NCC, Manchester cyber firm, signs TikTok contract

Manchester-based global cyber security firm NCC Group plc said it has signed a three-year contract with TikTok to extend and enhance its role as independent security provider to Project Clover — a programme delivering “enhanced and innovative” data security measures and standards for TikTok’s European users’ data.

NCC said the three-year contract follows a “highly successful” first year of delivery on Project Clover, TikTok’s European enhanced data security programme “protecting 175 million TikTok users across the European Economic Area, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.”

NCC said Project Clover will see TikTok investing €12 billion in European data security over 10 years, setting a “gold standard” for data security and “going above and beyond regulatory requirements and the measures of industry peers.”

Stephen Bailey, Global Director of Privacy, NCC Group, said: “Project Clover is setting a new gold standard for data privacy and security.

“The innovative work that NCC Group is delivering today will form a blueprint for industry peers and regulators for years to come.

“Rarely does a company of TikTok’s scale hand this level of responsibility, access and independence to a third-party security provider.

“As we look forward to the next three years delivering on Project Clover, we will continue to deploy cutting edge solutions, engage with authorities and set an example that will enhance data security for Europeans – not only through TikTok but across the industry.”

NCC Group CEO Mike Maddison said: “Project Clover is an outstanding example of NCC Group delivering ground-breaking cyber security on the global stage, reflected in TikTok’s commitment to extending our role for a further three years.

“Project Clover is NCC Group at its best, collaborating across capabilities, innovating technical solutions to complex challenges, engaging with authorities and delivering gold standard work for our clients that makes their customers more secure than ever before.”

Christine Grahn, Head of Public Policy for Europe, TikTok, commented: “NCC Group provides an unprecedented level of transparency and independent oversight across our European data security.

“We are delighted with the rapid progress already made, including NCC Group now continuously monitoring the additional security gateways around our European user data, and look forward to continuing to work with them in setting new industry standards for data security over the next three years.”