This G-Cloud 10 service is no longer available to buy.

The G-Cloud 10 framework expired on Tuesday 2 July 2019. Any existing contracts with Q Associates Limited are still valid.
Q Associates Limited

Q_UKcloud_Workload Migration to the Cloud OFFICIAL

Our Cloud Migration service is designed exclusively for the UK Public Sector, and is compliant with GDPR and suitable for OFFICIAL workloads, based in UK Crown hosting datacentres to ensure data sovereignty.  It is scalable on-demand, flexible, billed by the hour, and with  full support free of charge.

Features

  • Migrate from Hyper-V and Vmware platforms to UKCloud
  • Selfservice portal to control your migration
  • failback control to current site, Test cutovers via Zerto software
  • Journals capable of recovery points just seconds apart
  • On demand, only pay for resources when you need them
  • 24/7 servicedesk included as standard with SLA response times
  • Connect over the internet, PSN, N3 or JANET
  • Assured; UK hosted by SC and NPPV cleared personnel
  • Additional cloud support services migrate, onboard, manage, exit and hybrid.
  • QAssociates can provide SC_DV cleared personnel to support onboarding

Benefits

  • Seamlessly move from your local datacentre to our secure cloud
  • Control the migration to minimise downtime to just minutes
  • Migrate Safely knowing switch back at any point
  • Ensure that there is minimal data loss during your migration
  • Cost effectively deliver your migration plans
  • Use known technologies to de-risk your migration strategy
  • Simulate your migration without effecting live services
  • Have confidence in who has access to your data
  • Choose the right network to connect your solution to
  • Additional Cloud Support Services Offers Single Supplier Simplicity & Support

Pricing

£0.03 a virtual machine an hour

Service documents

Request an accessible format
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need versions of these documents in a more accessible format, email the supplier at tenders@qassociates.co.uk. Tell them what format you need. It will help if you say what assistive technology you use.

Framework

G-Cloud 10

Service ID

5 1 9 2 9 8 1 2 7 9 2 6 2 8 1

Contact

Q Associates Limited Adam Freeman
Telephone: 01635 248181
Email: tenders@qassociates.co.uk

Service scope

Service constraints
Planned maintenance windows are identified in the service description
Emergency maintenance windows are identified in the service description
System requirements
  • Must have appropriate WAN bandwidth available
  • Browsers that support flash and allows downloading of JAVA applets
  • Utilise Vmware ESXI or Microsoft Hyper-V in their primary site

User support

Email or online ticketing support
Email or online ticketing
Support response times
Q Associates - offer access to a 24x7 service desk and can front all calls relating to the service.
UKCloud - Tickets are responded to on a priority basis. We aim to respond to ALL initial questions within 15 minutes during normal business hours and High Severity tickets will be answered 24/7.
User can manage status and priority of support tickets
Yes
Online ticketing support accessibility
None or don’t know
Phone support
Yes
Phone support availability
24 hours, 7 days a week
Web chat support
Web chat
Web chat support availability
9 to 5 (UK time), Monday to Friday
Web chat support accessibility standard
None or don’t know
How the web chat support is accessible
Slack (from UKCloud) is accessible via any web browser that supports HTML5 and is also accessible programmatically via its API. Alternatively, Slack can be used via its own desktop client.
Web chat accessibility testing
None
Onsite support
Yes, at extra cost
Support levels
UKCloud's standard support includes Customer Success Managers, Technical Account Managers, support engineers and a 24/7 Network Operations Centre. We aim to respond to ALL incidents within 15 minutes between 08:00-20:00 every weekday.
Q Associates offers access to a 24x7 Service desk, particularly useful for Hybrid Cloud users of this service.
Support available to third parties
Yes

Onboarding and offboarding

Getting started
Q Associates - In support of all of our Cloud Hosting Services offer Cloud Readiness, Cloud Migration and as needed Cloud Exit Services - all available via G-Cloud.
UKCloud - All new customers are assigned a Customer Success Manager that will provide proactive support and advise for the first 90 days. This also includes the assistance from devops and cloud architects to ensure the right solution is provisioned and maximised for the workloads, along with a range of user guides.
Service documentation
Yes
Documentation formats
  • HTML
  • ODF
  • PDF
  • Other
Other documentation formats
Video & Podcasts
End-of-contract data extraction
Q Associates - In addition to the extraction of data, there may be more detailed integration requirements when exiting a cloud and Q Associates Cloud Exit service available via G-Cloud can further assist in this process.
UKCloud - The customer has complete autonomy of how data is stored and managed within their virtual environment. Data can be extracted either from within the VM (for example, copying data over virtual networks), or the entire VM (for example, exporting as a VMDK or OVF).
End-of-contract process
Q Associates - In addition to the extraction of data, there may be more detailed integration requirements when exiting a cloud and Q Associates Cloud Exit service available via G-Cloud can further assist in this process.
UKCloud - Will return all your data and materials which cannot be deleted or exported by you, and securely destroy all copies of your data on your written instruction.  We will return any pre-paid sums for services not delivered to you. They will not penalise you for terminating your contract with us unless specifically stated in the Service Definition. They will also return all of your confidential information, unless there is a legal requirement that they keep it.

Using the service

Web browser interface
Yes
Using the web interface
We provide a control panel allowing users to provision, manage and decommission various aspects of this service. It also allows users to interface with the UKCloud service management system including raising tickets and requests. The web interface also provides access to a comprehensive set of documentation and videos. Launch, manage and delete virtual network, compute and storage resources. Display network topology. Manage images including creation and recover of backups. Control access and security including key pairs, API access and floating IPs. Manage load balancers.
Web interface accessibility standard
None or don’t know
How the web interface is accessible
The web interface is accessible using the most common web browsers and is delivered over various public and private networks including the internet, PSN, N3/HSCN and Janet. The web interface is protected by standards-based encryption, two-factor authentication and optionally IP address restrictions. The web interface is entirely HTML5 and does not require any auxilary plug-ins, therefore the web interface is accessible by any modern day desktop or mobile internet browser able to support secure HTTPS connections.
Web interface accessibility testing
None
API
No
Command line interface
No

Scaling

Scaling available
Yes
Scaling type
  • Automatic
  • Manual
Independence of resources
In order to guarantee that users are not affected by the demands from other users, we use resource reservations and shares such as internet bandwidth shaping. In addition, the capacity planning team ensure that usage in terms of all resources are constantly monitored and increased accordingly relating to user demand.
Usage notifications
Yes
Usage reporting
Other

Analytics

Infrastructure or application metrics
Yes
Metrics types
  • CPU
  • Disk
  • Memory
  • Network
  • Number of active instances
  • Other
Other metrics
  • Recovery Point Objective
  • Journal Length
  • Restore status and availability
Reporting types
  • Real-time dashboards
  • Reports on request

Resellers

Supplier type
Reseller providing extra support
Organisation whose services are being resold
UKCloud

Staff security

Staff security clearance
Conforms to BS7858:2012
Government security clearance
Up to Developed Vetting (DV)

Asset protection

Knowledge of data storage and processing locations
Yes
Data storage and processing locations
United Kingdom
User control over data storage and processing locations
Yes
Datacentre security standards
Complies with a recognised standard (for example CSA CCM version 3.0)
Penetration testing frequency
At least every 6 months
Penetration testing approach
‘IT Health Check’ performed by a CHECK service provider
Protecting data at rest
  • Physical access control, complying with CSA CCM v3.0
  • Other
Other data at rest protection approach
Q Associates and UKCloud encourage clients to protect their own data using encryption technologies where only they have the decryption key. In this way, our customers are assured that their data can never be accessed by a third party.
Data sanitisation process
Yes
Data sanitisation type
Explicit overwriting of storage before reallocation
Equipment disposal approach
Complying with a recognised standard, for example CSA CCM v.30, CAS (Sanitisation) or ISO/IEC 27001

Backup and recovery

Backup and recovery
Yes
What’s backed up
  • Replicate virtual machines and associated data stored on customer sites.
  • Data is stored within UKCloud as a journal
  • Deploy a VM from a previous specific point in time
Backup controls
Customers have complete control of which VMs are protected via the self-service Zerto portal

Q Associates also has a managed backup entry in G-Cloud.
Datacentre setup
Multiple datacentres with disaster recovery
Scheduling backups
Users schedule backups through a web interface
Backup recovery
Users can recover backups themselves, for example through a web interface

Data-in-transit protection

Data protection between buyer and supplier networks
  • Private network or public sector network
  • TLS (version 1.2 or above)
  • IPsec or TLS VPN gateway
  • Bonded fibre optic connections
  • Other
Other protection between networks
Our Service Provider UKCloud offer the choice of connecting:
• Via the internet using additional encryption such as TLS 1.2
• IPSec VPN tunnels
• Via private networks such as leased lines or MPLS
• Via public sector networks such as PSN, N3, Janet
"
Data protection within supplier network
  • TLS (version 1.2 or above)
  • Other
Other protection within supplier network
Our Service Provider UKcloud use dedicated CAS-T circuits between each of their sites to ensure the protection of customer data in-flight. UKcloud additionally encrypt this data within their Elevated OFFICIAL platform. All data flows are also subject to their protective monitoring service.

Availability and resilience

Guaranteed availability
99.99%
Approach to resilience
Our service is deployed across a number of sites, regions and zones. Each zone is designed to eliminate single points of failure (such as power, network and hardware). Customers are encouraged to ensure their solution spans multiple sites, regions or zones to ensure service continuity should a failure occur.

Q Associates also offer a Cloud Migration Service available via G-Cloud can assist in the setup of solution to span multiple sites, regions or zones.
Outage reporting
All outages will be reported via the Service Status page and the notifications service within the UKCloud Portal.  Outages are identified as Planned maintenance, Emergency maintenance, and platform issues.  In addition, the designated Technical Account Manager will proactively contact customers as appropriate.

Identity and authentication

User authentication
  • 2-factor authentication
  • Limited access network (for example PSN)
Access restrictions in management interfaces and support channels
Q Associates 24x7 service desk can front calls to/from UKCloud and client where necessary Alternatively, customers have the option to raise a support request via telephone or email. UKCloud will always authenticate the identity of the user by validating known phone numbers and asking them for specific characters within their pre-agreed memorable word. The management interfaces are only available on the UKCloud network.
Access restriction testing frequency
At least every 6 months
Management access authentication
2-factor authentication
Devices users manage the service through
  • Dedicated device on a segregated network (providers own provision)
  • Dedicated device on a government network (for example PSN)
  • Dedicated device over multiple services or networks
  • Any device but through a bastion host (a bastion host is a server that provides access to a private network from an external network such as the internet)
  • Directly from any device which may also be used for normal business (for example web browsing or viewing external email)

Audit information for users

Access to user activity audit information
Users contact the support team to get audit information
How long user audit data is stored for
Between 1 month and 6 months
Access to supplier activity audit information
Users contact the support team to get audit information
How long supplier audit data is stored for
Between 1 month and 6 months
How long system logs are stored for
Between 1 month and 6 months

Standards and certifications

ISO/IEC 27001 certification
Yes
Who accredited the ISO/IEC 27001
NQA for Q Associates/LRQA for UKCloud
ISO/IEC 27001 accreditation date
April 2016 for Q Associates May 2012 for UKCloud
What the ISO/IEC 27001 doesn’t cover
Nothing
ISO 28000:2007 certification
No
CSA STAR certification
Yes
CSA STAR accreditation date
28 October 2016 for UKCloud
CSA STAR certification level
Level 1: CSA STAR Self-Assessment
What the CSA STAR doesn’t cover
Nothing
PCI certification
No
Other security certifications
Yes
Any other security certifications
ISO27018 for UKCloud

Security governance

Named board-level person responsible for service security
Yes
Security governance certified
Yes
Security governance standards
  • ISO/IEC 27001
  • Other
Other security governance standards
UK Cloud our service provider also comply with - CSA STAR, ISO27001, ISO27017, ISO27018 and ISO20000
Information security policies and processes
Q Associates are accredited to ISO27001 and independently audited each year. All staff are reviewed and tested annually in relation to their understanding of our ISO27001 policies and training aligned according to the overall results. We are also Cyber Essentials certified and have access when necessary to a team of secure staff from our QSS division who regularly deal with sensitive public-sector organisations. Full information relating to our ISO27001 policies and processes is available upon request. Additionally, our service provider, UKCloud, has a number of inter-connected governance frameworks in place which control both how the Company operates and the manner in which it delivers cloud services to its customers. These have been independently assessed and certified against ISO20000, ISO27001, ISO27017 and ISO27018 by LRQA, a UKAS accredited audit body. The Company is governed by an integrated suite of information security policies. Under the top level Information Security Policy itself are second-level documents with specific focus on Acceptable Use, Antivirus Protection, Asset Management, Business Continuity Management, Data Protection, Password Management, Personnel Management, Supply Chain Management and many others.

Operational security

Configuration and change management standard
Conforms to a recognised standard, for example CSA CCM v3.0 or SSAE-16 / ISAE 3402
Configuration and change management approach
Q Associates has documented configuration and change management controls (Available On Request).
UKCloud, has documented configuration and change management policies and processes, which have been implemented, maintained and assessed in accordance with the guidance from ITIL v.3 and the current ISO20000 standard. Formal configuration management activities, including record management and asset reporting, are monitored and validated constantly, any discrepancies promptly escalated for investigation. A robust, established process for the formal submission of change requests is mandated prior to review and approval of the daily Change Advisory Board, which is attended by a quorum of operational and technical management personnel.
Vulnerability management type
Conforms to a recognised standard, for example CSA CCM v3.0 or SSAE-16 / ISAE 3402
Vulnerability management approach
Following best practice from the National Cyber Security Centre, UKCloud protects both its Assured and Elevated platforms with 24x7 enhanced protective monitoring services, vulnerability scanning and assessment.  Their approach to protective monitoring at minimum meets the Protective Monitoring Controls (PMC 1-12) outlined in NCSC document GPG13 (Protective Monitoring for HMG ICT Systems).  It includes checks against systems events (SIEM) and network traffic analysis, including time sources, cross-boundary traffic, suspicious activities at a boundary, network connections and status of backups.  Any alerts generated are logged and investigated 24x7.
Protective monitoring type
Conforms to a recognised standard, for example CSA CCM v3.0 or SSAE-16 / ISAE 3402
Protective monitoring approach
Following best practice from the National Cyber Security Centre, UKCloud protects both its Assured and Elevated platforms with 24x7 enhanced protective monitoring services, vulnerability scanning and assessment.  Their approach to protective monitoring at minimum meets the Protective Monitoring Controls (PMC 1-12) outlined in NCSC document GPG13 (Protective Monitoring for HMG ICT Systems).  It includes checks against systems events (SIEM) and network traffic analysis, including time sources, cross-boundary traffic, suspicious activities at a boundary, network connections and status of backups.  Any alerts generated are logged and investigated 24x7.
Incident management type
Conforms to a recognised standard, for example, CSA CCM v3.0 or ISO/IEC 27035:2011 or SSAE-16 / ISAE 3402
Incident management approach
Q Associates has a fully documented Incident management process (Available_on_request) UKCloud has a documented incident management policy and process, which have been implemented, maintained and assessed in accordance with the guidance from ITIL v.3 and the current ISO20000 and ISO27001 standards. This activity is responsible for the progression of alerts generated by automated monitoring systems, issues identified by UKCloud personnel, and incidents identified and reported to UKCloud by its customers and partners. All incidents are promptly reported into a central ticketing system, ensuring each is promptly assigned to an appropriate resource, and progress tracked (and escalated, as required) to resolution.

Secure development

Approach to secure software development best practice
Independent review of processes (for example CESG CPA Build Standard, ISO/IEC 27034, ISO/IEC 27001 or CSA CCM v3.0)

Separation between users

Virtualisation technology used to keep applications and users sharing the same infrastructure apart
Yes
Who implements virtualisation
Supplier
Virtualisation technologies used
VMware
How shared infrastructure is kept separate
At the compute/storage layer, consumers are separated via robust hypervisor controls based on VMware vSphere technology. This solution has been previously been validated by the NCSC PGA and the implementation is regularly tested via by regular PGA scoped independent IT Security Health Checks conducted by a CHECK service provider.

Energy efficiency

Energy-efficient datacentres
Yes

Pricing

Price
£0.03 a virtual machine an hour
Discount for educational organisations
No
Free trial available
No

Service documents

Request an accessible format
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need versions of these documents in a more accessible format, email the supplier at tenders@qassociates.co.uk. Tell them what format you need. It will help if you say what assistive technology you use.