HRB 2022 Firewall Network support and Penetration testing

Tender description

The Health Research Board (HRB) is a statutory agency under the aegis of the Department of Health. As the lead agency in Ireland responsible for supporting and funding health research, generating health information and promoting the use of evidence in policy and practice, we are motivated and inspired by our vision – for better health through excellent research, data and evidence. The HRB’s mission is to support research that improves people's health, promotes evidence-informed care and creates solutions to societal challenges. An overview of the HRB’s objectives and activities may be found in The HRB Strategy 2021-2025, Health research - making an impact, (https://www.hrb.ie/strategy-2025/). The HRB’s current arrangement for firewall services started in 2015 with the purchase of new Checkpoint hardware and support services for said hardware at level 1,2 and 3. Network support was provided using a combination of internal ICT resources at 1st line support level and a facility of external drawdown days per year which were used for 2nd and 3rd line support. Some of the firewall elements expired in 2019 which facilitated another tender. The HRB amalgamated the renewed firewall services and network support for this tender which expires in June 2022. Objectives of the project are to have in place a Firewall, Network Support and Pen Test Contract in place for a period of 4 years. The firewall has reached an expected end of life for both its hardware, software and associated licencing and a new provision needs to be procured. The network support requirement needs to be renewed and an additional service is required for annual penetration tests on our two internal databases The HRB invites tenders for the provision of 1. Firewall (hardware and associated licenses and software) 2. Network support services at 1st and 2nd line level 3. Annual Penetration testing on our 2 cloud systems for a period of four years commencing in June 2022 and provision for monthly security scans