IronPigs Case Study– Network Security
(Security Audit, Managed Intrusion Detection, Managed Firewalls with Monitoring)

Secure and fortify your company’s computer network. PenTeleData will evaluate and protect your network infrastructure by detecting potential problems and guarding against countless critical threats.

Maintaining trustworthy Internet and network security has unarguably become the most critical requirement in any business environment. Unfortunately, many companies remain inadequately protected, leaving security gaps and underestimating the costly risks and liability. Whether it’s a single computer connecting to the Internet, or a corporation with multiple computers networked together, protecting against attacks from malicious intruders is as critical as safely opening the doors for business in the morning.

PenTeleData approaches Internet security with a complete solution. Our Security Audit Service is a tool to assess the security risk of a company’s network and can encompass everything from a single host to managed firewalls with monitoring and other devices that interact with the system. The primary goal is to analyze possible weaknesses, report findings and suggest the best security approach. This approach may include vendor-supplied software, hardware, an administrative policy, or simply limiting liabilities associated with user activity. The result is a risk management solution that creates an achievable and enforceable security policy, ensuring the quality, integrity and security of any network.

One example of this is the work we’ve done for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. As word of a new baseball team spread, it was hard to contain the excitement felt across the Lehigh Valley. The Lehigh Valley IronPigs, Triple-A Affi liate of the Philadelphia Phillies, were coming to town and everyone wanted to be part of the action – including PenTeleData.

When construction began on Coca-Cola Park, everything from phones to Internet, media, staffi ng and contractors had to be carefully coordinated. Howard Scharf, Assistant General Manager, explains why the IronPigs chose PenTeleData to be part of the process, “After looking at several providers, none had the practical and/or start up experience and span of knowledge that was presented by PenTeleData. We had an established relationship with Service Electric, and selected Ironton Telephone for voice services, so the next logical piece was to integrate data and Internet with their partner company, PenTeleData. The communication and cooperation between all three organizations was awesome and certainly made the installation and integration very smooth.”

Using PenTeleData’s Suite Connect, Coca-Cola Park’s network design supports many diverse technology requirements. The design incorporates three distinct networks: a staff network, a point of sale network for credit card purchases and a public network for the players and visitors – all with security and reliability in mind.

In addition, PenTeleData’s Computer Patrol and Security Team developed all internal network use and security policies, and trained the entire IronPigs staff on using the network. Our Network Intrusion Detection systems monitor all network traffic and we provide the support, storage and access restrictions to enforce security. PenTeleData, along with external auditors, also manage the IronPigs PCI (Payment Card Industry) Compliancy, to help keep credit card information safe from criminals. Although we were involved with their security from the beginning, which made planning very easy, we can help any business achieve this level of protection.

On game day, network reliability is one of the most important factors, second only to winning. That includes the peace of mind of knowing that all transactions are secure. Scharf describes why his team trusts the PenTeleData staff, “We would be facing serious issues without the support of PenTeleData in all areas of our business including; internal communication, ticketing, financial reporting, and the day to day functioning of POS terminals, wireless scanners, ticket printers and desk top and server configuration. PenTeleData responds quickly, efficiently and I swear sometimes they are on the way before I even call!”

In summary, Scharf comments, “Speaking on behalf of the entire IronPigs organization, we cannot be more pleased with our PenTeleData relationship. Their entire organization has worked tirelessly to assist us with creating, moving, and installing all of our data systems – most of the time against short or impossible time frames. Their personnel have been supportive, solution-oriented and willing to do whatever it takes to get us up and running and most importantly, keep us running. The internal and seamless relationships between their sister companies are nothing short of remarkable, which facilitated our successful opening.”

Most hotels today provide Internet access for their guests—in fact, it is practically a ‘must-have’ for hotels that serve traveling businessmen and even recreational travelers. Thus, when the Country Inn & Suites on Route 209 was built, they knew they wanted to wire the building for Internet access in the rooms.

The Country Inn & Suites knew they wanted to work with PenTeleData when construction of the new hotel began. They wanted to stay local when choosing their provider, and they also knew they would be working with nearby concert venue and restaurant Penn’s Peak often. So, for the Country Inn & Suites, PenTeleData was the most logical choice.

Country Inn & Suites worked closely with both PenTeleData and Blue Ridge Communications during the construction process to be sure all of the wiring was correct for the Internet and cable television in the rooms. PenTeleData’s Computer Patrol® was then called upon to complete the network that now provides Internet service to each room and to other areas of the hotel

“Everyone at PenTeleData was especially helpful during the discussions and construction,” says RoseAnn Lesher, General Manager of the Country Inn & Suites.

Computer Patrol’s® professional services can wire any building still under construction for a network—from PenTeleData’s Suite Connect service (a service for hotels or buildings with multiple units) to completely custom networking solutions. Once the construction is complete, they will return to complete the work necessary to get the network up and running.

The Country Inn & Suites’ solution provides the free Internet connections in each room and several other areas of the hotel via cable modems. Two cable modems are currently installed—one to provide Internet access to the guest rooms and one to provide Internet access in the office for employees. There is also a PenTeleData-powered Unleashed Wi-Fi hotspot in the lobby as well as wired Internet access in the breakfast room.

The Country Inn & Suites has a total of 65 guest rooms and 8 employees—these are the primary users of the network and connection provided by PenTeleData. This allows the hotel to provide a very valuable service to its guests—free Internet access. “Guests really want free Internet service at their hotels,” explains Lesher when asked how the services provided by PenTeleData benefit the hotel.

Aside from guest-use, the hotel staff also uses the Internet connection and wiring provided by PenTeleData. The front desk staff at the hotel uses the office connection primarily to make reservations and also to connect to the Country Inn & Suites hotel chain main office.

When needed, they also allow guests to use the office computers and connection if the guest does not have a computer with them. Guests who do not carry laptop or handheld computers with them often need an Internet connection to reserve flights or to make other arrangements related to their travels.

The hotel will also allow guests and others to hold conferences at the hotel in two small conference rooms. These rooms are also wired to the same network that provides the Internet access to the front desk and guest rooms. They have sometimes been used for teleconferencing which has “worked out very well” according to Lesher.

Along with top-notch professional networking, Internet and data services, PenTeleData also provides first-rate technical support to back up the service. PenTeleData’s 24 hour a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year Network Control Center is available anytime to address any service-related problems or issues that arise.

"All of PenTeleData’s technical people have been good to us—the response has been good,” says Lesher when asked how PenTeleData’s support staff has been for them, "they are all very knowledgeable and helpful."