over 1.8bn steps so far.

Pricing

• Price: £10 a unit
• 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

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