With the Qatari business conglomerate, Al Majed Group, looking for security solutions that could secure its network and protect users from unknown malware, exploits and ransomware, it implemented Sophos Intercept X Advanced and Sophos XG Firewall. It has benefited from synchronised security that automatically responds to incidents on the network with the result that its network is strengthened significantly.
Al Majed Group was facing critical security issues with its existing antivirus product.
They were unhappy with the fact that it offered no real time updates. This made it challenging to manage and protect against ransomware. The team was forced to do the time-consuming work manually.
With businesses being targeted more than ever for cyberattacks, security is now a top priority for every organisation. The IT team at Al Majid Group was looking for a solution that could be controlled from a single console, secure the network and protect users from unknown malware, exploits and ransomware. After evaluating several products, the team decided to go ahead with Sophos Intercept X Advanced and Sophos XG Firewall.
The challenges included:
- Effectively dealing with the security challenges
- Addressing hardware stability issues
- Providing the IT team with daily security updates through a central source
- Establishing a required, in-depth view on the online activities of employees to protect them from threats and underlying hidden risks
- Securing devices and protecting corporate data from potential vulnerabilities with employee devices
The team was particularly impressed with Sophos Synchronised Security. Synchronised Security simplifies and unifies defences with real-time intelligence sharing between the endpoints and firewall. In addition, using a single unified console to manage their endpoints from the portal itself was convenient and improved efficiency.
The team was able to rapidly set up their Sophos products, which were deployed in just two weeks. Beyond the quality of the solutions themselves, having support from Sophos Partner Network Plus Data Solutions was an added advantage. Al Majed Group plans to deploy Sophos endpoint detection response (EDR) technology as well as Sophos’ encryption solution in the coming months.
Results
Enhanced protection. Intercept X stops zero-day malware, stealthy attacks and unknown exploit variants. This provided Al Majed Group with the protection and advanced anti-ransomware functionality it needed to detect previous unknown attacks in seconds.
Instant results and performance. With the incredibly fast response times via Sophos deep learning technology, Al Majed Group’s IT team now spends less time responding to incidents. In less than 20 milliseconds, the model is able to extract millions of features from a file, conduct a deep analysis and determine if a file is benign or malicious.
Strong network security. Sophos XG Firewall blocks unknown threats and exposes hidden risks with a visual dashboard, rich on-box reporting and unique risk insights. Synchronised Security within the firewall automatically responds to incidents on the network, strengthening Al Majed Group’s network.
Return on Investment. Sophos solutions have been cost-effective and simple to use. They have provided the visibility that Al Majed Group’s IT team needed to increase operational efficiency. The reliable, accurate and timely updates have helped the team in making better decisions.
We asked Nishanth Menon, IT systems manager, Al Majed Group, further questions about the solutions.
Can you give us an overview of Al Majed’s core business objectives?
Al Majed Group is a family-owned luxury retail business with the highest standards of corporate governance, professionalism and operational standards. We maintain a premium status as a leading Qatari business conglomerate while forging lifelong partnerships of world class calibre. The core business values include integrity, excellence, quality and commitment. We aim for market leadership by achieving prosperity through our partners and through measurably contributing to the growth and profitability of our customers.
What kind of unique cyberthreats does your business face?
The threat landscape continues to change on a daily basis – volumes are predicted to rise by the experts. This has affected all businesses. Whoever has valuable data is at risk.
Right now, we see ransomware and phishing as two significant attack vectors.
Why did you select Sophos’ solution?
We were looking for a solution that could be controlled from a single console, secure the network and protect users from unknown malware, exploits and ransomware. After evaluating several products, we decided to go ahead with Sophos Intercept X Advanced and Sophos XG Firewall.
The team was particularly impressed with Sophos Synchronised Security. In addition, using a single unified console to manage endpoints from the portal itself was convenient and improved efficiency. Beyond the quality of the solutions themselves, having great support from Sophos Partner Network Plus Data Solutions was an added advantage.
How did employees find the new solution?
The team was particularly impressed with Sophos Synchronised Security. The team found the solutions easy to use, reliable and accurate. The updates provided have helped us in making better decisions and increase operational efficiency.
What are the main benefits of the system?
Enhanced protection
Intercept X stops zero-day malware, stealthy attacks and unknown exploit variants. This provided the company with the protection and advanced anti-ransomware functionality it needed to detect previous unknown attacks in seconds.
Instant results and performance
With the incredibly fast response times via Sophos deep learning technology, our IT team now spends less time responding to incidents. In less than 20 milliseconds, the model is able to extract millions of features from a file, conduct a deep analysis and determine if a file is benign or malicious.
Strong network security
Sophos XG Firewall blocks unknown threats and exposes hidden risks with a visual dashboard, rich on-box reporting and unique risk insights. Synchronised Security within the firewall automatically responds to incidents on the network, strengthening the company’s network.
Return on investment
Sophos solutions have been cost-effective and simple to use. They have provided the visibility that our IT team needed to increase operational efficiency. The reliable, accurate and timely updates have helped the team in making better decisions.
How far has the system future proofed your organisation?
Sophos solutions has helped in effectively dealing with security challenges, addressing our hardware stability issues, providing our team with daily security updates through a central source, securing devices and protecting corporate data from potential vulnerabilities with employee devices and establishing an in-depth view of the online activities of employees to protect them from threats and underlying hidden risks.
Best practice for other organisations in improving their security strategy?
Cybersecurity is now a critical consideration for every organisation. Whatever their size and sector, it is important to get the basics right. Even well-resourced companies are still falling victim to cyberattacks.
To ensure the highest level of cybersecurity, here are some of the best practices that must be followed by organisations
- Make IT security a
corporate priority
- Establish an effective comprehensive layered approach; starting with two key pillars of endpoint security and network security. Your IT security should work as a system. And look for solutions that keep it simple and manageable
- Stay current; keep them patched and fully up-to-date
- Educate users on the threats and the proper safeguards and behaviours they should employ
