In the financial sector, member experience and security are paramount. A credit union in Virginia, striving to enhance its member experience technologies, recognized the need for a robust, secure, and efficient network architecture. With only a three-person team managing network and security, the credit union faced significant challenges with their outdated Cisco firewalls, Umbrella, and MPLS infrastructure, which lacked visibility and context for security. SASE Advisors stepped in to help scope, evaluate, and negotiate the best SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) solutions, ultimately transforming their IT landscape. The Challenge The credit union's existing network infrastructure was insufficient to meet modern security demands and support the desired member experience technologies. The challenges included: ‍

Outdated Infrastructure:

Reliance on old Cisco firewalls, Umbrella, and MPLS led to inadequate security visibility and context.

‍

Limited IT Staff:

With a small team of only three people managing network and security, the credit union needed a solution that was not only robust but also easy to manage.

‍

Evolving Member Expectations:

To meet the rising expectations of their members, the credit union needed a network architecture that could support advanced member experience technologies. The SASE Advisors Approach SASE Advisors embarked on a meticulous process to transform the credit union's network and security infrastructure.

Here's how they approached the challenge:

Scoping and Evaluation:

SASE Advisors began by thoroughly assessing the credit union's current infrastructure and identifying the gaps. They worked closely with the credit union to understand their specific needs and goals, ensuring that the solutions chosen would align with their long-term vision.

‍

Asking the Tough Questions:

During the evaluation process, SASE Advisors asked the critical questions that would determine the best solution provider. This included assessing the scalability, security features, and integration capabilities of potential SASE solutions. The goal was to ensure that the chosen provider could deliver on performance, security, and cost-efficiency.

‍

Negotiation and Selection:

SASE Advisors leveraged their expertise and industry connections to negotiate favorable terms with the selected SASE solution provider. This negotiation process ensured that the credit union received the best possible pricing and service terms, leading to long-term cost savings.

‍

Achieving ZTNA with Always-On Security:

As part of the project, SASE Advisors helped the credit union implement Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) with always-on security. This modern security approach provided the credit union with enhanced visibility, control, and protection, ensuring that all network activities were continuously monitored and secured.

‍

Implementing the Right Network Architecture:

SASE Advisors designed a network architecture that could support the credit union's member experience technologies while enhancing operational efficiency. This included integrating advanced security measures, optimizing network performance, and ensuring seamless connectivity. The Results The collaboration with SASE Advisors yielded significant benefits for the credit union:

Enhanced Security and Visibility: The implementation of ZTNA with always-on security provided comprehensive visibility and control, drastically improving the credit union's security posture.

‍

Operational Efficiency:

With a modern, easy-to-manage network architecture, the small IT team could efficiently oversee the network and security operations, reducing the administrative burden.

‍

Cost Savings:

Through strategic negotiation and optimization, the credit union achieved substantial long-term cost savings.

‍

Improved Member Experience:

The new network infrastructure supported advanced member experience technologies, enhancing the overall service delivery and satisfaction for credit union members. Conclusion SASE Advisors demonstrated how a strategic approach to network and security infrastructure could transform a credit union's operations and member experience. By scoping, evaluating, and negotiating the right SASE solutions, they provided the Virginia credit union with a secure, efficient, and cost-effective IT landscape. This partnership not only addressed the immediate challenges but also positioned the credit union for future success in an increasingly digital world. If your organization faces similar challenges, consider partnering with SASE Advisors. Our expertise in network and security solutions can help you achieve operational efficiency, enhanced security, and an improved experience for your customers or members.