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Action Centres UK (ACUK) and Northamptonshire Association of Youth Clubs (NAYC)

Charitable organisations dedicated to youth development through leisure and educational programmes. Operating across multiple sites including Whitemoor Lakes, they provide residential experiences, leadership training, and community engagement initiatives. Their mission is to nurture young people’s physical, mental, and spiritual growth, supported by a robust infrastructure that includes IT systems critical to daily operations.

Challenges

ACUK and its associated sites faced several IT security and operational challenges:

  • Legacy firewall systems lacked modern threat detection and alerting capabilities.
  • Network segmentation and device management were inconsistent across locations.
  • Remote monitoring of site-specific infrastructure, such as outdoor towers and access points, was unreliable.
  • There was a need for centralised control and visibility over network activity, especially for guest Wi-Fi and staff devices.

Solution

Ashby Computer Services proposed and implemented a unified firewall solution across ACUK’s sites:

  • Deployment of modern firewalls with integrated alerting and monitoring features.
  • Configuration of Unifi network controllers to manage access points and switches.
  • Setup of cyber security alerting to Ashby’s support mailbox for proactive issue resolution.
  • Coordination with ACUK’s finance and operations teams to ensure compliance and clarity on licensing and billing.

Implementation / Process

The rollout was executed in a phased and collaborative manner:

  1. Pre-Installation Coordination: Meetings were held with ACUK and Whitemoor Lakes to confirm specifications and scheduling.
  2. Onsite Installation: Firewalls were installed at both NAYC and Whitemoor Lakes, with engineers configuring network controllers and re-adopting devices to the new infrastructure.
  3. Cyber Alerting Setup: Alerts were configured to notify Ashby support of any anomalies, ensuring rapid response.
  4. Billing and Licensing: Clarifications were provided regarding Unifi’s annual licensing model, ensuring transparency and proper financial planning. 

Results/Benefits

  • Operational Efficiency: Network devices were successfully re-adopted, restoring full functionality across all towers and access points.
  • Improved Security: The new firewalls provided enhanced protection and real-time alerting, significantly reducing exposure to threats.
  • Centralised Management: Unifi controllers enabled streamlined oversight of network infrastructure across multiple sites.
  • Customer Satisfaction: ACUK expressed appreciation for the clarity, responsiveness, and professionalism throughout the project.

Key Takeaways

  • Early coordination and clear communication with stakeholders are essential for smooth deployment.
  • Modern firewall solutions offer not just protection but operational visibility and control.
  • Physical infrastructure challenges (e.g., outdoor towers) require flexible and collaborative problem-solving.
  • Transparent licensing and billing discussions help maintain trust and avoid confusion.
    Proactive alerting and support integration ensure long-term reliability and peace of mind

For more information about our services, please call us today on 01604 790979

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