QA LIMITED

Cloud Academy Cloud Training Platform

Cloud Academy, is QA's premier enterprise digital skills platform, targeting skill disparities at organizational and individual levels. Utilizing AI-Adaptive learning, it tailors learning journeys at scale, catering to DDaT or departmental needs. Its learner-centric approach facilitates rapid-acquisition of technology skills, fostering innovation and cloud adoption through guided-paths, labs, and assessments.

Features

• Skill Assessments
• Lab Based Assessments and sandbox environments
• Skill Profiles
• Reporting and Analytics for Managers
• Assignable Training Plans/Content; OOTB Role Based Training Plans
• Content Engine to create your own custom content
• Role Based Access Control (RBAC) Features and Content
• Single Sign-On; Multi Factor Authentication; Web and Mobile Access
• Third Party Content e.g. Aviatrix, Puppet, HashiCorp
• Digital Leadership, Strategy and Change

Benefits

• Covers all the major Cloud vendors
• Covers key Cloud and DevOps technologies e.g. Cloud Security/Containers/AI/IoT/Machine Learning
• An extensive collection of online learning
• Objective-driven certification learning paths, proven to build cloud skills
• Online Hands-on Labs for AWS, Azure and GCP courses
• Both the theory and hands-on practice to get certified
• Content specifically designed with scenario-based business cases for medium/large organisations
• Breadth of learning resources e.g. videos/live hands-on labs/exercises/exam simulations
• Practice with simulated real-life situations
• Fine-tune knowledge and skills using our certification prep

£399 to £535 a user a year

• 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 Tenders@qa.com. Tell them what format you need. It will help if you say what assistive technology you use.

Framework

G-Cloud 14

Service ID

158261736261242

Contact

QA Bids
0345 074 7995
Tenders@qa.com

Service scope

• Software add-on or extension: No
• Cloud deployment model: Public cloud
• Service constraints: Users require access to a web browser or the Android/iOS app.
• System requirements:
  • Apple Safari
  • Google Chrome
  • Microsoft Edge
  • Mozilla Firefox

User support

• Email or online ticketing support: Email or online ticketing
• Support response times: Users will be able to contact the Cloud Academy platform support team from Monday to Friday through an email/ticket system at support@cloudacademy.com and will get a response within 24 hours. ; ; Any feedback or questions can also be shared inside the platform for specific content. ; ; We also offer 24/5 live support within the platform.
• User can manage status and priority of support tickets: No
• Phone support: Yes
• Phone support availability: 9 to 5 (UK time), Monday to Friday
• Web chat support: No
• Onsite support: No
• Support levels: Cloud Academy is committed to providing an exceptional level of service to our users. Support is provided via our dedicated Cloud Academy Customer Success Managers and our support team. Users will be able to contact the Cloud Academy platform support team from Monday to Friday through an email/ticket system at support@cloudacademy.com and will get a response within 24 hours. ; Any feedback or questions can also be shared inside the platform for specific content.; ; Support is included in the license fee and is standard.; ; Customer Success Managers have access to support engineers whom they can engage on your issues.
• Support available to third parties: Yes

Onboarding and offboarding

• Getting started: We provide user documentation to help users start using Cloud Academy.
• Service documentation: Yes
• Documentation formats:
  • HTML
  • PDF
• End-of-contract data extraction: Reports can be exported from the system, detailing users' progress and activity within the Cloud Academy platform for a period of one year.
• End-of-contract process: At the end of the contract, users' licences are de-activated and access to the platform is revoked. Data is retained unless otherwise instructed for it to be removed.

Using the service

• Web browser interface: Yes
• Supported browsers:
  • Internet Explorer 11
  • Microsoft Edge
  • Firefox
  • Chrome
  • Safari
• Application to install: Yes
• Compatible operating systems:
  • Android
  • IOS
  • Linux or Unix
  • MacOS
  • Windows
  • Windows Phone
  • Other
• Designed for use on mobile devices: Yes
• Differences between the mobile and desktop service: Due to limitations with third party portals, Hands On Labs are not available on mobile devices.
• Service interface: Yes
• User support accessibility: WCAG 2.1 AA or EN 301 549
• Description of service interface: Cloud Academy offers a full Graphical User Interface (GUI) and Enterprise panel for both administrators and end users to access all the platform's functionalities.
• Accessibility standards: WCAG 2.1 AA or EN 301 549
• Accessibility testing: We have not currently engaged in interface testing with users of assistive technology.
• API: Yes
• What users can and can't do using the API: Users can import, manage and sync teams and users with LMS or employee directory systems to maintain up to date records and license allocation.; Users can also pull detailed data on the learners' progress, skill growth and our course catalogue from the API.; Our APIs are open and available for end-customer integration.
• API documentation: Yes
• API documentation formats: Open API (also known as Swagger)
• API sandbox or test environment: No
• Customisation available: Yes
• Description of customisation: All users have access to the Content Engine which allows them to create their own training plans, learning paths, exams, quizzes and hands-on labs from scratch. ; ; They can clone and customise our extensive content to build training material highly relevant to their organisation in a matter of minutes.; ; They can add content to existing learning paths to precisely train their team on their actual production environment. For example, they can upload content specific to their organisation, such as audio files, PDFs and video.

Scaling

• Independence of resources: Cloud Academy supports some of the largest organisations in the world where tens of thousands of users are actively logged in at any given time. Cloud Academy is hosted on AWS.

Analytics

• Service usage metrics: Yes
• Metrics types: Learning Activity Metrics:; ; • Courses - time spent; • Courses completed ; • Exams - time spent ; • Exams completed ; • Quizzes - time spent ; • Quizzes completed ; • Hands-on Labs - time spent; • Hands-on Labs completed; • Skill Profile.
• Reporting types:
  • API access
  • Real-time dashboards
  • Regular reports
  • Reports on request

Resellers

• Supplier type: Not a reseller

Staff security

• Staff security clearance: Other security clearance
• Government security clearance: Up to Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS)

Asset protection

• Knowledge of data storage and processing locations: Yes
• Data storage and processing locations: Other locations
• User control over data storage and processing locations: No
• Datacentre security standards: Complies with a recognised standard (for example CSA CCM version 3.0)
• 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 another standard
  • Encryption of all physical media
• Data sanitisation process: Yes
• Data sanitisation type:
  • Explicit overwriting of storage before reallocation
  • Deleted data can’t be directly accessed
• Equipment disposal approach: In-house destruction process

Data importing and exporting

• Data export approach: Users can export their data using the reporting functionality.
• Data export formats: CSV
• Data import formats: CSV

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: Cloud Academy offers 98% up-time as an SLA and additional access time for interruptions in availability that collectively result in less than 98% availability during any single month.
• Approach to resilience: The use of resilient datacentres, infrastructure configuration, and information backups reduce the potential for data loss or destruction. Backup of core database shall encompass one copy local to the active infrastructure (minimum at RPO cadence), one copy to the alternate site (minimum at RPO cadence) and one additional daily copy in a different independent cloud provider (once a day).
• Outage reporting: We have a public dashboard, reporting any outages.

Identity and authentication

• User authentication needed: Yes
• User authentication: Username or password
• Access restrictions in management interfaces and support channels: Individuals have unique login IDs and passwords. An access control system will identify each user and prevent unauthorised users from entering or using information resources. All login IDs are audited at least twice yearly and all inactive login usernames are revoked. HR notifies the Security Officer on departure of employees. Users who desire access to company systems or networks must have completed on-boarding practice and have access specifically requested by their line manager.
• Access restriction testing frequency: At least every 6 months
• Management access authentication:
  • 2-factor authentication
  • Identity federation with existing provider (for example Google Apps)
  • Dedicated link (for example VPN)

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: At least 12 months
• Access to supplier activity audit information: Users contact the support team to get audit information
• How long supplier audit data is stored for: At least 12 months
• How long system logs are stored for: At least 12 months

Standards and certifications

• ISO/IEC 27001 certification: No
• ISO 28000:2007 certification: No
• CSA STAR certification: No
• PCI certification: No
• Cyber essentials: Yes
• Cyber essentials plus: Yes
• Other security certifications: No

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: Cloud Academy follows industry best practice and our approach is in line with the ISO 27001 standard and we are working towards certification of this.
• Information security policies and processes: Information with regards to Cloud Academy's security policy can be found here: - https://www.qa.com/legal_documents/workforce-learning-saas-terms-cloud-academy-and-circus-street.pdf

Operational security

• Configuration and change management standard: Supplier-defined controls
• Configuration and change management approach: The platform logs all changes to licenses, users, courses for retrospective audit. ; There should not be any security impact for changes made to our service, provided administrators act in good faith, as the environments we offer are not connected to client systems and are managed by us.; The designated Company employee (administrator) who is updating, implementing, re-configuring, or otherwise changing the system shall carefully log all changes made to the system. Change logging should be automated in any case where it is possible.
• Vulnerability management type: Supplier-defined controls
• Vulnerability management approach: At Cloud Academy, we:; ; • Identify and document key vulnerabilities; • Determine probability and criticality; • Develop and document implementation strategy; • Implement and evaluate effectiveness; • Conduct patches daily or on an as-needed basis ; • Conduct penetration testing annually; • Conduct vulnerability scans monthly ; • Conduct monitoring daily.
• Protective monitoring type: Supplier-defined controls
• Protective monitoring approach: It is the responsibility of each Company employee or contractor to report perceived security incidents on a continuous basis. ; ; Reports of security incidents will be escalated as quickly as possible. All reported incidents are logged and the remedial action indicated. ; ; Each incident will be analysed to determine if changes in the existing security structure are necessary. ; ; Security breaches will be promptly investigated. If criminal action is suspected, the Privacy Officer will contact the appropriate law enforcement and investigative authorities immediately. ; ; Full details can be provided on request.
• Incident management type: Supplier-defined controls
• Incident management approach: Cloud Academy has pre-defined processes for common events.; ; Users can report incidents by email or phone. They are then issued with a ticket. Notification to individuals/customers who are affected should occur immediately upon discovery.; ; Incidents are logged, reported and recommendations made where appropriate.; ; Full details can be provided on request.

Secure development

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

Public sector networks

• Connection to public sector networks: No

Social Value

• Social Value:

  Social Value

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

  Fighting climate change

  QA continues in our intention to reduce carbon emissions:; • We commit to net zero in Scope 1 and 2 emissions (on a market basis) by 2035.; • We commit to being net zero in Scope 3 emissions by 2050.; To further achieve net zero, we will:; • Determine current baseline energy consumption and carbon emissions within our business and supply chain, setting targets to reduce emissions.; • Reduce direct and indirect emissions to zero where possible, while offsetting unavoidable emissions through sustainable projects by 2050; • Review how staff work and methods for delivering training to further eliminate avoidable travel carbon emissions; • Locations with poor transport links closed: retaining central city locations easily accessible by public transport to ensure efficient use of our buildings.; • Implement improvements to buildings to minimise energy use and direct use of fossil fuels; • Work with our travel partners to encourage use of zero and low-carbon vehicles.; • Work with our other supply-chain partners to encourage their adoption of net zero carbon strategies; • Implement waste management and recycling policy; • Switching to digital course material from print: reduced waste, together with the amount of paper and ink purchased ; • Increase in virtual training, reducing client and staff travel: Where possible, on-site training has been replaced with Webex or MS Teams ; Classroom courses allow face-to-face and virtual learning to be simultaneous. ; • Encouraging hybrid or home working and virtual meetings, reducing work travel: all first interviews are conducted virtually. ; Reduce and recycle ; • switch off equipment, air conditioning and heating when rooms are not in use: 90% of lighting is now LED, reducing electricity consumption ; • Switching to 100% renew recycling bins in all venues, reducing waste sent to landfills. ; • Re-store service for confidential waste ; • Collecting toner cartridges and batteries.

  Covid-19 recovery

  Learning delivery post COVID The global health crisis and resulting Lockdowns necessitated different Learner Behaviour. As soon as Learning Centres closed in 2020, QA adopted remote and digital learning methods. These have continued since and have become our Learners’ preferred method of attending courses. QA rapidly moved Learners from classroom training to ‘virtual delivery’. Our programme of on-site’ private events’, (Trainers delivering at a customer’s premises) also moved to closed events facilitated using MS TEAMs, WebEx and Zoom. In 2023, our Training Consultants successfully taught more than 250,000 Learners ‘virtually’. Public sector budget restraints, coupled with more Agile Working practices being adopted have made integrating digital tools and media to facilitate learning more straightforward. QA’s Cloud Academy portal – a continuous learning tool with hours of ‘bite sized’ supplements our course programme with key training content. We’ve rationalised our network of Learning Centres: These are now city- and town-centre based, within easy reach of public transport. A corollary benefit of moving to ‘virtual delivery’ and reducing our Learning Centres is a significant reduction in QA’s and our customers’ carbon output. Employability post COVID QA creates employment, re-trains and supports return to work opportunities for those left unemployed following the Pandemic. Our programmes provide skills and enhance employability. QA: train learners whose employers are restructuring their workforce post-Covid embeds industry-recognised qualifications in our courses prepares learners for local-job opportunities. offers networking with local employers. QA ‘post COVID’ initiatives Our current initiatives include: Apprenticeships – QA find, recruit and re-skill 1,500-2,000 tech apprentices every year, a significant number of whom have changed ‘career direction’ and re-skill post-pandemic Teach the Nation to Code – every month, QA runs free Saturday coding workshops, open to anyone. Learners include those adversely impacted by Covid.

  Tackling economic inequality

  Creating new businesses and enhancing SMEs ; QA focusses extensively on the SME marketplace and generating partnerships for training. ; We deliver skills training, often leading to recognised qualifications, which help our Learners enhance their employability and to find meaningful roles in the Sector.; Re-training and up-skilling: QA’s training programmes support employers in training their staff to acquire in-demand tech skills, addressing skills gaps and creating better qualified, more effective employees, who feel ‘invested in’. ; Finding employment: Our marketing campaigns help newly skilled learners gain employment and promote funded learning to the wider market to create new tech-talent. We advertise events to our whole customer base.; Enhanced supply chain ; QA’s Suppliers: QA has a diverse supplier base, often SMEs/innovative start-ups who we support by facilitating presentations with our customers.; ‘value for money Learning’: We innovate so that our learners’ digital experience is equal to a face-to-face course. Our Virtual classrooms have seen record levels of fill rates, which means we are able to hold our low prices for QA courses.; Continuous improvement: QA continuously develops new digital tools allowing learners to learn anywhere/any time/any way. We offer our learning in modalities to suit all learning types. Our Cloud Academy platform also offers value-for-money subscriptions to ‘bite sized’ learning. ; Data and information security: QA schedules regular penetration testing. QA is audited by an external ISO27001 auditor bi-annually. These mandatory checks also apply to our supply chain. ; Partner Solutions: Our Partner Solutions Team manages suppliers and develops new contractual arrangements with subcontractors. We embed our sustainability principles in all procurement activities, selecting practicable and value-for-money products/services.

  Equal opportunity

  QA is committed to building an equal opportunities culture. Our organisation promotes equality, equity, diversity and inclusion, actively valuing differences whilst not tolerating any form of discrimination or harassment. ; ‘Our diversity makes us stronger’ is a key QA value. We recognise that different backgrounds and experiences bring valuable insights enhancing the way we work together. Our commitment is expressed in QA’s Equal Opportunities Statement and Equal Opportunities Policy, which is shared with all staff as part of Induction. ; QA’s Community networks enhance our culture. They create spaces where to bring our whole selves to work, support each other, gain insight and guidance and celebrate our differences.; Tech Talent Charter: QA is focussed on recruiting new tech-talent from less privileged backgrounds.; Race at Work Charter: QA has joined more than 600 employers in signing up to the Race at Work Charter. The initiative improves outcomes for our black, Asian and minority ethnic employees.; Disability Confident Employer: QA’s is a fully inclusive and accessible employee experience to those with a disability. Disability Confident is a key support in enabling QA to recruit, retain and develop disabled people.; Good Recruitment Charter: QA supports and upholds the standards set by the Recruitment & Employment Confederation; Community networks are a key to QA’s culture, creating spaces to bring our whole selves to work, support each other, gain insight and guidance and celebrate our differences. ; • Black in the workplace; • LGBTQ+ community; • Disability and Neurodiversity ; • Menopause and Peri-Menopause; • Military Family; • Islamic community; • Women's network; • Fertility network; • Men's support group; • Regional office communities.; ; In 2023, QA was ranked 18th in The Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers List. The listing took into account evidence of inclusivity practices across all strands of diversity (age, disability, gender, LGBT, race and faith).

  Wellbeing

  QA’s Workplace Wellbeing; QA is committed to the health and wellbeing of all of our people. We are registered with health@work’s Workplace Wellbeing Charter. Health@work’s accreditation improves workplace standards in eight areas, including mental and physical health. ; QA has also implemented the Six Standards in the Mental Health at Work commitment https://www.mentalhealthatwork.org.uk/commitment/standards/ as well as the Thriving at Work enhanced standards. ; QA have also implemented the Voluntary Reporting Framework. Progress against the Framework is published as part of QA’s Annual Report. ; QA’s Staff shape the Wellbeing provision. Regular online employee ‘Pulse’ surveys to measure the effectiveness of provision and shape its future. Staff views are represented by Employee Representatives, at whose Employee Partnership Forums Health and Wellbeing as a standing agenda item. ; Internal support; QA provides:; • Approved Listeners ; • Mental Health First Aiders; provision across the company, using trained volunteers; • QA’s Wellbeing Hotline. ; • Wellbeing advocates; Our own, trained QA support team for all wellbeing elements ; QA also provides:; • A single online hub for employees to access health and wellbeing resources. ; • A Wellbeing Hotline. ; • Our online Compass System: provides awareness, training and guidance on health and wellbeing issues for Leaders and Managers; • Online yoga, mindfulness and ‘exercise at your desk’ sessions. ; External support; • Links to Mental Health support and charities outside the business; • External consultancy support; which aids QA’s Leaders’ understanding of the workforce issues raised through Employee Partnership Forums and other QA Corporate forums; • Partnering with gym providers to promote affordable physical wellbeing, fitness and classes; Gym membership is flexible and national, ensuring staff have access whichever QA location they are working in ; • Periodic learner feedback opportunities, giving the opportunity for feedback on areas including wellbeing.

Pricing

• Price: £399 to £535 a user a year
• Discount for educational organisations: No
• Free trial available: Yes
• Description of free trial: Cloud Academy provides a 30-day structured pilot, which consists of unlimited full access to the Cloud Academy platform, content, assessments and analytics for 30 days.
• Link to free trial: https://cloudacademy.com/pricing/

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