CheckPoint Software > Case Studies > Securing Wireless Connectivity at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre with Check Point Solutions

Securing Wireless Connectivity at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre with Check Point Solutions

Technology Category

Cybersecurity & Privacy - Network Security
Networks & Connectivity - Gateways

Applicable Industries

National Security & Defense
Telecommunications

Applicable Functions

Maintenance

Use Cases

Inventory Management
Tamper Detection

Services

Cybersecurity Services

About The Customer

The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) is a premier event hosting venue located in Melbourne, Australia. It hosts more than 1100 events each year, ranging from meetings, conventions, and exhibitions to concerts, tradeshows, and gala dinners. MCEC is renowned for its range of in-house technology across lighting, audio, vision, and IT, which it leverages to create memorable experiences for event attendees. The Centre offers the latest IT networking capabilities for both fixed and wireless telecommunications and computing, catering to a diverse clientele from various industries. MCEC is committed to providing a secure, reliable, and high-performing environment for its guests, making it a trusted choice for event organizers and attendees alike.

The Challenge

The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) is a bustling hub that hosts over 1100 events annually, including meetings, conventions, exhibitions, concerts, tradeshows, and gala dinners. With a wide range of in-house technology across lighting, audio, vision, and IT, MCEC aims to create memorable experiences for event attendees. However, the Centre faced a significant challenge in providing reliable public wireless Internet service to thousands of visitors daily. MCEC needed to maintain control over content and applications, protect users, and support client demand for free wireless connectivity for up to 10,000 devices. The Centre required a solution that would enable thousands of users to access the network concurrently, ensure maximum network security, allow flexibility and management of data access and applications, ensure zero downtime, and provide maximum throughput with no user usage impact.

The Solution

MCEC turned to Check Point Solutions to address their challenges. The Check Point Software Blade Architecture was implemented to meet the need for a reliable, secure public network. The Check Point Application Control Software Blade was used to manage network service through application control, allowing MCEC to modify the online applications available to users at different times, thereby managing bandwidth-consuming apps to control costs and keep the service available for all users. The Software Blade Architecture also allowed MCEC to run multiple software blades from a single device, simplifying and reducing management time while maintaining high levels of security. Additionally, the Check Point URL Filtering Software Blade was used to enforce inspection of all traffic, protecting online users while still allowing visitors access to relevant information.

Operational Impact

The implementation of Check Point Solutions at MCEC has resulted in robust, flexible protection for the Centre's guests. It has ensured that MCEC can provide duty of care for guests’ online protection and security, delivering robust threat protection and application management without being overly restrictive. The solution caters to MCEC’s security requirements on a large scale in a complex, non-traditional, and constantly changing environment. The Check Point Software Blade Architecture has simplified MCEC’s security solution, reducing unnecessary complexity and saving time and money, while providing the highest levels of wireless network security. The stability and reliability of the solution have meant no unplanned system outages, ensuring that MCEC's events run smoothly.

Quantitative Benefit