Challenge
NGIS is a global leader in the geospatial industry. For over 30 years, NGIS has built a reputation for delivering cutting-edge geospatial solutions from large scale consulting projects and organisational wide capability building to strategic technology focused outputs.
Renowned for its approach to innovation, NGIS partners with the world's leading technology companies to develop custom solutions that drive real outcomes across industries.
With a broad range of services, safeguarding data and maintaining robust security standards is pivotal for NGIS to protect its corporate data and clients’ sensitive information as it continues to innovate and expand its global reach. However, as the cyber threat landscape evolves, NGIS wants to address potential vulnerabilities and demonstrate a mature security posture. This is particularly critical given the nature of geospatial clients and the sensitivity of their data, as they require strong assurances of robust cyber defenses.
Without compliance with industry best practices such as
Essential 8, companies like NGIS face an increased risk of cyberattacks, potentially compromising data and undermining stakeholder trust.
Solution
Conducting the E8 Assessment
As its Level 3 Service Desk Provider and trusted advisor for Microsoft Stack solutions for over nine years, NGIS asked
Canon Business Services ANZ (CBS) to perform an
Essential 8 (E8) Assessment to identify gaps in its cybersecurity framework. The assessment focused on examining existing tools, configurations, and policies.
The E8 Assessment is a framework recommended by the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) to help organisations mitigate most cyber threats. It outlines eight core strategies, from patch management and restricting administrative privileges to user application hardening and email security configurations.
By performing an E8 Assessment, organisations better understand their current security posture and the specific actions required to strengthen their defences. This approach helps reduce exposure to cyberattacks and bolsters compliance with industry and government standards, providing greater assurance to customers, stakeholders, and regulatory bodies.
Through interviews and system audits, CBS provided a detailed report outlining the current maturity level, pinpointing areas needing improvement, and recommending actionable steps to achieve Maturity Level 1+.
Implementing Microsoft Intune
Following the E8 Assessment, CBS recommended migrating approximately 90
Microsoft 365 Business Standard licences to
Microsoft 365 Business Premium—a step that includes advanced security features such as
Microsoft Intune.
Intune allows for device enrolment and policy enforcement, creating a
Zero Trust-inspired approach to endpoint protection.
- Licence uplift: Upgrading to Business Premium unlocks additional security layers, such as advanced threat protection and data loss prevention.
- Endpoint management: With Intune, NGIS can manage devices and applications from a centralised portal, enforce security policies, and maintain compliance standards across the organisation.
Ad hoc advisory: Beyond the technical rollout, CBS continues to offer on-demand consulting and guidance, helping NGIS remain aligned with the Essential 8 framework and keep pace with emerging cybersecurity best practices. This ongoing support involves reviewing system changes, monitoring potential risks, and providing strategic advice on new or evolving security challenges.
Benefits and results
Enhanced security and compliance
Deploying Intune aligned with CBS’ E8 recommendations has significantly reduced NGIS’ exposure to cyber threats. By automating policy enforcement and device compliance checks, the organisation can benefit from:
- Reduced attack surface: Controlled access to corporate data, limiting unauthorised entry points.
- Elevated trust: Meeting E8 standards and Microsoft baseline security enhanced credibility with new and existing clients.
Implementing these measures was crucial for NGIS as they can now demonstrate a stronger security posture, which resonates well with their customers—particularly in high-security sectors.
Streamlined device and app management
With Intune, NGIS transformed the way it manages devices and applications:
- Centralised administration: IT staff can configure new endpoints and push updates or security patches from a unified console.
- Reduced manual oversight: Automated checks ensure endpoints remain compliant, freeing the IT team to focus on strategic initiatives rather than routine administration.
- Scalable approach: As NGIS grows, Intune’s cloud-based management scales seamlessly with the organisation.
Improved productivity and user experience
Employees now benefit from secure, policy-driven access to corporate resources:
- Secure remote work: With robust authentication and threat protection, staff can collaborate from anywhere without compromising on security.
- Consistent user policies: Intune’s policies ensure consistent configurations across all devices, simplifying user experiences and minimising confusion.
- Focus on innovation: By reducing mundane security tasks and manual fixes, NGIS teams can dedicate more time to strategic geospatial projects that deliver value to their clients.
What's next?
Following the success of this project, CBS is assisting NGIS with a
Cloud Identity Migration Project, further fortifying its identity management and access control. The organisation is also exploring
Microsoft Copilot Studio with CBS, aiming to harness AI-powered automation for even greater efficiency and innovation.
For NGIS, enhancing security while supporting advanced geospatial services was paramount. By partnering with CBS, NGIS has fortified its
cybersecurity stance and streamlined device management processes—ultimately empowering employees to focus on high-value tasks.
Embracing these measures reinforces NGIS’s commitment to protecting data, maintaining client trust, and shaping future-ready geospatial solutions. And, as technology evolves, NGIS’ proactivity has laid the groundwork for continued growth and resilience.
