AUP IT

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Manufacturing Technologist of MSA Safety Company

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Company Produces Safety Products

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire AUP IT to accomplish?

• Operational Continuity and Field Accessibility
• Cybersecurity & Data Integrity for compliance
• IT Managed Services

SOLUTION

How did you find AUP IT?

• Referral
• Other

Why did you select AUP IT over others?

• High ratings
• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit

How many teammates from AUP IT were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

1. Cybersecurity Strategy & Governance Security Framework Alignment: Conduct initial and annual risk assessments to align business infrastructure with modern security frameworks (e.g., ASD Essential Eight / NIST). Policy & Compliance Management: Assist in drafting, reviewing, and implementing internal IT security policies to ensure regulatory compliance. Security Awareness Training: Deploy automated monthly phishing simulations and baseline security training for all personnel.

2. IT Managed Services (Core Infrastructure) 24/7 Network Monitoring: Continuous monitoring of core network infrastructure, firewalls, switches, and internet gateways. Patch & Lifecycle Management: Automated deployment of critical OS and third-party software updates to eliminate vulnerabilities. Backup & Disaster Recovery (BDR): Management of immutable, encrypted local and cloud backups, including verified quarterly restoration testing. Helpdesk & Technical Support: Remote and on-site remediation for technical incidents during agreed-upon operational coverage windows.

3. Endpoint Protection EDR/MDR Deployment: Provision and manage Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) or Managed Detection and Response (MDR) software across all physical and virtual workstations and servers. Threat Isolation: Implement automated system containment capabilities to isolate infected endpoints instantly from the broader network. Device Control: Enforce peripheral security rules (e.g., USB blocking) and local administrator privilege restrictions.

4. Cloud Security Identity & Access Management (IAM): Enforce strict Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and conditional access rules across cloud suites (e.g., Microsoft 365, Google Workspace). SaaS Configuration Auditing: Continuous hardening of cloud tenants against unauthorized external sharing, malicious forwarding rules, and data exfiltration. Cloud Backup & Governance: Secure backup of cloud-stored data (emails, SharePoint/OneDrive documents) with strict data retention rules.

5. Dark Web Monitoring Domain Credential Tracking: Real-time, continuous scanning of underground forums and dark web repositories for compromised corporate email domains and credentials. Immediate Alerting & Remediation: Automated ticketing and immediate password reset protocols triggered upon the discovery of any breached credentials. Executive Profile Protection: Optional extended monitoring for personal accounts of key executives to mitigate targeted spear-phishing or identity theft risks.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Zero data breaches and 99.9% uptime achieved across cloud and network infrastructure.

 100% endpoint deployment with immediate threat containment isolation.

100% staff compliance with mandatory multi-factor authentication (MFA).

Zero compromised dark web credentials left unpatched or unreset past a 30-minute remediation window.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

They were extremely professional and completed the project on time.

What was your primary form of communication with AUP IT?

• In-Person Meeting
• Virtual Meeting

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Product specialists, understanding of infrastructure and business needs.

Are there any areas for improvement or something AUP IT could have done differently?

Nothing major.

BACKGROUND

I am the Business Manager of Montessori East Primary & Preschool

Education - Montessori Primary and Preschool

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

• Outsourced IT Support
• Infrastructure Review
• Cyber Security

SOLUTION

Referral

• Close to my geographic location
• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Referred to me
• Company values aligned

2-5 Employees

• Review of current IT infrastructure and comms
• Review of user and business requirements
• Advise on recommended structure
• Advise and implementation on preferred connectivity
• Implementation of structure
• Assistance in applications review, selection and implementation
• Outsourced system support including helpdesk
• Regular onsite support
• Remote netwrok monitoring
• Network security
• Disaster recovery
• Phone system
• Crisis support
• Hardware provisioning
• License management

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Reliable IT environment and network with minimal support issues.

• Highly responsive
• Easy support communications
• Stable team and familiar support personnel
• Rapid response to crisis
• Advised and implemented what we wanted and needed

In-Person Meeting

• Willingness to understand our business
• Breadth of skills
• Personal touch
• Familiarity with rapidly changing world of technology

Very satisfied with AUP IT