StepChange, the debt advice charity, has enhanced its cybersecurity with digital transformation specialist ANS’ Security Operations Centre (SOC) service, giving the charity access to round-the-clock cybersecurity monitoring and threat detection without significantly expanding its internal security team.
As demand for digital debt advice continues to grow, StepChange’s 2030 strategy focuses on delivering secure, resilient online services that enable more people to access trusted support while safeguarding the sensitive information they share.
To help deliver this, ANS provides a fully managed 24/7 Security Operations Centre, combining continuous security monitoring, advanced threat detection and incident response. Working alongside StepChange’s internal security team, ANS has refined detection rules, enhanced monitoring processes and continues to evolve detection use cases to reflect the charity’s changing requirements and the evolving threat landscape.
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Stephen Curtis-Spence, cybersecurity manager at StepChange, said: “A 24/7/365 Security Operations Centre plays a critical role in supporting StepChange’s 2030 strategy, particularly around building a resilient, secure and trusted digital service for our clients.
“For us, the business need was clear: protect client data, support secure digital growth, maintain operational resilience and align with regulatory and compliance obligations.”
Since implementing the managed SOC, StepChange has established 24/7 security monitoring and threat detection without the need to build a larger in-house security team. The service enables the charity to identify, prioritise and respond to cyber threats in near real time while continuously refining detection rules and use cases as its requirements evolve.
Carole Reeves, director of security operations at ANS, said: “Charities are increasingly delivering vital services through digital channels while handling large volumes of sensitive personal data. As cyber threats continue to evolve, organisations need resilient security operations that protect the people they support without the cost and complexity of building a 24/7 Security Operations Centre in-house.
“By working closely with StepChange, we’ve become an extension of its security team, providing the expertise and round-the-clock monitoring needed to support its digital ambitions while allowing its internal team to stay focused on delivering trusted debt advice.”
Curtis-Spence added: “ANS took the time to understand our environment and requirements, worked closely with us to refine detection rules and processes, and adapted the service as our needs evolved. This partnership approach has been key to successfully embedding the service.
“With the ANS SOC service in place, we are now able to detect and respond to threats in near real time, maintain 24/7 security coverage without significantly increasing internal headcount, and continuously improve detection through evolving use cases.”
