Exponential-e announces government-grade security excellence with CAS(T)

Accreditation comes for its Smartwires, WAN, VPLS, Internet and HSCN services - one of only a few companies in the UK to achieve CAS(T) for HSCN

Exponential-e is one of only a few companies in the UK to achieve CAS(T) status for HSCN. This connectivity provides the security building blocks for networks to transform health and social care services by empowering organisations to access and share information more reliably, flexibly, and efficiently. Moreover, integrated with Exponential-e's WAN connectivity is its Cyber Security Operations Centre (CSOC), which protects public sector assets with proactive security monitoring. Introduced in 2016, the NCSC's CAS(T) scheme is a pan-government Public Sector Network (PSN) programme, requiring any telecoms services procured by public sector bodies to be certified to the CAS(T) standard.

Jitesh Bavisi, Director of Compliance at Exponential-e, commented:

"Exponential‐e has been working towards the government compliance since the beginning of the year, and so we are very proud to have finally achieved the CAS(T) certification for a range of services. What sets our compliance apart is how we treat it. Far from the reluctance that can pervade the industry, we approach compliance enthusiastically, as it's the fundamental framework that powers all our systems, optimising our day-to-day tasks. The CAS(T) certification further enhances our commitment and delivery of our brand promise to continually strive to deliver the best technology service and support in the UK for our customers. We've been doing this for over 16 years now."

To achieve this Government certification, Exponential-e underwent an independent assessment, including a rigorous on‐site two stage audit covering all the requirements of CAS(T). These requirements include embedding of the security controls and hardening of the high level design, plus a stringent 30-day IT Health Check (ITHC) by an approved vendor to ensure the network is secure. The findings were submitted to the NCSC for approval and certification. Maintaining certification requires continual improvement of the CAS(T), which is independently assessed on a regular basis with an annual ITHC.

Afshin Attari, Director Public Sector Exponential-e, added:

"CAS(T) adds to the existing eight ISO certifications we hold and also underpins our HSCN compliance for the health sector. While the NHS remains one of the world's most efficient healthcare systems, there are still substantial opportunities to increase these efficiencies. Truly integrated care across the NHS requires relieving it of a legacy network, swapping it out for one that's encrypted, resilient, flexible, and future-proofed. As one of the only companies in the UK to achieve CAS(T) accreditation for HSCN, Exponential-e looks forward to delivering connectivity to the CAS(T) assured standard for the likes of NHS Trusts, CSUs, and CCGs across the Health and Social Care Sector. Not only will this make each patient's experience better, but it will allow NHS staff to focus on their vital work."