END-USER PROTECTION & CONTINUITY

Software & SaaS Escrow Solutions for End Users

You already know the risks of relying on third-party software. In an era of unpredictable cloud outages, supply chain cyberattacks, and vendor insolvency, SES Secure gives you the legal, technical, and operational certainty needed to keep your critical systems running—no matter what happens to your supplier.

OUR CORE SOLUTIONS

Moving Beyond Basic Storage

As software ecosystems evolve, simply locking source code in a vault is no longer enough. Whether you rely on bespoke on-premise applications or complex cloud-hosted SaaS platforms, true continuity requires a tailored blend of legal protection, technical testing, and live environment replication.

Explore our core solutions below to find the right level of protection for your business-critical applications:

Escrow agreements

Software & SaaS Escrow Agreements


The Legal & Technical Foundation:


Protect your investment in bespoke, on-premise, or hybrid applications. Our legally binding tripartite and multi-party agreements ensure that source code, build instructions, and critical documentation are securely deposited and maintained—ready for rapid release if your supplier enters administration, breaches support SLAs, or fails to maintain security updates.


Best for:


Bespoke software, legacy applications, and critical operational systems.

Verification and validation

Verification & Validation Services


Guaranteed Deployability When It Counts:


An escrow deposit is only useful if it actually works. Our independent technical specialists audit, test, and rebuild your vendor’s deposited materials—confirming that the source code is complete, free of missing dependencies, and capable of being compiled into a live, working application by your team.


Best for:


Mission-critical systems where rapid, error-free deployment is essential.

SaaS continuity

Full SaaS Continuity Solutions


Complete Cloud & Data Protection:


Modern SaaS applications require more than just source code to survive a vendor failure. Our Full SaaS Continuity solutions safeguard your live cloud infrastructure, databases, configurations, and access credentials—enabling you to replicate and host the entire cloud environment independently with minimal downtime.


Best for:


Cloud-native platforms, business-critical SaaS tools, and data-heavy workflows.

Operational resilience

Operational Resilience & Regulatory Compliance


Audit-Ready Third-Party Risk Management:


Meet strict regulatory demands—including DORA, FCA operational resilience rules, and public sector procurement standards—with confidence. We help you map critical third-party ICT dependencies and implement tested, regulator-ready exit strategies that withstand scrutiny and real-world disruption.


Best for:


Financial services, utilities, healthcare, and regulated enterprises.

The Software Escrow Journey

Ensure Software Security & Continuity

From your first conversation with the SES secure team to achieving full continuity, here's what to expect from the Software Escrow journey.

Stage 1

Identifying your needs and requirements

The first stage of the process is to have a discovery session with the SES Secure team. The aim of this is to clearly understand your needs, requirements and preferences. Based on this, the most appropriate type of solution will be identified and put forward.

Your outcome Determining the best approach for meeting your target outcomes while factoring in your Recovery Time Objective (RTO).
  • SES Secure gain a clear understanding of your needs and requirements
  • Your target continuity outcomes and defined and confirmed
  • The best route for achieving your objectives is identified
Stage 2

A review proposal and sample contract are created

Following the discovery session, your Account Manager or Director will work closely with our in-house technology and legal teams to carefully craft a proposal and sample contract. These documents will be designed with the aim of satisfying all agreed objectives.

Your outcome A detailed plan of action is created by the SES Secre team ahead of being presented to the client.
  • SES Account Directors and Manager will collaborate with in-house technology and legal teams
  • A review proposal is carefully crafted.
  • A sample contract is created.
Stage 3

A scoping call with all parties

This session will ensure that all parties are aligned on the proposed solution and to discuss the verification process.

Your outcome A clear risk picture and protection plan
  • Identify business-critical applications
  • Map dependencies and supplier risk
  • Define your continuity requirements
Stage 4

Initial Material Deposit

The software vendor gathers the agreed source code, documentation, and environment files and transfers them securely to the escrow agent.

Your outcome Confirmation that the foundational recovery materials are safely held outside the vendor's control.
  • Secure Transfer: Transmit encrypted code repositories, third-party library lists, and system architecture manuals to the escrow vault.
  • Deposit Inventory: Log a complete manifest of all submitted files so the client can verify that nothing was omitted.
  • Receipt Confirmation: Receive formal notification from the escrow agent once the initial deposit is logged and stored.
Stage 5

Technical Verification and Testing

Independent specialists inspect and test the deposited materials to prove they can actually be used to rebuild or run the software.

Your outcome Assurance that the escrowed files are complete, uncorrupted, and usable in a real-world emergency.
  • Integrity Checks: Scan the deposit for malware, missing files, and accurate build documentation.
  • Build and Compile Testing: Recreate the software environment in an isolated sandbox to confirm the source code compiles into a working application.
  • Remediation Reporting: Issue a detailed report to the vendor and client if any gaps are found so the vendor can supply missing components.
Stage 6

Ongoing Maintenance and Update Management

The escrow deposit is kept synchronised with the live software environment through scheduled updates and continuous monitoring.

Your outcome Confidence that the recovery solution matches the current production version rather than an obsolete release.
  • Scheduled Deposits: Require the vendor to submit updated code and documentation after every major software release or on a fixed quarterly cycle.
  • Automated Syncing: Connect the escrow vault directly to the vendor's code repository or cloud environment for continuous, automated backups.
  • Audit Notifications: Provide the client with regular status reports confirming when deposits are updated and verified.
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Need More Detail on How Escrow Works in Practice?

Whether you are comparing SaaS continuity models, preparing internal stakeholders, or looking for guidance on contract release triggers, our Knowledge Hub provides practical guides, FAQs, and industry insights.

Tailor Your Software Protection Today

Every software stack is different. Speak with our team to discuss your existing supplier contracts and build a proportionate, cost-effective escrow or SaaS continuity plan.