CheckPoint Software > Case Studies > Revamping Security Infrastructure for Southern Housing Group

Revamping Security Infrastructure for Southern Housing Group

Technology Category

Networks & Connectivity - Routers & Bridges
Platform as a Service (PaaS) - Application Development Platforms

Applicable Industries

National Security & Defense
Telecommunications

Applicable Functions

Product Research & Development

Use Cases

Inventory Management
Tamper Detection

About The Customer

Southern Housing Group is a not-for-profit housing association that provides good-quality, affordable housing to 35,000 people in southeast England. Founded in 1901, the Group owns and manages over 19,000 properties for rent, leasehold, and low-cost home ownership. It works in partnership with 50 local authorities and supports property regeneration projects, community development programs, and new construction to address the area’s housing crisis. The Group has undertaken several innovative projects, including transforming an historic military factory into an award-winning riverside community of 1,200 homes and collaborating with renowned architect Frank Gehry on a futuristic, seafront development of 500 homes.

The Challenge

Southern Housing Group, a not-for-profit housing association in southeast England, was facing a persistent security problem. The organization, which has an extensive network of remote offices, was struggling with security management despite outsourcing it. Viruses and other intrusions were affecting network performance and user productivity. The Group's network included a head office, an operational center, four regional offices, and approximately 60 estate offices and temporary on-site project management offices. The number of remote locations fluctuated as projects were started and completed. The Group had a cost-effective site-to-site IP virtual private network (VPN) connecting all the locations. However, the dynamic environment and the extensive network made security management a significant challenge.

The Solution

Centric Networks, a provider of network and security management services, designed a flexible, scalable solution for Southern Housing Group based on Check Point VPN-1 Pro software. This software is an integrated firewall and VPN gateway that provides comprehensive security and remote connectivity to applications and network resources. The Group's estate offices were linked securely to the head office network through a Check Point firewall over a VPN. The solution also included the use of Check Point Safe@Office at the remote offices, plugged in between the office network and the Internet. Security policies and updates were managed centrally by Centric Networks, ensuring consistency and currency. The solution allowed new offices to be up and ready for secure communications within 10 minutes of plugging in the appliance.

Operational Impact

The implementation of the Check Point solution by Centric Networks has resulted in a more robust and reliable security infrastructure for Southern Housing Group. The Group now enjoys a high level of security at a reasonable cost, with the solution providing stress-free security. The solution has also led to lower telecommunications costs, faster throughput and user authentication, and more reliable Internet access. As a result, the Group has been able to focus more on its core mission of providing affordable housing, rather than dealing with security issues. The Group is now developing policies to allow a greater number of employees to work from their home offices, thanks to the improved throughput of their firewall platform.

Quantitative Benefit

Reduced monthly telephone bill by £9,000 (approximately US$16,800) by preventing port scans from running up charges.
Improved network throughput, with user authentication now instant rather than the previous 20 to 30 seconds.
100% Internet availability since deployment 9 months ago, compared to regular half-day outages every month previously.