.svg)
.svg)
Cybersecurity: Case Study
End-to-end cybersecurity transformation reduced threats and strengthened compliance for a major regional water utility without disrupting operations.
Overview
A major regional water utility partnered with Loial to strengthen its cybersecurity posture amid rising industry-wide threats. Through detailed consultations and a full-scale assessment, our team uncovered vulnerabilities in endpoint protection, patching, and compliance. We collaborated closely with the utility’s IT leadership to design a balanced, comprehensive security strategy that enhanced protection without disrupting daily operations.
1. Understand
We began our engagement with a local water utility by conducting in-depth consultations with their IT leadership. We aimed to understand their business operations, existing cybersecurity controls, and concerns about recent phishing incidents and ransomware threats targeting the utility sector.
2. Discovery
Our team performed a full security assessment. We uncovered inconsistent endpoint protection across devices, manual patching processes, and weaknesses in the existing email filtering. Several compliance gaps related to data classification and access logging were also identified.
3. Solution
We developed a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy tailored to the utility’s needs. This included a fully managed EDR solution (LMNTRIX), a replacement of their legacy remote access VPN client (Zscaler), a centralized logging and SIEM solution (Splunk), robust email filtering (Proofpoint), automated patch management (Tanium), and data classification solution (Spirion). Our strategy balanced tight security controls with the operational needs of staff.
4. Implementation
Working alongside their IT department, we rolled out the new security infrastructure. Deployments were timed to avoid interfering with operations, and we provided on-site and remote training to ensure a smooth transition. We also integrated compliance tracking (Apptega) into their reporting tools for better visibility.
5. Measure Impacts
Post-implementation, we established continuous monitoring utilizing Splunk and regular security audits. Within the first quarter, the utility experienced a significant decrease in phishing-related incidents. The utility also saw a decline in vulnerabilities detected by monthly scans once Tanium began automating the patching process.
Conclusion
By implementing next-generation solutions such as LMNTRIX, Zscaler, Proofpoint email filtering, and Tanium endpoint management, the utility achieved measurable improvements in security and compliance. Within the first quarter, phishing incidents and system vulnerabilities declined dramatically. This project underscores Loial’s ability to deliver tailored, end-to-end cybersecurity solutions that protect critical infrastructure while supporting operational continuity.
Work With a Team Who’s In It With You
Behind every solution is a team committed to your success. Let’s talk about what that looks like for you.
.svg)