SD-WAN Simple, Dynamic Networking
SD-WAN Simple, Dynamic Networking The pandemic has forced businesses to adapt to remote and hybrid working, putting pressure on IT teams. Those with agile networks and mobile working capabilities fared better, while others struggled to keep up. The situation remains fluid as businesses navigate the challenges of rapid change and business continuity. Make a positive move Organisations need to prioritize networking capabilities by adopting Software-Defined Wide Area Networking (SD-WAN) to improve agility, security, and performance for cloud applications while reducing costs. What does this mean for business? SD-WAN can replace MPLS, save costs, simplify management, and improve agility by directing traffic to the most suitable connectivity option for better application performance. SD-WAN technology allows for centralised control and quick adjustments to adapt to strategic or unforeseen changes, enhancing business agility. What’s wrong with traditional SD-WAN? Traditional WANs struggle with cloud services, causing delays and poor user experience. Backhauling traffic to a hub/data center for security can be costly and inefficient. Is SD-WAN the answer? SD-WAN is a secure, software-based networking approach that offers flexibility and control over connections between multiple sites, using various types of connectivity. SD-WAN solutions offer security and intrusion protection, allowing cloud traffic to flow directly from branches to the cloud for improved performance. Real-time monitoring helps identify and fix network issues quickly. Lake District National Park Authority – a real-world example Partnered with LDNPA to update network infrastructure across 12 offices in Lake District. Selected Cisco Meraki due to outdated equipment and security concerns. A flexible solution to fit your business SD-WAN, like Cisco Meraki, simplifies IT management by integrating hardware, software, and cloud services for secure and optimised connectivity, with the option for in-house or managed service. Happy, confident customers Cisco Meraki provided a reliable SD-WAN solution for LDNPA, meeting all requirements with efficient implementation and minimal downtime, creating a secure and scalable platform. Trust Trustack to get you future-ready At Trustack, we’ve put SD-WAN in place for many different customers, and we can offer the upfront expertise and ongoing support that creates an end-to-end solution for businesses small and large. If you’d like to understand what SD-WAN could do for your business, please get in touch with us. Get your business on the front foot
Lake District National Park: Meraki SD-WAN
CASE STUDY Lake District National Park Authority: Meraki SD-WAN Implementation Background The Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) has a head office and 12 remote sites spread over 900 square miles. When Trustack and Cisco Meraki engaged with them, they were using a mix of connectivity solutions – SDSL, ADSL, fibre to the premises and radio, plus VOIP and homeworkers on VPN. Challenge LDNPA had a traditional hub and spoke set up linking its sites, which gave a single point of failure. Ageing Cisco ASAs had reached the end of their useful life. There were limitations with the existing hardware as it was restricted to 10 nodes on many sites. The VPN routers also had limited functionality. Overall, the set up was complex and time-consuming to manage, and posed security risks. Solution To address these issues and, futureproof the LDNPA, we implemented Meraki SD-WAN. Smarter routing resolved the IP’s, ensured PCI compliance and improved malware detection. Meraki opened up unlimited node connections, removed dependence on fixed IP, ensured PCI compliance and improved malware detection. Implementation was efficient, with downtime for some sites as low as 10 minutes. Results Meraki SD-WAN has simplified the network, increased visibility and enhanced security. LDNPA can now manage the network remotely via the Meraki Portal. This has increased productivity as IT support personnel no longer have to spend a day travelling to remote sites. Meraki SD-WAN has enhanced communication between LDNPA’s 13 sites and improved user experience. “Trustack have continued to provide good advice and service since winning our SD-WAN tender three years ago, we would not hesitate to use them for future projects.” Frank Blackburn – ICT services manager, LDNPA Get your business on the front foot
Karbon Homes: Implementing an SD-WAN solution
CASE STUDY Karbon Homes: Implementing an SD-WAN solution Karbon Homes build, manage and look after affordable homes for people across the North. It gives them the strong foundations they need to crack on with life. Since 2017, Karbon Homes has focused on delivering on three strategic aims – to provide as many good quality homes as it can, to deliver excellent service to customers and to shape strong, sustainable places for communities. Background The Karbon Homes footprint covers the North East of England and Yorkshire, with almost 30,000 homes across diverse communities, all facing different opportunities and challenges. Karbon Homes always make the effort to understand its customers. Some customers just need an affordable home, or a way onto the property ladder. Others might need more – financial advice, community services, sheltered accommodation or even training that can lead to a new job. Whatever people need to feel more secure, confident and happy with where they’re at, Karbon Homes work its heart out to provide it. What needs to change? With 6 sites across the North East, colleagues returning to office locations required consistent, fast and secure access to cloud services. Trustack have worked with Karbon Homes for over 9 years so have a strong understanding of Karbon Homes’ existing IT systems. Being a Cisco Meraki-first Partner, Trustack were perfectly placed to help Karbon Homes prepare their remote offices for investigations and migration to the cloud. Combining Meraki’s SD-WAN technology with recently provisioned gigabit internet circuits, Trustack’s Cisco specialists were able to ensure the network expansion and changes made to Karbon Homes’ infrastructure was seamless and supported their existing IT set-up. Our Cisco specialists had a detailed understanding of Karbon Homes’ business and its operational requirements, so therefore recommended the protection offered by Cisco Meraki appliances and Cisco Umbrella. Ensure the network expansion Prepare remote offices for cloud migration Seamless support “One key challenge that the Meraki stack overcomes well is the patch management process, as updates were easily managed and completed, with little to no downtime to the sites served by the equipment being upgraded.” Cisco Meraki Karbon Homes’ cisco experience Karbon Homes worked with Cisco Meraki products for several years, starting with wireless access points then introducing the SD-WAN solution as a replacement for a costly 3rd party managed MPLS solution. Using some smaller sites as proof-of-concept in 2019, the full solution was implemented through late 2020 and early 2021. The out-of-the-box experience Cisco Meraki offered, made installation and maintenance hassle free, the dashboard gave instant visibility of network availability and with critical alert notifications, the right people were made aware of issues at remote sites, in real time. How Trustack helped The successful deployment of Cisco solutions across Karbon Homes’ network gave users greater agility, with faster and secure access to on-premise and cloud resources made available between sites. Network management and visibility was also simplified with Cisco Meraki and gave greater insight into the health of their network. Karbon Homes and Trustack’s longstanding relationship helped both parties have the confidence that the right solutions for the business were being implemented. Most sites were switched over to the new system in hours, with short maintenance windows agreed with key figures within Karbon Homes prior to deployment. The staged deployments were all completed successfully, with no issues reported as a result of Trustack’s preplanning with Karbon Homes. The SD-WAN install gave Karbon Homes a lot more insight into the existing Meraki network. The highly available MX pairs included in the designs at larger sites, combined with resilient fibre connections gave greater confidence that locations would be available whenever colleagues need them. Benefits and business outcomes of adopting cisco The ease of deployment meant Karbon Homes was able to extend its area-wide network to Cumbria, ensuring that employees working on projects at that site had easy, immediate and secure access to work-critical resources. Trustack’s understanding of Karbon Homes’ estate prior to the SD-WAN deployment meant that the correct considerations were able to be made, ensuring minimal disruption to the business. “Trustack worked with Karbon Homes from start to finish on the project, ensuring that requirements were identified and met throughout. Our assigned consultant worked closely with us to ensure the switchover from our existing solutions were completed, ensuring minimal downtime and reliable delivery. Overall, we’ve had a great experience working on this project with Trustack; from the design stage, right through to delivery and handover.” ICT Technical Services Team, Karbon Homes Get your business on the front foot
Multi-Factor Authentication
Homepage / Page Multi-Factor Authentication Services Multi‑Factor Authentication Services Across Newcastle, the North East and Nationwide. Book your free IT consultation Protect user accounts, applications and business data with fully managed multi‑factor authentication services. Trustack helps organisations deploy, manage and optimise MFA solutions, reducing the risk of credential compromise while supporting secure access across cloud, hybrid and on‑premises environments. Our Valued Customers Rapid Deployment Implement MFA quickly across users, applications and devices with minimal disruption. Modern Authentication Methods Move beyond legacy authentication methods with passwordless, FIDO2 and passkey‑based solutions. Centralised Management Manage authentication policies, users and integrations from a single platform. Built for Compliance Support security requirements associated with Cyber Essentials and modern security frameworks. Multi‑Factor Authentication Services That Reduce Identity Risk User identities remain one of the most common attack targets for cybercriminals. Trustack’s MFA as a Service offering helps organisations strengthen account security by introducing additional verification requirements during authentication, reducing the risk of compromised credentials being used to gain unauthorised access. Many businesses still rely on passwords as their primary defence, despite passwords being vulnerable to phishing, credential theft and password reuse. Our multi‑factor authentication services help organisations move towards stronger authentication models, reducing dependence on passwords while improving security and usability across business applications and systems. Why Choose Trustack? Customer First We make authentication projects straightforward, providing guidance and support throughout deployment. Excellence Through Teamwork Our collaborative team works seamlessly to provide expert support and consistent, high-quality service. Trusted Innovation & Integrity We rigorously test every solution to ensure it’s right for your business, always with integrity and your goals in mind. Trusted Expertise That Supports Identity Security At Trustack, we understand that strong identity security is fundamental to protecting modern organisations. As cyber threats continue to evolve, organisations need authentication controls that go beyond passwords and support secure access across users, devices and applications. Our multi‑factor authentication services sit within our wider Identity & Access Management and Cyber Security services, complementing solutions such as Privileged Access Management (PAM). These services help organisations reduce identity‑based risks, improve visibility and maintain greater control over access to critical systems and data. Hear From Our Customers Our Case Studies Mitigating phishing attacks for an architecture practice 24/7 Threat Visibility Gives Non-Profit Housing Provider Peace of Mind Strengthening Security & Data for Leading UK Manufacturer FAQs Do UK businesses need multi‑factor authentication to meet cybersecurity and regulatory requirements? Many recognised security frameworks and best practices now expect MFA to be implemented for sensitive accounts and business systems. It is also an important component of Cyber Essentials requirements and is widely regarded as a baseline security control. How much should a UK organisation budget for multi‑factor authentication and what factors influence the total cost? Costs vary depending on the authentication platform, licensing requirements, number of users, application integrations and level of management required. Existing Microsoft licensing may already provide access to some MFA capabilities. What is involved in deploying multi‑factor authentication across an organisation and integrating it with existing systems? Deployment typically includes identifying in‑scope applications, configuring authentication policies, onboarding users, integrating systems and validating access. The complexity depends on the number of applications and authentication sources involved. What are the risks of choosing the wrong authentication method or failing to implement MFA effectively? Poorly implemented MFA can introduce usability issues, inconsistent protection or increased vulnerability to modern attacks. Older methods such as SMS can also be more susceptible to certain attack techniques than newer passwordless approaches. How can multi‑factor authentication improve security outcomes and reduce business exposure to cyber threats? MFA helps reduce the impact of stolen passwords by requiring additional forms of verification before access is granted. Modern passwordless methods provide further protection against phishing, session theft and credential‑based attacks. How do you choose the right multi‑factor authentication provider for your organisation’s industry, users and technical requirements? The right solution depends on factors such as existing technology platforms, compliance requirements, user experience considerations and integration needs. We assess your environment and recommend the most appropriate authentication approach for your organisation. Take your IT to the next level Protect your business from new IT threats and increase your IT uptime with a team you can trust. Free IT Consultation
Privileged Access Management
Homepage / Page Privileged Access Management Services Privileged Access Management Services in Newcastle, The North East and Nationwide. Book your free IT consultation Reduce the risk of insider threats, compromised accounts and unauthorised access with Trustack’s Privileged Access Management services. We deliver project‑led PAM solutions that help organisations control, monitor and audit privileged access across their environment, ensuring sensitive systems and data remain protected. Our Valued Customers Controlled Privileged Access Manage who has access to critical systems, when they have access, and what they can do once connected. Complete Visibility & Auditability Gain full visibility of privileged access activity through session monitoring, recording and audit trails. Secure Third‑Party Access Provide suppliers, consultants and support providers with controlled, time‑limited access without exposing credentials. Built for Compliance Support governance and compliance requirements with auditable privileged access controls and approval workflows. Privileged Access Management Services That Reduce Risk Privileged Access Management (PAM) helps organisations control and secure elevated access to critical systems, applications and sensitive information. Rather than allowing privileged accounts to remain permanently active, PAM introduces controls around how access is requested, approved, monitored and reviewed. Many security incidents stem from stolen credentials, excessive permissions or compromised third‑party accounts. Trustack’s privileged access management services help reduce these risks by giving organisations greater control over privileged users, service accounts and external suppliers. This strengthens security, improves visibility and supports compliance across the wider IT environment. How our PAM service works Assess & Design We review your privileged accounts, third‑party access requirements and security objectives to design the most appropriate PAM solution. Deploy & Configure We implement and configure the PAM platform, onboarding accounts, establishing policies and setting up controls such as credential vaulting, approval workflows and monitoring. Monitor & Govern We support ongoing privileged access governance, helping ensure privileged activity remains controlled, auditable and aligned with business requirements. Why Choose Trustack? Customer‑First Support We work closely with your team to ensure PAM integrates smoothly into existing processes and operations. Excellence Through Teamwork Our security and infrastructure specialists collaborate to design practical access controls that support both security and usability. Trusted Innovation & Integrity We focus on implementing controls that reduce real‑world risk while supporting operational requirements and compliance. Trusted Expertise That Supports Your Security & Compliance At Trustack, we understand that privileged accounts represent some of the highest‑risk identities within an organisation. Whether access is required by internal administrators, third‑party suppliers or specialist consultants, controlling and monitoring privileged activity is an important part of modern security and governance. Our PAM as a Service offering sits within our broader Identity & Access Management and Cyber Security services, complementing solutions such as Multi‑Factor Authentication (MFA). These services help organisations control access, reduce the risk of credential compromise and strengthen security across both cloud and hybrid environments. Hear From Our Customers Our Case Studies Mitigating phishing attacks for an architecture practice 24/7 Threat Visibility Gives Non-Profit Housing Provider Peace of Mind Strengthening Security & Data for Leading UK Manufacturer PAM FAQs What are the operational differences between deploying an on-premise PAM solution and a cloud-hosted (PAM as a Service) model? An on‑premise deployment is managed within your own infrastructure, while a cloud‑hosted PAM as a Service model is delivered through a hosted platform. The most appropriate option depends on factors such as security requirements, operational resources and governance preferences. How does Privileged Access Management (PAM) differ from standard Identity and Access Management (IAM)? IAM focuses on managing user identities and access across systems, while PAM specifically controls, monitors and secures elevated or privileged access. PAM provides additional controls around administrative accounts, privileged sessions and sensitive credentials. How do PAM services help our organisation align with UK cybersecurity regulations and frameworks, such as the NCSC CAF? PAM helps organisations demonstrate stronger control over privileged accounts, improve accountability and reduce the risks associated with excessive permissions and credential misuse. These controls often support wider security and governance objectives. What specific compliance benefits does a PAM solution provide for meeting UK GDPR accountability principles? PAM solutions provide enhanced visibility and auditability of privileged activity, helping organisations demonstrate appropriate controls around access to systems and sensitive information. How does integrating a PAM platform support a broader enterprise move toward a Zero Trust architecture? Privileged Access Management supports Zero Trust principles by reducing standing privileges, enforcing least‑privilege access and requiring additional verification before elevated permissions are granted. How can an IT leader effectively build a strategic business case to secure board-level approval for a PAM project? Most PAM projects are driven by the need to reduce risks associated with privileged accounts, improve compliance and strengthen visibility into administrative activity. Demonstrating how PAM helps address insider threats, third‑party access risks and credential compromise can help build a strong business case. Take your IT to the next level Protect your business from new IT threats and increase your IT uptime with a team you can trust. Free IT Consultation
ISO 27001 Certification
Homepage / Page ISO 27001 Consultants & Certification Services ISO 27001 Certification Services Across Newcastle, the North East and Nationwide. Book your free IT consultation Achieving ISO 27001 certification can strengthen information security governance, improve risk management and demonstrate a commitment to protecting sensitive information. Trustack works alongside specialist ISO 27001 consultants to help organisations assess their security posture, implement an Information Security Management System (ISMS) and prepare for certification with confidence. Our Valued Customers Specialist ISO 27001 Expertise We work with experienced ISO 27001 consultants who specialise in governance, risk management, compliance and digital resilience. Risk‑Led Approach Risk assessment and governance underpin ISO 27001, helping you identify threats, prioritise remediation and manage risk. Practical Remediation Support Where needed, Trustack works with consultants and customers to deliver the remediation required to support certification. Structured Certification Support Specialist ISO 27001 consultants will assess your current security controls, identify gaps and support your certification. ISO 27001 Services That Improve Security & Governance ISO 27001 is an internationally recognised standard for establishing, implementing, maintaining and continually improving an Information Security Management System (ISMS). An effective ISMS provides a structured approach to managing sensitive information, reducing risk and improving organisational resilience. Many organisations find the ISO 27001 certification process challenging because it requires more than technical controls alone. Policies, governance, risk management, documentation and ongoing improvement all play an important role. By working with Trustack and specialist ISO 27001 consultants, businesses can accelerate the certification process, strengthen their security posture and address the technical and operational improvements needed to support certification and long-term compliance. Why Choose Trustack? Customer‑First Support We put our customers first always. We’re proactive, responsive, and focused on delivering a smooth experience at every step. Excellence Through Teamwork Our team collaborates closely with ISO 27001 consultants to deliver a joined‑up approach to governance, compliance and remediation. Trusted Innovation & Integrity We rigorously test every solution to ensure it’s right for your business, always with integrity and your goals in mind. Trusted Expertise That Supports Your Compliance At Trustack, we understand that governance and compliance require more than technology alone. Achieving and maintaining recognised standards often involves improving processes, strengthening governance and embedding security into everyday business operations. ISO 27001 sits within our wider Governance & Compliance and Cyber Security services and complements other certifications such as Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus. Through this approach, organisations gain access to specialist compliance expertise while also benefitting from Trustack’s technical and operational support when remediation or implementation work is required. Hear From Our Customers Our Case Studies Mitigating phishing attacks for an architecture practice 24/7 Threat Visibility Gives Non-Profit Housing Provider Peace of Mind Strengthening Security & Data for Leading UK Manufacturer ISO 27001 FAQs How long does it take to get ISO 27001 certified? The timeline varies significantly depending on the size of the organisation, the maturity of existing security controls and whether an ISMS already exists. Organisations with established governance processes and previous compliance experience may progress more quickly than those starting from scratch. Risk assessments, risk registers, remediation activities and governance requirements all influence the overall timeframe. Why is UKAS accreditation essential when selecting an ISO 27001 certification body? UKAS accreditation provides confidence that a certification body operates to recognised standards and follows appropriate auditing practices. Many organisations specifically look for UKAS-accredited certification when assessing suppliers and compliance credentials. What is the difference between an ISO 27001 implementation consultant and a UKAS-accredited certification body? ISO 27001 implementation consultants help an organisation prepare for certification by providing guidance on governance, controls, risk management and ISMS development. A certification body performs the independent audit and issues certification if the required standard has been met. How does achieving an ISO 27001 certification assist a UK company with GDPR compliance? ISO 27001 and GDPR are separate requirements, but both focus on protecting information and managing risk. ISO 27001 helps organisations establish security controls, governance processes and documented procedures which can support wider compliance objectives. What are the mandatory requirements for maintaining an ISO 27001 certification after passing the initial audit? Organisations must continue operating and improving their ISMS, maintain documented controls, perform ongoing risk management activities and participate in regular audits and reviews. Continual improvement is a core principle of ISO 27001. Should our business pursue a Cyber Essentials certification first, or go straight to ISO 27001? The right approach depends on your objectives and current level of security maturity. Cyber Essentials focuses on baseline technical controls, while ISO 27001 is a broader governance and information security management framework. Some organisations use Cyber Essentials as a stepping stone, while others begin directly with ISO 27001. What are the most common pitfalls that UK firms encounter during the ISO 27001 risk assessment phase? Common challenges include incomplete asset identification, unclear risk ownership, insufficient documentation and underestimating the level of governance required. ISO 27001 takes a risk‑based approach, so understanding threats, assessing impact and maintaining a clear risk treatment process are key parts of a successful implementation. Take your IT to the next level Protect your business from new IT threats and increase your IT uptime with a team you can trust. Free IT Consultation
Cyber Essentials & CE Plus
Homepage / Page Cyber Essentials & CE Plus Certification Readiness Services Cyber Essentials Certification Services In Newcastle, the North East and Nationwide. Book your free IT consultation Achieve recognised UK security standards with fully guided Cyber Essentials services. As an experienced Cyber Essentials company, we help prepare your business for both Cyber Essentials certification and Cyber Essentials Plus certification, by guiding you through the process which reduces risk and improves your overall security posture and compliance. Our Valued Customers Guided Cyber Essentials We support full Cyber Essentials readiness and preparation, helping you answer confidently and accurately. Soft Submission Support Your assessment is reviewed before submission, improving accuracy and reducing the risk of failure. End‑to‑End Cyber Essentials From gap analysis to remediation and audit readiness, we manage the full process for you, supporting you through every step. Cyber Essentials Plus Preparation We help you achieve Cyber Essentials Plus readiness, preparing your environment for audit and technical validation. Cyber Essentials Services That Strengthen Your Security Posture Cyber Essentials certification is a UK government‑backed scheme designed to demonstrate that your organisation meets a defined baseline of security controls. It supports eligibility for certain government contracts, can strengthen your cyber insurance position, and is also recognised as a strong indicator of security maturity by customers, partners and insurers. Our Cyber Essentials preparation services help you understand what is required across your infrastructure, endpoints, users and access controls, ensuring you are properly prepared before submission. Many organisations struggle to interpret the assessment requirements or accurately reflect their security posture. We remove this ambiguity by supporting your Cyber Essentials readiness through structured guidance, gap analysis and remediation planning. This ensures your answers reflect your environment correctly, reducing the risk of failure and helping you achieve certification with confidence, while strengthening your overall governance and compliance position. How our Cyber Essentials services work Cyber Essentials Cyber Essentials is a self‑assessment certification, where your organisation completes a structured questionnaire covering key areas such as malware protection, firewalls, device security and user access. Cyber Essentials Plus Cyber Essentials Plus uses the same requirements but includes a technical audit, where assessors validate your answers against real systems. A sample of devices is tested to ensure controls are correctly implemented. Why Choose Trustack? Customer‑First Support We put our customers first always. We guide you through the certification process clearly, avoiding unnecessary complexity. Excellence Through Teamwork Our security and infrastructure specialists work together to ensure your environment meets requirements. Trusted Expertise & Integrity We rigorously test every solution to ensure it’s right for your business, and ensure your certification reflects your true security posture. Trusted Expertise That Supports Your Compliance At Trustack, we focus on helping organisations build strong governance and compliance foundations through services such as cyber essentials and ISO 27001. As a North East‑based provider with national reach, we combine hands‑on support with deep technical expertise, helping you confidently meet recognised standards and demonstrate trust to customers and stakeholders consistently. Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus certification services sit within our wider cyber security offering, supporting areas such as endpoint protection, network security and vulnerability management. This ensures certification is part of an ongoing approach to improving your organisation’s security and compliance posture. Hear From Our Customers Our Case Studies Mitigating phishing attacks for an architecture practice 24/7 Threat Visibility Gives Non-Profit Housing Provider Peace of Mind Strengthening Security & Data for Leading UK Manufacturer Cyber Essentials FAQs What is the technical difference between a standard Cyber Essentials and a Cyber Essentials Plus audit? Cyber Essentials is a self‑assessment based on a structured questionnaire. Cyber Essentials Plus includes a technical audit where your systems are tested to validate your responses. You have up to six months to complete your Cyber Essentials assessment when using supported preparation services. Once certified, you have three months to achieve the Cyber Essentials Plus certification. What are the automatic failure criteria under the latest Danzell question set requirements and how do we prepare for them? Automatic failures typically occur where mandatory controls are missing or incorrectly implemented, for example, lack of MFA, outdated patching, or excessive user permissions. Preparation focuses on identifying these gaps early through assessment and remediation, ensuring your environment aligns fully with the requirements before submission. How does achieving Cyber Essentials Plus status impact our eligibility for UK central government and public sector contracts? Cyber Essentials certification is often a baseline requirement for working with UK government and public sector organisations, particularly when handling sensitive data. Cyber Essentials Plus provides a higher level of assurance through independent testing, helping strengthen your eligibility and improve trust with partners and clients. How does the random device sampling process work during a Cyber Essentials Plus audit if a device fails the initial check? During a Cyber Essentials Plus audit, a selection of devices from your environment are tested. If any devices fail the checks, such as missing patches or insecure configurations, they must be remediated and re‑tested before certification can be granted. This process can be iterative, so preparation and consistency across devices is key. What counts as being ‘in scope’ for our infrastructure and can we exclude certain cloud services or BYOD devices? The scope of a Cyber Essentials assessment defines which systems, users and services are covered by the certification. Getting the scope right is an important part of the process, as it needs to accurately reflect the environment being assessed. During our Cyber Essentials readiness review, we help you define and validate scope, ensuring it is clearly documented and aligned with the certification requirements before submission. How does Cyber Essentials compare to an ISO 27001 certification or a standard penetration test for a UK SME? Cyber Essentials focuses on a defined set of baseline technical controls. ISO 27001 is a broader, organisation‑wide information security management framework, while penetration testing identifies specific vulnerabilities through simulated attacks. Many SMEs use Cyber Essentials as a starting point, then build towards ISO or regular testing as their security matures. Take your IT to
Colocation Services
Homepage / Page Managed Colocation Services Secure Managed Colocation Services for SMBs Across Newcastle and the North East. Book your free IT consultation Trustack provides secure, managed colocation services for SMBs across Newcastle and the North East. By hosting your critical infrastructure in trusted data centre facilities, colocation services deliver redundancy, data sovereignty, and faster recovery, without the cost and complexity of running your own on‑premises data centre. This improves resilience, supports business continuity, and enables fast recovery when it matters most. Our Valued Customers Tailored Support Every colocation service is designed around your business objectives, whether that’s disaster recovery, resilience, or supporting critical workloads off‑site. Trusted Data Centres We work with trusted data centre partners and help select facilities that meet your requirements for location, connectivity, and resilience. Security‑Focused Point‑to‑point connectivity can be used to replicate core systems to right‑sized hardware, with security considered at every stage of the design. Colocation Service Expertise We have extensive experience designing and supporting colocation environments, from BCDR use cases to right‑sized infrastructure. Colocation Services That Support Business Continuity Our managed colocation services provide secure, offsite hosting for your infrastructure, helping protect against outages, site failures, and unexpected disruptions. We design solutions that support disaster recovery and business continuity, ensuring your systems remain reachable when your primary environment is unavailable. High‑speed connectivity options allow point‑to‑point links between your production environment and the colocation facility, enabling replication of core services to right‑sized hardware. This ensures your recovery infrastructure is available, predictable, and aligned to how your business operates. Many organisations struggle to balance resilience, cost, and complexity when exploring colocation as a service. We help you design, deploy, and support a colocation solution that fits your business while working closely with colocation partners to secure optimal hosting and pricing. How our colocation service works Design We assess your environment, recovery objectives, and connectivity requirements to design the right colocation approach. Deployment Infrastructure and connectivity are implemented in a controlled, security‑focused way. Ongoing Support We provide continuous support for your colocated infrastructure, connectivity, and recovery workflows. Why Choose Trustack? Customer First We always put your first. We design and support colocation solutions with your business continuity goals in mind. Infrastructure & Connectivity Expertise Our engineers bring deep experience across data centre infrastructure, networking, and disaster recovery design. Trusted Innovation & Integrity We rigorously test every colocation solution to ensure it’s right for your business, always with integrity and your goals in mind. Secure Business Continuity and Disaster recovery services Trustack provides managed colocation services as part of our Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery (BCDR) and Managed IT Services. These services work together to ensure you stay operational in the event of a breach, outage or incident, supporting every stage of your resilience strategy. As a North East based IT Support Company with national reach, we’re close by when hands on support is needed, whilst also delivering reliable services for your branches across the UK. This ensures you benefit from responsive, local expertise alongside the scale and capability needed to support your environments. Hear From Our Customers Our Case Studies Mitigating phishing attacks for an architecture practice 24/7 Threat Visibility Gives Non-Profit Housing Provider Peace of Mind Strengthening Security & Data for Leading UK Manufacturer FAQs How does Managed Colocation compare to Public Cloud hosting for UK enterprises? Managed colocation provides dedicated, physically separated infrastructure with predictable performance and costs. Unlike public cloud, you retain full control over hardware and recovery design while benefiting from secure data centre facilities. What specific Remote Hands and Smart Hands services are included? Remote hands services can include visual checks, equipment reboots, and basic physical assistance, coordinated through Trustack and the colocation provider. Specific availability depends on the chosen facility. Which compliance certifications (e.g. PCI-DSS, HIPAA) should a UK data centre hold? Many UK data centres operate to recognised standards such as ISO 27001, PCI‑DSS, or SOC frameworks. Certification requirements depend on your industry and regulatory obligations. What are the primary benefits of Managed Colocation for small businesses and startups? Managed colocation improves resilience, reduces on‑prem risk, and avoids the cost of building private facilities, while still offering control and predictability. What are Trustack’s key Service Level Agreement (SLA) guarantees for uptime and power? Service levels vary by colocation provider. Trustack helps customers understand and align provider SLAs with their business continuity objectives. Take your IT to the next level Protect your business from new IT threats and increase your IT uptime with a team you can trust. Free IT Consultation
Next-Gen Antivirus
Homepage / Page Next-Generation Antivirus (NGAV) Dependable Next Generation Antivirus for SMBs in Newcastle and Across the North East. Book your free IT consultation Trustack’s fully managed next generation antivirus (NGAV) service gives SMBs in Newcastle and the North East stronger, smarter protection against cyber threats by utilising features such as advanced threat protection, network protection and vulnerability management. Our Valued Customers Machine Learning Agorithms NGAV learns patterns from large datasets and adapts as threats evolve. Real-Time Threat Intelligence You will get continuous updates about new strains, vulnerabilities and attack vectors. Behaviour-Based Detection Our NGAV monitors both file and process activity for suspicious behaviour. Lightweight Antivirus As most of the processing happens in the cloud, it uses minimal resources. Next Gen Antivirus that actively stops ransomware Named customers choice in 2026, our next generation antivirus software doesn’t just block viruses, but also includes vulnerability management capability which scans your system for misconfigurations or missing patches and resolves them, meaning you are always protected. As a fully managed service, we handle everything for you from onboarding and configuration through to patching and optimisation, so your protection is always up to date. Alongside core antivirus features such as network protection, you’ll also benefit from Advanced Threat Defence (ATD), which is an innovative approach that detects ransomware and zero-day attacks in real time using advanced heuristic methods. It also includes ransomware mitigation which is designed to reduce the impact of an active breach. We tailor our next gen AV solutions around customers individual needs, meaning you get the best solution for your requirements. How our NGAV service works Configuration We configure your next gen AV around your specific needs. Workstations, servers, and sensitive applications can all be configured differently depending on how they’re used. Onboard & Deploy We onboard your devices and deploy the solution across your organisation. We work to minimise downtime and aim to schedule deployment at times that suit your team. Fully Managed After deployment, your NGAV service is fully managed by us. We handle patching, vulnerability management, and continuous optimisation. Why Choose Trustack? Customer First Approach We put our customers first always. We’re proactive, responsive, and focused on delivering a smooth NGAV experience. Excellence Through Teamwork Our collaborative team works seamlessly to provide expert NGAV support and consistent, high-quality service. Trusted Innovation & Integrity We rigorously test every NGAV solution to ensure it’s right for your business, always with integrity and your goals in mind. IT Security to secure your foundations At Trustack, we put our customers first and build relationships on trust honesty and integrity, an approach we bring to all of our IT Support services. Next generation antivirus forms a part of our IT Security and wider Managed IT Services, and can work alongside other solutions to secure your everyday tech and strengthen your overall security foundations. Alongside NGAV, we also provide Email Gateway security and Azure CVE Remediation, giving you automated, always-on defence across your business, suited to your individual needs. Hear From Our Customers Our Case Studies Mitigating phishing attacks for an architecture practice 24/7 Threat Visibility Gives Non-Profit Housing Provider Peace of Mind Strengthening Security & Data for Leading UK Manufacturer FAQs What is the technical difference between traditional Antivirus and Next-Generation Antivirus (NGAV)? Traditional antivirus relies on signature‑based detection, which means it can only stop threats once the database has been updated. This delay creates a window where new or evolving viruses can slip through. On the other hand, Next‑Generation Antivirus (NGAV) typically runs through the cloud, giving you instant protection and the ability to detect zero‑day exploits without waiting for updates. NGAV also includes advanced features beyond traditional antivirus, such as AI‑driven behaviour analysis to identify ransomware and other emerging threats in real time. How does NGAV help businesses meet UK GDPR compliance requirements? Next‑Generation Antivirus supports GDPR compliance by giving you stronger, more proactive protection against modern threats. GDPR requires organisations to have “appropriate technical and organisational measures” in place to safeguard personal data, and NGAV helps you meet this by detecting and blocking threats in real time including ransomware, fileless attacks and zero‑day exploits. Instead of relying on outdated signature updates, NGAV uses behaviour‑based analysis and cloud‑driven detection to reduce the risk of a data breach and keep personal information secure. What is the difference between NGAV and Managed Detection and Response (MDR)? NGAV protects your devices by blocking threats before they run, using behavioural analysis and AI. MDR goes further, providing 24/7 monitoring, human‑led investigation and real‑time response to anything that slips past preventative defences. NGAV is your prevention layer and MDR is your detection and response layer, they work together to give you complete protection. Can we implement a managed NGAV solution without disrupting our daily operations? We aim to keep disruption as low as possible, but there will be a small amount of impact during the initial onboarding phase. When we first deploy NGAV, we run more aggressive patch cycles to bring your devices up to a strong security baseline quickly. This is important for reducing risk early, but we stagger the rollout in batches to avoid any major interruption to your business. Once this initial uplift is complete, the service settles into a weekly rhythm. Devices just need a restart once a week, and this can be set around your requirements, whether that’s completely flexible or enforced for critical security updates. What specific features should an SMB look for when choosing an NGAV provider? SMBs should look for NGAV features that provide strong, proactive protection rather than relying on outdated signature checks. Key features include AI‑driven behaviour detection, real‑time threat intelligence, anti‑exploit and ransomware protection, web and network filtering, and automated patching. Trustack’s NGAV platform includes all of these, delivered through a lightweight agent and fully managed service, giving SMBs enterprise‑grade protection. Take your IT to the next level Protect your business from new IT threats and increase your IT uptime with a team you can trust. Free IT Consultation
Hypervisor Support
Homepage / Page Hypervisor Support Services Hypervisor Support Services for Secure, Resilient Infrastructure Across the North East. Book your free IT consultation Hypervisors sit at the core of your infrastructure, and a single misconfiguration, expired certificate, or capacity issue can impact your entire environment. We support, monitor, and stabilise hypervisor platforms, proactively identifying problems before they escalate and acting as your third‑line specialists when issues arise. Our Valued Customers Proactive Monitoring We deploy a dedicated remote monitoring platform that proactively alerts us to any faults in your hypervisor environment. Third‑Line Hypervisor Expertise Our engineers act as your escalation layer for hypervisor issues, bringing experience across configuration and performance. Security & Stability We help prevent outages caused by misconfiguration, missed renewals, or environmental drift, and step in quickly if issues do arise. Multi‑Platform Support We support multiple hypervisor solutions and help you choose what best fits your environment, infrastructure, and strategy. Hypervisor Support That Protects your core Infrastructure Your hypervisor underpins your entire infrastructure, and when something goes wrong, the impact can be immediate and widespread. A single misconfiguration, missed renewal, or capacity issue can take down multiple systems at once, disrupting users, services, and business operations. Our hypervisor support services are designed to reduce that risk. Delivered as part of our Beyond IT Support Packages, we provide proactive monitoring, break‑fix support, and third‑line expertise to help keep your virtualisation platform stable and secure. We understand how hypervisors interact with their dependencies and step in quickly to resolve issues before they affect your wider environment. Where required, we also work with trusted partners who supply hyperconverged infrastructure, ensuring the underlying platform is sized, designed, and supported appropriately. How our hypervisor support service works Assessment We review your hypervisor environment, dependencies, and operational requirements to understand how best to support your virtualisation platform. Proactive Monitoring Monitoring alerts feed directly into our support team, allowing us to respond to issues such as outages, resource pressure, or management access problems. Ongoing Support As part of Beyond IT Support, we continue to support configuration, stability, and operational changes as your environment evolves. Why Choose Trustack? Customer First We put our customers first always. We’re proactive, responsive, and focused on delivering a smooth experience at every step. Excellence Through Teamwork Our collaborative team works seamlessly to provide expert hypervisor support and consistent, high-quality service. Trusted Innovation & Integrity We rigorously test every hypervisor solution to ensure it’s right for your business, always with integrity and your goals in mind. Infrastructure Support That Keeps Your Environment Running Trustack provides hypervisor support as part of our Infrastructure and Virtualisation and Managed IT Services, delivered through our Beyond IT Support Packages. These services work together to support the stability, performance, and resilience of your virtualised environment, helping to reduce risk and ensure critical systems remain available. As a North East‑based IT Support Company with national reach, we’re close by when hands‑on expertise is required, while also delivering consistent, reliable support for virtualised environments across multiple UK locations. This means you benefit from responsive local support, backed by the technical capability and experience needed to manage complex hypervisor platforms. Hear From Our Customers Our Case Studies Mitigating phishing attacks for an architecture practice 24/7 Threat Visibility Gives Non-Profit Housing Provider Peace of Mind Strengthening Security & Data for Leading UK Manufacturer FAQs What is typically included in a Hypervisor Support Service Level Agreement (SLA)? SLAs typically cover response times, monitoring, escalation routes, and support availability. Exact coverage depends on the IT Support package in place. Do you offer tailored hypervisor support packages for SMBs? Yes. Hypervisor support is delivered as part of our Beyond IT Support packages, allowing services to be aligned to your environment and business needs. What specific certifications should we look for in a hypervisor support technician? Relevant experience and platform knowledge are key. Many engineers hold certifications aligned to VMware, Microsoft, or infrastructure technologies, alongside real‑world operational experience. Can you provide 24/7 monitoring for business-critical virtualisation platforms? Yes. Monitoring is used to proactively identify faults, performance issues, and availability risks within supported hypervisor environments. What are the pros and cons of outsourcing hypervisor support versus managing it in-house? Outsourcing hypervisor support means relying on an external partner rather than in‑house resources. However, it gives you access to specialist expertise, proactive monitoring, and faster issue resolution without the cost and risk of maintaining those skills internally. For most organisations, the improved resilience, reduced risk, and operational efficiency outweigh the downsides. Take your IT to the next level Protect your business from new IT threats and increase your IT uptime with a team you can trust. Free IT Consultation