Overview

South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) provides critical emergency and urgent care services, across the South East of the UK. As with all NHS authorities and public sector bodies, patient data is sensitive, and safeguarding this data is paramount. This is why up-to-date, functioning TLS certificates are key – as out-of-date certificates run the risk of causing downtime and jeopardizing the security of this private data. Managing digital certificates manually is a time-consuming and error-prone process, posing a risk to system uptime. By partnering with FullProxy and implementing AppViewX, SECAmb successfully automated their certificate management, reducing workload, improving efficiency, and lessening the risk of private patient data being exposed as it is transferred between departments.

SECAmb operates in a high-stakes environment where system security and uptime are essential for patient care and health outcomes. Ensuring their IT infrastructure remains secure without overburdening staff was a primary concern, driving their decision to seek a reliable automation solution.

The Challenge

SECAmb’s certificate management process was previously manual. This approach led to several challenges:

  • Manually applying certificates is prone to human error and any missed certificate renewals have the chance to result in system failure and application downtime. Given SECAmb’s critical services, even a brief outage could disrupt emergency response capabilities.
  • Industry trends toward shorter-lived certificates to enhance security have led Google to re-evaluate the sites it ranks. Previously, certificates with a validity of up to five years were acceptable, but Google now insists that secure sites have certificates with a maximum validity of one year. This shift reflects a broader move toward improving security by reducing certificate lifespans, encouraging organizations to adopt more proactive and automated certificate management practices.
  • SECAmb needed a solution that would allow their IT staff to focus on higher-value tasks rather than dedicating significant time to managing and maintaining their certificate estate.

FullProxy Spokesperson
“We understood SECAmb’s unique challenges and worked closely with them to ensure a seamless transition to automation. Their success with AppViewX highlights the importance of proactive security and operational efficiency. We’re proud to have supported SECAmb in securing their IT environment without impacting their vital services.”
Stuart McCann, Cyber Security Account Manager
FullProxy

FullProxy's Solution

Recognising these challenges, FullProxy worked with SECAmb to implement AppViewX’s AVX ONE CLM, an advanced certificate lifecycle management tool. The implementation followed a structured approach:

  1. Introduction and Evaluation: AppViewX was FullProxy’s key recommendation and found its functionality well-suited to SECAmb’s needs. The system was assessed for its scalability, automation capabilities, and compatibility with existing infrastructure.
  2. Implementation and Setup: SECAmb is currently in the setup phase, configuring the platform to integrate with their existing systems. FullProxy provided hands-on support to ensure a seamless transition, tailoring the solution to meet SECAmb’s specific security and compliance requirements.
  3. Collaboration and Support: FullProxy’s team provided continuous support, understanding SECAmb’s NHS-specific challenges. FullProxy’s Cyber Security Account Manager, Stuart McCann, worked closely with SECAmb to minimise disruptions and ensure a smooth onboarding process.
  4. Third-Party Assistance: AppViewX’s team offered prompt and proactive support, demonstrating responsiveness and a willingness to assist SECAmb in adapting to the new system. Their expertise helped resolve any technical challenges quickly, ensuring confidence in the system’s effectiveness.

Results and Benefits

By automating their certificate management with AppViewX, SECAmb has achieved several key results:

  • Automation has streamlined the certificate renewal process, minimising administrative overhead and reducing the risk of human errors. Renewals now occur automatically, ensuring compliance without additional effort.
  • The risk of missed certificate renewals has been drastically reduced, ensuring uninterrupted system availability. This translates into better service reliability for emergency response teams and patients.
  • SECAmb now have full control of their certificates and visibility is now centralised. This means the IT team have gained a holistic view of their entire certificate estate, making it easier to identify any potential issues.
  • The automation solution enables SECAmb to stay ahead of shorter renewal periods without increasing workload. As security standards evolve, SECAmb is well-positioned to adapt without disruptions.
  • By removing manual interventions, SECAmb has mitigated potential vulnerabilities, ensuring certificates are consistently updated and aligned with the latest security protocols.

Testimonial
“Working with Stuart and the FullProxy team to automate our certificate management with AppViewX has significantly reduced our administrative burden and eliminated the risk of costly downtime. The new system ensures our critical infrastructure remains secure and operational without adding unnecessary complexity. FullProxy’s support has been invaluable in helping us navigate this transition.”
Marc Woollard, Infrastructure Engineer
South East Coast Ambulance

Why FullProxy?

FullProxy played a crucial role in SECAmb’s transition to an effective and fully optimised automated certificate management process. Our deep understanding of the broader cyber security context helped SECAmb evaluate and implement the most effective tool for their needs. Our existing experience within the NHS and public sector also ensured a smooth and budget-conscious implementation, addressing NHS-specific concerns and constraints.

By bridging the gap between SECAmb and AppViewX, FullProxy ensured responsive support and a tailored solution that fit SECAmb’s security policies and compliance requirements.

FullProxy remains engaged with SECAmb, offering ongoing support and recommendations to optimise their certificate management strategy as needs evolve.