CASE STUDY
With a hybrid cloud model in place, staff depended on internet-based and SaaS applications to support daily operations both in the office and remotely. Providing secure, consistent access while maintaining a positive user experience became a priority, leading Wales & West to work with VCG to strengthen their cloud security approach and support a distributed workforce.
With a hybrid cloud model in place, staff depended on internet-based and SaaS applications to support daily operations both in the office and remotely. Providing secure, consistent access while maintaining a positive user experience became a priority, leading Wales & West to work with VCG to strengthen their cloud security approach and support a distributed workforce.
Challenge
Wales & West Housing is a well-established social housing provider operating across Wales, managing more than 11,500 high-quality, affordable homes in 15 local authority areas. Following a period of growth and acquisitions, the IT team took on responsibility for supporting a larger number of users and office locations, increasing the need for consistency, reliability, and security across a more complex environment.
To support modern working practices, Wales & West adopted a flexible, scalable technology model. As employees increasingly accessed critical SaaS applications, internet connectivity became essential for day-to-day operations.
With staff working across multiple locations and beyond the corporate network, maintaining security while enabling seamless access was a priority. Wales & West needed a solution that balanced usability with strong protection to support productivity and enforce organisational security standards.
Solution
Cisco Umbrella cloud security met the organisation’s needs perfectly. Enforced from the DNS layer (built on OpenDNS), Umbrella secures access across all devices, users, and locations. A centrally managed cloud dashboard allows IT to enforce policy, block inappropriate content, and report on threats prevented each day.
The platform gives the IT team clear insight into user activity and security events, helping maintain policy compliance and proactively identify threats.
Having worked with VCG on networking and cyber-security projects previously, and with the current solution in place not offering the required level of protection, Wales & West engaged VCG to find a solution. Leveraging VCG’s expertise and understanding of their environment, Wales & West sought a modern, cloud-delivered security platform that could support their hybrid infrastructure and growing user base.
Wales & West initially trialled Umbrella with a subset of users in close partnership with VCG to demonstrate value and utilise all features. Following the trial, the solution was deployed to over 500 users, ensuring measurable benefits before wider rollout.
“Everything is secure by design now. Security is everybody’s responsibility”
The cloud platform provides IT with real-time reporting and centralised control, making it easier to apply policies consistently and demonstrate security effectiveness across the organisation.
Employees can work confidently on and off the corporate network. The solution supports flexible working, ensures reliable access to critical applications, and maintains strong security without adding complexity.
The cloud platform provides IT with real-time reporting and centralised control, making it easier to apply policies consistently and demonstrate security effectiveness across the organisation.
Employees can work confidently on and off the corporate network. The solution supports flexible working, ensures reliable access to critical applications, and maintains strong security without adding complexity.
Partnering with VCG, Wales & West Housing strengthened its internet and cloud security to support a growing, geographically distributed workforce. The solution aligns with the hybrid cloud strategy, providing consistent protection, improved visibility, and a better user experience, positioning the organisation to securely support ongoing growth and maintain operational resilience.
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