The Futures Group provide practical guidance around careers, training and apprenticeships. For over 25 years, they have helped individuals and businesses overcome the challenges associated with employability and skills. Their valued work has earned them an Ofsted rating of ‘outstanding’ and recognition from the UK Career Development Awards.

The Futures Group wanted to add an extra layer of security to their Microsoft Azure platform, to ensure their remote workforce were protected from cyber threats. As an organisation that holds customer information, it was also important for the Group to demonstrate a sensible approach to security that complies with data protection regulations.

Bytes’ Cloud Specialists recommended adopting a backup solution for Azure. This would protect business and customer data, whilst ensuring recovery in the event of attack. Bytes provided guidance around multiple vendors, with Microsoft Azure Backup ultimately being chosen as the most suitable solution for The Futures Group.

Azure Backup offers scalable backup for cloud and on-premises. Data is protected from ransomware using multi-factor authentication, whilst snapshot technology ensures easy recovery. Being cloud-based, it is also cost-effective, with no tape or management fees. To help The Futures Group implement Azure Backup, Bytes held advisory engagements with them to ensure they got optimal value from the solution and understood all the features.

The Futures Group also wanted to protect remote users from web-based threats. Bytes’ Cyber Consultants suggested adopting a web proxy, which would act as a firewall to protect data shared over the internet. Bytes presented several products, with Forcepoint Web Security being selected as the best fit. This solution offers protection against malware and data loss, using web content filtering, real-time analysis, data theft defences and cloud application monitoring to keep remote and desktop users safe.

For help deploying and onboarding Forcepoint Web Security, Bytes’ Cyber Consultants held several engagements to implement the solution. Bytes continue to provide helpdesk support for The Futures Group, whenever they have questions or need to troubleshoot the solution.

Microsoft Azure Backup and Forcepoint Web Security enabled The Futures Group to support more secure remote working, protecting customers and staff from web-based threats and data loss in the cloud. Forcepoint Web Security filters web traffic for potential risks, whilst Azure Backup provides easy data recovery in the event of attack. These solutions will also keep the Group compliant and deliver peace of mind as their business grows.

Going forward, The Futures Group will continue working with Bytes to expand their security strategy and explore more cloud solutions to complement Azure.