Advantex Network Solutions - Experts & Thought Leaders

Advantex has achieved ISO/IEC 27001 accreditation, marking a significant milestone in the company’s ongoing commitment to protecting customer data, systems, and operations. ISO 27001 is the internationally recognized standard for information security management systems (ISMS). It provides a structured, risk-based approach to managing sensitive information. This ISO 27001 accreditation confirms that Advantex’s processes, controls, and governance meet rigorous global standards and have been independently assessed. Rigorous global standards The achievement reinforces Advantex’s role as a trusted technology partner to UK businesses. It is particularly relevant for organizations operating in environments where security, compliance, and resilience are business-critical. As cyber risk and regulatory pressure continue to increase, ISO 27001 certification provides a recognized benchmark for managing and protecting critical information. It also builds on a strong foundation of existing accreditations, including ISO 9001, NSI Gold, and Cyber Essentials Plus. Together, these certifications demonstrate a consistent, high-standard approach across quality management, cyber security, and physical security systems. Commenting on the achievement, Dave O’Connell, Managing Director at Advantex, said: “For us, ISO 27001 isn’t just about accreditation, it’s about how we operate as a business. Our customers are dealing with increasing pressure around cyber risk, compliance, and supply chain assurance. This ensures we’re not only meeting those expectations, but helping them navigate them with confidence. It’s a natural progression for Advantex as we continue to bring IT, communications, and intelligent security together into one joined-up, secure solution.”

Advantex Network Solutions announces plans to move forward under the sole leadership of Dave O’Connell, co-founder and one of the cornerstones of the business’s success for the past two decades. Founded in 2002 by brothers Dave and Steve O’Connell, Advantex has built a strong reputation as a trusted partner, supporting businesses, manufacturers, education and hospitality providers, and local authorities across the region and beyond. Innovation and customer success The move comes as the Follingsby Park-based company, which is an integrator of IT, communications, and IP security solutions including cybersecurity, data networks, and IP camera and access control systems, has seen sales revenues double in 2024 on the back of work-secured from the manufacturing, hospitality, and education sectors. Projects for SeAH Winds, AESC, Hitachi, Sirius Group, Advance Learning Partnership, and Newcastle International Airport together with a loyal customer base, see the business start the new year poised for further strong growth and a commitment to innovation and customer success through investment in services and industry talent. Tailored and innovative solutions The company plans to build on the 20-plus years of expertise in FY25 and into FY26 Following an impressive 46% growth in team size over the past 18 months, the company plans to build on the 20-plus years of expertise in FY25 and into FY26 with recruitment for a raft of additional engineering, business support, sales, and operations roles. Developing and expanding the business further, Dave O’Connell’s vision and leadership together with the management team, will ensure that Advantex not only upholds its legacy of delivering tailored and innovative solutions but also expands its footprint in the sector. Dave's comment He said, “Throughout our journey, we’ve built Advantex on the foundations of technical excellence and an unwavering commitment to our customers’ success. The significant growth we’ve achieved, particularly over the last 18 months, demonstrates the strength of our business model and the exceptional capabilities of our team." “As we move forward, we’re in a prime position to accelerate our growth plans, with a robust pipeline, strong financial performance, and most importantly, a talented team of 70 professionals who share our vision for innovation and service excellence. Our commitment to expanding our workforce and capabilities reflects our confidence in the opportunities ahead, and I’m excited to lead Advantex into this next chapter of growth.”

Gateshead-based IT solutions provider Advantex has successfully implemented one of the region’s first managed DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance) services for Thornaby-based Process Control Equipment (PCE). Securing email communications As a European distributor of valves, actuators, and automation packages, PCE is heavily dependent on secure email communications across multiple European domains.  In response to escalating cyber threats cited by 84% of UK businesses, PCE turned to Advantex to enhance email security by combating spam and preventing possible phishing or spoofing attacks. Authenticity of email messages Despite a rise in DMARC adoption from 3.98% to 7.78% of verified .org domains within a year DMARC is a critical email validation system that safeguards domains from unauthorized use by ensuring the authenticity of the sender’s email messages, thus thwarting phishing and spoofing attempts. Despite a rise in DMARC adoption from 3.98% to 7.78% of verified .org domains within a year, only 1.2% of domains have fully implemented the protocol, indicating a substantial gap in email security, according to EasyDMARC, a global pioneer in DMARC ecosystems. DMARC adoption Leveraging the managed DMARC offering through Advantex, PCE has made significant strides in enhancing the security of its email environment, improving domain reputation, enhancing mail flow, and eliminating unauthorized emails, ensuring the integrity and trustworthiness of its communications. This has resulted in increased confidence throughout their enterprise and supply chain. Email-sending locations Oliver McGuire, IT Manager at PCE, stated, “The insights provided by this solution, have enabled us to not only improve our domain reputation but also enhance mail flow and eliminate unsanctioned emails.” He further added, “Advantex supported us throughout the implementation process, offering regular updates and helping ensure that all legitimate email-sending locations were covered by the policy. While this might sound straightforward, it is quite complex given the integrated systems we operate.” Several value-add solutions Advantex’s Technical Director, Dave Sample, added, “Our managed DMARC service is one of several value-add solutions we offer to our support clients. We have seen a significant rise in interest in this solution since Yahoo and Google introduced changes in February, which have compelled some clients to adopt it." "Although the changes primarily targeted bulk email, the security enhancements and visibility provided by a properly managed DMARC solution are invaluable, complementing any email security system.” Digital communications He concluded, “As the threat landscape continues to evolve, we predict DMARC adoption to rise at a much steeper curve in 2024 and beyond, as organizations continue to prioritize security and brand reputation.” PCE’s proactive stance on email security, bolstered by Advantex’s expertise, sets a standard for organizations seeking to fortify their digital communications.