Contracts for Firewall, Anti-virus, Microsoft Enterprise Agreement, and Power BI (FOI2531)

Contracts for Firewall, Anti-virus, Microsoft Enterprise Agreement, and Power BI

Request for information - Ref no: FOI2531

July 15, 2025

Information request

We received your request on 4 June 2025.

We have handled your request under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2000.

A copy of your request is set out in the extract below:

I am conducting a research project into how public sector organisations procure cyber security services and enterprise software platforms. As part of this, I would be grateful if you could provide the most recent contract information you hold for the following areas:

1. Standard Firewall (Network)

Firewall services that protect the organisation’s network from unauthorised access and other internet security threats.

2. Anti-virus Software Application

Programs designed to prevent, detect, and remove viruses, malware, trojans, adware, and related threats.

3. Microsoft Enterprise Agreement

A volume licensing agreement that may include:

    • Microsoft 365 (Office, Exchange, SharePoint, Teams)
    • Windows Enterprise
    • Enterprise Mobility + Security (EMS)
    • Azure services (committed or pay-as-you-go)       

4. Microsoft Power BI

Or any alternative business intelligence platform used for data connectivity, dashboards, and reporting.

For each of the above areas, I kindly request the following:

  1. Who is the existing supplier for this contract?
  2. What is the annual spend for each contract?
  3. What is the description of the services provided?
  4. Primary brand (where applicable)
  5. What is the start date of the contract?
  6. What is the expiry date of the contract?
  7. What is the total duration of the contract?
  8. Who is the responsible contract officer? - Please include at least their job title, and where possible, name, contact number, and direct email address
  9. How many licences or users are included (where applicable)?

Our response

I confirm that Ordnance Survey does hold the information you have requested. Where the information is exempt from disclosure this is stated. Taking each request in turn, I confirm the following:

Contract 1. Standard Firewall (Network)

Q 1 Who is the existing supplier for this contract?

Please see the response to Q4 below

Q2 What is the annual spend for each contract?

The OS annual spend for this contract is £441,068

Q3 What is the description of the services provided?

Please see the response to Q4 below.

Q4 Primary brand (where applicable)

The information in relation to Q1, Q3 and Q4 above is held by OS, but we consider it exempt under section 31(1)(a) (Law Enforcement) of the FOIA and is therefore withheld, as explained further below, under Contract 2 information.

Q5 What is the start date of the contract?

The start date of the contract is 27/06/2023

Q6 What is the expiry date of the contract?

The expiry date of the contract is 27/06/2026

Q7 What is the total duration of the contract?

The contract duration is 3 Years

Q8 Who is the responsible contract officer? Please include at least their job title, and where possible, name, contact number, and direct email address

The Job title for the responsible officer is the Procurement and Contracts Manager, contact details are available on our website: Contact us | Home | OS

The information relating to the contact name, contact number and direct email address is held by OS but is exempt from disclosure under section 40(2) (personal information) of the FOIA, as the information constitutes personal data. I confirm responsibility for dealing with the contract is via the procurement and contracts manager for technology.

Section 40(2) provides that personal data is exempt information if one of the conditions set out in section 40(3) is satisfied. In our view, disclosure of this information would breach the data protection principles contained in the General Data Protection Regulations and Data Protection Act 2018

In reaching this decision, we have particularly considered:

  • the reasonable expectations of the employees: given their positions, OS considered that none of the individuals would have a reasonable expectation that their personal data would be disclosed;
  • the consequences of disclosure; and
  • any legitimate public interest in disclosure.

Section 40(2) is an absolute exemption and therefore not subject to the public interest test.

Q9 How many licences or users are included (where applicable)

This is an Enterprise Licence – one licence which covers multiple users.

Contract 2. Anti-virus Software Application

The information in relation to our anti-virus software application is held by OS but we consider it exempt under section 31(1)(a) (Law Enforcement) of the FOIA and is therefore withheld, as explained below:

Section 31(1)(a) exempts information if its disclosure would or would be likely to prejudice the prevention and detection of crime; the type of firewall and antivirus software OS uses plays a critical role in our cyber security by detecting, preventing, and removing cyber threats from our systems and networks. Disclosing this information would be likely to aid a threat attacker and make OS more vulnerable to crime.

This is a qualified exemption, and we are required to consider the public interest.

OS recognises the need for transparency; and that there is a public interest in knowing that OS has measures in place to protect information from cyber criminals; however, confirming the type of firewall and antivirus software used by OS would mean that our computers and security systems would be more vulnerable to malicious attacks. The information would be likely to assist someone in determining the effectiveness of the security measures in place and would enable them to identify the weak points and vulnerabilities of each tool used, making OS an immediate target to hostile and increased attacks, and therefore, facilitate the possibility of crime.

Section 31(1)(a) is a prejudice-based exemption, and there is a public interest inherent in avoiding the harm specified. OS considers that the prejudice would be likely to occur. We are not aware of a significant wider public interest in the information requested. As such, we are satisfied there is a greater public interest in protecting our systems by withholding the information under this exemption.

Contract 3. Microsoft Enterprise Agreement

Q1. Who is the existing supplier for this contract?

I confirm that our Microsoft Enterprise Agreement is with Microsoft Limited, with Softcat the current Licensed Support Partner

Q2 What is the annual spend for each contract?

The OS annual spend for this contract is £2,296,457.80

Q3 What is the description of the services provided?

The services provide Licensing for M365, Other Modern Workplace, Dynamics CE, Dynamics FSCM, Additional Products.

Q4 Primary brand (where applicable)

The primary brand is Microsoft

Q5 What is the start date of the contract?

The start date of the contract is 01/12/2024

Q6 What is the expiry date of the contract?

The expiry date of the contract is 30/11/2027

Q7 What is the total duration of the contract?

The Microsoft Services Agreement is an ongoing, evergreen contract.

Q8 Who is the responsible contract officer? Please include at least their job title, and where possible, name, contact number, and direct email address

The Job title for the responsible officer is the Procurement and Contracts Manager, contact details are available on our website: Contact us | Home | OS

The information relating to the contact name, is held by OS but is exempt from disclosure under section 40(2) (personal information) of the FOIA, as the information constitutes personal data

Section 40(2) provides that personal data is exempt information if one of the conditions set out in section 40(3) is satisfied. In our view, disclosure of this information would breach the data protection principles contained in the General Data Protection Regulations and Data Protection Act 2018

In reaching this decision, we have particularly considered:

  • the reasonable expectations of the employees: given their positions, OS considered that none of the individuals would have a reasonable expectation that their personal data would be disclosed;
  • the consequences of disclosure; and
  • any legitimate public interest in disclosure.

Section 40(2) is an absolute exemption and therefore not subject to the public interest test.

Q9 How many licences or users are included (where applicable)

There are 1580 Users

Contract 4. Microsoft Power BI

Q1. Who is the existing supplier for this contract?

I confirm that our Microsoft Power BI contract licensing is incorporated within the Microsoft Enterprise Agreement. Please see our responses to Contract 3 above, regarding Q2-Q9.

All information requests

See our previous responses to Freedom of Information (FOI) requests.

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