UK Government's Cyber Essentials PLUS accreditation awarded to Redrow
Redrow has been awarded the UK Government’s Cyber Essentials PLUS accreditation, as part of an initiative urging companies to prove they are "secure and trustworthy" when it comes to handling customers' data. The two-step accreditation process involves a self-assessment, followed by a "thorough analysis" of security protocols. In Redrow's case, the audit was carried out by network security solutions provider, SEC-1.

Redrow Homes is one of the first major housebuilders to achieve the UK government’s Cyber Essentials PLUS accreditation.

The Cyber Essentials security scheme is a way for companies that handle personal data to demonstrate they are secure and trustworthy.

For customers it provides reassurance that their information will be dealt with safely, sensitively and appropriately.

John Miller, Redrow’s IT director, said:

“Our main board takes a keen interest in cyber security, as any business should, and the audit committee recommended Cyber Essentials accreditation as a follow on to the government’s ‘10 Steps to Cyber Security’. We saw it as a measurable target that we could achieve, with the benefit of external accreditation.”

The first tier of the scheme is a self-assessment checklist and the second – Cyber Essentials PLUS – represents a thorough analysis of security policies and tools which is audited by a third party.

Redrow worked with network security solutions provider SEC-1, who undertook the initial audit, advised areas where work was required and carried out the follow-up audit which deemed Redrow to meet the standards for Cyber Essentials PLUS.

The North Wales-based housebuilder develops over 4,000 new homes annually across England and Wales.