How One AEC Firm Took Control of Network Threats

This multidisciplinary AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) firm manages a high volume of complex, sensitive data, spanning everything from design assets and client briefs to real-time collaboration platforms.

With a team of 50–100 people and an expanding digital footprint, the business delivers intricate projects for both public and private sector clients. That means tight deadlines, high-value files, and serious responsibility when it comes to data protection. Their growing reliance on cloud systems and remote access only added urgency to modernise their network security approach and close the gaps before attackers could find them.

Industry: Architecture, Engineering, and Construction

Organisation Size: 50–100 staff

Service Areas: Cybersecurity, Threat Detection, Network Security

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Although the firm had reliable firewalls and endpoint security tools in place, their network remained largely unmonitored, creating a blind spot for potential threats.

Without visibility into the traffic moving across their systems, they lacked early warning for malicious behaviour and had no mechanism to block it in real time. It was a gap attackers could exploit, slipping through unnoticed to access sensitive project files or disrupt day-to-day operations. Leadership knew their IT team was already stretched, and any solution had to be low-lift to manage but powerful enough to actively defend against sophisticated threats.

To close the gap and deliver active network defence, we implemented an Intrusion Detection and Prevention Service (IDPS) designed for mid-sized creative and AEC firms with limited internal resources. It was built to be powerful, automated, and easy to manage.

Here's how we approached it:

• 24/7 Network Traffic Monitoring: The IDPS continuously scanned all inbound and outbound traffic, flagging any anomalies that didn’t match established baselines or expected behaviour.
• Real-Time Threat Detection and Blocking: Suspicious activity, such as port scans, malware command-and-control attempts, or brute-force login attempts, was automatically detected and blocked before it could escalate.
• Seamless Integration: We embedded the solution into the firm’s existing firewall and endpoint ecosystem, ensuring protection across every layer of their network without requiring disruptive overhauls.
• Custom Policy Alignment: Security rules were tailored to fit how the teams worked, balancing strong protection with the flexibility needed for collaborative project workflows.
• Actionable Reporting: The team received regular updates highlighting blocked threats, new vulnerabilities, and recommendations, making risk easier to manage and communicate to leadership.

The implementation of Intrusion Detection and Prevention gave the firm a powerful upgrade in network security without the burden of manual oversight.

Now, when a suspicious activity occurs, be it a phishing attempt, unauthorised login, or lateral movement, the system flags it, blocks it, and logs it. The IT team no longer operates in the dark; they can trace issues back to their source, review patterns, and respond with clarity and speed.

More importantly, the business now has tangible evidence of its security posture: consistent reporting, active defence, and clear governance, all of which strengthen its standing with clients, insurers, and regulatory bodies. The firm no longer operates on reactive fixes or assumptions. It operates on insight, control, and trust.