For the last three years, Digital Craftsmen has achieved the Financial Supplier Qualification System (FSQS) certification, completing the rigorous Stage 2 Qualification process administered by Hellios.
While FSQS certification is a mandatory requirement for working with major financial institutions, including Lloyds Banking Group, Santander, Bank of England, Nationwide, TSB, Metro Bank, and Monzo, its significance extends far beyond the banking sector.
For our agency partners and business clients across all industries, this independent, third-party certification validates that our managed hosting services, operational practices, and security standards operate at the highest possible level – the same level demanded by the world’s most regulated institutions.
What is FSQS Certification?
The Financial Supplier Qualification System (FSQS) is a rigorous, standardised qualification benchmark used by major financial institutions across the UK and Europe to vet their technology suppliers and service providers.
In highly regulated sectors, institutions must ensure their suppliers manage risk effectively and meet stringent compliance requirements. FSQS acts as a single, comprehensive standard designed to assess the compliance, risk management, and operational integrity of those suppliers. It is, essentially, a ‘gold standard’ register of validated, trusted technology partners.
FSQS is managed by Hellios, an independent validation body that uses expert auditors to verify supplier information against strict industry guidelines. The system is currently used by nearly 80 banks, building societies, insurance companies and investment services organisations.
Why FSQS Certification Matters to Your Business (Whatever Your Sector)
You might ask: “If I’m not a bank, why does this matter to me?”
The answer lies in the rigour of the assessment. Financial institutions face some of the strictest regulatory and security demands in the world. By meeting the standards required to serve these institutions, we demonstrate a level of operational excellence that benefits every client we work with.
Achieving FSQS Stage 2 Qualification means Digital Craftsmen has met stringent requirements across critical areas, including:
- Advanced Cyber Security & Information Security Management
- Robust Data Protection and GDPR Compliance
- Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery Planning
- Operational Risk Management
- Financial Stability and Corporate Governance
- Anti-Bribery and Fraud Prevention
- Environmental and Sustainability Practices
How FSQS Certification Benefits Different Types of Organisations
1. For Digital Agencies
When you entrust your clients’ applications and websites to a managed hosting provider, you are putting your own reputation on the line. FSQS certification is a powerful differentiator you can present to your end clients, particularly those in regulated industries.
It demonstrates that your chosen hosting partner adheres to the strictest industry standards, mitigating supply chain risks and protecting your agency’s reputation. This certification removes friction from procurement processes and provides built-in proof of compliance for your clients’ internal and external regulatory inquiries.
2. For E-commerce and Online Retailers
Online retailers handle vast amounts of sensitive customer data and payment information, making them prime targets for cyber threats. If our security processes are robust enough for international banks processing billions in transactions, they offer exceptional protection for your online platforms.
This certification provides assurance that the critical infrastructure supporting your revenue streams is managed with the utmost integrity, reducing your exposure to data breaches and compliance issues.
3. For Businesses in Regulated Industries
Whether you operate in healthcare, legal services, fintech, or any other regulated sector, demonstrating robust vendor management is increasingly important. FSQS certification simplifies your due diligence process – much of the heavy lifting has already been done through the standardised FSQS audit.
4. Supply Chain Security and Insurance Benefits
In today’s interconnected digital economy, businesses are increasingly scrutinised not just on their own security practices, but on the security of their entire supply chain. By partnering with an FSQS-certified managed hosting provider, you strengthen a critical link in your own supply chain and vendor management framework.
Furthermore, demonstrating this level of due diligence in your choice of suppliers can be a positive factor when:
- Negotiating cyber insurance premiums
- Demonstrating governance compliance to your board of directors
- Responding to customer security questionnaires
- Meeting ISO 27001 or other compliance requirements
The Road to FSQS Certification: A Rigorous Two-Stage Process
We believe that achieving and maintaining FSQS certification demonstrates why we are true ‘Craftsmen’ in the digital world. This is not a simple “box-ticking” exercise or a basic vendor questionnaire. The path to FSQS certification is a comprehensive, two-stage audit process:
Stage 1: Initial Information Gathering
Suppliers provide detailed information about their company structure, policies, procedures, and service offerings.
Stage 2 Qualification: Deep-Dive Validation
Required for suppliers handling high-risk areas like customer data and critical infrastructure, Stage 2 demands evidence of robust policies and procedures across information security, business continuity, and operational risk management. All information is validated against strict guidelines by Hellios’ expert audit team.
Annual Renewal Requirement
Crucially, FSQS certification is not a one-time achievement. The qualification requires annual renewal and re-validation to demonstrate ongoing compliance. This ensures our standards never slip and that we continue to evolve our practices in line with emerging threats and regulatory changes.
FSQS Simplifies Doing Business with Digital Craftsmen
For prospective clients, particularly those in the financial services sector, FSQS certification dramatically simplifies and accelerates the procurement process. Rather than conducting lengthy vendor assessments from scratch, you can leverage the comprehensive due diligence already performed through the FSQS system.
For existing clients, this certification provides enhanced reassurance that your hosting infrastructure continues to meet the highest standards of security and compliance.
Digital Craftsmen’s Commitment to Excellence
Achieving FSQS certification for the third consecutive year is more than a badge – it is independent, third-party proof of our dedication to:
✓ Operational excellence in managed hosting
✓ Transparency in our business practices
✓ Security-first approach to infrastructure management
✓ Continuous improvement through annual re-certification
✓ Regulatory compliance across multiple frameworks
Our FSQS certification sits alongside our other commitments to quality, including the ISO 27001 and Cyber Essentials Plus accreditations.
Trusted by Financial Institutions, Built for All Businesses
While Digital Craftsmen’s FSQS certification demonstrates we meet the exacting standards of major banks and financial institutions, these same rigorous practices benefit businesses across every sector.
Whether you’re a digital agency looking for a reliable hosting partner you can stake your reputation on, an e-commerce business requiring bank-level security, or a growing company seeking infrastructure you can trust, our FSQS certification provides independent validation of our capabilities.
What This Means for You
For Existing Clients:
Your hosting infrastructure is managed by a provider that meets the same stringent standards required by the world’s most regulated institutions. You can have complete confidence in our security, compliance, and operational practices.
For Prospective Clients:
Choosing Digital Craftsmen means choosing a hosting partner that has undergone rigorous third-party validation. We make it easier to satisfy your own compliance requirements and provide the foundation of trust and security your business needs to grow.
For Agency Partners:
You can confidently present Digital Craftsmen to your clients as a hosting partner that meets institutional-grade standards, helping you win and retain business in competitive and regulated sectors.
Conclusion: Excellence as Standard
The FSQS certification is more than a badge; it is independent, third-party proof of our dedication to operational excellence, transparency, and security at every level.
For Directors and stakeholders looking for assurance and peace of mind regarding their critical hosting infrastructure, this certification confirms that Digital Craftsmen is a partner that operates at the highest professional standards – not just for financial institutions, but for every business that deserves exceptional managed hosting services.
Interested in learning more about how Digital Craftsmen’s FSQS-certified managed hosting can support your business?
Contact our team directly on 020 3745 7706 or email [email protected] to discuss your requirements.
