Maintaining strong governance and adhering to the ISO 27001 standard is essential for the success of our Robotic Process Automation (RPA) programs.
Firstly, these governance processes and the ISO 27001 standard provide a solid framework for managing information security. In the realm of IA/RPA, where we handle sensitive data and critical processes, ensuring information security is paramount.
Adhering to these standards helps establish robust data security measures, safeguarding against breaches and unauthorised access. This is not only vital for patient safety but also crucial for meeting regulatory compliance requirements.
Secondly, ISO 27001 promotes a culture of continuous improvement and risk management, which is particularly important in the ever-evolving landscape of automation. Regular assessments and audits allow us to proactively address security concerns, enhancing the resilience of our program against emerging threats.
Key Areas of Governance
Additionally, obtaining ISO 27001 certification builds trust with stakeholders, partners, and, most importantly, our patients.
This trust sets the foundation for the long-term success of our IA/RPA program. In summary, compliance with ISO 27001 is critical to ensuring the strength, security, and sustained success of our IA/RPA initiatives.
In August 2023, we retained our ISO27001 certification, after being external audited by BSI. We also met the requirements of the 2022 standard.
In anticipation of this, we established four distinct areas to address our governance requirements.
- ISO 27001 Policies (10) covering the controls associated with Software development.
- Standard Operating Policies (17) covering our Application Lifecycle Management (ALM).
- Gateway Documents (4) covering the requirements of our Gateway locks.
- Associated documents (8) covering both our and stakeholder responsibilities.
Ensuring Security, Governance, and Compliance through Structured Frameworks and Standards.
Security, Governance, and Compliance
Our project and process design methodologies, including PRINCE2, Agile, and Lean Six Sigma, all providing structured frameworks for efficient work delivery.
The alignment with ISO 27001 not only establishes a secure foundation for managing information but also promotes continual improvement and effective risk management through regular assessments and audits.
Certification instils confidence among stakeholders, partners, and patients, ensuring the long-term success of our RPA initiatives. We also consider NHS Digital Standards, NHS Digital Clinical Safety Standards, the Information Governance Toolkit (IG Toolkit), PRINCE2 methodology, and alignment with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Guidelines.
The program's Secure Development Lifecycle is fundamental to its security and governance, involving compliance verification, security training, and awareness programs. Periodic audits, peer reviews, and code reviews ensure compliance, while security training covers secure development practices, potential security threats, and the importance of adhering to established rules.
NHS RPA Blueprint
Discover how we apply Robotic Process Automation (RPA) in the National Health Service by reading our Blueprint.
NHS RPA Governance Strategy
Our governance strategy shows how we ensure Robotic Process Automation in the National Health Service (NHS) is safe, secure, and well-managed for patients.