Case Studies
Private Networking / WAN Services
Teleworking and Business Continuity
A large Chicago law firm was interested in providing teleworking capabilities for their attorneys. Initial requirements indicated a need for a highly secure, high speed, cost effective dedicated network connection from the attorney’s homes to the corporate headquarters. An Internet-based Virtual Private Network (VPN) was an option, but there were concerns about managing and supporting this type of solution.
By providing secure access into this law firm’s vast information resources, attorney productivity could increase as they could now access corporate information from home. A second benefit of offering a teleworking service to the staff would be for Business Continuity. Should the firm’s physical office space become unavailable, a secondary access method into the law firm’s data would be accommodated. Day-to-day operations could continue through any "worst case scenario."
Solution
IDC Global Networks developed and implemented a private, dedicated teleworking network utilizing Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) as the "last mile" connectivity from the attorney’s homes to IDC Global Network’s Chicago switching facility. This private DSL network solution provides similar functionality as dedicated private line architecture at a fraction of the cost. Since this is not an Internet-based service (VPN), the connections are secure, the performance is greater, and the threat of viruses and malicious attacks are minimized through a centralized perimeter security solution. Furthermore, with one service provider handling each end-user’s connectivity, there are fewer support issues than that of VPN solutions involving numerous service providers.
One call from the firm’s IT department is all it takes to establish this reliable remote access solution for new hires. The attorneys are able to connect to the law firm’s internal resources from their homes as easily as if they were at the office. All user account information is in the firm’s directory with the same username and password at home as in the office. Adding or removing end points to this network requires very little changes to the firm’s network making this solution very scalable.
The Business Continuity test would come soon enough as 15,000 gallons of water gushed from a burst pipe through the firms Chicago office in the fall of 2004. An eight-inch water pipe that ran through the firm's law library burst suddenly and in the span of five minutes the water was almost knee deep. Despite the disaster, the firm was able to continue operations. By providing attorneys, paralegals, administrative and management staff remote, secure access to the firm's computer systems, the law firm was able to fully service all of their clients in the high standard that the clients are accustomed to.
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