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Node4

WAF (Cloudflare)

Our WAF is based on Cloudflare's and offers robust, cloud-based protection for web applications. It effectively blocks malicious traffic and prevents common web threats, ensuring security without compromising performance. With advanced intelligence and customisable rulesets, Cloudflare's WAF is designed to adapt to the evolving security landscape, offering real-time threat mitigation.

Features

  • Cloud-based protection, ensuring security across global content delivery networks
  • Blocks malicious traffic, protecting against common web attacks and vulnerabilities
  • Customisable rulesets tailored to specific application security needs
  • Real-time threat mitigation, responding swiftly to emerging security risks
  • Advanced intelligence gathering and analysis for proactive threat prevention
  • High-performance architecture ensures minimal latency and fast response times
  • Seamless integration with existing Cloudflare services for comprehensive security
  • Automated updates and patches for continuous, up-to-date protection
  • User-friendly interface for easy management and rule configuration
  • Detailed analytics/reporting for enhanced visibility into traffic and threats

Benefits

  • Enhances web application security, safeguarding against external cyber threats
  • Reduces risk of data breaches and information theft
  • Customisable protection allows for specific security needs of applications
  • Ensures business continuity by preventing disruptive cyber attacks
  • Saves time and resources with automated security management
  • Improves website performance while maintaining high security standards
  • Offers scalability to protect growing and evolving web applications
  • Provides peace of mind with industry-leading cybersecurity expertise
  • Facilitates regulatory compliance with advanced security measures
  • Delivers detailed insights for informed security strategy and decision-making

Pricing

£18.66 to £261.93 a unit a month

Service documents

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 bidmanagement@node4.co.uk. Tell them what format you need. It will help if you say what assistive technology you use.

Framework

G-Cloud 14

Service ID

3 2 7 2 0 6 7 2 4 1 6 2 1 6 5

Contact

Node4 David Cheetham
Telephone: 0345 123 2222
Email: bidmanagement@node4.co.uk

Service scope

Service constraints
Our solution is primarily based on Cloudflare Application Security & Performance suite – Pro, Business and Enterprise plans.
System requirements
None

User support

Email or online ticketing support
Email or online ticketing
Support response times
Node4 shall prioritise all Service Tickets based on its reasonable assessment of the Priority level (P1 to P4); and respond to all Service Tickets in accordance with the initial response times specified below:
Response Acknowledgement - P1=30 Mins, P2=1 Hour, P3=2 Hours, P4=4 Hours
Commencement – P1=1 Hour, P2=2 Hours, P3=4 Hours, P4=N/A
Frequency of Updates – P1=1 Hour, P2=2 Hours, P3 and P4 =12 Hours if Resolve / Target to Fix exceeded
Resolve / Target to Fix – P1=4 Hours, P2=8 Hours, P3=12 Hours, P4=36 Hours.
User can manage status and priority of support tickets
Yes
Online ticketing support accessibility
WCAG 2.1 AA or EN 301 549
Phone support
Yes
Phone support availability
24 hours, 7 days a week
Web chat support
Web chat
Web chat support availability
9 to 5 (UK time), Monday to Friday
Web chat support accessibility standard
WCAG 2.1 AA or EN 301 549
Web chat accessibility testing
Standard testing with accessibility software.
Onsite support
Yes, at extra cost
Support levels
Support level options are as follows: -
Business Hours
Standard business hours support 9am to 5:30pm weekdays, excluding bank and national holidays
24 x 7
Priority 1 and 2 – Support hours 24/7
Priority 3, 4 and Service Request – Support hours between 9am and 5.30pm weekdays, excluding bank and national holidays.
Support available to third parties
Yes

Onboarding and offboarding

Getting started
When onboarding we support the client by consulting on their requirements, performance goals, management, and security needs to deliver the solution.

WAF services are provisioned across Cloudflare’s global network as a managed service. Clients must specify which domains they wish protection to be enabled on. Clients will be required to update their domain DNS records. The service can be either procured alongside new connectivity or applied to existing connectivity. The service requires minimal installation activity by the client.

After deployment an overview of the solution, management tasks and responsibilities depending on the client’s operating requirements, are shared with the client. 

When offboarding we will work with the client on an exit plan, co-ordinating the offboarding activities and working with the clients’ internal teams or nominated 3rd parties as a separate professional services engagement.
Service documentation
Yes
Documentation formats
PDF
End-of-contract data extraction
The Client places a request with the Service Desk and Node4 will facilitate offboarding and extraction of data.
End-of-contract process
At the end of the contract Node4 will decommission the services in line with an exit plan agreed with the client.

Using the service

Web browser interface
Yes
Using the web interface
Users are able to access all areas of the Cloudflare dashboard portal, but are unable to control billing aspects on the portal as these are managed through Node4.
Web interface accessibility standard
WCAG 2.1 AA or EN 301 549
Web interface accessibility testing
The Information Technology Industry (ITI) Council worked with the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) to create a tool called the Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) that government contracting and procurement officials can use to identify commercial products that comply with Section 508 regulations and WCAG standards.

Cloudflare's dashboard completes Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) in compliance with international standards set forth by the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA and in conformance with legal standards set forth by Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Product accessibility conformance reports are available on Cloudflare’s website - https://www.cloudflare.com/en-gb/trust-hub/compliance-resources/
API
Yes
What users can and can't do using the API
Users can be provided with access to Cloudflare’s API. Users are able to access all areas of the Cloudflare API except billing as this is managed through Node4.
API automation tools
  • Ansible
  • Chef
  • OpenStack
  • SaltStack
  • Terraform
  • Puppet
  • Other
Other API automation tools
Any other automation tools developed to support Cloudflare’s API.
API documentation
Yes
API documentation formats
  • Open API (also known as Swagger)
  • HTML
Command line interface
No

Scaling

Scaling available
Yes
Scaling type
Automatic
Independence of resources
Cloudflare’s vast global network, which is one of the fastest on the planet, is trusted by millions of web properties. With direct connections to nearly every service provider and cloud provider, the Cloudflare network can reach about 95% of the world’s population within approximately 50 ms.
Minimize latency and increase resiliency with a global Anycast network that can effortlessly stop even the largest DDoS attacks.
Cloudflare is your own fast lane on the Internet. By avoiding network hops and optimizing traffic paths, drastically reduce latency while improving application performance and the end user experience.
Usage notifications
No

Analytics

Infrastructure or application metrics
Yes
Metrics types
  • HTTP request and response status
  • Network
Reporting types
Real-time dashboards

Resellers

Supplier type
Reseller providing extra support
Organisation whose services are being resold
Cloudflare

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
Complies with a recognised standard (for example CSA CCM version 3.0)
Penetration testing frequency
At least once a year
Penetration testing approach
‘IT Health Check’ performed by a Tigerscheme qualified provider or a CREST-approved service provider
Protecting data at rest
  • Physical access control, complying with another standard
  • Encryption of all physical media
Data sanitisation process
Yes
Data sanitisation type
Deleted data can’t be directly accessed
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
  • TLS (version 1.2 or above)
  • IPsec or TLS VPN gateway
Data protection within supplier network
  • TLS (version 1.2 or above)
  • IPsec or TLS VPN gateway

Availability and resilience

Guaranteed availability
The service availability objectives of this service is 99.95%
Approach to resilience
Cloudflare’s vast global network, which is one of the fastest on the planet, is trusted by millions of web properties. With direct connections to nearly every service provider and cloud provider, the Cloudflare network can reach about 95% of the world’s population within approximately 50 ms.
Minimize latency and increase resiliency with a global Anycast network that can effortlessly stop even the largest DDoS attacks.
Cloudflare is your own fast lane on the Internet. By avoiding network hops and optimizing traffic paths, drastically reduce latency while improving application performance and the end user experience.
Outage reporting
We monitor key product/service attributes grouped by availability, throughput, utilisation, latency and errors. 

Alerts trigger service tickets into the service desk for proactive management 

Client receives email alerts from the ticketing platform to alert them of issues and actions. 

Additionally client can view or service status page: https://www.n4status.co.uk/ 

Cloudflare’s status page is also available at: https://www.cloudflarestatus.com

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
Access restrictions in management interfaces and support channels
Access is only granted to those that require access. Access can only be provided by those with the correct permission to authenticate. Management networks are isolated.
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
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)

Audit information for users

Access to user activity audit information
Users contact the support team to get audit information
How long user audit data is stored for
Between 1 month and 6 months
Access to supplier activity audit information
Users contact the support team to get audit information
How long supplier audit data is stored for
Between 1 month and 6 months
How long system logs are stored for
Between 1 month and 6 months

Standards and certifications

ISO/IEC 27001 certification
Yes
Who accredited the ISO/IEC 27001
Alcumus ISOQAR
ISO/IEC 27001 accreditation date
29/03/2022
What the ISO/IEC 27001 doesn’t cover
All aspects are covered.
ISO 28000:2007 certification
No
CSA STAR certification
No
PCI certification
Yes
Who accredited the PCI DSS certification
ClaraNet Ltd
PCI DSS accreditation date
12/08/2023
What the PCI DSS doesn’t cover
PCI controls 2d, 2e, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11
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
Information security policies and processes
Node4 operates an Information Security Management System (ISMS) which conforms to ISO27001. The purpose of the ISMS is to assess and manage risk and to protect the organisation’s information assets from all threats, whether internal or external, deliberate or accidental. The CEO has approved the information security policy. The Information Security Objectives of Node4 are to: -

Protect information against unauthorised access

Assure the confidentiality of information

Maintain the integrity of the information

Ensure the availability of information as required by the business processes

Meet all regulatory and legislative requirements

Implement, maintain and test DR / BC plans in line with the security policy
Train all staff on information security

Continually review and improve the ISMS

Additional policies and procedures exist to support the Information Security Policy. These include, but are not limited to, physical and logical access controls, network security, malware controls, vulnerability management and business continuity.

Operational security

Configuration and change management standard
Conforms to a recognised standard, for example CSA CCM v3.0 or SSAE-16 / ISAE 3402
Configuration and change management approach
All changes are assessed for their potential security impact through the Change Advisory Board. A Low-Risk change is one which has a possibility of causing up to a Priority 3 or 4 Incident. A High-Risk change is one which has a possibility of causing a Priority 1 or 2 Incident or a large amount of Priority 3 and 4 Incidents for multiple customers.
Vulnerability management type
Undisclosed
Vulnerability management approach
Vulnerability testing is performed monthly using internal and external tool sets. Vulnerabilities are assessed and remediation actions performed depending on risk. Information about potential threats is provided by the vulnerability scanning tools.
Protective monitoring type
Undisclosed
Protective monitoring approach
Protective monitoring is performed by the SIEM tool and monitored by the Security Operations Centre. The SIEM provides real-time alerts of any potential compromises and a process of detect, analyse and response is followed with 1 hour.
Incident management type
Undisclosed
Incident management approach
The following approach in used for incident management to ensure the objectives are achieved

Incident Resolution is achieved in the most effective manner

All Incidents are identified promptly and correctly

All Incidents are evaluated, categorised, and prioritised correctly

Communication is maintained with all Stakeholders throughout the lifecycle of all Incidents

All Incidents are constantly monitored throughout their lifecycle

Incident are handled as outlined in the Incident Management Schedule Document here: -
https://node4.co.uk/app/uploads/2022/07/Schedule-Incident-Management-07.04.2021-release.pdf

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
No

Social Value

Social Value

Social Value

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

Fighting climate change

In our commitment to fighting climate change, we take a holistic approach that encompasses reducing carbon emissions, enhancing energy efficiency, and promoting sustainable practices in the delivery of our cloud hosting and software services. Our strategies include:
Energy Efficiency: We optimise our datacentres and cloud infrastructure to be as energy-efficient as possible, employing the latest in green technology and design principles. This reduces our overall energy consumption and minimises our carbon footprint.
Renewable Energy: Where feasible, we power our operations with renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. This commitment extends to encouraging our suppliers and partners to also adopt renewable energy.
Carbon Offsetting: We invest in carbon offset projects, including reforestation and renewable energy projects, to compensate for our unavoidable emissions. These efforts contribute to global carbon reduction initiatives.
Sustainable Practices: We advocate for and implement sustainable practices within our organisation, including reducing waste, promoting recycling, and encouraging the digitalisation of processes to minimise paper use.
Client Engagement: We work with our clients to understand and minimise the environmental impact of their cloud and software service choices. This includes offering guidance on how to use cloud resources more efficiently and sustainably.
Innovation: We continuously explore innovative ways to reduce the environmental impact of our services, including the development of more energy-efficient software and the utilisation of AI to optimise resource usage.
Our aim is to lead by example in the fight against climate change, demonstrating that it is possible to deliver high-quality cloud services while also making a positive impact on the environment. Through these actions, we not only contribute to the sustainability of our planet but also offer our clients the opportunity to engage with a provider that aligns with their values on environmental responsibility.

Covid-19 recovery

In our efforts to support COVID-19 recovery, we're committed to leveraging our cloud hosting and software services to aid businesses, communities, and public sector organisations in navigating the challenges posed by the pandemic and its aftermath. Our strategies include:
Remote Work Solutions: We provide robust cloud solutions that enable seamless remote work, ensuring that organisations can continue their operations without interruption. This includes secure access to critical applications, collaboration tools, and data storage solutions, facilitating productivity and connectivity among dispersed teams.
Digital Transformation Acceleration: Recognising the increased need for digital services, we assist organisations in accelerating their digital transformation journeys. This involves migrating traditional services to the cloud, enabling them to offer their own customers more flexible and resilient services.
Educational Support: To address the surge in demand for online learning, we offer cloud-based learning platforms and tools that educational institutions can leverage to deliver high-quality education remotely. This includes solutions for virtual classrooms, online assessments, and resource sharing.
Healthcare Support: We support healthcare providers by offering cloud solutions that enhance their ability to deliver telehealth services, manage patient data securely, and scale their resources in response to fluctuating demands.
Economic Resilience: We're committed to supporting economic resilience by offering flexible pricing models and financial assistance programs for businesses affected by the pandemic, helping them to maintain their cloud services without financial strain.
Community Engagement: We engage with communities and non-profit organisations, providing technology resources and expertise to support recovery efforts, including initiatives aimed at bridging the digital divide and supporting vulnerable populations.
Our goal is to be a proactive partner in COVID-19 recovery, providing technology solutions that not only help organisations adapt to the new normal but also contribute to building a more resilient and inclusive future.

Tackling economic inequality

In addressing economic inequality, we are committed to leveraging our cloud hosting and software services as tools for empowerment and opportunity creation. Our approach is centered on making technology accessible and beneficial for all segments of society, particularly those who are most vulnerable or have been traditionally underserved. Here’s how we contribute:
Accessibility and Affordability: We strive to ensure our services are accessible and affordable, offering scalable solutions that cater to the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), non-profits, and educational institutions. This includes flexible pricing models for qualifying organisations, enabling them to leverage technology to drive their missions forward.
Skills Development and Training: Recognising the importance of digital literacy in the modern economy, we offer training programs and resources aimed at developing the digital skills of individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. By partnering with educational institutions and community organisations, we aim to close the skills gap and open up new opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship in the tech industry.
Supporting Social Enterprises: We actively support social enterprises and organisations working to tackle economic inequality through preferential access to our cloud and software services. This support extends to collaboration on projects that leverage technology to address social issues, such as unemployment, education, and access to healthcare.
Innovation for Inclusion: We invest in developing innovative solutions that address barriers to economic participation. This includes technologies that enhance financial inclusion, support remote work and education, and enable access to essential services for underserved populations.
Economic Opportunity Creation: Through our ecosystem of partners, customers, and suppliers, we seek to create economic opportunities by prioritising diversity and inclusion in our procurement processes and by fostering an environment where small and diverse businesses can thrive.

Equal opportunity

Our dedication to promoting equal opportunity is woven into the fabric of our operations, services, and community engagements. We believe that technology has the power to level the playing field, providing access to information, resources, and opportunities that can transform lives regardless of background, location, or circumstance. Here’s our approach:
Diverse and Inclusive Hiring Practices: We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce by implementing fair hiring practices that actively seek out and welcome candidates from a variety of backgrounds, including underrepresented groups. This diversity enriches our team with a wide range of perspectives and ideas, driving innovation and understanding of the diverse needs of our clients.
Workplace Equality: We ensure that all employees have equal access to opportunities for growth, development, and advancement. This includes creating a supportive work environment that respects and values each individual's contributions, and implementing policies that promote work-life balance, fair compensation, and professional development.
Technology Accessibility: Our cloud hosting and software services are designed with accessibility in mind, ensuring that individuals with disabilities have equal access to our technologies. This includes adherence to accessibility standards and guidelines, and providing tools and features that enhance usability for all users.
Community Programmes and Partnerships: We engage in community programmes and partnerships aimed at promoting equal opportunity in the technology sector and beyond. This includes supporting educational initiatives that provide technology access and digital literacy training to underserved communities, and collaborating with organisations that work towards social inclusion.
Supplier Diversity: We are committed to supplier diversity by ensuring that small and minority-owned businesses are given fair opportunities to participate in our procurement processes. This not only supports economic inclusion but also enriches our supply chain with a diversity of ideas and products.

Wellbeing

In addressing wellbeing, we recognise the critical importance of mental and physical health, particularly in today’s fast-paced and often stressful work environments. Our approach to wellbeing is holistic, focusing on creating a supportive and healthy work culture for our employees, and extending this ethos to our clients and the communities we serve. Here’s how we contribute:
Employee Wellbeing Programmes: We implement comprehensive wellbeing programmes that support the mental, physical, and emotional health of our employees. These include access to mental health resources, such as counselling services and stress management workshops, as well as initiatives promoting physical health, like fitness classes and ergonomic workplace assessments. We believe that a healthy team is more engaged, productive, and innovative.
Flexible Working Arrangements: Recognising the diverse needs of our workforce, we offer flexible working arrangements to help employees balance their professional and personal lives. This flexibility includes options for remote work, flexible hours, and the provision for necessary breaks to recharge, contributing to a more sustainable work-life balance.
Healthy Work Environment: We strive to create a work environment that promotes wellbeing, including safe and comfortable physical spaces, a positive and inclusive culture, and opportunities for social connection and community building among employees.
Client and Community Support: Beyond our internal initiatives, we extend our commitment to wellbeing through the services and support we provide to clients and the wider community. This includes offering products and services that encourage healthy work practices and partnering with organisations focused on mental health and wellbeing.
Continuous Learning and Development: We believe in the wellbeing benefits of lifelong learning and professional development. Our programmes are designed to support continuous growth and development, reducing the risk of burnout and increasing job satisfaction by providing meaningful opportunities for advancement and skill enhancement.

Pricing

Price
£18.66 to £261.93 a unit a month
Discount for educational organisations
No
Free trial available
No

Service documents

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 bidmanagement@node4.co.uk. Tell them what format you need. It will help if you say what assistive technology you use.