C Data earn Cyber Essentials Plus certification

| 19th August 2019

In todays world of cloud computing, social networks and mobile connectivity, the security threat from cyberattacks to both individuals and companies has never been higher. Companies are now wanting to demonstrate to both their partners and customers that they maintain the highest level of security quality that protects both their users and their data.

Cyber Essentials is a government backed scheme that helps companies focus on the security of their systems that protects them against common cyber attacks. Cyber Essentials plus goes further – companies are required to pass a set of rigorous tests by a third party auditor to ensure that everything that can be implemented to protect a companies system from cyber attacks has been implemented. This includes firewall configurations, virus and malware protection, user access control and system updates.

Today, we are proud to announce that we have earned our Cyber Essentials Plus certification. Security has always been a top priority for us. With this certification, we have demonstrated our ongoing commitment to cybersecurity, protecting both us and our customers data through strict procedures, configurations, maintenance and analysis.

If you would like to discuss how we achieved this, and how you could also work towards Cyber Essentials certification, please contact us. You can read more about Cyber Essentials here.

C Data become an Official Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider

| 12th September 2018

We are very proud to announce that we are now an official Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider (CSP)!

The web and mobile working are playing key parts in the workplace, and the IT industry is adapting to that. While we take great pride in our Private Cloud Hosting solutions, it is also clear that some small and mid size companies look to get the best value of out of a complete Office solution.

Recently, Microsoft made it easier for valued Partners like ourselves to be able to resell Office 365, either as a stand alone package or as part of a wider offering. We have seen the value of Office 365 and what it has to offer small and mid sized companies, and as such we are now happy to offer licensing, deployment and migration services to you.

Already we have successfully performed two Office 365 roll-outs, with three more in the pipeline. If you would like further information on how Office 365 could help you, please contact us.

C Data program for CHIRP wins Safety at Sea Award 2017

| 27th September 2017

September 2017: C Data Services, a leading provider of professional IT Solutions to marine related industries, is pleased to announce that the online confidential reporting program it developed for CHIRP has been named as the Best Safety Service of the Year at the Safety at Sea Awards 2017.

The new web based system www.chirpmaritime.org has been live since September 2016. It offers a simplified and confidential report form accessible via mobile, tablet or computer for over 200,000 seafarers. Documents, photos, videos or audio can be added to the submission and analytical tools are available. Already there has been 75% reduction in time taken to administer the reporting process.

The Safety at Sea Awards are amongst the most prestigious maritime industry awards. CHIRP was announced as the winner out of six shortlisted entrants in the Best Safety Service of the Year category, recognising its online confidential reporting programme as an original development that has the potential to improve safety both on board and ashore.
John Rose of CHIRP Director (Maritime) comments, “The net effect of this enhanced service has been an increase in the number of reports received, these are now coming in from seafarers in parts of the world who have not participated in the past. The new program has enhanced our ability to promote best practice and learning to the global maritime industry. We are delighted to have received recognition for this exciting project developed with C Data.”

BSafe featured in the Maritime Journal News

| 24th July 2017

Our Safety Certificate Management tool BSafe has been featured in the Maritime Journal News this month.

Working with our sister company Seatime Marine and developed by a team of over 30 years of experience, BSafe provides a way of tracking safety certification for your vessel. We demonstrated BSafe at Seawork 2017 and got a great response. You can read more about BSafe here.

You can read the Maritime Journal news article here.

C Data program for CHIRP shortlisted for Safety at Sea Award 2017

| 28th June 2017

June 2017: C Data Services, a leading provider of professional IT Solutions to marine related industries, is pleased to announce that the online confidential reporting program it developed for CHIRP has been shortlisted for the Best Safety Service of the Year category in the Safety at Sea Awards 2017.

CHIRP Maritime has been reviewing hazardous occurrences and near misses, then providing guidance on safety lessons learnt from them, for 13 years. The reporting procedure and data management involved a mixture of systems and manual input. Not only was it a time-consuming process for those reporting the incidences but also the staff sharing this information to over 200,000 international seafarers. With funding from The International Foundation for Aids to Navigation (IFAN), CHIRP Maritime approached C Data Services to work with them in designing a program that would meet the needs of staff, users and stakeholders alike.

The new web based system, accessed via www.chirpmaritime.org has been live since September 2016 and offers a simplified and confidential report form accessible via mobile, tablet or computer. Documents, photos, videos or audio can be added to the submission and analytical tools are available. Already there has been 75% reduction in time taken to administer the reporting process.

John Rose of CHIRP Director (Maritime) comments, “The net effect of this enhanced service has been an increase in the number of reports received, these are now coming in from seafarers in parts of the world who have not participated in the past. The new program has enhanced our ability to promote best practice and learning to the global maritime industry. We are delighted to have received recognition for this exciting project developed with C Data.”

The winners will be announced on 12th September during London International Shipping Week. The winning entry of the Best Safety Service of the Year category will need to demonstrate an innovative and original development that has potential to improve safety on board and on shore.

For further information see www.cdata.co.uk.

#Wannacry Ransomware. Are you protected?

| 15th May 2017

By now, you have probably read the News and are already aware of the Wannacry Ransomware that has been infecting PCs, everything from the NHS to Renault factories in France. Here’s everything we know, what we’ve done, and our advice.

What is Ransomware?
Ransomware is malicious software that encrypts data on your hard drive, and then asks the user to pay money in order to get the decryption key to unlock their data.

What is ‘Wannacry’?
‘Wannacry’ is the name given to this latest strain of Ransomware. It acts in exactly the same way as other Ransomware does. Once installed, it encrypts your files and asks for a ransom, to the tune of $300 worth of bitcoins, and claims that it will decrypt your files once the ransom is paid.

Am I protected?
This vulnerability was actually patched by Microsoft back in March. If your Windows Operating System is set to automatic updates, and your antivirus is up to date, then you are protected. If you are concerned and you are a supported client, then call us and we can manually check for the update.

“Am I safe?” Checklist!
Follow this checklist to stay safe:

  • Ensure your Windows Operating System is up to date. If it isn’t on Automatic Updates, go into Settings -> Update & Security and click Update Now. On anything other than Windows 10, you will need to go to Control Panel -> Windows Updates
  • If you are still using Windows XP, we strongly recommend you replace your Operating System to a newer, supported operating system. The latest Microsoft OS is Windows 10.
  • Ensure your antivirus is up to date
  • The most common way of infections occurring are via links on emails that are pretending to be from somewhere they are not. Be wary of any emails pretending to be from courier companies, banks and government departments, such as the HMRC. If ever in doubt, do not click on any links in the email.

If you are a supported client and you have any questions or queries, please do not hesitate to contact us.

C Data and Seatime to exhibit Seawork 2017

| 3rd February 2017

Stand PG7 at Seawork will this year be occupied by C Data Services and sister company Seatime Marine Consultants. Collectively, the organisations provide bespoke software development, consultancy, surveying and energy efficiency services for the marine industry.

On its biggest Seawork stand to date, C Data will be showcasing a number of significant bespoke development projects it has actively been working on such as the computerisation of CHIRP and cyber security with Get Safe Online. Visitors can also gain insight into the services C Data offer including application development, backup, recovery and business continuity management and secure cloud hosting.

Recently launched Seatime Marine Consultants are industry specialists easing off their workload as they approach retirement. By sharing resources and mentoring the next generation, consultants continue to benefit from their client base whilst not having to fulfill all the work themselves. Specific areas of expertise include marine surveying, marine engineering and naval architecture, energy system engineering as well as efficiency and reliability engineering, coding and ARM.

On behalf of both the organisations, Clive Robinson comments, “A successful financial year has allowed us to book a much bigger stand at Seawork. The business functions of C Data and Seatime compliment each other extremely well and we have worked on a number of projects together. We are looking forward to the event and hope to see many familiar faces, as well as potential new clients.”

Please visit C Data and Seatime on Stand PG7 at Seawork 2017 from 13-15 June at Mayflower Park, Southampton. For further information see www.cdata.co.uk or www.seatimemarine.co.uk.

C Data obtains Cyber Essentials Certification

| 25th January 2017

It is with great pleasure to announce that C Data have met all of the requirements for, and have obtained, Cyber Essentials certification.

Being Cyber Essentials certified proves that we take cyber security very seriously here at C Data Services. It is an ever growing threat to businesses, governments and individuals and as a result we need to make all necessary precautions and configurations to defend against it. This includes Firewall, Antivirus, Network and Software configurations as well as Password policies, Administration and Standard User Account Management.

Cyber Essentials is a government initiative to help all businesses implement basic precautions to help defend against cyber attacks. To find out more, visit the website.

Phishing Email Warning

| 7th April 2016

You may or may not have seen in the news recently about a very convincing phishing email scam.

The email contains the usual wording and directions you would expect from a phishing email, such as “you owe us money” and “click on the link to view the invoice”.

What makes this email more convincing than others is that not only does it include your name, but it also includes your postal address in the body of the email. Not only that, but the spelling and grammar is very good for a phishing email.

If you receive this email, under no circumstances should you click on the link. We are hearing reports that it downloads malware, specifically Cryptolocker which will lock all your files, and any files found in network locations. This means files on any company servers that you may be connected to. Simply ignore and delete the email.

Our advice applies in this case as it does in any email you are not sure about – if you are unsure on the legitimacy of any email you receive, delete it. If you are a supported client, you are of course welcome to contact us if you would like us to check the legitimacy of an email you have received.

This is a link to GetSafeOnline which has an image of what this phishing email looks like:

https://www.getsafeonline.org/news/urgent-warning-on-new-phishing-email/.

Please pass this email / information on to colleagues.

C Data will be at Seawork!

| 12th February 2015

C Data Services will be attending Seawork 2015 for the 3rd year in a row. This year we will be doing things slightly different. We will have two demonstration stations – one running BCalm and one running BMaintained. Visitors will not only be able to find out more about our [email protected] software, but they will be able to see it in action and use it themselves.

We will also be holding a “Drinks and Draw from 4” every day at 4 o Clock where we will be hosting free drinks, providing you with a good chance for networking. You will also have the chance to win a bottle of Champagne – all you have to do is drop your business card in and make a small donation to the Seafarers UK money box that we will have on our stand to be in with a chance of winning.

So come on over to Stand B19, we hope to see you there!