CheckPoint Software > Case Studies > Shepherd and Wedderburn Leverages Pointsec Protector for Enhanced Data Security

Shepherd and Wedderburn Leverages Pointsec Protector for Enhanced Data Security

Applicable Industries

Equipment & Machinery
National Security & Defense

Use Cases

Campus Area Network
Tamper Detection

About The Customer

Shepherd and Wedderburn is a leading law firm in the UK, with 49 partners and approximately 460 staff across four offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, and Aberdeen. As a legal organization, the firm deals with confidential client information on a daily basis, including sensitive data related to medical litigation cases and employment disputes. The firm's reputation and trustworthiness are of utmost importance, making the protection of client information and intellectual property a top priority.

The Challenge

Shepherd and Wedderburn, a leading UK law firm, was faced with the challenge of securing confidential client information and intellectual property against loss or theft. As a legal organization, the firm handles a large volume of sensitive data daily, ranging from medical litigation cases to employment disputes. The potential consequences of any confidentiality breach would be disastrous for the firm, both in terms of reputation and trust. The firm's IT manager, Mark Findlay, identified three key requirements from a security solution: protection of intellectual property including confidential client information, prevention of nonbusiness software/material introduction onto the corporate network, and prevention of virus infections.

The Solution

Shepherd and Wedderburn evaluated a range of solutions from traditional antivirus vendors, but found Pointsec Protector to be the most suitable for their needs. The control offered by Pointsec Protector over removable media devices was unmatched by competing vendors, leading to the firm choosing this solution back in 1999. USB memory sticks, used throughout the organization to move data, are all authorized by Pointsec Protector prior to use. To make this policy less restrictive, senior secretarial staff also have the ability to authorize removable media. Despite the increase in malicious threats and the proliferation of removable media devices over the years, Pointsec Protector has kept pace with the changing security landscape. Today, Shepherd and Wedderburn has over 350 Pointsec Protector licenses and continues to find it an extremely effective security solution.

Operational Impact

The implementation of Pointsec Protector has significantly reduced the burden on the IT department at Shepherd and Wedderburn. The solution has effectively controlled the corporate network, offering additional control around removable media and enabling the firm to keep track of highly sensitive data. It has also prevented misuse of the corporate network, blocking employees from downloading inappropriate files and ensuring bandwidth isn't clogged with nonbusiness-related data. Pointsec Protector has protected the business from many of the security threats that have hit other companies over the years, proving its effectiveness in today's complex IT environment.

Quantitative Benefit

Over 350 Pointsec Protector licenses are in use, providing comprehensive coverage across the organization.
Pointsec Protector is used almost exclusively to secure valuable data and fight malicious code, reducing the need for additional security solutions.
Only around 50 of the laptops used by employees require supplemental antivirus software, demonstrating the effectiveness of Pointsec Protector.