enewsletter

Welcome to the new and improved Sapphire E-Newsletter. Select a topic to find out more.Secure in the Knowledge for a Decade
Sapphire Achieves ISO27001 Certification!
The 8th National Information Security Conference – NISC 8
10 years!
Now and beyond
What We Do Best

Secure in the Knowledge for a Decade
Sapphire is very proud to announce its 10 year anniversary on the 10th April 2006. Sapphire have come a long way since the creation of the company way back in 1996 when our clients were just starting to investigate the possible business use of the Internet.

Our main solutions consisted almost entirely of secure web site development, Anti Virus solutions and the early days of Firewall technology with Virtual Private Networks. No-one spoke of security standards, no-one employed Information Security Officers (ISOs) and security was definitely seen as no more than a costly addition - never as an enabler.

Sapphire now provides independent information security advice and solutions to both the public and private sectors. The last ten years has given our organisation a breadth of experience across almost every security threat, compliance issue and solution.

This month Sapphire launches a full refresh to their corporate website and to celebrate 10 years in the industry, all who visit the site will receive a free gift.

Sapphire Achieves ISO27001 Certification!
In Q2 Sapphire was delighted to achieve its 3-year re-certification and upgrade to the new ISO/IEC27001 standard, the internationally recognised standard for Information Security Management.

For a decade, Sapphire has realised the importance of global security standards such as ISO17799 and ISO/IEC27001:2005. Sapphire believes that the best way for an organisation to maintain its integrity, both with trading partners and customers, is to comply with industry best standards. Sapphire is very pleased to be one of the first companies in the UK to achieve this updated standard. We believe that to consult on the standard and how to achieve it, you must hold the standard yourself.

The 8th National Information Security Conference – NISC 8
As Sapphire has matured so has its annual conference, The National Information Security Conference (NISC).

Our first event was held at Redworth Hall, County Durham in October 2000 and hosted 38 delegates. We now hold the annual NISC event at St Andrews Bay, Scotland and as we approach our 8th NISC event we expect over 250 attendees.

Over the 2 days, delegates are invited to listen to the speakers recounting their own personal experiences through real life case studies and open discussions. The conference has very much evolved over the 7 years, continually changing to meet client demands and the changing threats everyone now faces. All delegates have the chance to attend business workshops, technical forums and the main conference, with everybody adhering to the theme of continued information assurance. There is also a relaxed social programme arranged on the evenings to ensure the important part of networking continues into the wee small hours.

It is often difficult to get the mix correct for a conference and Sapphire are pleased to see a 30% growth in delegates year on year with many returning so they must be doing something right.

For more information about NISC please visit www.sapphire.net

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10 years!
Sapphire is delighted to have an admirable record in providing excellent working conditions and job security for their staff; most of Sapphire’s staff have been here for many years and we are looking forward to many 10 year ‘gold watch’ awards in the coming months and years.

“Thanks for all your hard work and commitment, I look forward to sharing the next decade with you!”
John Morrison, Sapphire

Now and beyond
During the last 12 months Sapphire has significantly increased the number of staff in both its consultancy and sales teams.

Sapphire is delighted to announce additional members to the security team. These include Ben Collins, previously ICT Security Team leader for Gateshead Council; Colin Golden, previously of Tayside Police; Scott Treacy previously of Campbell Lee and last but not least, Owen Birnie joined Sapphire in January 2006 having previously worked as Information Security Officer for Aberdeenshire Council.

The Business Development team has also expanded with a new sales manager, Gill Snelson, joining us from Computer Associates, an Internal Account Manager, Zelda Boyd and 4 new business development managers, Bill Grier, Suhail Awan, Jillian Miles and Ruth Schofield, joining us across the UK.

Sapphire welcomes you all and looks forward to working with you over the coming years, if not decades!

What We Do Best
Sapphire offers a number of core services to our clients.

Security Consultancy – includes BS7799 / ISO27001, Gap Analysis, Security Audit and CESG Listed Advisor Scheme (CLAS) consultancy services.

Vulnerability Assessment / Penetration Testing - CHECK approved assessment team boasting a Green Status team leader.

Computer Forensics – the only ISO27001 certified lab in the UK. Offering a full Incident Response and Data Recovery service.

Secure Application Gateway –partner with Whale Communications to offer their eGap remote access SSL VPN. This is the only SSL VPN solution to achieve the prestigious CCT Mark stamp of approval.

Multi Link VPN’s - partner with Stonesoft to offer high available solutions over multiple VPNS with the added protection of a leading firewall and intrusion prevention appliances.

End Point Security – partner with Securewave to offer software that ensures full end point protection. Sapphire are also pleased to partner Securewave who also hold the coveted CCT Mark.

Forensic Archiving – partner with Cryoserver to offer forensic archiving and compliance for email.

Database & Web Application Protection - partner with Imperva to offer a solution that ensures protection from an internal or external attack on the company web application or database.

Identity and Access Management – partner with CA to offer solutions that allow management of all users, internal and external, over various platforms via a single management station.