The Company

Edison Power Constructors works in some of the most challenging conditions to build, repair, or restore power to electric transmission and distribution infrastructure throughout the U.S. The company, a subsidiary of PLH Group and based in Mesa, Ariz., is committed to building long-term customer relationships, respecting employees, and planning and executing projects as safely as possible.

The Challenge

As a one-person IT team for Edison Power Constructors, Doug Whitfield manages more than 250 mobile devices and workstations. Many of his users work outside a traditional office environment.

“Our team is typically out in the field working in rural conditions, often accessing laptops and mobile phones from doublewide trailers on the job site. At any point, we may also have a new project that requires 30 or more people on location – who all need connectivity. Ensuring every device remains secure, stays patched, and can connect safely to our network are top priorities,” Doug explains.

The Solution

When Doug joined the company four years ago, they didn’t have a dedicated security solution and used Windows Defender software that was included in the Windows operating system.  Frustrated with Defender’s limited antivirus features, Doug switched to the free version of Avast Antivirus to gain more capabilities and protect against zero-day threats. He later upgraded to Avast Business Managed Antivirus delivered through the cloud management console.

The enterprise-grade quality of the Avast Business solution and the level of threat detection made it stand above the rest. “When the WannaCry ransomware attack hit a few years ago, the Avast Business development team notified me that zero-day protection was a core feature of its antivirus solution and that I was protected,” says Doug. “This is exactly what every customer wants to hear.”

The centrally managed solution offers 12 antivirus features that deliver business-grade protection. “It’s been a big improvement,” says Doug. “Along with the visibility and management control I get through the central console, I can automatically scan for malware or suspicious Wi-Fi networks, stop phishing emails and other spam, and use the firewall as an additional defense.”

From the console, Doug can customize alerts, create reports, and monitor threats in real-time. “I like the reporting tool in the console. I can see the risks, what is being quarantined and on what device, and how the antivirus software handled it. I can provide reports to upper management showing them the business is being protected. It’s also an opportunity to see where we can improve security measures and train users on security practices.”

Doug is also using the Avast Business Patch Management Service, which is integrated into the management console.  “With all of the required patches and updates needed, I always have different patch routines. The ability to schedule and automate my patch management from within the console has proven to be a significant time saver and helps me ensure our network and endpoints are protected,” he shares. “The peace of mind knowing our network and endpoints are protected is the biggest outcome.”

The Results

Since upgrading to Avast Business Managed Antivirus, Doug estimates he is working at least 70% more efficiently and has improved visibility across his network by 100%.  “I wouldn’t be able to do my job without Avast Business Managed Antivirus,” he explains. “I’m able to automate every aspect of my security service delivery. Through the automatic email alerts and reports, I don’t have to monitor individual users and can see the health of our network at a glance. This translates to hours saved each day and greater efficiency. It’s like having another employee working on my team without the overhead or management required.”

Realize the benefits of centrally managed antivirus and automated patch management today. Sign up for a free 30-day trial for up to 100 devices here.