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Public Sector Cybersecurity with Secure IT Consult

6 Feb 2025

Public Sector Cybersecurity Defences with Secure IT Consult – Transforming operations for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Services with expert cybersecurity consulting.

In today’s digital landscape, cybersecurity is no longer a luxury but a necessity—especially for public sector organisations handling sensitive data and critical services. The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Services (HIWFRS), responsible for protecting over 1.3 million people, recognised the growing need to safeguard their IT infrastructure against cyber threats. However, resource limitations, budget constraints, and incomplete cybersecurity deployments left them vulnerable. That’s when they turned to Secure IT Consult, a leading cybersecurity consulting firm, to fortify their digital defences.

The Cybersecurity Challenges Facing HIWFRS

Like many public sector cybersecurity challenges, HIWFRS faced a range of complex issues:

  • Limited visibility and control: Without centralised monitoring, identifying security vulnerabilities was difficult.
  • Resource and expertise gaps: A single cybersecurity professional managed the organisation’s entire IT security infrastructure, making incident response and risk management overwhelming.
  • Budgetary constraints: With a restricted budget, balancing IT security best practices with other operational priorities was a challenge.
  • Incomplete deployments: Essential cybersecurity solutions, including Trend Micro Vision One, were not fully configured, leaving gaps in threat detection and response.

To address these issues, HIWFRS needed a cybersecurity partner that could provide a cost-effective, tailored solution with hands-on support and advanced risk mitigation strategies.

Read the Case Study

The Secure IT Consult Approach

Secure IT Consult delivered a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy that enhanced visibility, strengthened defences, and empowered the HIWFRS team. Their multi-pronged approach included:

  1. Cybersecurity Training and Knowledge Transfer

Secure IT Consult conducted on-site, certified training for HIWFRS staff to ensure they could effectively manage their security tools. The training covered:

  • Trend Micro Vision One (2-day session)
  • Vision One Endpoint Security (2-day session)
  • Cloud App Security (1-day session)

This ensured the HIWFRS cybersecurity team could utilise their cyber risk management tools to their full potential, reducing misconfigurations and improving incident response.

  1. Advanced Risk Identification and System Integrations

A deep dive into HIWFRS’s cybersecurity infrastructure uncovered unmanaged devices, misconfigured security tools, and exposed vulnerabilities. Secure IT Consult implemented:

  • SIEM integration: Connecting Syslog and Azure AD for real-time threat intelligence.
  • Firewall optimisation: Integrating Palo Alto Panorama with Trend Micro XDR to centralise risk detection.
  • Cloud security enhancements: Strengthening cloud asset protection and endpoint security solutions.

These proactive measures significantly improved the visibility of potential cyber threats across the HIWFRS network.

  1. Incident Response and Risk Mitigation

To strengthen cyber resilience for public services, Secure IT Consult:

  • Conducted regular log reviews and detailed security reports.
  • Implemented automated risk reduction strategies.
  • Enhanced email security by optimising SPF and DKIM settings to prevent phishing attacks.

This approach enabled HIWFRS to respond to security threats faster and mitigate cyber risks proactively.

  1. Budget Advocacy and Cost-Effective Solutions

Operating within strict budget constraints, Secure IT Consult helped HIWFRS maximise their existing cybersecurity tools, preventing unnecessary expenditures while improving overall security. Their work led to:

  • Approval of ASRM purchase following a successful trial.
  • Optimisation of Trend Micro solutions to reduce costs and improve efficiency.
  • Minimising false positives, allowing IT teams to focus on real threats.

By demonstrating measurable security improvements, Secure IT Consult secured investment in long-term cybersecurity solutions for HIWFRS.

Client Testimonial

Louisa Somers, Cybersecurity Manager at HIWFRS, praised Secure IT Consult for their expertise and hands-on approach:

“Secure IT Consult and Dogan Can Kilment have been transformative for our cybersecurity. The expertise, responsiveness, and collaborative spirit they brought to the table made all the difference. We’ve moved from a fragmented and under-resourced setup to a cohesive, highly effective security framework. I can’t recommend them enough.”

Why Secure IT Consult?

HIWFRS chose Secure IT Consult due to their:

  • Expertise in cybersecurity consulting, specialising in Trend Micro Vision One.
  • Proven track record of successful cybersecurity transformations.
  • Tailored approach to public sector cybersecurity challenges.
  • Customer-centric focus, ensuring measurable improvements and lasting impact.

Facing Similar Public Sector Cybersecurity Challenges? We Can Help

Are you struggling with cyber risk management, incident response, or public sector cybersecurity? Secure IT Consult is here to help. Our team of certified cybersecurity consultants provides cost-effective cybersecurity solutions designed to strengthen your defences, enhance efficiency, and empower your organisation. We don’t just work with the Public Sector, whether you’re privately traded, publicly traded, or anywhere else on the organisational chart, our export cybersecurity consulting capabilities will allow you to transform your security operations, while maintaining budget. Get a BIG boost to your cybersecurity team(s) today, by getting in touch with us about your current portfolio of solutions and operations, to see how we can help!

Contact us today at Secure IT Consult to learn how we can transform your cybersecurity landscape and ensure a safer, more secure future.

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