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At David Allen IT Solutions, we are committed to delivering tailored solutions that meet the specific needs of our clients.   Our recent project with Kendal Nutricare is an insightful case study of how our projects team work to resolve all your IT issues.  Kendal Nutricare, a British manufacturer who have seen significant growth over the years establishing a global presence and specialising in high-quality nutrition products.  As they continue to expand, their need for a secure and reliable IT infrastructure has become more critical than ever. That’s where we stepped in.

Kendal Nutricare faced a series of challenges that required a robust and scalable IT solution. With a remote workforce and a variety of devices being used across the company—including Windows PCs, Apple Macs, Android phones, and iOS tablets—managing security and ensuring compliance had become increasingly complex.   At the same time, they relied on a single WAN connection to Microsoft Azure, which introduced a potential single point of failure in their network. This was a critical concern, as any disruption in connectivity could affect access to essential business applications and halt operations.

Security and compliance were also top priorities for Kendal Nutricare, especially given the constantly evolving nature of cyber threats.   They needed next-generation firewall functionality to protect their data and operations, along with an automated backup solution that could guarantee data integrity and security, even during configuration changes or unexpected incidents.

After collaborating closely with Kendal Nutricare to understand their unique requirements, we identified the FortiGate 100F firewall with Unified Threat Protection (UTP) as the ideal solution for their needs.   We took great care in planning and designing a security solution that would not only meet their current demands but also future proof their IT infrastructure for continued growth.

One of the most important aspects of our approach was minimising disruption to Kendal Nutricare’s production operations.   We carried out the installation during an out-of-hours maintenance window to ensure that factory productivity remained unaffected.   Our team worked seamlessly to implement the new system, allowing the company to continue its day-to-day operations without interruption.

To address the challenge of managing multiple operating systems, we deployed an SSL VPN solution that allowed all devices to connect through a single, OS-agnostic application.   This enabled both remote and on-site employees to securely access the company’s infrastructure from any compliant device.   Additionally, we integrated this solution with Microsoft Entra ID, which enforced multi-factor authentication through conditional access policies, further enhancing security across the board.

Given the reliance on a single WAN connection, we knew that building network redundancy was crucial. We installed two WAN connections with IPSec connectivity to Microsoft Azure, which created a failover option in the event of a network disruption.   Now, if one connection fails, Kendal Nutricare can continue accessing its core business applications without interruption, ensuring that operations run smoothly even in the face of potential connectivity issues.

We also took the time to carefully scope firewall rules to ensure that only the necessary services were operating.   By leveraging the FortiGuard UTP protection features and the internet service database, we were able to lock down unused ports and IP addresses.   This targeted approach significantly reduced the company’s exposure to potential threats and bolstered their overall network security.

Compliance was another critical concern for Kendal Nutricare and we addressed this by configuring automated backups using the FortiCloud platform.   These backups are scheduled to run daily during configuration changes, ensuring that the company always has up-to-date backups in place.   The system also allows for auditing and restoring backups as needed, providing peace of mind that their data is secure and compliant with industry standards.

With the FortiGate 100F firewall and the additional technologies we implemented, Kendal Nutricare now enjoys a secure, reliable, and future-proofed IT infrastructure.   The introduction of next-generation firewall functionality and multi-factor authentication has significantly improved their security posture, protecting them from modern cyber threats.   At the same time, the dual WAN connections and IPSec connectivity ensure that they can continue operating without disruption, even in the event of a network failure.

Our work with Kendal Nutricare has not only helped them meet their compliance obligations but also allowed their employees to access the company’s infrastructure seamlessly across devices, regardless of the operating system.   We are proud to have played a role in enabling their continued growth, ensuring that their IT systems are ready to support them as they expand their global reach.

If your business requires advice and support with your IT infrastructure, our experienced team is here to help.   Reach out to us, and let’s work together to ensure your systems are secure, reliable, and ready for the future. Message us now.