What should I do if I'm not receiving emails from NQC?

To make sure you always receive our emails, you should add our sending domain, nqc.com, to your email safe sender list.

Background

Sometimes, email providers may send important messages to your spam or junk folder. By adding our NQC domain to your safe sender list, you are telling your email provider that our messages are important and should always be delivered directly to your main inbox. This will prevent you from missing important notifications and requests from NQC.

Steps

If you don't receive our emails, please check the following:

1. Check your spam or junk folder: If you find an email from us there, mark it as 'Not Spam'.

For Outlook Users:

1. Click the Settings icon in the top-right corner.
2. In the menu, click 'Mail' and then 'Junk email'.
3. Under the 'Safe senders and domains' section, click '+Add'.
4. Type nqc.com and press 'Enter'.
5. Click the 'Save' button at the top.

For Gmail Users:

1. Click the Settings icon in the top-right corner, then click 'See all settings'.
2. Go to the 'Filters and Blocked Addresses' tab.
3. Click 'Create a new filter'.
4. In the 'From' field, type nqc.com.
5. Click 'Create filter'.
6. Check the box next to 'Never send it to Spam'.
7. Click the final 'Create filter' button to save.

For Other Email Providers:

1. Look in your settings for options like 'Safe Senders', 'Filters', or 'Rules'. The goal is to create a rule to ensure that messages from @nqc.com are always delivered to your inbox.

What is a DUNS number, and why do I need one for NQC?

A DUNS number is a unique nine-digit identifier for businesses, provided by Dun & Bradstreet. It's used globally to identify companies. NQC requires it as the primary identifier during registration and for completing the SAQ 5.0 to ensure your customers can correctly identify your business.

Background

Using the DUNS number helps standardise supplier identification on the platform. There is no charge for an organization to obtain a DUNS number from Dun & Bradstreet.

Steps

To find or request a DUNS number

Visit the Dun & Bradstreet website. A general starting point is the D&B D-U-N-S Number Lookup/Request page
(search online for "Dun & Bradstreet D-U-N-S Number request").

Specific regional links may also be helpful:

• Germany: dnb.com/de-de/upik/
• USA: dnb.com/duns-number/lookup.html
• China: dnb.com.cn
• Latin America: cialdnb.com/d-u-n-s-number/
• UK: dnb.co.uk/duns-number/lookup.html
• Other countries: dnb.co.uk/choose-your-country.html

How do I access or start the SAQ 5.0 questionnaire?

If you have completed an SAQ 5.0 questionnaire, you can view and update it, at any time. If you have been asked to complete a SAQ 5.0 questionnaire by a customer, you should use the invitation code that was included in the email about the customer request. Alternatively, you can complete an SAQ 5.0 questionnaire and obtain an SAQ Rating, without waiting to be invited, at any time.

Background

When SAQ 5.0 was launched, existing completed SAQs (like SAQ 4.0) were transitioned. Their scores were kept but marked with a 'U' for 'Unclassified'. To get an official SAQ 5.0 rating, you must 'Update' the questionnaire, review previous answers, and respond to the new/changed questions.

Steps

To view a questionnaire that you have already completed

1. Sign in to your NQC account.
2. Find the completed questionnaire on your dashboard (use filters and search if needed).
3. If you want to update a previously completed questionnaire, select the 'Update' icon on the right side of the questionnaire tile.
4. Progress through the questionnaire and edit the answers that you want to change.
5. Once you have made all the updates needed, make sure you submit your SAQ 5.0 questionnaire response for validation in order to receive an updated SAQ Rating.

To start a new questionnaire using an invitation code

1. Sign in to your NQC account.
2. Select 'Enter invitation code' on the top right side of your Dashboard.
3. Choose the option to 'Enter invitation code'.
4. Enter the invitation code that is in the email request from your customer.
5. Select 'Share' to complete the action.
6. Complete the questionnaire and submit for validation.

How can I improve my SAQ 5.0 rating?

Improve your SAQ 5.0 Rating by addressing validation feedback (like evidence or declaration gaps) and by addressing any minimum requirements that one or more of your customers may have set. Ensure that you answer all mandatory questions positively with the correct supporting evidence. Be careful to ensure you fully review and select only those policy areas that are explicitly covered within your policy documents.

Background

You can iteratively improve your SAQ 5.0 Rating. The validation process provides specific feedback. Addressing an evidence gap (where evidence was insufficient) or a declaration gap (where you missed selecting an answer that your evidence covered) can positively impact your SAQ 5.0 Rating.
Focusing on the mandatory questions is important as these directly contribute to your SAQ 5.0 Rating. Optional questions provide additional insights for your customers but do not directly influence the SAQ 5.0 Rating.

Steps

To view your questionnaire results and any gaps identified during validation:

1. Sign in to your NQC account.
2. On your 'Dashboard', find the completed questionnaire you want to view (use filters and search if needed).
3. Select the questionnaire tile to go to the questionnaire overview page.
4. Select the 'Answers' tab.
5. If any gaps were identified during validation, they will be listed at the top of the 'Answers' tab. Select an individual gap to learn more.
6. A gap may indicate:
   • an evidence gap - the uploaded evidence was not acceptable, or
   • a declaration gap - the validator found relevant policy information in your evidence that you did not declare in your answers.
   
   In both cases, you should update your questionnaire response to address the gaps.
   


7. Select the 'Update' icon on the top right of the questionnaire tile to make changes.


8. Navigate to the questions flagged in the validator feedback and upload improved evidence (for evidence gaps) or declare the correct policy options (for declaration gaps).

I received an invitation code from my customer. What is it for and how do I use it?

An invitation code allows you to either start a new questionnaire requested by your customer or share an existing completed questionnaire with them instantly. You should always check if you already have an existing questionnaire on your account to meet the request of your customer.

Background

Invitation codes streamline the sharing process. They directly link your questionnaire response (new or existing) to your customer's request, granting them access immediately.

Steps

Find and share an existing questionnaire using an invitation code

1. Sign in to your NQC account.
2. Find the existing questionnaire on your Dashboard (use filters and search if needed).
3. Select the 'Share' icon on the questionnaire tile.
4. Choose the option to 'Enter invitation code'.
5. Enter the invitation code that is in the email request from your customer.
6. Select 'Share' to complete the action.
7. If the questionnaire is not yet complete, you must answer the remaining questions and submit for validation.

To start a new questionnaire using an invitation code

1. Sign in to your NQC account.
2. Select 'Enter invitation code' on the top right side of your Dashboard.
3. Choose the option to 'Enter invitation code'.
4. Enter the invitation code that is in the email request from your customer.
5. Select 'Share' to complete the action.
6. Complete the questionnaire and submit for validation.