When the UK Department for Education (DfE) introduced its cyber security standards for schools, Black Swan Cyber Security Solutions recognised a critical need – the need for a centrally managed antivirus and patch management solution that wouldn’t strain already tight budgets. Many schools were relying on basic tools like Windows Defender - solutions that left them vulnerable to the growing wave of sophisticated cyber threats.
With the DfE pushing for higher standards, Black Swan knew they needed a solution that offered both compliance and robust protection. The answer? Heimdal’s Next-Generation Antivirus (NGAV) and Patch & Asset Management modules, distributed through Brigantia.
Black Swan share their experience of Heimdal and the benefits they’ve seen.
Unlike Windows Defender’s basic, signature-based protection, Heimdal NGAV provides a proactive defence that goes beyond known threats. By using behavioural analysis and advanced threat hunting, it detects and blocks sophisticated attacks, such as zero-day exploits and fileless malware.
Crucially, Heimdal’s platform allows us to offer the centralised control schools needed to meet DfE standards. Its intuitive dashboard gives real-time oversight and simplified compliance, addressing the weaknesses of unmanaged solutions.
Adding Heimdal’s Patch & Asset Management module further strengthened network security by automating updates and reducing vulnerabilities - a must-have for schools striving to stay one step ahead of attackers.
Thanks to the DfE standards, presenting Heimdal to schools was a straightforward conversation. Education leaders are increasingly aware of the risks, especially with ransomware incidents making the news headlines. Heimdal’s alignment with the DfE standards, combined with its ability to centralise security management and ensure compliance with frameworks like Cyber Essentials, resonated deeply.
By focusing on the real-world benefits - improved protection, compliance and peace of mind, we found it easy to convey Heimdal’s value. School decision-makers were reassured knowing they had a partner who could tailor solutions to meet both their security needs and budget constraints.
Heimdal has become a game-changer for our operations and offerings. Its unified security platform consolidates essential tools into a single console, saving engineers time and eliminating the inefficiency of managing multiple interfaces.
The modular design is another standout feature. We can customise packages based on a school’s specific requirements, offering everything from core antivirus protection to advanced threat response. This flexibility not only enhances client satisfaction but also allows us to scale services based on budgets - a key consideration in education.
Partnering with Brigantia made the journey seamless. From day one, their team provided expert training and ongoing support, ensuring our engineers were confident in deploying Heimdal. The streamlined onboarding process meant schools could quickly adopt the solution, and revenue followed almost immediately.
This efficiency reinforced the value of choosing Heimdal and Brigantia - a partnership built on reliability, expertise and shared commitment to cyber security excellence.
Black Swan wholeheartedly endorses Heimdal to other MSPs, especially those serving the education sector. Schools urgently need to move beyond basic, unmanaged solutions like Windows Defender and embrace tools that offer centralised management, compliance and proactive threat protection.
With Brigantia’s responsive support and Heimdal’s cutting-edge technology, MSPs can deliver solutions that exceed client expectations while enhancing their own operational efficiency. For us, Heimdal has not only strengthened our service portfolio but also helped schools create safer, more secure environments for students and staff.