NHS DSP Toolkit

What is the NHS DSP Toolkit?

The Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSP Toolkit) ensures that NHS-related bodies are adhering to an agreed security standard. By completing an online self-assessment tool, your organisation can benchmark performance against the National Data Guardian’s ten Data Security Standards.

The NDG Standards split into three key areas – People, Processes and Technology. Every NHS organisation must demonstrate mastery of these standards. They are also expected to survey staff across the whole organisation every year to assess preparedness for a cybersecurity event.

Why do I need the NHS DSP Toolkit?

Toolkit testing is mandatory

Every NHS body – trust, GP, clinic – is obliged to complete the DSP Toolkit assessment. Failure to complete the tool will trigger an investigation by regulators.

Compliance protects your organisation

A regulatory investigation may result in a significant fine, particularly where personal data belonging to patients is lost or stolen. And implementing security best practice means you are less likely to fall victim to hackers.

Compliance protects your patients

Your organisation has a moral duty to its service users to protect their sensitive personal data against loss.

Preparing for an audit

Although the DSP Toolkit is self-certified, organisations are routinely audited to ensure that questionnaire responses are honest and accurate and NDG standards are being upheld.

Our Approach

Employee awareness assessments

Fidus use social engineering techniques and phishing emails to test how your employees respond to common attack methods.

Incident response testing

Fidus assess and test your incident response plans to ensure that you are taking the right steps to deal with cybersecurity events.

Penetration testing

Fidus engineers ‘attack’ your firewall and other network assets to prove that defences are properly configured and secured against unauthorised network incursions.

Toolkit assistance

Our team helps you understand your current security posture and how best to invest to strengthen it. We’ll also help you complete – and pass – the DSP Toolkit self-assessment.

Why Fidus?

Penetration testing reveals your most sensitive network vulnerabilities – so you need a partner you can trust. Fidus Information Security are an NCSC CHECK Green Light and TIGER scheme approved consultancy. Our cybersecurity experts hold someof the most recognised certifications in the industry, including CREST Certified Tester and Senior Security Tester. Fidus is also a Cyber Essentials verified company. Every assessment we perform is carried out according to UK industry approved methodologies (OWASP, PETS, NIST) along with our own internal testing frameworks.

Remedial Support

More than just identifying security vulnerabilities, our cybersecurity experts are on hand to help you fix them too.

Certified Security Consultants

Our CREST and TIGER approved team holds a range of industry-leading security certifications including OSCP, CCT, SST and CISSP

Easy to Understand Reports

We’ll ensure that your executives and technical teams properly understand our assessment findings using plain-English reporting.

Fixed Price Proposals

The price you’re quoted is the price you’ll pay. Our quotes are broken down into a detailed costing table so you know exactly what to expect.

The Industry Average

Other approaches we've witnessed have included convoluted steps and commonly ends with incorrect information being handed to the consultant assigned to the engagement.

The Fidus Way

Our approach to security involves a qualified security consultant through the entire process to ensure quality, accuracy and consistency.

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Research 20 March 2020

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“Oysta is very happy with the support, service and dedication of the Fidus team. Working with the Oysta team every step of the way, not only did they check all security on the device, they also provided feedback on the quality of the hardware. I will be working with Fidus again.”

Mario Zuccaro, Founder and CEO, Oysta Technology

June 2019

“We have been really pleased with the service provided by Fidus. We have found them to be extremely easy to work with. We also felt their fee structure was reasonable. We would recommend Fidus to anyone looking for a PCI pen testing partner.”

Andy Phillips, Inspired Outsourcing

May 2019

“Great service. Gave us exactly what we needed, as promised.”

Philip Cunnington, TalkPlus NHS

January 2019

“We were extremely pleased with the service, knowledge and professionalism shown by Fidus. After the remediation phase, we then ran a phishing exercise with them to remind staff of the need to be vigilant with external email communications. I would have no hesitation in using or recommending Fidus in the future due to the quality of work carried out at a great price.”

Graeme Thistlethwaite, ICT, Business Change and Business Support Manager

“Fidus provided a high quality penetration service at a reasonable price … communications were great … the Pen test team flexed around us and our other commitments to get the job done. Thanks!”

Darren Crombie, CEO, Upstream Outcomes

October 2018