Enhancing IT Security and Performance for an Architectural Firm
Executive Summary
Cenetric has a longstanding history of supporting architectural and engineering firms, addressing their unique IT challenges and enhancing their technological capabilities. A case in point involves a distinguished architecture firm with 35 employees, known for its work as a Department of Defense contractor on military bases across the United States. This firm’s requirements for stringent security measures, coupled with the need for operational flexibility, presented a complex IT challenge that Cenetric successfully navigated.
The Challenge
The architecture firm faced a critical situation after a ransomware attack severely impacted their productivity, losing weeks of work. Given the sensitive nature of their projects and their role as a Department of Defense contractor, it was imperative to fortify their IT infrastructure to prevent future breaches while maintaining the agility needed for their project development.
Cenetric’s Approach
Cenetric undertook a comprehensive review of the firm’s network and implemented several strategic measures to enhance security and efficiency:
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Security Enhancements: Introduced the principle of least privilege for file shares and system access, integrated a Next-Generation Antivirus (NGAV) and Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) agent, and connected the firm’s systems to a Security Operations Center (SOC) as a Service for continuous monitoring.
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Network and Access Control: Tightened firewall rules, implemented Intrusion Prevention Services, and introduced 2-factor authentication for email, VPN, and desktop access to safeguard against unauthorized entry.
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Account Segregation: Segregated Admin and regular user accounts to minimize the risk of admin credentials being compromised.
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Incident Response Planning: Developed and implemented an Incident Response Plan to ensure a coordinated response to any future security incidents.
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Data Protection: Transitioned backups to an offsite, immutable location to protect against data corruption.
Additional IT Infrastructure Improvements
Beyond security, Cenetric helped the firm enhance operational efficiency by:
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Project Storage: Advising on best practices for storing active projects and archiving completed ones.
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Software Standardization: Standardizing CAD software and plugins to streamline operations.
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Virtual Reality Integration: Leveraging VR technology for model walkthroughs, enhancing client presentations and project visualization.
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Infrastructure Modernization: Upgrading aging IT infrastructure to support the latest industry software and technologies.
Broader Impact
Cenetric’s expertise has not only benefited this architecture firm but has also been extended to support a variety of clients in the architectural and engineering sectors, including firms specializing in power plant boilers, structural engineering, aerospace, heavy construction, and commercial property building.
Conclusion
Through strategic IT enhancements and a commitment to comprehensive security and operational efficiency, Cenetric has enabled this architecture firm and others within the architectural and engineering fields to secure their data, streamline their operations, and embrace technological advancements, positioning them for success in their complex and demanding industries.