Securstore » Case Studies

United Learning

admin — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 21:06:40 +0000

Protecting Multi-TB Environments

United Learning, one of the UK’s largest education providers, chose to protect its data with Securstore’s Hybrid Cloud solution because of its need for a large-scale, security conscious storage medium. With 30,000 students, 5,500 staff, 20 academies and 11 independent schools, United Learning is now supported by a credible, flexible cloud solution that guarantees confidentiality and data security. United Learning realised a Public Cloud option would not have suited its data volumes, so instead chose Securstore’s Hybrid Cloud model due to its suitability for large data environments. Dedicated infrastructure was rst implemented at United Learning’s own data centre before a secondary, replicated system was installed in Securstore’s own data centre to provide another layer of backup. This has given United Learning both a primary and a replicated system under its exclusive control for faster backups and restores. The model has been further simplifieded with a fixed OPEX fee and as the hardware was provided by Securstore, no CAPEX investment was required. [quote name="Dick Rowley" title="Systems Manager"] Once you have terabytes of data to back up, the market options become more limited - often the solution is not recognised, cannot support the infrastructure or the costs make it unaffordable. We found the complete opposite with Securstore. [/quote]

Hybrid Enterprise Cloud

The benet of Securstore’s Hybrid approach gives United Learning the best of both worlds; data protected in the cloud, as well as in its own data centre. Placement of both systems is flexible (i.e. it can be in a data centre, disaster recovery site, head office and/or branch office in its own server room) and the solution supports all common operating systems, applications, virtual environments, laptops and smartphone users. Also, with it being an agentless technology, (i.e. no need to install the software per machine), it has made it easier for United Learning to manage on a daily basis. [quote name="Rowley finished"] With Securstore, the Hybrid model suited our environment and it is delivered under a at rate fee. The company’s support is 24/7 and the team is extremely proactive in informing me of any problems. I would have no hesitation recommending Securstore’s services. [/quote] Furthermore, Securstore is ISO 27001 certified by the British Standards Institute and accredited by UKAS. To receive its global accreditations, Securstore had to prove it systematically addresses all information security risks such as threats, vulnerabilities or potential outside impacts, as well as holding acceptable means to cope with these risks. For United Learning this has given the organisation an added safeguard as it knows its backup processes are aligned with regulatory compliance laws on data protection. The education sector requires establishments to have fast recovery of data in a secure environment as well as a solution that can support complex setups. With large volumes of students and sta this is extremely crucial to the safeguard of information.

Alan Steel Asset Management

admin — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 18:21:52 +0000

FSA Compliance with Securstore Cloud Backup

Alan Steel Asset Management, an independent financial advisory (IFA), chose to protect its data with Securstore, a market leading Cloud Backup and Recovery provider for a range of reasons. The award winning company, regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA), advises clients on pensions, investments and tax matters. Known for its simplicity and streamlining of industry jargon, it gives clients a clear understanding of the right processes to follow for long-term financial security. The company now enjoys protection from a provider that puts the security and longevity of data at the heart of everything it does. Securstore’s market leading encryption ensures Alan Steel Asset Management’s data confidentiality is never compromised; a major benefit for an organisation that has to prove to regulatory bodies that its sensitive data is protected at all times. It also enjoys full recoverability of data and business continuity should a disaster situation occur. Alan Steel Asset Management knows its data can be recovered efficiently and without any surprise costs during a disaster recovery scenario; a perfect strategy for a financial services company [quote name="John Mckillop" title="Systems Administrator at Alan Steel Asset Management"]Our data is our business. If we were unable to recover any lost data, there would be severe repercussions for ourselves, as well as our clients. Being FSA regulated, we have to follow strict compliance laws, but simultaneously ensure our IT budgets are under control.[/quote]

Agentless & Simple to Manage

Another reason Alan Steel Asset Management entrusted Securstore with its mission critical data was because of its unique agentless technology. It means Alan Steel Asset Management can backup multiple machines over the same LAN without the need to install agents on every workstation. This has saved on resources, reduced support times and improved the company’s daily management of its multiple server environment. The automated software is running in the background to a schedule determined by Alan Steel Asset Management. After the initial backup / seeding stage, only incremental changes are sent osite, therefore minimising bandwidth usage and reducing any strain on the corporate network. [quote name="Mckillop concluded"] Securstore met our requirements on every front. Its ISO 27001 certification by the BSI and accreditation by UKAS certainly helped the decision process. We’re happy Securstore is protecting our data and would recommend the company to anyone.[/quote] There are many additional features in the software that make the support and management of the backups extremely feasible. The local copy feature means a copy of critical data can be kept onsite to any storage device, so it can be restored quickly via the LAN during a DR situation. With exchange there is brick level backup i.e. the ability to backup and restore individual emails, therefore rather than recovering an entire database, users can restore single mailboxes quickly to either the same or an alternative location. All these combined give Alan Steel extra benefitts as it knows its business is entirely protected, without the need for an expensive, performance-impacting solution.

Williams De Broë

admin — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 13:20:07 +0000

Williams De Broe invests in Secure Cloud Backup

As a comprehensive provider of investment services, Williams de Broë faced several key difficulties when ensuring the safety of its business critical data. With seven sites across the UK, the geographical dispersion of its staff and the spread of sensitive data meant that any data being backed up from multiple sites would require an enterprise level solution that could cope with the growing demands from a complex corporate network. [quote name="Dave Walker" title="Network Manager at Williams de Broë"]Using SecurStore’s Cloud Backup and Recovery services has improved the efficiency of our organization and having this support in place has allowed us to focus on other areas of the business therefore saving time, money and resources which would have else been utilized.[/quote] As a comprehensive provider of investment services, Williams de Broë faced several key difficulties when ensuring the safety of its business critical data. With seven sites across the UK, the geographical dispersion of its staff and the spread of sensitive data meant that any data being backed up from multiple sites would require an enterprise level solution that could cope with the growing demands from a complex corporate network.Following a reassessment of its incumbent’s backup services, the company recognized the need to address these issues. This prompted a reallocation of its data backup to SecurStore, a specialist provider of automated and managed cloud backup and recovery services. By entrusting its backup to SecurStore, it has allowed the organization to focus more on its primary business objectives. Scalable Data Management Leveraging its cloud expertise, SecurStore worked with Williams de Broë to ensure the full protection of its data across its UK sites. The multiple tier storage provided by SecurStore meant that critical data was stored on the primary tier available for instant and rapid recovery whilst non-critical data could be automatically moved to the secondary tier otherwise known as Backup Lifecycle Management (BLM) for recovery within 24 hours. This unique concept meant that Williams de Broe was able to have a sustainable backup solution for many years despite natural data growth. Compliance As Williams de Broë is FSA regulated and SecurStore is certified by British Standard Institute for ISO 27001, this represented an obvious fit for data backup due to government regulations becoming more firm on onsite storage. By ensuring the online protection of its data, Williams de Broë has positioned itself to deal with any potential disaster situation. The company now benefits from the knowledge that it can continue its business with minimal cost or technological hindrance in the case of a disaster. [quote name="Dave Walker" title="Network Manager at Williams de Broe"]As an FSA regulated company we were looking for a solution which could fulfill our backup needs, protect our sensitive data and also follow strict compliance protocols. SecurStore met all our criteria, they had an agentless based solution, ISO 27001 certification plus excellent 24/7 support. All this coupled with a multi-tier storage model meant our costs would be sustainable long term whilst having a technically advanced backup solution. No other provider we spoke to offered this bespoke offering which is crucial to the long term support of our data.[/quote]

66° North

admin — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 13:19:56 +0000

Leading Outdoor Clothing Company 66°NORTH Overhauls its Data Backup Strategy

66°NORTH, one of Iceland’s oldest manufacturing companies and an expert in the production of outdoor clothing, has chosen Securstore, a leading Asigra partner, to protect its mission critical data. Established in 1926 and with a 200-strong workforce spread across 15 sites in Iceland, 66°NORTH needed a exible, reliable cloud backup solution that could solve its data challenges. Since implementing Securstore’s solution in late 2011, 66°NORTH has now protected all its data with Securstore, including SQL databases, Exchange Mail servers and standard le servers. [quote name="Arni Egilsson" title="IT Manager at 66 North"]We no longer have to hope our data is backed up,we know it is. Previously we used a tape system, but the work involved was laborious, time consuming and sometimes unreliable. When our tape library failed, we decided to move to the cloud. Securstore came highly recommended from other IT professionals and the service we have received has been excellent.[/quote] Support for Servers, Desktops, Laptops & Smartphones Securstore Cloud Backup supports all IT congurations and 66°NORTH´S specic infrastructure includes VMware ESX servers running several dozen virtual servers, a SAN storage system, and more than 100 standard desktop machines across 15 sites. Due to Securstore Cloud Backup’s support for remote devices, 66°NORTH also plans to protect data residing on smartphones and laptops in the future. 66°NORTH also boasts full regulatory compliance due to Securstore’s stringent data security measures and auditing. With Securstore holding ISO 27001 accreditation and protecting data through 256 AES Encryption with FIPS 140-2 certication, 66°NORTH knows its data is protected remotely by professionals it can trust. Sustaining Costs despite Natural Data Growth Sustaining Costs despite Natural Data Growth 66°NORTH has always focused on improving its data sets so a final concern was natural data growth. With Securstore’s unique two tier backup model and advanced deduplication techniques helping intelligently compress the company’s data, data volumes have signicantly reduced. This in turn has decreased the load on local IT infrastructure and provided 66°NORTH further cost savings by ensuring duplicate data is not being backed up. [quote name="Arni Egilsson" title="IT Manager at 66 NORTH"]Our focus is on quality and we share this common vision with Securstore. We quickly realised Securstore had the solution for us – advanced technology based on award winning software from Asigra, a focus on quality and trust, systems that are easy to use and implement, and market leading support. At every point of the implementation process Securstore has been attentive and helpful[/quote]

VIS Insurance

admin — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 10:42:48 +0000

VIS Insurance Moves to the Cloud for Cost Effective Data Backup

VIS Insurance Ltd, one of Iceland’s leading providers of non-life insurance services, implemented Securstore’s market leading Asigra Cloud Backup & Recovery solution to safeguard its business critical data. The company has been a long-term Securstore customer and protects a large amount of SQL data. It also entrusts a substantial amount of standard media, as well as Lotus Notes, Exchange and Sharepoint data. [quote name="Stefan Hjalmarsson" title="Senior System Administrator"]"For three years we’ve been using Securstore’s solution. Originally we had a tape backup system, but decided to move to a modern cloud based option for safer offsite backup of our data. We needed something that was both flexible and user friendly - Securstore matched these needs perfectly. Strong support was also a key requirement and Securstore has more than delivered in that area"[/quote] Securstore’s Cloud Backup means VIS can restore data quicker than before and protect every data type necessary. By using a provider that is ISO 27001 accredited VIS is also compliant with all international data regulations. This compliance guarantees the sensitivity and confidentiality of VIS’ data across the organisation. Secure, Encrypted Cloud Backup Securstore’s unique solution has reduced backup costs and simplified VIS’ data billing. The company now has a clearer overview of how much it is spending every month on data protection and business continuity. This clarity lets VIS better predict future backup costs for its 250 employees. VIS also has the option to backup mobiles and laptop data using Securstore’s lite client. Finally, having a scalable system means data can grow with the business and at an affordable rate that is easy to forecast. [quote name="Stefan Hjalmarsson" title="]We’ve been extremely impressed with the user friendliness and ease of use of Securstore’s Asigra solution. Securstore has an excellent reputation for the onus it puts on data security and customer service. It doesn’t matter if it is a weekend or holiday, whenever we’ve had configuration queries, support requests or needed to add machines to the backup plan; Securstore has solved issues quickly and politely. The 24/7 support service has been a real indicator of the company’s quality.[/quote]

The Edge Picture Company

admin — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 19:23:34 +0000

The Edge Picture Company having the Edge for Backup

An established and well known production company whose reputation is second to none in making great films, The Edge Picture Company based in central London wanted to have an offsite backup solution that could securely protect its vast array of media files and other critical data. Having a 60 strong workforce also meant that the management of the backups had to be simple without any daily issues. SecurStore was chosen by Edge Picture because the technology was the best fit for the organisation coupled with full 24/7 technical support being available. [quote name="Pete Burrows" title="Producer & Head of IT and Edit Facilities"]As a tight knit organisation I wanted to be associated with a provider that could understand our backup needs and provide a long term solution. SecurStore’s technology is excellent and helps me allocate my time on other projects. Also both companies were formed 20 years ago in 1991 which adds a nice EDGE to it.[/quote] Backing Up Media Files Efficiently One of the main concerns of having files such as JPG’s, PDF’s and other non-changing data is the time it takes to back up these files as well as ensuring it is cost effective. SecurStore addresses this problem by having a unique multi-tier storage model which allows less critical data or files that don’t change to be stored in a lower cost tier whilst still benefiting from the security and offsite advantages. In addition the initial backup is done via disk which is couriered at no extra cost to the customer thus eliminating the need to upload large volumes of data over the internet at first go. The secondary tier or “archive” tier can also be used to store historical snapshots for compliance or audit purposes which is a great advantage to have, plus having the flexibility in customizing the retention rules to suit the business needs is an added bonus. Agentless Setup SecurStore provides an agentless backup solution, meaning it is totally different to more traditional software’s that require gents to be installed per machine or separate licences to be purchased and then renewed. The DS-Client as it’s referred to, can be installed on any machine which subsequently sees other servers/workstations connected to it. This is not a pay per user/desktop/software model but costs are only on data stored after it has been compressed, de-duplicated and delta blocked. The technology can support Windows, Mac, Linux, SQL, Oracle, Exchange, Lotus Notes, Laptops, VMware plus much more. [quote name="Pete Burrows" title=""]Being in the business of having a large range of media files, I needed a backup solution that could support this in a sustainable way. The SecurStore multi-tier concept is unique and with a large percentage of my files in the archive tier, it makes the costs within budget. The company has also been certified by BSI for ISO 27001 therefore ensuring all the processes and controls around our backups are dealt with in a professional and secure manner.[/quote]

NG Bailey

admin — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 14:58:29 +0000

NG Bailey’s saves data and reduces carbon footprint with Securstore

The IT Services division of NG Bailey delivers and manages secure integrated systems for businesses through strategic alliances with leading technology vendors such as Cisco Systems, IBM, and HP. NG Bailey has an award winning and innovative blend of people, processes and technology that enables the company to help transform the nature of customers’ businesses putting it at the forefront of developing technology. The security-focused lifecycle approach incorporates all the aspects of planning, implementation and management that are necessary to effectively deploy IP networks. [quote name="Indi Sall" title="Technical Director at NG Bailey"]“The lifeblood of our business is our data. We take responsibility for the critical data of our customers, through the hosting, management and monitoring of their networks, so we must back up securely, reliably, and have access however and whenever we need it.”[/quote] Previously, NG Bailey had been using industry standard disk-to-tape systems to back up its networks. Indi recognised that not only was this system relatively time-consuming, it was also highly energy inefficient and prone to human or machine error. In addition, once the tapes were delivered back to NG Bailey, recovering data was a lengthy process and not always successful. The business has a lot of data for its size, which is run across a number of different operating systems, most of which are virtualised. This meant that the company initially thought there was little hope of finding an all-encompassing, cost-effective solution. They freely admit that at first they were sceptical about the simplicity of Securstore’s Cloud Backup & Recovery Solution, however, in the free backup and recovery tests that SecurStore carried out, all data was recovered rapidly from every type of system and application used. The Securstore solution entails installing software on just one server on the network. All the databases, Linux file servers and PCs can then be accessed so that a backup strategy can be defined. NG Bailey decides the timing, frequency and number of generations for each backup set, ensuring that there is no disruption to business. The online solution automatically transfers data offsite in real-time, eliminating the risks associated with storing information onsite and the loss of data during transit by courier to an offsite location. The secure backup and recovery service from Securstore was fully implemented across NG Bailey’s IT Services division in 2007. Since that date, the company has benefited from off-site backup, complete confidentiality and totally secure storage using the latest encryption and authentication technologies. [quote name="Indi Sall" title=""]“After many years as a Securstore customer, we are 100 per cent satisfied with the service. Effective data management and secure back-up is imperative to the success of our business, and to our reputation in the market. On top of that we are reducing our carbon footprint which is in-line with our vision towards the future"[/quote]

Moreton Smith

admin — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 13:49:15 +0000

Moreton Smith financial firm takes no chances on data backup

Moreton Smith, an award-winning credit management agency renowned for its powerful Credit Management Solution, has chosen to back up its business critical data with SecurStore, the trusted and specialist provider of Cloud Services. Supporting customers world- wide and founded in 1994, Moreton Smith manages over £10 billion of client receivables through its service and software offerings annually. It supports just under a fifth of all FTSE 100 companies and serves over 640 clients across 36 industries in 123 countries. For this reason, data has to be securely protected without any impact on IT resources and management. [quote name="David King" title="Network Manager at Moreton Smith"]In the 21st Century technology is constantly changing and we as a company need to ensure we are not left behind. Data is the backbone of our business and without adequate protection of our clients’ data, our reputation and financial stability would suffer. We can’t afford to be complacent with our backup procedures. SecurStore addresses all our backup concerns and has given us peace of mind that our business continuity strategy is fully protecting our clients’ data, as well as our company’s future.[/quote] Enterprise Technology and High Security Moreton Smith now has full data protection with SecurStore’s enterprise-grade technology. Its agentless backup utilizes military- strength encryption and includes support for every IT configuration, including Windows, Mac, Linux, Unix, Novell, VMware, Hyper-V, XenSource, MS-SharePoint, MS-Exchange, MS-SQL, SAP, Oracle, DB2, PostgreSQL, Lotus Notes & Domino, GroupWise and MySQL. Laptops, and data residing on remote devices like tablets and smart- phones, can also be backed up with SecurStore’s Lite client. Employing strong security measures and passing data compliance audits are all data protection benefits that Moreton Smith now enjoys. SecurStore is regularly audited and re-certified for ISO 27001 accreditation – this guarantees SecurStore’s working practices and data centers match the stringent data protection standards expected by the British Standards Institute. It also meets the terms of the Information Security Standard, as well as providing dedicated 24/7 technical support. Unique Multi-Tier Storage Model The final concern Moreton Smith faced was data scalability and future growth. SecurStore’s backup solution allows Moreton Smith to utilise different storage layers to ensure its backup requirements are fully met and costs are sustained. SecurStore offers a cloud solution that utilises two backup tiers – critical data is stored on fibre channel disks for fast recovery and less critical data on SATA disks for recovery within 24 hours. It also includes local copy functionality for creating onsite copies on any device if required. This means recovery can occur at LAN network speeds should the need arise. The availability of an onsite software license means Moreton Smith enjoys three tiers of protection, as well as extra protection from local data copies. In the near future the company will be able to take advantage of SecurStore’s upcoming offsite green tier. This will help Moreton Smith to reduce its carbon footprint, employ greater social responsibility and finally, allow the use of a truly unique and innovative solution. [quote name="David King" title=""]We realized that implementing an enterprise class solution wasn’t enough. SecurStore’s extensive support, technical expertise and simple implementation helped us choose them for our cloud based backup model. Finally, their independent recognition, high level of customer satisfaction and the fact they meet global security standards was crucial in our decision. We are more than happy with SecurStore and look forward to a long relationship with them.[/quote]

GEO

admin — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 11:54:06 +0000

Cloud Backup Secured

GEO Group UK Ltd, a leading private custodial and detention management rm, is protecting its mission critical data with Securstore Cloud Backup and Recovery. As a wholly owned subsidiary of GEO Group, Inc, which operates over 100 custodial facilities across Europe, America, Australia, and South Africa, the UK group manages prisons, Immigration Removal Centres and Escorting services for the UK government. Supporting the public sector means the company needs a robust, flexible backup and recovery solution. Securstore’s Cloud Backup solution Powered by Asigra ensures GEO Group UK’s entire enterprise digital footprint (storage, servers, desktops, and laptops on the enterprise LAN, as well as remote tablets, smart phones, and laptops) is fully protected. The agentless solution supports every major operating system, service platform and network application. This scalability is critical for GEO Group UK with its broad infrastructure and data security requirements. [quote name="Russell Sayer" title="IT Infrastructure Manager at GEO Group UK"]We needed a solution that could support our multiple sites and data types whilst meeting our stringent security requirements. We need to know that our data is safe, as well as being easily and rapidly recoverable. Securstore’s cloud solution lets our IT department focus its time and attention on supporting the business rather than managing and troubleshooting a complex in-house backup system.[/quote] Multi-Tier Backup for Audits and Compliance Multi-Tier Backup for Audits and Compliance GEO Group UK is fully utilising Securstore’s unique multi-tier solution with critical and non-critical data predefined over 2 tiers of storage. By default, data resides in the primary tier (online). However, retention rules can be applied to move older non-changing data to the secondary tier (Backup Lifecycle Management - BLM). This protection is crucial in a disaster situation as GEO Group UK is able to restore its critical data immediately. For data with less importance, it can be restored at a more time-effective rate. If it was restoring all its data in a single restore, it would be time consuming and hinder business continuity. BLM also allows the creation of historical snapshots at weekly, monthly or yearly intervals. These data copies are stored in the BLM vault for any predefined period of time. Security The method of backups is vast; some examples include tapes, onsite solutions or even backing up via USB/HDD or CD’s in some cases. What is different to all of these is the requirement that is needed from a business perspective and the implications should something go wrong if data gets lost. GEO Group UK being in the Services sector, security is at the forefront especially when it comes to sending data offsite therefore the method of backup could not be compromised. [quote name="Russell Sayer" title=""]Security is critical to our business, so the value of having a solution that meets all of these requirements cannot be overstated. Securstore ticked every box and we are more than happy for them to manage our data backup long term.[/quote]

Leigh Day & Co

admin — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 11:41:52 +0000

Leigh Day & Co Solicitors meet Global Security Standards

A specialist provider of personal injury and human rights law services, Leigh Day & Co Solicitors based in London wanted to source an enterprise level backup provider that could protect, manage and comply with governmental regulations for its extremely sensitive client data. [quote name="James Harrison" title="Head of IT at Leigh Day & Co"]Being a law firm we take seriously the utmost privacy of client information and always adhere to strict policies and regulations when it comes to data protection. Being aligned with SecurStore gives us the confidence that we can continue to meet any compliance protocols whilst also having an effort-less and advanced solution. In addition their unique multi-tier model gives us a great long term and cost effective model which is ideally suited to the business[/quote] Online Backup – Security Crucial for London Firm A specialist provider of personal injury and human rights law services, Leigh Day & Co Solicitors based in London wanted to source an enterprise level backup provider that could protect, manage and comply with governmental regulations for its extremely sensitive client data. Having been established for well over 20 years, the respected reputation earned had to be maintained, therefore finding a provider with a similar ethos was crucial for its long term data backup strategy. After reviewing its current setup and potential future growth in data, the company decided to choose SecurStore for its Cloud Backup and Recovery Services. Meeting Global Security Standards The culture change of moving data backup’s offsite can be a difficult decision to make especially as tape based systems or other onsite solutions have been in use for decades with comfort levels of seeing physical disks containing data in server rooms and tapes being couriered daily offsite to secure locations still quite prominent. Technology now has changed, the global landscape has altered, therefore IT systems being labelled in that category must also move with the times. Having round the clock knowledgeable experts gives peace of mind to customers that no matter where they are geographically based someone will be at hand to answer any issue. Regular audits are carried out by British Standards Institute and SecurStore continues to be re-certified for the globally recognized Information Security Standard ISO 27001. Multi-Tier Storage Platform As well as having a technology that can support Windows, Mac, Linux, SQL, Oracle, Exchange, Lotus Notes, Laptops, VMware plus many more. SecurStore is able to provide a unique cost effect multi-tier storage facility which enables customers costs for data expenditure to be sustainable despite natural internal growth. There are also no hidden extras and limitations and customers just pay for what is stored. Everything else is included without charge for example setup, install, support and also sending of disks of initial backups if need be. [quote name="James Harrison" title=""]I wanted to implement a technology that could support all environments and applications for me to protect my sensitive and critical data i.e. file, email and SQL with the information to be stored in a UK data centre. I endlessly searched different softwares and providers and found the SecurStore agentless solution to be the best fit for my organisation. Their excellent and personalised 24/7 support was also a crucial factor in me choosing their offering.[/quote]