Case study: Integrated Family and Youth Service (IFYS)
Secure, robust network to help protect the vulnerable in the community
Overview
Integrated Family and Youth Service (IFYS), a not-for-profit that provides care and support to vulnerable people in Queensland, partnered with Vocus to implement a secure, reliable network solution. Vocus tailored an SD-WAN 2.0 solution that improved network security and reliability. This enabled seamless relocations and service continuity while reducing costs.
Transforming lives through technology
Integrated Family and Youth Service (IFYS) is one of Queensland's largest non-faith-based not-for-profits, providing essential care and support services to some of Queensland’s most vulnerable people, including children in foster and residential care, people with disabilities, and victims of domestic violence. With over 900 staff across 60 locations from the Gold Coast to Far North Queensland, IFYS has about 600 children in its care.
“Protecting the privacy and ensuring safety of the vulnerable people in our care is a priority for us,” emphasises Mitch Corbett, IFYS Assets & IT manager. “The consequences of a data breach can be dire, especially if the information falls into the wrong hands. It can even be life-threatening.”
Challenges of a growing organisation
For IFYS, a robust and secure network infrastructure is more than just a technical requirement – it’s a lifeline. Staff need reliable, real-time access to critical information to make decisions that directly impact the health and safety of their clients.
As IFYS expanded its services, their existing network infrastructure struggled to keep pace. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated this expansion.
Their existing managed service provider was rigid, offering a legacy MPLS network that wasn’t scalable and flexible enough to accommodate IFYS’ rapid growth and evolving needs.
Connectivity issues
Staff frequently experienced connectivity issues. This hindered their ability to access critical information and systems.
Network rollouts to new locations could take up to 12 weeks, severely impacting service delivery. “We had situations where our staff couldn’t administer critical medications because they couldn’t access the necessary information,” recalls Mitch. “It was hugely impacting our clients, and our ability to serve the people.”
“Vocus just got it. They understood our needs, and they delivered. We feel heard, valued, and supported – and that's invaluable for an organisation like ours.”Mitch Corbett, IFYS Assets & IT manager
Collaboration breeds innovation
Vocus recognised the complexity of IFYS' challenges. Vocus worked closely with the organisation to design a comprehensive, tailored solution.
"IFYS needed a partner who understood their unique needs," says Jodie Bryan, Vocus Enterprise & Government State manager – QLD & SA. "We spent time learning about the organisation. This meant we could deliver a solution that truly worked for them."
The Vocus solution
Vocus delivered the resulting multi-faceted solution with its partner Fortinet. The solution included:
- Fortinet's SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) for the remote workforce, providing a single sign-on point for accessing crucial information while ensuring data protection.
- Agile SD-WAN 2.0 managed firewall across all locations to connect them.
- NBN Enterprise Ethernet for connectivity in corporate offices and NBN TC4 for housing locations.
- Next-generation firewalls, switches, and access points from Fortinet, which were integrated into the Fortinet portal, providing a unified management interface. This means that all these devices can be monitored and managed from a single platform, which simplifies network management and enhances visibility.
- Vocus Calling for Teams, which replaced the previous solution, simplifying invoicing and reducing cost.
Supporting the supporters
The Vocus solution has been transformative for IFYS. It has improved network security, reliability, and control.
“We can now literally pick up our equipment, move to a new location, and plug in,” says Mitch. “Our backup service kicks in automatically, so there's no downtime. That's huge for us.”
This reliability is often the difference between life and death. “The Vocus solution has eliminated the risk of our staff not being able to access critical information, when they need it the most, especially when helping young people in our care. It's been a game changer."
But the true value extends beyond the technology.
“Vocus treated us like we mattered, regardless of our size. They were also incredibly transparent about what was possible. That gives me a lot of confidence,” says Timothy Eyre, IFYS Business Manager.
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