The accreditation allows Virgin Media Business to protect information shared over public service networks (PSN) up to Business Impact Level 2 (IL2), ensuring sensitive information doesn’t get corrupted or falls into the wrong hands.
Whether it's information about childcare issues, housing benefits or patient records, the IL2 security standard establishes controls how information is handled, ensuring it is available when needed and can only be viewed or shared by intended parties.
As the first company to achieve certification for its PSN connectivity products in 2011, Virgin Media Business is the first to gain renewal of its certification, showing its ongoing commitment to providing safe and secure networks to public sector organisations - from prisons to emergency services.
Through the recertification, the company can now offer CAS(T) 2-2-4 certified communications across an extended range of products, including Unified Communications.
There has already been particularly strong demand from local councils and education authorities, including Hampshire County Council and London Grid for Learning.
With PSNs set to become the standard method of sharing data between all public sector organisations by 2015, it is more important than ever to reassure citizens that their personal information is safe. Suppliers must provide long-term strategies that ensure that information can be shared securely through their networks.
In addition to protecting data, this move to a national PSN framework will help reduce procurement costs and encourage greater collaboration between different public sector bodies.
Duncan Higgins, marketing director, Virgin Media Business, said: “Quite rightly, public sector organisations will always take the threat of security breaches seriously. With increasing complexity when it comes to keeping public data safe, it’s critical that these organisations can rely on a network partner that provides them with reliable and secure infrastructure.”
“What we’re doing is addressing the risks to public information and ensuring that public sector organisations can concentrate on the vital services they provide. Protecting our data securely and efficiently means that they can continue to focus on improving services and making the best use of taxpayers’ money.”