23 Aug Streamlining Security and Connectivity with PMT Communications. Creating flexible reliability with the Allied Telesis UTM Routers and Direct Connect.
In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, robust security and seamless connectivity are paramount for businesses who rely on 24/7 operations. PMT Communications work with organisations who rely on critical infrastructure to maintain operational efficiency and they came to us with a challenge to enhance their security and connectivity across 500 branches by deploying Allied Telesis UTM Firewalls routers to manage traffic for their crucial applications. This strategic initiative was aimed to manage “Gallagher access controls” for the many doors within the branches but they had the added requirement of ensuring uninterrupted connectivity by providing a cellular failover to allow for redundancy for the primary connection.
Project Overview
The primary objective of this project was to install Allied Telesis UTM routers in over 500 branches across Victoria to efficiently manage their Gallagher access controls system which manages the doors and locks for the client. The client specifically chose the AT routers as they have best in class security and comes with a high-level management platform to control the large number of branches in the roll out. The AT routers play a crucial role in safeguarding sensitive information and ensuring secure access across the network. The routers provide a comprehensive security solution by integrating SDWAN, firewall, VPN, intrusion detection, and antivirus capabilities into a single platform. The Vista management platform allows for centralised management of security policies, reducing complexity and enhancing protection against cyber threats.
Managing the Installation
PMT Communications adopted a meticulous project management approach to ensure the successful deployment of the routers. The project was divided into several phases, beginning with a detailed assessment of each branch’s existing infrastructure and connectivity at the s. As the solutions was brand new and previously untested PMT teams devised a proof-of-concept assessment which rigorously pinpointed all potential points of failure and considered remedies to any unexpected events. PMT adopted a flexible approach that allowed for the customisation of installation plans to meet the specific requirements of each of the 500 locations. After a period of bench testing and approvals from the various stakeholders the final solution was ready for deployment.
The next phase was to pass the details of the roll out to the deployment team which consisted of experienced technicians and project managers who coordinated closely with branch managers to minimise disruptions to normal operations during the installations. As part of the predetermined approach a robust communication plan was implemented to keep all stakeholders informed of progress and address any unforeseen challenges promptly.
Ensuring Connectivity with 5G Failover
One of the major requirements of this project was the implementation of a redundant 5G connection to provide a failover system if the primary link went down. In the event of a primary connection failure, the Allied Telesis routers automatically switched over to a 5G connection, but all the applications critical systems and data would still enable uninterrupted access. To allow the 5G connection PMT Communication incorporated the Direct Connect sim card solutions that has been specifically designed for Gallagher Access Control. The direct connect solution allows billing management, added support and access to the backend Ips to manage the whole fleet of devices on the network. The AT and Direct Connect combined to create a very secure and robust solution that enhanced the overall resilience of the network and minimised the downtime, which was crucial for a business that relied heavily on digital operations.
By leveraging cutting-edge technology and a meticulous project management approach, PMT Communications has successfully strengthened the security and connectivity infrastructure across all 500 branches, paving the way for a more secure and connected future.
