Specialist Computer Centres plc

Secure Remote Access Service (RAS) by SCC

The SCC, Secure, Remote Worker Access Service (RAS) provides a robust and secure mechanism for devices to access corporate data from an Internet connection. This enables flexible working arrangements that will suit business users working from multiple locations, which is particularly prevalent now and will increase into the future.

Features

  • Secure VPN via WiFi, 3G, wired
  • Choice of RAS implementation models
  • End-Point validation & posture check
  • Anti-Virus
  • Security Patching
  • Licensed on a per-user-per-month basis, so will flex up/down
  • Console access for Customer

Benefits

  • The Pulse application VM will work within any hypervisor
  • Flexible point of entry for the number of users
  • Protective monitoring aligned to NCSC guidance

Pricing

£4.95 a user 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 frameworksales@scc.com. Tell them what format you need. It will help if you say what assistive technology you use.

Framework

G-Cloud 13

Service ID

8 9 3 6 2 7 5 5 4 9 9 1 8 0 0

Contact

Specialist Computer Centres plc Warren Strain
Telephone: 01217667000
Email: frameworksales@scc.com

Service scope

Software add-on or extension
Yes, but can also be used as a standalone service
What software services is the service an extension to
Can be used in conjunction with Sentinel's Hosted Desktop, Managed Desktop and/or Exchange SaaS offerings
Cloud deployment model
Public cloud
Service constraints
Appropriate VPN client software, files and certificates need to be installed on an appropriate customer client machine. Supported operating systems include Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8.1, Windows 10 and macOS. The RAS posture checking include anti-virus software version and definition update as well as operating system version.

The SCC Sentinel RAS solution is a TLS v1.2 tunnel with an encryption strength of 168-bit or greater, and a 2048-bit Diffie-Hellman exchange key. The service will not allow connections from systems that will only accept a weaker cipher.
System requirements
  • Connect via an approved network connection
  • Meet the requirements of the associated Code of Connections

User support

Email or online ticketing support
Yes, at extra cost
Support response times
Priority Response 1 - 30 mins,
Priority Response 2 - 60 mins,
Priority Response 3 - 4 Hrs
Priority Response 4 - 72 Hrs

Support is available up to 24/7
User can manage status and priority of support tickets
No
Phone support
Yes
Phone support availability
24 hours, 7 days a week
Web chat support
No
Onsite support
No
Support levels
Only one support level and all included within the SaaS offering for items under the scope of the service
Support available to third parties
Yes

Onboarding and offboarding

Getting started
All new customer opportunities are run as a project, as part of this there is a discovery and transition phase which help identify the customer requirements and bring them into the service. Transition, Project and Service Delivery Managers are also assigned to assist customer into the service.
Service documentation
Yes
Documentation formats
  • PDF
  • Other
Other documentation formats
  • Word
  • Visio
End-of-contract data extraction
The virtual machine file, together with the configuration files shall be supplied to the Customer using either encrypted media as appropriate. SCC will then destroy all live and backup copies of the virtual machine file and data within our control in line with NCSC guidelines and provide written.
End-of-contract process
SCC will work with the Customer to create an exit plan and strategy within 3 months of the start of service. This is included in the price of the contract. The exit plan will define what happens at the end of the contract.

Using the service

Web browser interface
No
Application to install
Yes
Compatible operating systems
  • MacOS
  • Windows
Designed for use on mobile devices
No
Service interface
No
User support accessibility
None or don’t know
API
No
Customisation available
No

Scaling

Independence of resources
QoS policies in place to ensure secure segregation is in place.

All customers and their users must agree to the Acceptable Usage Policy.

Analytics

Service usage metrics
No

Resellers

Supplier type
Not a reseller

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
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 CHECK service provider
Protecting data at rest
Physical access control, complying with another standard
Data sanitisation process
Yes
Data sanitisation type
Explicit overwriting of storage before reallocation
Equipment disposal approach
Complying with a recognised standard, for example CSA CCM v.30, CAS (Sanitisation) or ISO/IEC 27001

Data importing and exporting

Data export approach
Customers send a specific keypad locked USB HDD (unlock-codes-sent-separately).
The HDD is unlocked then plugged into the first Sheep dip server which is internet outward facing but not internally connected to the SCC Sentinel network. This server runs the latest up to date F-Secure’s AV and Malware protection program against the USB HDD. HDD is then connected to 2nd sheep dip box which is SCC internally facing only. This server runs the latest up to date Symantec End Point protection AV and Malware protection program against the USB HDD. Data is exported to the device securely sent to the customer.
Data export formats
  • CSV
  • ODF
Data import formats
  • CSV
  • ODF

Data-in-transit protection

Data protection between buyer and supplier networks
  • TLS (version 1.2 or above)
  • IPsec or TLS VPN gateway
  • Other
Other protection between networks
Separate management platform for accessing Customers. Management platform utilising firewalling and proxy layers to access Customers. Proxy layer contains different jumpboxes to access different management domains, which present different access methods to and from Customers. Customer tenancy severs require backend private VLAN interfaces for SCC Sentinel Management access and logging.
Data protection within supplier network
  • TLS (version 1.2 or above)
  • Other
Other protection within supplier network
IPS, Use of secure protocols TLS,SSH for services where possible, Private VLAN's to isolate Customer environments

Availability and resilience

Guaranteed availability
Service comes with a 99.95% SLA
Approach to resilience
Leveraging Sentinel's IaaS offering the RAS is deployed in a highly available, no single point of failure configuration. The service also makes use of SCC’s secondary Data Centre as a cold standby facility in the event of a disaster recovery scenario.
Outage reporting
Monitoring with SCC toolsets

Identity and authentication

User authentication needed
Yes
User authentication
  • 2-factor authentication
  • Public key authentication (including by TLS client certificate)
  • Limited access network (for example PSN)
  • Dedicated link (for example VPN)
  • Username or password
Access restrictions in management interfaces and support channels
The Sentinel management estate used by SCC is a physically separate estate with the same controls and security in place on the multi-tenancy platform. This service like the rest of the IaaS is accredited by the PSN.
Access restriction testing frequency
At least every 6 months
Management access authentication
  • 2-factor authentication
  • Username or password

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 6 months and 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
Between 6 months and 12 months
How long system logs are stored for
Between 6 months and 12 months

Standards and certifications

ISO/IEC 27001 certification
Yes
Who accredited the ISO/IEC 27001
LRQA
ISO/IEC 27001 accreditation date
28/07/2015
What the ISO/IEC 27001 doesn’t cover
N/A
ISO 28000:2007 certification
No
CSA STAR certification
No
PCI certification
No
Cyber essentials
Yes
Cyber essentials plus
Yes
Other security certifications
Yes
Any other security certifications
  • PSN Assurance
  • Cyber Essentials Plus

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
All our security policies are aligned to and certified to ISO 27001:2013

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 our configuration and change management processes are aligned to and certified to ISO 27001:2013
Vulnerability management type
Conforms to a recognised standard, for example CSA CCM v3.0 or SSAE-16 / ISAE 3402
Vulnerability management approach
SCC's vulnerability scanning and penetration testing policy documents the process and how vulnerabilities are proactively detected and remediated in a timely fashion. SCC performs monthly vulnerabilities across the Sentinel platform covering approximately 20% of the platform each month, ensuring the whole platform is covered twice within a 12 month period.
Protective monitoring type
Conforms to a recognised standard, for example CSA CCM v3.0 or SSAE-16 / ISAE 3402
Protective monitoring approach
Protective monitoring is carried out in accordance with GPG 13 to level B (Deter)
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
All our incident management processes are aligned to and certified to ISO 27001:2013 as defined in HMG Cloud Security Guidance: Standards and Definitions

Secure development

Approach to secure software development best practice
Supplier-defined process

Public sector networks

Connection to public sector networks
Yes
Connected networks
  • Public Services Network (PSN)
  • Joint Academic Network (JANET)
  • Health and Social Care Network (HSCN)

Social Value

Fighting climate change

Fighting climate change

Sustainability is central to SCC’s operations and embedded into our business. Our defined carbon reduction targets are externally reported in our Carbon Reduction plan via the Carbon Disclosure Project.
Covid-19 recovery

Covid-19 recovery

SCC’s products, services and solutions can help facilitate and implement new ways of working for our customers. Through our propositions, additional health, wellbeing and agile working benefits can be achieved.
Tackling economic inequality

Tackling economic inequality

SCC provides employment and training opportunities, are members of the Disability Confident Scheme and supporters of the Armed Forces Covenant. Working with our supply chain we promote collaboration and diversity.
Equal opportunity

Equal opportunity

SCC is an inclusive employer with various initiatives to support, engage and develop our employees. We promote supply chain diversity and have mechanisms in place to manage modern slavery risks.
Wellbeing

Wellbeing

SCC has a range of health and wellbeing activities available for our employees to access. Our volunteering programme and charity partnerships help facilitate and deliver a range of community benefits.

Pricing

Price
£4.95 a user 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 frameworksales@scc.com. Tell them what format you need. It will help if you say what assistive technology you use.