“Over the years we have seen ISOQAR grow as our own business has.”
Matt Steel – Information Security Manager
Access is a leader in supporting organisations with digital transformation. Through their Workspace platform, they enable various software packages to link and share data, enabling customers to have an integrated view of their organisation, its staff, customers and operations. Workspace brings efficiency and productivity improvements.
So, it’s not surprising that information security is so important to Access. Matt Steel, Information & Security Manager for Access, explains: “We need ISO 27001 certification to reassure our clients that we take seriously the security of their data that they entrust to us. Certification shows that we apply verified measures to maintain the level of security they expect.”
One of the biggest challenges for Matt is continuously developing the system. “We have a wide variety of sites and products, and we keep growing, acquiring several new companies a year,” says Matt. “These need to be brought into our ISMS and certified to the same high standard as the rest of Access.”
Access manages the implementation and development of the system in-house, working with each location to ensure that central processes are in place and procedures are being applied correctly. “Members of the team have received training in auditing and managing our ISMS through Alcumus ISOQAR,” says Matt.
The benefits of the system are beyond doubt. Matt explains: “The ISMS provides a single verifiable standard across all parts of the company. Having this independently audited reassures us and our clients that we are striving to maintain and improve our information security year-on-year.”
Regarding the selection of a Certification Body, Matt says: “Access is a complex company in terms of the number of offices, variation of software packages and services we offer. Our ISMS is not a one-size-fits-all and it’s not a static system, so we sought a certification partner who would understand the way we work, our internal interactions and fast-paced innovations.
“ISOQAR provides us with a team of auditors who are knowledgeable and proficient,” adds Matt. “They make planning and carrying out the audits uncomplicated. Their auditors have an excellent manner when interviewing our staff being open, honest and professional. For more complex matters, we can call on the ISOQAR Technical Team who give prompt and practical support.”
