NHSmail delivers email and collaboration capabilities across 16,000 National Health Service (NHS) organizations, including pharmacies, dentists and social care. COVID-19 stressed an already-loaded system as more people needed secure access from remote locations. For a robust and secure solution, Avanade and Accenture looked no further than Microsoft Teams. In just seven days, the joint team built and tested the Microsoft Teams protection integration, including the implementation of a full support model for all 1.2 million users. Professionals use the platform to securely send instant messages, complete audio and video calls and host virtual meetings among users across England.
Where are the holograms?
If high-budget movies are to be believed, cybersecurity solutions involve scrolling and tapping through multiple holographic screens floating in mid-air and deploying highly encrypted tools set to self-destruct if breached. If Avanade is to be believed, the security you need may already be on your system, or easily added, as was the case with NHSmail and Teams.
Staying sharp on cybersecurity
Consider the Microsoft platform to be your Swiss army knife of security, Microsoft cybersecurity, capable of deploying all kinds of clever tools and gadgets that might avert a disaster.
Government and public service agencies running on the Microsoft platform have tools and gadgets at their disposal. When deployed, the built-in features and setting within Microsoft technologies can bolster security without a lot of extra investment and third-party solutions. And, once you’ve deployed all the features you already own, you can prioritize and optimize investments in the solutions and people you need to create an environment that is fast, safe, and unobtrusive.
The fun of a new Swiss army knife is figuring out what all the different gadgets are for. But how many of us turn to the knife for its primary use – maybe deploying the scissors or corkscrew every now and again – and leave lots of potential in our pockets?
Get clear perspective from expert eyes
So it is with Microsoft and cybersecurity, except all the features and tools are deployed throughout the platform. Having a trusted partner to go through your systems and look at things through a security lens has several benefits:
- Partners like Avanade know the capabilities of each solution. Our work with Microsoft cybersecurity solutions for government accelerates our ability to see what’s possible and make the changes to deploy underutilized tools.
- Examining systems can uncover cost savings and efficiencies. How often have you gone in search of something and found yourself saying, "Wow! I forgot I had this." Or "Why do I still have this?" Combing through systems for security features might also uncover unused licenses or apps and data cluttering up the system and eating up budget on licensing fees.
- Knowing exactly what you have and what you need helps you do more with less. Amidst budget constraints and staffing shortages, everyone is looking for ways to work smarter. For governments seeking to improve their cybersecurity, self-examination is a good start.
Our objective is to help government agencies rethink and respond to their cybersecurity needs, to install public sector data security, rather than react when things go wrong.
Get started below to see how Avanade can help you solve your biggest challenges. Visit the Solutions Finder today.