Seattle Theatre Group gets first-rate reviews for network security

• Cybersecurity & Privacy - Endpoint Security
• Cybersecurity & Privacy - Network Security
• Cybersecurity & Privacy - Security Compliance

• Business Operation

• Software Design & Engineering Services
• System Integration

In theater, the show must go on. If problems arise, the theater’s actors, crew, and the business offices do what they can to keep performances running smoothly. When network outages and slowdowns were affecting business operations at Seattle Theatre Group, the Internet service provider and internal SonicWall firewall reported there were no issues. Also concerning was that Symantec Endpoint Protection and Microsoft Windows Defender were not blocking malware from hacking users’ workstations and office servers. Seattle Theatre Group’s IT team evaluated alternative network solutions, including ExtraHop Reveal(x), Microsoft Advanced Threat Analytics and Bitdefender Network Traffic Security Analytics (NTSA). For endpoint security, IT considered Malwarebytes, Avast and Bitdefender GravityZone Business Security. Bitdefender rose to the top of the pack with Seattle Theatre Group choosing NTSA and GravityZone.

Seattle Theatre Group presents Broadway theater, concerts, dance, comedy, family engagements, silent film and jazz performances at three Seattle theaters, and delivers performing arts programs to local schools. The non-profit organization also is committed to preserving historic arts buildings, such as the Paramount Theatre in Seattle. With a workforce of 200 employees, including a single IT staff member, the organization faces unique challenges in maintaining its network security and operational efficiency. The group is dedicated to providing high-quality entertainment and educational experiences while ensuring the safety and security of its digital infrastructure.

Seattle Theatre Group chose Bitdefender Network Traffic Security Analytics to detect advanced attacks in real time and automate alert triage for incident response across its network of Cisco Meraki access points, switches and firewalls. NTSA uses machine learning and behavior analytics with insights from Bitdefender cloud threat intelligence generated by 500 million sensors globally to detect threats. Bitdefender GravityZone Business Security was selected to protect Seattle Theatre Group’s 200 endpoints, including Microsoft Windows and Apple workstations, Windows and Linux servers, as well as virtualized Microsoft Hyper-V servers. Bitdefender also protects Seattle Theatre Group’s Microsoft Azure cloud endpoints. Applications running on endpoints protected by GravityZone include Microsoft Dynamics NAV ERP, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Active Directory, Adobe Creative Suite, Salesforce and Ticketmaster remote desktop. In addition, Seattle Theatre Group plans to use GravityZone Patch Management to automate patching of operating systems and applications for improved compliance and efficiency.

• NTSA revealed that users were inadvertently activating malware extensions in Google Chrome and exposing Seattle Theatre Group’s network.
• For comprehensive analytics, NTSA provides the Seattle Theatre Group with access to Bitdefender’s massive threat intelligence database to highlight malicious traffic patterns in real time. NTSA oversees Seattle Theatre Group traffic involving local machines and machines used by people on tour at local theaters who access the network temporarily. von Kempf values NTSA’s rich intelligence and ability to sort devices by IP addresses and Windows names for investigations.
• GravityZone provides Seattle Theatre Group with another layer of security by enabling endpoint protection.

• Network outages and slowdowns decreased from once a week to zero.
• Malware-related trouble calls occurring three times per week previously, disappeared.
• Weekly endpoint security administration reduced from 24 hours to one hour.