Government’s gold standard for Soha’s data approach “offers reassurance”

First it was the Coop, then Marks and Spencer. In 2025, both companies announced in quick succession that their business systems had been compromised. Scores of other companies, including a children’s daycare chain, have fallen prey to hackers this year. It seems that the threat of cyber-attack is rarely out of the news.

At Soha, we are responsible for the safe storage and use of the data of 17,657 individual residents. The company also runs countless information systems and processes to keep the services to those residents operating.

We wanted to check we were doing everything we could to protect customers so, during the summer, we submitted our systems, our protocols and our staff to a lengthy evaluation by the Government’s Cyber Essentials scheme.

Housing associations don’t have to do this – the process is entirely voluntary.

The assessment resulted in Soha being awarded Cyber Essentials Plus, the highest approval rating and one rarely given in the housing sector. Part of the evaluation saw independent security experts carry out spot-checks to try to infiltrate our systems. The aim was to test if either our technology, or the way staff deploy it, indicated any weak spots.

Nasreen Hussain, Director of Finance and Resources, said “Telling customers that their data is safe with us is one thing, but the endorsement of external assessment offers the most reassurance. Our staff, our partners and the Regulator of Social Housing can be encouraged that Soha is a digitally resilient organisation constantly anticipating and meeting the challenges of responsibly holding and carefully using data.”

………..

You can see our approach and commitments to your privacy at www.soha.co.uk/data-protection

Protecting data

Data protection is an absolute priority for us. That is why we want to communicate data, reports, files, and other sensitive information securely. This is necessary because the current channels, such as regular email, fax, or regular mail, might be vulnerable.

To protect data we have replaced our current email encryption system Egress with the newer more secure Zivver.

Since July 2023, Soha has used Zivver to securely send emails and exchange files with suppliers and partners. Zivver encrypts messages with sensitive content, such as personal data, files, reports, or other information we need to send securely. Sending a message with confidential information via Zivver is guaranteed to be safe and means no one but the sender and the recipient have access to the message.

How will you notice the use of Zivver? 

You will receive a secure message with confidential information via regular email. This email contains a link to a secure environment. Here, you will have to enter an SMS code or access code in order to read the message. If the message is secured with an access code, you will receive this code from the recipient in a separate message (for example by phone, personally, or in a letter).

Inform us of changes in your email address and phone number 

It is very important that you immediately inform us of changes in your email address or mobile phone number. That way, we can keep communicating securely with you. Please inform your contact within Soha when such changes occur.

By using Zivver, our residents can be certain that we treat their privacy carefully. You can find out more about Zivver here.

Using Zivver

We use Zivver to securely send sensitive information. This way, we can guarantee that we send sensitive information using the latest security and that no one but the intended recipient can read the contents of the email.

How can you access a securely sent message? 

Did you receive a secure email from us? If so, you can open this message by clicking the blue link that says ‘Click for message’. When you do, the secure Zivver environment will automatically open. To access the message, you need to insert an access code or an SMS code.

Opening a message with an access code 

You have received a secure message. The person sending you this message wants to be certain that only you can read it. That is why the sender has given you an access code via regular mail, by phone, or in person. Click ‘Click for message’ and insert this access code. You can now read the message. Haven’t you received an access code? If so, contact the sender.

Opening a message with an SMS code 

You have received a message that is secured with an SMS code. The person sending you this message wants to be certain that only you can read it. Click ‘Click for message’ and then click ‘Send SMS’. Insert the code that you have received on your phone. You can now read the message.

Want to respond to an email that was sent via Zivver? 

You read the message that was sent via Zivver on a secure web page. If you want to respond to the message, you can do so on this page. Click ‘Reply’. You can type your message in the editor window. You can also add attachments if needed using the ‘Add attachments’ (paper clip) button. Click ‘Send’ to send your reply. When the recipient of your message responds, you will receive another notification message.

Please contact us direct if you have any doubts about the integrity of an email or you need any further information.

Copyright © 2026 Soha Housing. All Rights Reserved. Soha Housing Limited is a charitable registered society, registered under the Co-operative and Community Benefits Society Act 2014, number 28410R. We are authorised and regulated by the Regulator of Social Housing and the Financial Conduct Authority.

Compare Listings

Title Price Status Type Area Purpose Bedrooms Bathrooms