Sodexo’s IS&T team, led by Helen Willington (the company’s quality, PMO and compliance manager), achieved the certification for Sodexos Data Centre, which houses its computer servers.
The award follows on from nine months of detailed preparation for a rigorous assessment by the certification board, DAS.
The certification assessor had to be satisfied that Sodexo’s IS&T Data Centre management team was systematically analysing the business’ information security risks, hat a comprehensive suite of information security controls was in place (covering technical, physical, process and people risks) and that there was a strong security management organisation in operation to continually review information security requirements and meet the changing needs of the business and external threats.
These controls include measures such as system access controls, strong password policies, laptop encryption, safely housing servers away from risk of fire or flood and ensuring web browsing guidelines are followed religiously at all times.
Certification means that Sodexo – one of the country’s leading facilities management providers – has demonstrable capability in managing sensitive and confidential data held as part of its involvement in contracts with, for example, Government departments, local authorities or NHS hospitals.
Mark Mitchelson – chief technology officer for Sodexo in the UK and Ireland – commented: “This is a huge achievement for the IS&T team and puts us in a very good place in terms of servicing complex data-sensitive contracts.”
He added: “Current and prospective clients are understandably becoming increasingly concerned with information assurance in the digital world. At Sodexo, we view it as essential that all means are used to maintain high security to protect information we hold on an electronic basis.”
For Mitchelson, IS0 27001 certification represents “a great endorsement” of Sodexo’s expertise “and puts us at the forefront of information security in the support services sector”.
Sodexo in the UK and Ireland… and across the world
Sodexo in the UK and Ireland employs around 43,000 people and delivers on-site service solutions to clients at over 2,300 locations in the corporate, healthcare, education, leisure and defence sectors.
With an annual turnover of over GB pound 1 billion, Sodexo delivers a diverse range of services ranging from catering, cleaning and reception duties through to security, laboratory and grounds maintenance services, in turn enabling clients to focus on their core business.
Sodexo Motivation Solutions (formerly Sodexo Pass) in the UK provides incentive and recognition schemes such as SayShopping vouchers, public benefits and employee benefits such as childcare vouchers and engagement surveys.
Services which improve the quality of daily life play an important role in the progress of individuals and the performance of organisations. Based on this conviction, Sodexo today serves as the strategic partner for companies and institutions that place a premium on performance and well-being (as it has done since Pierre Bellon founded the company in 1966).
Sharing the same passion for service, Sodexo’s 380,000 employees manage and deliver “an unrivalled array” of on-site service solutions and motivation solutions in 80 countries.
Sodexo has created a new form of service business that contributes to the economic, social and environmental development of the communities, regions and countries in which it operates and to the fulfilment of its employees.
