David Bundock

NetUtils, a renowned IT specialist has launched one of the UK’s most advanced and highly integrated managed cybersecurity service aimed at helping larger enterprises to improve cybersecurity defenses while reducing operational cost and complexity. The new “Platinum Tier” includes a fully staffed, 24/7 Security Operations Centre (SOC) and is backed by NetUtils continued certification around the ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 standards and as a registered Crown Commercial Service supplier. The new top tier service offers every element a large enterprise should deploy based on best practice methodology and includes Advanced Endpoint Protection, Vulnerability & Patch Management, Managed Firewalls, Email Security Gateway, Privileged Access Management and Cloud Access Security Broker capabilities. Managed cybersecurity The built-in SOC services provides full-time security monitoring across devices and applications including Office 365 along with structured Security Awareness Training sessions and ongoing helpdesk service. The Platinum tier is available at under £45 per user per month with significant discounts for larger organizations. Our Platinum Tier Managed cybersecurity services are based on feedback from several enterprise customers" “Larger enterprises are faced with the dual challenges of managing more remote staff while still trying to deliver the core IT projects that are critical to the business. Our Platinum Tier Managed cybersecurity services are based on feedback from several enterprise customers around what they need - and is effectively a formalization of a number of disparate services that we have been delivering successfully for many years”, says Ashok Thomas, CEO for NetUtils. Critical digitization projects “When you look at the overall cost and especially when you factor in our 24/7 SOC capability, our Platinum service will typically save enterprises with a 1000 staff or more, hundreds of thousands of pounds each year in operational cybersecurity costs - with the assurance of transparent SLA’s and round the clock expertise.” The new Platinum tier managed security services also aim to address several challenges that have accelerated due to the ongoing pandemic including critical digitization projects, reduction in IT budgets and ongoing cybersecurity skills shortage. Data center capacity According to recent research by PWC, a consultancy, that questions over 3000 senior executives at larger organizations; 96% of executives have shifted their cybersecurity strategy due to COVID-19 while 55% of respondents lack confidence when their cyber spending is allocated towards the most significant risks. NetUtils has built a reputation for technical excellence and is a certified Juniper Networks partner in Europe NetUtils has built a reputation for technical excellence and is the most certified Juniper Networks partner in Europe and maintains over 420 industry and vendor accreditations within its team including CISSPs and CISMPs, Fortinet’s NS7, and Juniper JNCIPs. IAs part of the managed cybersecurity services launch, NetUtils has invested over £1.2 million adding more staff, enhanced training, and additional data center capacity to meet growing demand. Managed security service As David Bundock, COO for NetUtils explains, “Our top tier managed security service helps to address the operational challenges and skills retention issues that larger organizations are facing at a time when external factors such as COVID and Brexit are impacting core business processes." "Our technical expertise and ISO compliant processes can help large enterprises improve cybersecurity through a trusted partnership that allows them to focus on their core business without compromising on active cybersecurity controls and monitoring.”

NetUtils, a renowned IT specialist has launched a new, highly integrated managed cybersecurity services portfolio to help businesses gain enterprise class protection at competitive price points to suit small and medium sized organizations. The new four tier bundles combine between 4 and 16 cybersecurity services ranging from Endpoint Protection and Email Security all the way up to fully fledged SOC services with prices starting at just £8 per user per month. With a heritage spanning over 27 years, NetUtils is one of the UK’s longest serving specialist integrators of network, security and data solutions for enterprise, telco, MSPs and ISPs. Today, it serves over 400 enterprise and service provider clients including many listed within the FTSE 100. Managed security services Netutils is also ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 registered and a Crown Commercial Service supplier NetUtils has built a reputation for technical excellence and is the most certified Juniper Networks partner in Europe and maintains over 420 industry and vendor accreditation within its team including CISSPs and CISMPs, Fortinet’s NS7, and Juniper JNCIPs. Netutils is also ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 registered and a Crown Commercial Service supplier. “Managed security services provide a huge array of benefits for our enterprise customers yet have tended to be outside of the price range of smaller business that are just as likely to be attacked by cyber criminals,” says Ashok Thomas, CEO for NetUtils. Integrated security services “By building a set of integrated managed security services, using multiple vendors along with our own 24/7 teams, we are typically able to deliver our bundles at an overall cost that is between 40% to 70% less than a small business trying to buy and implement all of the separate solutions - and that’s even before staffing costs.” The new managed security services also aim to address the significant skills shortage that UK businesses face in recruiting and retaining skilled cybersecurity professionals. A problem highlighted by the 2020 ISACA’s Global State of Cybersecurity that found 62% of respondents indicated that their organization’s cybersecurity team is either somewhat or significantly understaffed. cybersecurity protection One of the first organizations to sign up for the new managed service is London based Polar Capital One of the first organizations to sign up for the new managed service is London based Polar Capital, a specialist investment fund manager. As Mike Catlin, CTO explains, “In the past, we have run some of the elements within the NetUtils managed service in-house but the cost of the hardware, licensing fees and difficulty in finding staff with strong cybersecurity skills has been a real challenge. NetUtils helped us setup our existing IT systems and the new managed services provide us with better cybersecurity protection backed by a skilled team and for a lower cost.” Data center capacity NetUtils has invested over £1.2 million adding more staff, enhanced training, and additional data center capacity to deliver the new cybersecurity services. As David Bundock, COO for NetUtils explains, “Our aim is to offer the same level of professionalism and technical expertise that our current clients receive to a wider range of organizations that are keen to focus on their core business - while letting a trusted partner take care of the security burden.” As part of the launch, NetUtils are offering a free Dark Web scan to  any organization to evaluate areas of risk around security credentials and the potential benefits of moving to its managed services model.

Network Utilities Ltd, an integrator of network and security solutions, has announced the successful acquisition of Metropolitan Networks, a provider of customer-centered network support and security managed services, that will create the UK’s leading specialist integrator of identity-centric network, security and data solutions and services to enterprises, telcos, MSPs and ISPs. The newly enlarged Network Utilities will also gain its own on-premise data center and 24/7 Network Operations Center in the UK and new offices and staff in the Middle East, Caribbean and West Africa to support an expanded roster of international clients including Cable & Wireless, Judiciary of Trinidad & Tobago and Nutrien.  Focusing On Excellence Over Growth With this deal, we now have the depth and breadth of people, technologies and services to expand our customer footprint"The combined company has over 400 enterprise and service provider clients including many listed within the FTSE 100 along with household names in financial services, education, healthcare and manufacturing. “This acquisition marks a great day in our 25-year history and brings together two companies that have a highly regarded and trusted reputation with clients and partners,” said David Bundock, Chief Operating Officer. “As one of the oldest serving specialist solution providers with customer relationships that span over a decade, Network Utilities has focused on excellence over growth. However, with this deal, we now have the depth and breadth of people, technologies and services to expand our customer footprint without sacrificing the values that have made us so successful.” Hallmark Of Ethics And Service Michele Lewington, one of the original founders and Managing Director of Network Utilities for 25 years commented: “I am delighted to hear this news. The two companies have worked together on various projects over many years and both bear the hallmark of ethics and service that customers have come to expect. The acquisition will see Network Utilities take over all staff, premises and ongoing maintenance contracts from Metropolitan Networks" “My heartfelt thanks go to those Network Utilities employees who are amongst some of the most talented, hardworking and loyal of all in the industry. It is their commitment to the business over many years that has enabled me now to leave the company in safe hands to enjoy semi-retirement and the pursuit of other interests.” The acquisition, for an undisclosed sum, will see Network Utilities take over all staff, premises and ongoing maintenance contracts from Metropolitan Networks with a full equivalency of agreed service level agreements. All staff will consolidate at new headquarters in Orpington which will also maintain the new Network Utilities NOC and data center. Offering Clients More Benefits “Metropolitan Networks has grown rapidly, and the last 15 years has been a fantastic journey,” explains Ashok Thomas, Chief Executive Officer and founder of Metropolitan Networks. “However, to keep on meeting the expectations of our clients while expanding the business proved challenging through organic growth alone. “This investment by Network Utilities and the merging of expert technical and sales teams into a new entity offers our existing clients more benefits, including access to some of the best security focused people in the UK plus a management team that have vast experience in successfully growing a business over the last two decades.” The deal also expands our footprint into new regions around the world such as the Middle East, the Americas and Africa" The new company hold top tier accreditations from key vendors including Juniper Networks, Pulse Secure and Fortinet as well as in-house CISSP experts and Security Clearance for its ongoing work with several UK governmental and security agencies. Network Utilities also holds ISO 9001 and 27001 certifications. Expanding Footprint Globally “At a time of uncertainty around the UK’s place in Europe, the deal also expands our footprint into new regions around the world such as the Middle East, the Americas and Africa where, although initially small, we have long established, international clients that offer us growth potential,” says Paul Rowe, Sales Director. “Our enlarged size and new areas of the business such as training, private cloud and Cyber Essentials certifications also provide us with a more rounded portfolio that allows us to offer additional value-added services that are beneficial to both existing and new customers.” Commenting on the announcement, Mike Catlin, CTO for Polar Capital Holdings Plc; a long-standing client of Network Utilities said, “Network Utilities have been a trusted service provider for over 10 years. Finding a supplier that consistently offers insightful expertise to help us deliver stable IT while meeting complex cybersecurity requirements is always a challenge and knowing that we will be able to retain this relationship over the longer term is good news for us.”