How to succeed in IT transformation
Performance and security thanks to cloud
DVS TECHNOLOGY GROUP success story
The DVS TECHNOLOGY GROUP success story
Performance and security through public cloud solution
The manufacturing industry, especially the automotive sector, is facing major challenges due to increasing pressure to transform, a shortage of skilled labour and high energy costs. Successful companies are turning to digitalisation and cloud solutions to increase their efficiency and remain competitive. In this issue of Business Cases, we show how the DVS TECHNOLOGY GROUP is mastering the IT transformation with Vodafone Business and significantly improving its performance and security in the process.
Source: DVS Technology Group
The challenge
Transforming the IT infrastructure for maximum efficiency and security
Various industries, not least the automotive industry, are facing high pressure to transform in order to remain competitive. These framework conditions also affect the DVS TECHNOLOGY GROUP as a key supplier of machine tools. This situation is exacerbated by other challenges such as the shortage of skilled labour and high energy costs. Working for the automotive industry also requires certifications such as the TISAX information security assessment and exchange procedure.
In addition, the locations of the 14 companies were networked with each other via different connections and relied on heterogeneous IT solutions. Each had similar requirements for applications and data storage. This decentralised approach led to a great deal of effort and high costs. In order to make the entire group more efficient and flexible as well as IT utilisation more performant and secure, the decision was made to consistently move IT infrastructure and applications to the cloud. Due to the high level of utilisation of Microsoft solutions, the Group decided to fully rely on this ecosystem and therefore on Microsoft Azure. The DVS TECHNOLOGY GROUP is working closely with Vodafone Business to implement this strategy.
Trust in cloud solutions
The company
Network of experienced specialised companies in the manufacturing sector
The DVS TECHNOLOGY GROUP unites a total of 14 specialist companies, including big names from the mechanical engineering sector as well as young, agile drivers of digitalisation and automation. Its customers are well-known automotive manufacturers as well as companies from sectors such as wind energy, aerospace, agricultural and construction machinery and many other industries.
With around 1,400 employees and a strong focus on digitalisation and automation, the Group offers comprehensive solutions ranging from machine tools to digital services.
The solution
Cloud-based IT infrastructure
The companies that make up the DVS TECHNOLOGY GROUP specialise in different industries and tool applications. However, the group jointly relies on the Microsoft Azure cloud and the applications provided therein for its IT - in addition to Microsoft 365, this also includes the in-house, cross-group product data management (PDM). This is where design plans and documentation are stored, for example.
The tools and mechanisms provided by Microsoft, such as Azure Sentinel or Microsoft 365 Security, ensure the necessary security and high availability. The Microsoft solutions also already fulfil the requirements for the important TISAX information security certification. Vodafone works closely with Microsoft to ensure many basic features and functions: high availability, the required Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) and Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) components, encryption, data security and archiving, reliable disaster recovery and rapidly scalable IT capacities.
Switching to Microsoft Azure from Vodafone has greatly reduced the manual workload in our IT department. Security has also improved considerably.
Maximilian Neumann – Head of Global Information Technology at DVS Technology Group
All in all, the DVS TECHNOLOGY GROUP has been able to realise its strategic goals of significantly increasing the degree of innovation of its IT and thus the flexibility of the entire group of companies, confirms IT manager Maximilian Neumann. The centralisation of the infrastructure and applications creates the necessary capacity in the IT department to deal with software issues and other tasks that are closer to the company's activities. Vodafone was chosen because of its excellent experience in previous projects. ‘We value Vodafone's expertise and the fact that we receive a complete solution from a single source.’
Networking in the cloud
The advantages
More powerful, more flexible, more secure
The previously decentralised approach caused a great deal of effort and high costs. The Microsoft Azure Cloud provided by Vodafone centralises infrastructure, applications and data storage. This increases performance and efficiency. Components such as Azure Sentinel and Microsoft 365 Security also ensure maximum security.
Relieving the IT department
Manual effort is reduced, while efficiency and safety increase
High security and compliance
IT and data security as well as the fulfilment of relevant certifications are guaranteed
Quickly scalable if required
New locations, employees or applications can be integrated quickly
Everything from a single source
Central contact for all matters at Vodafone Business
5 questions for Maximilian Neumann
Speed as a factor
5 questions for Maximilian Neumann, Head of Global Information Technology at DVS TECHNOLOGY GROUP
‘Speed is a key factor’
As Head of Global IT at DVS TECHNOLOGY GROUP, Maximilian Neumann is responsible for the overarching IT infrastructure, data storage and provision of applications for all 14 individual companies in the group. We spoke to him about the opportunities of digitalisation and the advantages of the cloud.
Mr Neumann, what role does digitalisation play in the DVS TECHNOLOGY GROUP?
Maximilian Neumann: A very decisive role - for each of the individual companies in the Group. Although we have our own digitalization “department” in DVS Digital, digital solutions are of course crucial to all our activities. Always being at the cutting edge of technology is an important part of our response to the challenges in the industries in which we operate.
To what extent is the cloud a solution to the challenges your company is facing?
Maximilian Neumann: Speed is an important factor. In order to be able to adapt flexibly to changing requirements and market conditions at all times, you need suitable tools and structures. Practically every company today has to deal with these issues in order to remain competitive.
The public cloud solution has significantly reduced our workload.
Maximilian Neumann – Head of Global Information Technology at DVS TECHNOLOGY GROUP
Why did you choose Microsoft Azure?
Maximilian Neumann: As we were already using many Microsoft tools and solutions, we decided to stay in the Microsoft ecosystem and rely on Microsoft Azure. Azure also meets all the data protection requirements of the automotive industry, for example. And the public cloud solution has clearly reduced our workload.
Have costs also been reduced?
Maximilian Neumann: The costs have remained more or less the same compared to the previous solution. However, in addition to higher performance, the Azure-based solution offers a much higher level of security thanks to integrated components such as Azure Sentinel, SiteRecovery and many more. In addition, the Azure migration of our PDM system enabled us to reduce the number of servers from eleven to one and save around 50 TB of storage space.
How do you see the cooperation with Vodafone?
Maximilian Neumann: We have been very satisfied with our collaboration since 2020 and have come to know and appreciate Vodafone as solution experts and architects. It therefore made sense to expand our collaboration in the area of “Cloud & Hosting”. We were particularly impressed by the fact that Vodafone supplies the cloud infrastructure and the associated services from a single source. This enables our central helpdesk to respond more quickly and successfully to inquiries from our colleagues.
How to protect your data in the cloud
Cloud security for businesses
Cloud security for businesses
3 steps to protect your data in the cloud
With the increasing migration of organisations to the cloud and the growing number of cyber threats, the need to protect against attacks is becoming ever more urgent. Cybercriminals are constantly developing new methods to exploit vulnerabilities and the consequences of security breaches can be devastating. It is therefore essential to implement and continuously improve solid security strategies to protect against these threats. At the same time, the cloud offers immense benefits such as scalability, cost efficiency and flexibility that help organisations stay competitive.
This article shows you three steps to building cloud security in organisations.
1. Planning and risk assessment: the cornerstone of cloud security
Requirement analysis
The first step in ensuring cloud security is to determine the specific security requirements of your organisation. This includes analysing compliance requirements, data protection needs and industry-specific regulations. A thorough requirements analysis helps you to develop customised security strategies that meet the individual needs of your company.
Risk assessment
Carry out a comprehensive risk assessment to identify potential security gaps and threats. Both technical and organisational aspects should be taken into account. The risk assessment enables you to take targeted measures to eliminate vulnerabilities and increase the level of security.
Selecting the cloud provider
Choose a cloud provider that fulfils high security standards and has appropriate certifications such as ISO/IEC 27001 or SOC 2. Carefully review the provider's security measures and compliance documentation. A trustworthy cloud provider should have implemented comprehensive security protocols to protect your data and applications. We are happy to help you with the selection process.
2. Understand basic cloud security principles
A solid understanding of basic security principles is crucial in order to develop effective cloud security strategies. According to the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI), the three most important cybersecurity principles that also apply to cloud security are confidentiality, integrity and availability.
Privacy ensures that sensitive data can only be viewed by authorised persons. This is achieved through measures such as encryption, access controls and secure authentication mechanisms.
Integrity means that data cannot be changed without authorisation. Mechanisms such as cryptographic hash functions and digital signatures guarantee the integrity of the data.
Availability guarantees that data and systems are accessible to authorised users at all times. Redundancy, load balancing and regular backups are crucial.
3. Implementation of robust security measures: How to protect your cloud environment
Access controls and identity management
Use multi-factor authentication and identity and access management (IAM) solutions to protect access to cloud resources.
Encryption of data
Ensure that data is encrypted both at rest and in transit. Use strong encryption standards such as AES-256 and implement key management services.
Network security
Use firewalls, virtual private networks (VPNs) and intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) to protect your cloud infrastructure. By segmenting your network, you can restrict access to sensitive data.
Security guidelines and protocols
Develop and implement comprehensive security policies and protocols that govern the handling of cloud resources, the protection of sensitive data and the response to security incidents (Incident Response Plan). Employee training on these policies and regular reviews help to raise awareness of security practices and ensure that everyone involved understands their roles and responsibilities.
Regular software and system updates
Keep your systems up to date with automatic and manual updates. A structured patch management process helps to efficiently identify, evaluate and implement patches, which improves overall system stability and security.
Continuous monitoring
Use monitoring tools and SIEM systems to recognise and react to suspicious activities.
Audits and penetration tests
Carry out regular audits and penetration tests to check the effectiveness of your security measures.
Backup and recovery plans
Back up data regularly and store it in secure locations. Test recovery procedures to ensure that data can be restored quickly in the event of an emergency.
A recent incident in which an update error led to significant outages on a global scale shows that it always makes sense to have a plan B in your pocket. This plan B can be, for example, a comprehensive backup and recovery plan that allows you to be up and running again quickly in the event of an outage.
The security of data and systems in the cloud is of crucial importance for companies. We are happy to help you implement the right solutions for you.
