SITUATION

A local police force responsible for a large territory needed to integrate a new cloud platform with specific security features to meet ambitious standards defined by the National Enablement Programme (NEP). This programme is designed to support police forces across England and Wales to define the way they work and collaborate. By adopting a digital and cloud first approach with Microsoft technology, the NEP can ensure this public branch optimise the value of services offered. The local police force required the implementation of an Azure Landing Zone as a new service to facilitate the adoption of cloud strategy and advanced security features for its systems.

TASK

The client was looking for a recognised security provider, able to perform towards the ambitious standards of the NEP and ensure full compliance with the new services. The aim of the project was to implement a new Azure Landing Zone to unlock various security features.

ACTION

Our colleagues at risual (a Node4 company) were selected as the most relevant provider to ensure a smooth implementation of the new cloud platform for the police force. Regular meetings and updates were conducted between all parties to ensure that all NEP standards were understood and planned out accordingly. risual used Azure DevOps, as an effective tool for developing and deploying the Azure Landing Zone. Our experts deployed Azure Blueprint to adhere to the set standards and launch all the resources necessary such as key vaults, log analytics and data related to user accounts for the launch of the new cloud platform. With the use of Azure Blueprint, our experts were able to consistently integrate new features to the platform with identical standards and avoid building new ones each time. Once all these elements were developed by risual, the police force was finally able to deploy its Azure Landing Zone automatically with ease.

BENEFITS

• The process was time effective compared to a regular cloud transformation with the use of Azure Blueprint for example.
• We achieved environmentally friendly results, with most operations done remotely with access to internet.
• We enhanced the security structure reducing most cyber vulnerabilities.
• Automated functions that simplify the implementation of security measures are used within the solution.
• Full training and explanation of the services is provided by risual to ensure the client is up to date with the technology.
• Regular communication between both parties were scheduled, to make sure the new services are always operational.

LOOKING AHEAD

After the implementation of the Azure Landing Zone, the client can rely on its own services. The NEP standards of security are met in full, and the client can explore further options with Microsoft technology to unlock new opportunities with risual. We stay in regular contact with the police force to ensure the new services are performing towards expectations. Without any doubt, Police branches require extremely high standards of security to protect the sensitive information they gather every day. Imagine what any business could achieve with their security measures, using Azure technology as a solution.