Zscaler > Case Studies > Zscaler™ Enhances GHD's Protection and Threat Management Capabilities

Zscaler™ Enhances GHD's Protection and Threat Management Capabilities

Technology Category

Cybersecurity & Privacy - Application Security
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) - Cloud Databases

Applicable Industries

Buildings
Transportation

Applicable Functions

Logistics & Transportation
Maintenance

Use Cases

Cybersecurity
Tamper Detection

Services

Cloud Planning, Design & Implementation Services
Cybersecurity Services

About The Customer

GHD is one of the world’s leading professional services companies, operating in the global markets of water, energy and resources, environment, property and buildings, and transportation. The company provides engineering, architecture, environmental, and construction services to private and public-sector clients across five continents – Asia, Australia, Europe, North and South America – and the Pacific region. GHD employs more than 8500 people in over 200 offices worldwide. The company's complex ICT environment and increasing reliance on internet services necessitated a robust and scalable security solution.

The Challenge

GHD, a leading professional services company, was grappling with the challenge of providing secure, reliable, and scalable internet access to its employees across various locations. The company's complex ICT environment, coupled with an increasing reliance on internet services, posed significant challenges for GHD’s Information Security team. The team was tasked with ensuring secure internet access for every data center, office, and employee, regardless of their geographical location. The task was further complicated by the need to maintain and deploy firewall appliances in several offices or project sites.

The Solution

GHD’s Information Security team identified that a cloud-based security solution would be the most suitable architecture for the company. After a detailed review of several potential vendors, Zscaler was chosen to monitor and manage all internet-based traffic. The team was particularly impressed by the ease with which existing security policies could be mapped to the Zscaler service. Zscaler’s cloud-based firewall streamlined the process of deploying and maintaining firewall appliances, thereby reducing costs. Additionally, Zscaler uses automated, cloud-based sandboxes to further protect GHD from threats not detectable using traditional security techniques. This has allowed the Information Security team to maintain an appropriate level of security while broadening access to internet-based services.

Operational Impact

The implementation of Zscaler's solution has resulted in better protection for all GHD employees from web-based threats, regardless of their location. Employees can now use the internet confidently, knowing that appropriate protection is in place at all times. The solution has also simplified the management of the security platform. With Zscaler undertaking the platform management, GHD’s Information Security team can focus on monitoring any exceptions that occur. The day-to-day platform maintenance is now handled centrally by Zscaler, freeing up the Information Security team to focus on other critical tasks.

Quantitative Benefit

Zscaler's solution has significantly reduced the workload of GHD’s Information Security team by taking over the platform management.
The cloud-based firewall has streamlined the process of deploying and maintaining firewall appliances, leading to cost reduction.
The solution has enabled the Information Security team to broaden access to internet-based services while maintaining an appropriate level of security.