John Paul College’s journey to digital excellence

John Paul College, a school in South East Queensland, recently conducted a comprehensive review to better understand the needs of its staff and students. The findings highlighted a need for enhanced digital capabilities, world-facing cameras for STEM, and increased computing power to support new learning streams.

In partnership with Data#3, John Paul College utilised Data#3’s Device as a Service to equip the school with the multi-feature HP ProBook, specifically designed to support its growing curriculum requirements. The integration of this new technology into classrooms has since enabled students at John Paul College to work more efficiently and fully embrace the digital classroom.

“By adopting the latest HP devices, we are ensuring that our students and staff have access to the best tools available, supporting our goal of being a leader in digital learning and innovation,” said Nicholas Burton, Network and Systems Manager at John Paul College.

In this video, discover how John Paul College has incorporated multi-feature HP devices and Microsoft Intune to empower and enhance student learning.

Are you ready to enhance learning and unlock the full potential of your students?

With over three decades of expertise in the Education industry, Data#3 is well equipped to provide educational clients with the tools they need for success, offering a range of cutting-edge technology services and solutions that enhance and empower classroom learning. Through this approach, Data#3 enables schools to create a modern, flexible, and secure digital classroom that fosters greater engagement, productivity, and innovation in the learning process.

Glencore Technology gains greater insight from Microsoft Power Platform

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Objective

Glencore Technology wanted to migrate their CRM system to Microsoft Dynamics 365 (D365) in the power platform to leverage greater integration, automation and reporting across business platforms.

Approach

To maximise the potential of D365, Glencore Technology sought the guidance of an experienced partner. After considering multiple options, they chose to work with Data#3 due to their excellent longstanding relationship and confidence in meeting high delivery standards.

IT Outcome

Business Outcome

We enjoyed the end-to-end process from inception to delivery and seeing it come alive. Every sprint review was exciting as the concept came to fruition in front of our eyes.

Jo HardieSenior Business Analyst, Glencore Technology

The Background

Glencore Technology has been marketing technology in the metals and mineral processing industries for almost 40 years. With expertise spanning process and equipment design, detailed engineering, equipment supply and operator training, they provide essential services in some of Australia’s most demanding workplaces.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 (D365) was introduced as part of a digital transformation, to modernise IT systems, leverage cloud based Software as a Service (SaaS) applications for greater flexibility and future proof the scalability of solutions and data management for a dynamic business.

The Challenge

Glencore Technology’s sustainability is built on a passion to constantly evolve their products to solve burgeoning problems of valued clients. As an engineering projects organisation, continuous improvement is in all that they do to drive value to the customer throughout the asset lifecycle. When Senior Business Analyst Jo Hardie joined Glencore Technology, a digital transformation program was already underway.

“We had already started the journey to revamp our systems across the entire architecture. A lot of platforms were reaching end of support, and we were facing challenges with our incumbent on-premises systems. Gathering and combining business data from disparate systems was time-consuming, it could take days to pull together data for reporting.”

Among the roadblocks Glencore Technology identified was a CRM product no longer offering the depth of function now available in modern options, unable to sufficiently grow with the business. Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Power Platform were chosen as an alternative that promised a more intelligent and streamlined environment.

“As the business grew, a major drawcard was looking at automating business process between systems and departments, to get out of spreadsheets and email chains and streamline operations,” explained Hardie.

“This would expedite the turnaround time from a request for quotation, to receiving a purchase order and handover to the delivery part of the organisation.”

A key driver for the project was to ensure that valued resources were supported to work efficiently, using their skills and strengths to add value instead of becoming swamped with manual tasks.

It comes down to optimising your people; when everything is manual, the result is high value resources, performing low-value tasks. As an organisation grows, complexity increases, with more people performing tasks that keep operations running but don’t add significant value. We wanted our teams free to focus on high-value tasks so they could drive value to the business and our clients.

The manual processes were, said Hardie, more likely to lead to errors even from the most diligent employees, especially when working across multiple systems in a complex environment. D365 and Power Apps would give the opportunity for more accurate and real-time information, and Hardie knew that access to support and availability of expertise was crucial if Glencore Technology was to make the most of the opportunity.

“There was a preference for us to select a delivery partner within our local time zone . We knew we needed the support to be readily available when needed.”

IT Outcome

“Glencore Technology has had a longstanding relationship with Data#3, and as a premium partner of Microsoft – the accolades for Data#3 stand out for themselves. Working with the team is seamless, they are great people, the communication is fantastic at all levels, the delivery of their work and their support is phenomenal, and they have a willingness to help,” explained Hardie.

“Our organisation thrives on long-term partnerships, and with Data#3 there was a lot of alignment.”

The Glencore Technology team was keen to get true value from the D365 and Power Apps investment, and that meant tailoring it to align with the intricacies of the business. The process began with presales engineers closely examining the way the business operated and identifying the best way to proceed.

“We had presales meetings between both organisations to understand the problem and scope, identify any constraints, and discuss the desired outcomes for the project. When I joined, some time had lapsed since the initial project scoping, so it was important to ensure realignment with the team and to reaffirm the core deliverables,” said Hardie.

“Working with the Data#3 Project Manager, we established trust quickly in the project team, collaborating with SMEs on user requirements. Throughout the Software Development Lifecycle , Data#3 gave us guidance and support, in best practice delivery of agile software projects.”

The flexible approach of the Data#3 team and a willingness to work at Glencore Technology’s pace was important, given the organisation was juggling a number of demanding situations while prioritising the needs of clients.

“It was a challenging time for our organisation and the wider industry as we were still experiencing the impact of the pandemic and many of our people were working from home. We went through a fully remote build, rollout, and support. Glencore Technology was moving between offices, and we still managed the rollout with minimal issues.

“It really helped in our ongoing project that we had a technology stack that could be managed fully online, making it easy to support and work remotely. Interruptions during the pandemic delayed our new office fitout, which meant the rollout happened with our workforce working remotely full-time,” explained Hardie.

Despite working in unusual circumstances, Hardie felt the combined Data#3 and Glencore Technology team stepped up to the challenge. The close alignment and collaboration involved reinforced her assertion that a good cultural fit is crucial when choosing a technology partner, and the outcome reflected this.

“We enjoyed the end-to-end process from inception to delivery and seeing it come alive. Every sprint review was exciting as the concept came to fruition in front of our eyes. We have been able to automate a lot of processes, and power apps complimented our journey with Power BI where we are seeing benefits and synergies as we move more of our incumbent products to the Power platform environment. We have more seamless, integrated reporting.”

The experience of introducing D365 and Power Platform has changed the way the Glencore Technology team views its technology ecosystem, and this has helped to guide forward planning.

“Working with leaders in the IT industry, we have noticed a shift in the product trends of the industry. Previously you would buy a product off the shelf and it would have seven years of life before being replaced by another iteration or another product.

“Now, Software as a Service (SaaS) has continual improvement and features added, which is fantastic. It is great for a business like ours because it allows systems to be as adaptable as we need, and to grow and change with our business. It keeps continuity in our systems for employees, so the user interface isn’t changing as often,” said Hardie.

“We can take the approach of selecting software systems with integral alignment to our long term business strategy. It is a winning component of the platforms we have in place for the future.”

Business Outcome

While the technology rollout went smoothly despite the challenges faced, Hardie considered user adoption to be the true gauge of success.

“The adoption was good, with minimal disruption to business activities. That was a testament to the Data #3 team that it was a successful project. We seamlessly managed change with 150 users fully online.

With more processes becoming automated, the quality and timeliness of information has been especially notable. Hardie noted that even the most dedicated of staff can make the occasional typo, and human error is inevitably a factor when tasks are performed manually.

“Data cleanliness is a priority; when people had manual tasks in Microsoft Excel, there was greater potential for error. Now we have more automation, more checks in place to validate our data. The data integrity aspect is second to none, and reducing manual handling errors is so important. We avoid unnecessary double handling of work by pushing data between systems. We now have in real time reporting, we can track changes as they happen, which is invaluable.”

As Hardie’s team and the company’s growing user base gain in confidence, they continue to find ways to capitalise on the new environment.

“We’re receiving feedback that the tools are delivering productivity improvements and that positive impact provides intrinsic value for me. With change there is always some resistance but moving teams through these teething issues to full integration with the system that is the biggest success. It is easy to enjoy the process when you’re working with good people who are passionate about their work, it’s been a fantastic relationship with the Data #3 team.”

Throughout the Software Development Lifecycle , Data#3 gave us guidance and support, in best practice delivery of agile software projects.

Jo HardieSenior Business Analyst, Glencore Technology

Conclusion

While the streamlined processes and fast, accurate access to information have been well received, there has also been a profound effect on Glencore Technology’s ability to adapt to an ever-changing business landscape.

“This makes us so much more agile as a business. It frees people’s time from pulling together reports, spending more time on adding value for our clients and our strategic focus,” said Hardie.

Glencore Technology has already been building on the success, finding new ways to automate processes and free up time. The relationship with Data#3 has continued, and Hardie said that she feels reassured to know support is available when needed.

“Their strength is that they openly communicate with customers. Communication is 90% of the battle, and there were no issues in that area, they were ready to help at all levels of the organisation. Whether the support team or the senior leadership, we knew we could reach out and get professional advice. They have been generous with knowledge sharing in the space around emerging topics like AI, they always give us a chance to talk things through with technical experts. This ability to call on people with great talent and receive expert advice, is everything.”

While Glencore Technology is a highly regarded expert in its own area of technology, Hardie concluded that it is of utmost importance to focus on core business and introduce specialist partners to support ancillary business functions.

“This area of technology is not our bread and butter, and we don’t always have the right core competencies readily available in-house, so delivery through partners and strategic alliances is very important for us. The IT industry is evolving at such a pace that it’s hard to stay current on emerging trends and technologies, so having experts in this field and being able to get trusted advice is a wonderful part of the relationship with Data#3,” concluded Hardie.

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There’s a growing consensus that legacy security and network architectures are ill-equipped to keep up with the dynamic nature of modern distributed IT systems and users. This is why Secure Access Service Edge, or SASE, has emerged as the go-to solution for converging network and security capabilities, and securing dispersed and hybrid work environments.

However, implementing SASE architectures is often too complex for internal teams to tackle alone.

In this study, commissioned by Cisco, ESG Research identified six key challenges organisations face – or expect to face – when implementing SASE. Let’s take a look ESG’s key findings (ranked in order of importance) and see how consuming SASE as a managed service through an MSP like Data#3 can smooth the journey.

Challenge 1: Getting cross-functional agreement on a SASE strategy

How MSPs help: MSPs provide transparent communication, tailored solutions, and consensus-building across business units when devising and implementing a SASE strategy.

Before moving forward with SASE adoption, all stakeholders need to understand how the chosen strategy and its underlying decisions impact different facets of the business. Given that SASE often requires a tailored approach considering the organisation’s unique environment and challenges, rather than a one-size-fits-all solution, having proven expertise to shape the solution is an invaluable first step in this process. In our role as an MSP, Data#3 can outline how SASE implementation and management will address the organisation’s concerns and meet its objectives – ultimately providing transparency and assurance around strategy and alignment.

Entrusting the responsibility to a specialised team further alleviates any uncertainties about the technical capabilities needed to see the deployment through to completion.

Challenge 2: Migrating existing security policies

How MSPs help: Migrating existing security policies to a SASE framework calls for strategic vendor selection, comprehensive managed services, and a clear understanding of the broader security implications inherent in cloud-centric architectures.

Deploying SASE involves transitioning from static on-premises security controls to a unified cloud environment. This shift requires existing policies to be refined, and new ones to be developed in alignment with the SASE framework. Given the risks associated with migrating policies and the potential breadth of impact, it’s not surprising that organisations lack the confidence or internal expertise to execute effectively.

Adding to the dilemma is the fact that the effectiveness of policy migration largely depends on the chosen vendor. For example, Palo Alto Networks offers familiar firewall-centric approaches, while other vendors such as Cisco and Zscaler take a different approach that diverges from traditional firewall policies. So, in most cases, simply transplanting traditional firewall policies into the cloud will not work.

An MSP that understands the nuanced complexities of SASE and vendor offerings will deliver a far more holistic solution that goes beyond policy management. For example, at Data#3, we offer a differentiated approach by not only migrating and managing policies, but also providing incident management services, including incident detection, notification, and remediation assistance. Or if an organisation lacks the resources or expertise to establish a Security Operations Center (SOC), partnering with an MSP like Data#3 can serve as a valuable stepping-stone towards achieving SOC capabilities.

The takeaway here is that making use of the skills, knowledge, and experience of MSPs like Data#3 is the key to deploying tier 1 security solutions more effectively.

Challenge 3: Aligning with a zero-trust initiative

How MSPs help: MSPs guide organisations towards the adoption of zero-trust security, addressing the complexities of implementation and ongoing management while aligning policies with evolving threats and compliance requirements.

Boards, cyber insurance providers, and governments are all crying out for the adoption of zero-trust – and for good reason. But zero-trust is often misunderstood as a product rather than an architecture. In reality, zero-trust looks different for each organisation and should be adopted as a policy-based access approach, not a single vendor solution.

Implementing zero-trust security is hard. Doing it well is even harder. However, SASE as a managed service completes an important piece of the zero-trust puzzle. MSPs can help establish and oversee policies, guiding organisations towards the realisation of true zero-trust (remember, zero-trust is an ongoing journey rather than a one-time solution) with ongoing management and maintenance wrapped up in the service.

Challenge 4: Correlation of security and network data to avoid gaps and provide a single unified view

How MSPs help: MSPs deploy leading SASE solutions and back them up with continuous monitoring and rapid incident response, protecting against security threats around the clock.

Correlating security and network data, with the expertise needed to interpret various tools and datasets, enables the accurate assessment of risk and fosters a safer digital environment. However, navigating this terrain without seasoned experts increases risk. The multitude of disparate tools and data sources creates complexity, hindering the attainment of a comprehensive view and concealing vulnerabilities and potential security events.

Data#3 helps you adopt streamlined solutions that transcend traditional siloes and avoid these gaps. With right-fit SASE solutions in place, we can assess users’ activities and determine if they are venturing into potentially dangerous territories. Or we can offer management solutions that trigger incident reports for more proactive intervention. We also provide expert oversight and incident response capabilities, even during non-business hours. This proactive approach contrasts with other MSPs that may only notify of issues without providing an immediate expert response.

Challenge 5: Understanding when all cloud-based is the best choice

How MSPs help: MSPs can help you recognise and realise the benefits of consolidation, standardisation, and continuous updates offered by solutions like SASE.

With SASE, the control plane for users shifts to the cloud, consolidating potentially numerous firewalls and other perimeter security platforms into a single cloud-based interface. This is particularly helpful when it comes to simplifying policy management and ensuring consistency across the network. Instead of configuring multiple policies for each firewall, organisations can maintain a single policy that applies universally. Standardising policies like this is a big plus for compliance efforts, particularly when it comes to audits.

Consider also the “evergreen” nature of cloud-based solutions. They eliminate the need for manual patching, ensuring consistent access to the latest security features and updates. This uplifts security and reduces maintenance and operational costs while avoiding unplanned downtime through patching gone wrong.

Taking a DIY approach to replicating policies across multiple sites is not easy; we’ve seen many customers stumble when attempting it on their own. Relying on the expertise of MSPs to help you achieve an all-cloud-based solution will ensure a far more efficient implementation, seamless policy replication, and ongoing support for your cybersecurity infrastructure.

Challenge 6: Getting cross-functional agreement on SASE vendors

How MSPs help: MSPs support organisations to focus on the benefits of SASE without being bogged down by vendor selection choices.

While there is a relatively limited selection of traditional firewall solutions, the abundance of SASE solution options available in the market makes it hard to get cross-functional agreement. With several high-profile vendors gathering attention, and new vendor acquisitions seemingly every other week, you will want help selecting the right ones for your organisation.

Working with an MSP like Data#3 alleviates much of this decision-making burden. MSPs possess expertise across a wide range of solutions and are well-versed in simplifying the vendor selection and implementation process. They know the capabilities, functionality, and integrations you will need, and which solutions will deliver on your SASE strategy – all while taking into account your existing investments.

Get your SASE strategies right with Data#3

When it comes to Cisco solutions, Data#3’s capabilities are unmatched in Australia. We also appreciate that less tangible aspects like culture and approach are as important as technical expertise. Our customers trust us to deliver, and we prioritise earning and maintaining that trust – which is why we were awarded Cisco’s APJC Customer Experience Partner of the Year.

Get in touch with our team to explore the agility, security and cost benefits of Cisco’s SD-WAN and SASE technologies – supported by Data#3’s highly honed managed services.

July 11, 2024; Brisbane, Australia: Leading Australian technology services and solutions provider, Data#3, is proud to announce the ribbon-cutting and launch event of a new state-of-the-art Security Operations Centre (SOC) located at the Data#3 Head Office based in Brisbane.

This new service is powered by SecurityHQ, an esteemed global cyber security company and a renowned international SOC provider, exemplifying the pinnacle of cyber security excellence. Together, SecurityHQ and Data#3 demonstrate a joint commitment to delivering unparalleled security solutions that meet the highest standards of data protection and sovereignty.

Brad Colledge, CEO and Managing Director of Data#3 expressed his enthusiasm for the new facility: “The opening of this SOC marks a significant milestone in our journey to provide unparalleled security services to our customers. Security remains the top priority for business and technology leaders, and with the ever-increasing threat landscape, this facility is another strategic investment towards alleviating the burden on IT teams. It allows them to focus on transformation projects and shaping their digital future.”

Richard Dornhart, National Security Practice Manager at Data#3, added: “Organisations today must balance limited resources with the relentless pace of market disruption. Our Managed SOC services represent a competitive advantage for our customers, driving digital transformation without distractions. We see this as an opportunity to help our customers improve service delivery, increase agility, and extend service coverage, all while significantly reducing ICT risk.”

“The unveiling of the new next-generation SOC is a testament to the strong partnership between SecurityHQ and Data#3, and underscores each of our commitment to serving as an extension of our Australian and Queensland customers’ IT and Security teams. Together, we help provide the essential elements these teams need to protect their organisations – time and insights. SecurityHQ already provides a 62% lower noise-to-signal ratio than leading competitors, and this further investment will only help to increase this gap in the region,” said Feras Tappuni, CEO at SecurityHQ.

“The presence of SecurityHQ representatives at this momentous occasion underscores the importance of this collaboration to provide a service that meets the specific needs of Australian businesses. We are excited to open this SOC and bring such a valuable service to Queensland and Australia,” concluded Dornhart.

Data#3’s Managed Cyber Security services deliver relentless protection, swiftly identifying and mitigating security incidents around the clock, with 24/7 threat monitoring, detection, and response. Data#3 has one of the most mature and highly accredited security teams in Australia. By leveraging its expert cyber security specialists, and trusted partner SecurityHQ, the team deliver unparalleled visibility and protection against cyber threats.

June 27, 2024; Brisbane, Australia: Leading Australian technology services and solutions provider, Data#3, is proud to announce that it has been named as the winner of the 2024 Worldwide Surface Reseller Partner of the Year Award, for the second consecutive year.

Data#3 today announced it has won Surface Reseller 2024 Microsoft Partner of the Year Award. The company was honoured among a global field of top Microsoft partners for demonstrating excellence in innovation and implementation of customer solutions based on Microsoft technology.

“Data#3 is thrilled to take home this highly esteemed global Microsoft recognition. This accolade reflects our deep commitment to delivering innovative, transformative customer solutions from Surface to cloud with Microsoft technology,” said Brad Colledge, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at Data#3.

“Our close collaboration with Microsoft is evident through our significant investments in Microsoft capability, reflecting our longstanding relationship and aligned strategies. For example, our participation as a select few in the Early Access Program (EAP) for Microsoft 365 (M365) Copilot represents our ongoing commitment to ensuring our customers can utilise cutting-edge technology and insights to help deliver their digital future.”

Data#3 National Practice Manager for Microsoft, Scott Gosling, commented, “We are honoured to receive a global Surface accolade for the second year in a row. This is truly a testament to our collaborative efforts with Microsoft and our shared vision for the modern workplace.”

He added, “Our experience in the EAP positions Data#3 as a model for the modern workplace, enabling us to provide customers with informed advice and robust business cases for integrating Surface with AI. We’re already witnessing how the integration of Surface devices with AI is enhancing operations across various industries, including healthcare, education, and energy. As we celebrate this recognition, we’re excited to continue our collaboration with Microsoft, driving technological innovation and helping our customers achieve exceptional outcomes.”

The Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards recognise Microsoft partners that have developed and delivered outstanding Microsoft Cloud applications, services, devices, and AI innovation during the past year. Awards were classified in various categories, with honourees chosen from more than 4,700 nominations from more than 100 countries. Data#3 was recognised for providing outstanding solutions and services in Australia.

The Worldwide Microsoft Surface Reseller Partner of the Year Award recognised Data#3 for demonstrating outstanding leadership, and for providing superior Microsoft Surface solutions and services to customers.

“Congratulations to the winners and finalists of the 2024 Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards!” said Nicole Dezen, Chief Partner Officer and Corporate Vice President at Microsoft. “The momentum generated by numerous AI and Copilot announcements this year fuelled innovation from our partners, enabling groundbreaking services and solutions to customers. I am inspired by the capability and creativity in our partner ecosystem and this year’s winners beautifully demonstrate the best of what’s possible with AI and the Microsoft Cloud.”

The 2024 Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards are announced ahead of MCAPS Start for Partners, our digital event on July 10th and 11th. Partners will receive recognition at MCAPS Start for Partners ahead of in person celebrations during the week of Microsoft Ignite in November. Additional details on the 2024 awards are available on the Microsoft Partner blog: https://aka.ms/POTYA2024_announcement. The complete list of categories, winners and finalists can be found at https://aka.ms/2024POTYAWinnersFinalists.

With many years of experience providing devices to government and business customers, Data#3 has developed quality assured processes, ensures the best device turnaround so customers have the devices they need, when they need them. Its large team of supply chain and logistics specialists, working across three states, are dedicated to making sure customer devices arrive on-time and ready to just switch on and go.

Morgans empowers a future-ready workforce with IT managed services from Data#3

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Objective

Morgans needed to enhance its IT services to better support its people 24/7, by progressing to a hybrid working environment, and improving its procurement and management services.

Approach

The in-house team evaluated multiple providers and performed reviews in line with their policies to deliver a series of projects for digital transformation. Morgans selected Data#3 due to its previous relationship, demonstrable experience and shared culture.

IT Outcome

Business Outcome

We wanted the way we were interacting to feel like our partner was just an extension of our internal resources, and for it to feel organic as we moved to a partnership model for managed services, so Data#3 was a natural fit.

Matt NeubauerCIO, Morgans Financial Limited

The Background

Morgans is a full-service stockbroking and wealth management network, with over 500 authorised representatives and 950+ staff servicing more than 240,000 clients across Australia.

With technology playing an ever-growing role in the organisation, Morgans needed a true partner that would help them to harness their full potential. They wanted to work with someone they could trust to handle the day-to-day, while they focused on business growth activities.

The Challenge

From modernising and improving efficiency to providing new services, the IT team at Morgans is on a continuous quest to fulfil its role as a business enabler. For CIO, Matt Neubauer, it is important that while overcoming the everyday challenges of managing IT, that they could also see the big picture and recognise progress.

“When we first worked with Data#3 some five years ago, we were running Lotus Notes, we were developing systems in-house, we had a data centre four times the size we see today. It was very much an internal cloud environment, and cloud wasn’t a thing then.”

Rather than source technology partners for every individual project, something that would lack continuity and potentially drain time and attention, Neubauer was keen to develop a more enduring relationship. Although the right technical capability was a given, it was clear that an IT provider needed to be a strong cultural match, and to mesh well with Morgans.

“We were reliant on the skills, expertise and advice of our IT partner, and we needed them to play a role in guiding our direction from a technology perspective. Technology is a never-ending story: by the time you have finished one thing, you are already looking at something else, so it is a fast-moving space. You need to have access to trusted advice.”

As the role of IT grew and evolved in the business, and users’ needs went beyond the traditional 9-5 workday, the role of the in-house IT team adjusted to match. Rather than simply add out of hours support, Neubauer evaluated how to best use the strengths of his own team, while ensuring that the day-to-day operations were covered.

“When we were looking at our capability at that point, we decided as a business what was our strategic direction and where to invest our time, funds and resources. We decided that our internal focus should be where we can differentiate, and looked at the things we could do very well that were unique to Morgans.

“When it came to managing our data, network and servers, we looked at using a partner we could trust that not only had the capability, but also the flexibility to scale when needed.”

The IT skills shortage added weight to the decision to seek a managed services solution to fit the Morgans business environment. While 76 percent of Australian businesses are looking to hire skilled IT staff in 2024, half are finding themselves having to outsource overseas, with cyber security leading the hard-to-fill areas of expertise.

“We looked at the times we needed to cover, and we would have had to double our team to facilitate it, because we can’t cover both out of hours and business hours. We were not willing to compromise on keeping it onshore.

“We wanted all of the capabilities and resources to fit, we needed data sovereignty to remain in Australia, and we wanted company culture that matched ours. We wanted the way we were interacting to feel like our partner was just an extension of our internal resources, and for it to feel organic as we moved to a partnership model for managed services, so Data#3 was a natural fit,” explained Neubauer.

The Outcome

Morgans has significantly benefited from Data#3’s expertise across several business transformation projects, incorporating a suite of technology from Cisco, Microsoft, and Veritas to better support the hybrid workplace.

Leveraging the depth of knowledge and experience within this partnership, the strength and value of their relationship have become evidently invaluable. From migrating to Microsoft 365 and implementing Windows 10 to deployment of a Cisco Meraki SD-WAN and adoption of Microsoft Surface devices, the in-house IT team and Data#3 teams have worked shoulder to shoulder towards common goals.

“This gave us confidence when we were proposing a managed services partnership. We have similar values, and we are both Queensland based, so there is a lot of alignment there. The board felt very comfortable using Data#3 as a partner because they had already shown we would be in safe hands,” recalled Neubauer.

The transition to a managed services model was a process that Neubauer felt required experience and a well-designed process. As it was, the collaborative approach and tested Data#3 methodology meant that for most of the business, the managed services handover was a non-event.

“With each new development in our technology journey, it was as if the business didn’t know anything had changed. Someone working in one of the branches would be none the wiser. That was exactly what we hoped for – it is like when you turn on the tap and there is no hot water, you might curse the plumber, but you don’t thank them for every day it works perfectly. It is the same with IT, it is when something is wrong that you hear about it, so when it is quiet, we are happy.”

For the in-house IT team, though, Neubauer noted there were some more noticeable outcomes, including reduced stress and more time to focus on high value business enhancement activities.

“The biggest measurable difference was a reduction in incidents, especially those caused by patching limitations. These often crop up out of hours, and with the size of our team, we didn’t have people looking at patching on weekends and early mornings. Data#3 flags those things as they occur and by the time we walk in, most are already remediated.”

“It is great to avoid that Monday morning firefighting, because that sets the tone and used to consume time. Which also meant our people sometimes had to wait to access systems they needed to do their jobs.”

Amidst an increasingly complex cyber security landscape and facing ever more sophisticated threats, this important security measure was among the improvements that Neubauer was clear should not be underestimated. Central to the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) Essential Eight measures, prompt patching greatly reduces vulnerabilities and cuts the window of opportunity for cyber criminals.

“It is becoming critical really in terms of the breaches we are seeing in different vertices, and once again we are very comfortable with Data#3’s security posture and the investment they are making to protect their customers’ data.”

Procurement, too, is an area where the Morgans team has welcomed Data#3’s expertise. Having access to a wealth of specialists has helped to make sure that investments are well planned and that the financial business can get the best return for its technology spend.

“We do our own research and keep a finger on the pulse of what’s happening in the market, but it is so fast moving that we can’t be across it all. Another value that Data#3 has given is that they are a large business with specialists in different vertices, so we can engage and get them to do a market scan, or to do research on our behalf. We have done this a number of times when we have not known the solution but can articulate what we need to achieve,” said Neubauer.

“Then, when we have worked out the right outcome, they work with a range of vendors, and can negotiate to get us the best return on investment and manage our assets efficiently.”

For me, Data#3 is the epitome of the concept of a trusted partner. They are always someone we can call when we are looking at the next stage of growth, or when facing an emerging challenge. They will put Morgans first, give us sound advice, and recommend the appropriate path for us.

Matt NeubauerCIO, Morgans Financial Limited

Conclusion

To get the optimal outcome from an ongoing relationship, especially in a managed services scenario, Neubauer said that a true partnership is necessary. That, to him, means feeling that they want Morgans to achieve a successful outcome just as much as he does, and will place that above their short-term goals.

“For me, Data#3 is the epitome of the concept of a trusted partner. They are always someone we can call when we are looking at the next stage of growth, or when facing an emerging challenge. They will put Morgans first, give us sound advice, and recommend the appropriate path for us.”

On occasion, that approach has meant that Data#3 has sometimes chosen not to take on a project, instead connecting Morgans with their extensive network of technology partners.

“There have been some instances where we haven’t used them based on the advice they have given. For example, when we have been working on a technical solution that isn’t one of their strengths or in their wheelhouse, our account manager will call out that it isn’t one of their specialities and will recommend a partner with the right specialised skills for the project. There are a lot of vendors who are keen to get whatever business they can, even if outside their skillset, which leads to subpar results.

“If Data#3 is engaging on a project, they won’t accept anything below an excellent outcome, what they commit to achieving, they will make good on that commitment.”

The true test of a partnership, concluded Neubauer, is knowing that you have an extended team of resources that are every bit as much there for you in difficult moments as they are to share in your successes.

“Data#3’s strength boils down to the definition of a solid partner, someone that you can call when things don’t go well and they’ll pick up the phone, they’ll be in your corner to make things right with a mutually agreeable outcome. They will go to bat for you.”

“Our Data#3 Account Manager has been on some internal calls for Morgans looking out for Morgans’ interests even if they are not necessarily of benefit to Data#3. They are collaborative, transparent, and they tell things as they are,” concluded Neubauer.

Download Customer Story Explore our range of Managed Services

At Data#3, our core purpose is to enable customer success through a company-wide strategic approach to customer experience. By aligning with world-leading vendor partners like Cisco, we enhance our ability to guide customers confidently through their technology journey, establishing a solid foundation to future-proof their digital transformation.

In this video, John Tan (Data#3 Chief Customer Officer), David Impellizzeri (Data#3 Customer Success Team Lead), and Emma Crome (Cisco Success Programs Manager) sit down to discuss how our partnership with Cisco helps drive successful outcomes for our customers. 

At Data#3, our partnership with Cisco is built on a strong foundation, allowing us to deliver top-notch connectivity and security platforms that enhance user experiences. Cisco’s focus on forming enduring partnerships aligns seamlessly with our approach, enabling us to understand our customers’ needs and offer solutions that lead to their success.

MercyCare enhances security posture with 24/7 managed soc from Data#3 and SecurityHQ

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Objective

With an increasingly challenging cyber landscape, MercyCare sought to enhance their risk mitigation and response capabilities by accessing expertise and 24/7 monitoring services.

Approach

Following an audit that recommended upgrades to their cyber security strategy, MercyCare sought to find a partner with the right level of expertise who could help improve their security posture.

IT Outcome

Business Outcome

Data#3 has a team of technicians with a strong focus on new technology trends. By combining Data#3’s expertise with SecurityHQ’s service, we felt confident that we would be able to adopt a more proactive approach towards organisational security.

Armin AdinehManager – Information Technology, Business Services & Systems, MercyCare

The Background

MercyCare supports the Western Australian community, providing services ranging from early childhood settings to aged care. Their 1,400+ staff are dedicated to providing quality care and support to Western Australians through every stage of life’s journey.

The small, busy IT team at MercyCare is acutely aware of the sensitive nature of the organisation’s data, and the need to be proactive in taking steps to ensure it is well protected. An external audit confirmed that it was time to seek additional security expertise.

The Challenge

The security landscape is fast-changing. With the number of Australian organisations affected doubling in the two years to June 2022, the small, busy IT team at MercyCare, led by Armin Adineh, Manager – Information Technology, Business Services and Systems, said it was essential to take a proactive approach.

“We were a new team, and the growing risk of cyber security incidents locally had caught our attention. We were concerned about the impact an incident could have on our ability to provide care for our clients and service users, and we knew we didn’t have sufficient visibility of the network to ensure we were protected. This was compounded by a lack of documentation and understanding of our network. For us, the main thing was knowing what was happening in our systems, identifying vulnerabilities and prioritising them based on risk and impact.”

The IT team was conscious of its responsibility to some of the state’s most vulnerable; MercyCare handles personal and health-related information relating to clients, as well as staff records and financial information. The organisation also have a policy that all data must reside in Australia.

“Security is especially important because we handle a lot of personal information about clients, service users and members of our workforce. We are committed to providing the best care and support to our clients, families and communities. To do this, we need to take all necessary steps to keep information secure and operate in line with corporate compliance standards.

“From a risk point of view, if there were ever a breach, there is potential for financial and reputational damage for our organisation, but it could also have an impact on our clients and families.”

Among the challenges that Armin’s team identified was the need for round-the-clock monitoring and response from a skilled workforce. That simply wasn’t feasible given the resources available in-house. The number of alerts on any day was enormous.

“We were getting over a million security logs in a month. The task of correlating this together, and separating false positives from identified vulnerabilities, was huge, and we could not have maintained that effort at the same time as managing business as usual activities with a limited budget, it would put an unprecedented amount of pressure on our team,” explained Armin.

“Due to budgets and also other aspects of a tough market, we felt we couldn’t have the solution in-house, and we started looking at a security operations centre (SOC). If we went with a solution in-house, we would have to have at least two people to cover leave, and then what are you going to do after hours? Our adversaries won’t stop attacking after hours or because it is Christmas.”

To ensure that appropriate choices were made around possible solutions, and gain a complete picture of the situation, MercyCare invested in an independent security audit. This confirmed that external expertise was needed.

“The audit showed that we needed to have a security team to review and maintain our environment. Based on our assessed requirements and resources, the consultants with the auditors identified that a SOC was the right way to go.”

IT Outcome

Using the audit recommendations as a starting point, MercyCare narrowed down their requirements for a SOC partner. After a careful evaluation, they chose to work with Data#3 and their SOC partner, SecurityHQ, who they felt had the right combination of technical capability and culture to support MercyCare’s aims.

“Our focus was on three pillars: people, policies and risk. We wanted to promote cyber awareness to our people, to our executives, and bring them on a journey,” said Armin.

After careful consideration, MercyCare opted for a service that included 24/7 support from the SecurityHQ SOC, including incident response support when needed. Included in the project were regular reporting, and frequent catch-ups with a dedicated, locally-based Data#3 customer experience manager. More detailed planning commenced to prepare for implementation, via a series of workshops and meetings.

“We created a roadmap to use as a foundation for a very constructive methodology to capture all assets and prioritise vulnerability based on assessed risks. We had high-level staff on board, with our technical staff working in close collaboration with Data#3 and SecurityHQ. The most important thing was enhancing cyber awareness within our organisation, and establishing robust policies and procedures to maintain security within acceptable risk appetite.in place. Technology was the final touch, much like the icing on the cake.”

“It was a comprehensive workshop that identified what we had, and asking at first how we can capture all alerts. We have many devices in our network including routers, computers, mobiles, etc. and we had to figure out how to send all logs to the SOC and establish secure connectivity for that.”

The preparation phase included troubleshooting and cleansing the MercyCare environment, and adjusting controls to ensure that alerts were triaged and dealt with appropriately according to pre-defined rules. These rules were then fine-tuned when the system went live.

“The first month was hectic with alerts for nearly everything. We communicated to the SOC team that certain alerts, like password changes by our IT team, didn’t require high-priority escalation and should be toned down. The decision to receive alerts for any event and how to handle them internally was ours.”

MercyCare’s need for transparency was met by the SecurityHQ response platform and APP, which gives them complete, real-time visibility of the current situation and any actions by the SOC team. The team can log in from anywhere and see trends, active incidents, and even the SOC engineers’ notes. Incidents are dealt with by the SOC team, and the MercyCare team is only called when more critical events occur.

“It is very collaborative, with meetings every week with the SOC team where we go through everything happening on the network. As an IT manager, I know that at the end of the week, we have monitoring, and all incidents are reviewed by a team of professionals in a way that could never have happened in-house. I know that if someone is on leave, another qualified specialist is doing that job, and when they come into our meetings, I can see that the handover was done perfectly.”

Business Outcome

From the start of MercyCare’s path to introducing a SOC solution, Armin has been clear that cyber security must become a more prominent part of the organisation’s culture. Management support of the independent security audit, and subsequent support from Data#3 and SecurityHQ, have contributed to progress.

“To me, I was struggling to raise awareness, so telling the business how important this was, and bringing them on the journey, really has helped. I had important discussions with management about what we were doing, and we were able to make data-driven decisions. Now, we are more security aware right from the top level, which is a great achievement.”

With the SOC taking on the day-to-day security monitoring and response, Armin’s team no longer has to look through thousands of logs, trying to identify genuine risks among the mass of benign occurrences.

“Feeling that someone was taking care of securing the network properly was the main achievement. We have a defined process in place. Also, our audit outcome went up significantly this year, which gave us reassurance that we were on the right track.”

“The trust is coming back to our IT department which signals that we are doing the right thing, and it is a positive outcome when a third-party auditor comes in and confirms that. That’s when you see the value of our investment.”

The original aim of improving protection of staff and clients has been achieved now that Armin  is satisfied that the  people awareness, processes and risk management are in place. Not only does investment in security reduce risk to the organisation and help maintain its trusted status, he said it has also changed the game for the MercyCare IT team.

“Putting aside risk and reputation, the SOC gives us peace of mind that a successful, professional team is going to manage that big job 24/7, which frees our time to put more effort into business-as-usual support. Having that peace of mind is very important. We went from reactive to proactive.”

A very important element of the outcome was peace of mind, but I wasn’t expecting to be connected with a team of professionals with this level of friendliness and support.

Armin AdinehManager – Information Technology, Business Services & Systems, MercyCare

When researching potential SOC providers early in the project, Armin found that there were “different types” available, and said that the decision came down not only to technology and cost but also the right attitude and approach to working together.

“We had companies that provided similar services, with Data#3 there was competitive pricing, which helped. Also, what connected us with Data#3, and their partnership with SecurityHQ was that they didn’t talk only about what they could provide in terms of technology, they connected with our values and how they could provide services that help us to achieve our goals. Our values connected from both technology and non-technology points of view.”

This approach meant that MercyCare had access to resources and support beyond expectations, with an extended team ready to act on the usual day-to-day issues that arise in a busy IT environment.

“We knew they have a very competent team to help us with other aspects. If, for example, we have an issue with our cloud infrastructure, and I don’t have a resource, I know that the Data#3 team can help me with expert resources to solve the issue,” explained Armin.

“A very important element of the outcome was peace of mind, but I wasn’t expecting to be connected with a team of professionals with this level of friendliness and support.”

Part of the role of the SOC team is to help MercyCare to always improve their security posture, providing a roadmap and prioritising every action. Armin said that knowing there is a dedicated focus means he can sustain momentum.

“In every meeting, we assess the priorities. A good thing about the security team is that they follow you to make sure you are managing the risks. I find that they don’t ever forget, and that’s a good characteristic to have in a security team,” concluded Armin.

Download Customer Story Learn more about security managed services

We expect a lot from our networks – they must support hybrid work and cloud-centric models, stay on top of fast-moving cybersecurity threats, and provide automation capabilities for real-time network insights. It’s no easy feat when adding in the complexities of multiple sites, meeting compliance standards, and monitoring a range of technologies from multiple vendors.

In this environment, SD-WAN emerged as a transformative solution. It simplifies management while opening up a diverse range of cost-effective carriage options that boost reliability, operational efficiency and performance.

Named the most disruptive technology back in 2019, SD-WAN has since matured to become a priority for businesses of all sizes. IDC predicts the SD-WAN market will reach $7.5 billion with a Compound Annual Growth Rate of 10.1% by 2027. This level of uptake is largely attributed to its strategic response to a landscape marked by digital transformation, flexible working models and emerging cyber security threats, making it the foundation for modern networking.

Then, as the need for Zero Trust access and robust cloud security grew alongside the demand for secure connectivity for remote workers, Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) emerged. This network architecture brings together SD-WAN with essential security services – secure web access gateway (SWG), cloud access security broker (CASB), zero trust network access (ZTNA), and firewall-as-a-service (FWaaS) – into a single, cloud-delivered service model.

With technology, talent, and security risks colliding, the burden on internal IT teams has intensified, often stretching resources – and leading to challenges in implementing SD-WAN and SASE for many organisations.

We’ve seen this scenario play out more and more over the last few years, with capital expenditure constraints that limit how comprehensively these deployments are rolled out, leading to compromises in levels of security and performance. For this reason, we chose to add two new managed services to our extensive managed IT services portfolio.

The business case for managed services

Outsourcing to specialists equipped to handle the multifaceted nature of today’s networks eases the pressure on in-house teams. Evolving from managed IT services of the past, these new partnership models allow Data#3 to operate as an extension of your business, bringing in expertise, proactive knowledge of emerging risks, advanced tools and proven architectures that might typically be out of reach or too costly to implement internally. Our rapid speed to market, fast ROI and predictable monthly pricing model make these services financially appealing, too.

Our managed services portfolio has grown organically to meet the evolving needs of our customers’ in the last 45 years. Our managed services stack includes:

We see first-hand how transformational the transition to managed services can be. Our customers can quickly shift their focus from day-to-day network management to more strategic initiatives. They can move from a reactive stance to a proactive, strategic approach where IT becomes a business enabler rather than just a maintenance unit.

This is why we’ve levelled up our managed services offerings further with these two paradigm-shifting services.

Managed SD-WAN, powered by Cisco Meraki

Data#3’s Managed SD-WAN is ideal for organisations looking to improve overall network performance and security across branch offices, remote locations, and cloud environments. Key benefits include:

To learn more about the service inclusions, visit Managed SD-WAN.

Managed Secure Edge Access, powered by Cisco SASE

Managed Secure Edge Access is your answer to better application performance and reliability, consistent security, deeper visibility and control of users, data and apps. It’s a great fit for securing dispersed and hybrid work environments.

To learn more about the service inclusions, visit Managed Secure Edge Access.

What’s included in Data#3’s new managed services?

At Data#3, we have packaged all the ingredients of the SASE and SD-WAN recipes and paired them with predictable, subscription-based pricing at a predetermined per-user or per-site monthly fee.

Each managed service is a flexible, efficient, and outcome-focused network solution tailor-made for your various operational needs. Both are structured around our extensive experience completing hundreds of deployments and Cisco’s best practices.

Managed SD-WAN includes full planning, design and implementation along with device hardware, software licensing, maintenance, dashboards and reporting with options to include fibre, 5G, and satellite carriage. You can also choose from pre-built reference architectures or work with us to architect a more tailored solution. All solutions are up and running in a matter of weeks and carefully designed to achieve your outcomes over set periods of time.

Managed Secure Edge Access includes full planning, design and implementation as well as software licensing, ongoing management and maintenance, dashboards and reporting with the option of Zero Trust Network Access and multifactor authentication. You can also select your user types and quantity, pick the services that interest you, and discuss with us how SASE can serve as that critical step towards a Zero Trust Network Architecture.

Get your SASE or SD-WAN strategies right with Data#3

When it comes to Cisco solutions Data#3 capabilities are unmatched in Australia. We also appreciate that less tangible aspects like culture and approach are equally important as technical expertise. Our customers trust us to deliver, and we prioritise earning and maintaining that trust, which is why we were awarded Cisco’s APJC Customer Experience Partner of the Year.

Get in touch with our team to explore the agility, security and cost benefits of Cisco’s SD-WAN and SASE technologies – supported by Data#3’s highly honed managed services.

Reserve Bank of Fiji invests in security solution for the future

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Objective

The Reserve Bank of Fiji wished to improve its security posture for better protection against increasingly sophisticated cyber security threats.

Approach

A selective tender issued, inviting a shortlist of IT partners with high-level security capabilities to submit a proposal. Data#3 was selected based on their high-quality, globally backed proposal, along with Fiji-based expertise and support.

Business Outcome

IT Outcome

We now have assurance that someone who is equipped with the right technical skills looking at things we may miss, enabling our bank to achieve increased visibility, global threat intelligence, and an improved cyber security posture.

Ariff AliGovernor for Reserve Bank of Fiji

The Background

As the central bank of the Republic of Fiji, the Reserve Bank of Fiji’s (RBF) functions include issuing currency and promoting monetary and financial stability in the economy, while providing policy advice and financial services to the government.

While the growing threat to the landscape has become increasingly challenging worldwide, several high-profile security incidents has highlighted the increased focus by cyber criminals within the Pacific region. For the RBF, limited visibility and a lack of specialised resources has made implanting effective security measures a challenge.

The Challenge

The RBF relies on a small, busy IT team to provide the tools that it needs to function. As the critical area of security has become more complex, specialist skills not available in-house were needed 24/7. For Manager Cybersecurity & Innovation, Rajnesh Chand, introducing a security operations centre (SOC) was a logical step.

“We knew we wanted to have a SOC solution in place, we knew how important it was. We had a vision, and initially we took it on in-house and put a solution together, and tried to get a sense of what having a SOC means. From this experience, we realised that it takes much more than a few security personnel to manage a SOC, given other priority security areas.”

External factors necessitated the need to raise the bar of expectations. The onset of the global pandemic increased the number of employees working remotely, which saw an increase in cyber security incidents in the region.

“There were other things that COVID-19 brought, especially security concerns, and we started to see breaches closer to home. These factors made us look outward for help, and we wanted to make it a less painful, more enriching experience,” recounted Chand.

“We knew there were SOC services available, and it made sense to change our approach to consider something managed for the extra support. With service organisations, they have the set-up, and the experience of implementing security solutions for longer than we had, so we knew we could reap the benefits of that experience.”

With the global skilled labour shortage, especially in experienced security specialists, implementing the right SOC choice would create opportunity for RBF’s IT team to develop its knowledge through a transfer of skills.

The current solution in place did not give the RBF the visibility and confidence about to focus attention where it was most needed, and with their analysis process still largely manual, more was needed if the RBF was to narrow down to the right datasets.

The Solution

Data#3 proposed a solution in partnership with global managed security service provider, SecurityHQ, that featured 24/7 SOC support and availability, with  built in incident response. Service and management of the solution were included, which featured a Data#3 Customer Experience Manager, in conjunction with the Fiji-based Data#3 team. Chand said that this combination of local service and global expertise gave him assurance that the RBF was in safe hands.

“First, we knew they had the capability. We knew the partnerships that Data#3 has, because we had already been long-term customers for our Microsoft licensing. We had been to some of their JuiceIT events, so we had exposure to their experts, and they have a local presence in Fiji as well, so there is knowledgeable support we can reach out to locally,” explained Chand.

During the tender phase, Data#3 and SecurityHQ presented their proposal in detail, taking time to gather information at every stage, and this attention to detail helped to prepare for the SOC for implementation.

“They really made us understand what the solution entails, how we could consume that service, and what we could expect. They showed us how they would set up the SOC, and what it would look like in reality, and that really stood out to us,” described Chand.

The combination of advance information gathering, and the work that the RBF had already done in their initial venture into trialling a SOC, helped ensure an easy onboarding process. Detailed instructions were provided on how to onboard, along with a knowledge log of how everything works.

“I think the first ten days we went through a learning phase, trying to understand what we should classify as a major alert. It was a good experience and gave us instant transparency in terms of things we may not have otherwise viewed as a threat. We introduced more rules to reduce false positives, and now we have a SOC that gives us visibility across all layers of security,” stated Chand.

During this period, the RBF team was able to experience first-hand what it was like to have a global team of security specialists monitoring their environment round the clock.

“Any analyst working on our system knows what to do with alerts and how to classify it according to our own business. Personally, it feels like having a light switch from zero to hero overnight,” said Chand.

As a part of the solution, the RBF conducts weekly meetings with Data#3 and SecurityHQ. These are attended by RBF’s IT team as well as the bank’s executive risk management team, and other business leaders where needed. This reflects the commitment by the leadership of the RBF to better understand and manage cyber risk.

Aside from the meetings, weekly and monthly reports that show incidents are generated and submitted to the team. The risk team also receives notifications of incidents. The managed SOC solution frees up time for the team to focus on other operational priorities, knowing that someone is constantly monitoring security.

“Having the managed SOC in place allowed the IT team to prioritise its focus on other areas, necessitated by the level of our security posture. Without the SOC in place, our IT team would need to work outside of business hours, always ensuring the phone is close by to make sure no warnings or suspicious activity were missed. Now, getting a call means it is a big issue, while anything else can wait for office hours. That has made it easier to sleep at night.”

The security measures and controls the Reserve Bank has put in place have improved our posture and given us visibility and insight into any security concerns in real-time.

Susan KumarChief Manager Currency and Corporate Services, Reserve Bank of Fiji.

The RBF has a mandate to supervise licensed financial institutions, and provide guidance on key issues including cyber security.

Governor for RBF, Ariff Ali, commended the team on achieving the compliance expected and reiterated the assurance afforded to the RBF team, now that they have the extra support from Data#3 and SecurityHQ.

“The security measures and controls the Reserve Bank has put in place have improved our posture and given us visibility and insight into any security concerns in real-time. This comfort allows the IT team to provide that advice previously absent with in-house support,” highlighted Susan Kumar, Chief Manager Currency and Corporate Services, Reserve Bank of Fiji.

“Because Data#3 has a local presence, we are able to have easy access to their services, while SecurityHQ offers us expertise in security. In addition, having a local relationship with Data#3 has provided great comfort to the RBF given its usual conservative stance with outsourcing,” said Kumar.

“The people there make a real difference – they have experience and expertise in technology across a wide client base, and are familiar with most of our challenges,” added Chand.

“When looking back at the progress already achieved, seeking specialist external skills through the managed SOC was a “no brainer”, as the reach of the service went far beyond anything that could have been reasonably achieved with the small internal team.”

In his reflection, Chand says, “coming across another Data#3 customer case study a few years back, I wondered whether we would ever have such a use case that we could publish and feel proud of as an institution. Now, we are in a good place, and we are proud of what we have achieved it.”

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