Parting Ways with a Security MSP

Business challenge

The client had been recently acquired. At that time a managed services provider (MSP) maintained its security, network and data center. The parent company decided to move these functions in-house. The client needed to build an in-house engineering and operations team from scratch. However, the relationship with the MSP was challenging throughout the disconnect process. The MSP did not provide current configuration information for the security environment.

Solution

Six Degrees Consulting worked closely with the client, leading the project while staff was hired and trained to handle operations.

SDC conducted an extensive network discovery. First, SDC reviewed documentation and help tickets as well as the requested information from the MSP. Next, SDC established requirements for the build of material to replace the MSP-owned firewalls. Finally, the project plan for staging, implementing and deploying the auxiliary firewalls was developed, followed by the ownership transfer plan.

Six Degrees Consulting staged the equipment then implemented and tested the firewalls. The firewalls were deployed in a forklift manner. Once the firewalls were in place, the new staff was trained, and management of the solution was handed off to the client’s operations team.

Solutions, services, and products applied

Network security: firewall upgrade and migration

SDC: enterprise security, policy optimization, custom training