{"id":181339,"date":"2026-09-05T10:56:53","date_gmt":"2026-09-05T10:56:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swordgroupstg.wpengine.com\/uk\/?post_type=case_study&#038;p=181339"},"modified":"2026-10-01T14:41:18","modified_gmt":"2026-10-01T14:41:18","slug":"engineering-a-resilient-zero-trust-network","status":"publish","type":"case_study","link":"https:\/\/www.sword-group.com\/uk\/case_study\/engineering-a-resilient-zero-trust-network\/","title":{"rendered":"Engineering a Resilient, Zero Trust Network for its Flagship Edinburgh Headquarters"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_row unlock_row_content=&#8221;yes&#8221; row_height_percent=&#8221;0&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; h_padding=&#8221;4&#8243; top_padding=&#8221;3&#8243; bottom_padding=&#8221;3&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; content_parallax=&#8221;0&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;104368&#8243;][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][uncode_list icon=&#8221;fa fa-arrow-right2&#8243; icon_color=&#8221;color-183927&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;162712&#8243; icon_color_type=&#8221;uncode-palette&#8221;]<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Industry Sector: Financial Services &amp; Asset Management<\/li>\n<li>Core Technology Partners: Cisco (Catalyst SD-Access, DNA Center, ISE), Palo Alto Networks (Next-Generation Firewalls), Multi-Site Cisco Software Defined Data Centre Architecture using Nexus Leaf \/ Spine and VxLAN \/ EVPN<\/li>\n<li>Engagement Model: Ongoing Managed Support<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/uncode_list][\/vc_column][vc_column column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;112997&#8243;][vc_single_image media=&#8221;182952&#8243; media_lightbox=&#8221;yes&#8221; media_poster=&#8221;yes&#8221; media_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; media_ratio=&#8221;sixteen-nine&#8221; shape=&#8221;img-round&#8221; radius=&#8221;std&#8221; lbox_social=&#8221;yes&#8221; lbox_zoom_origin=&#8221;yes&#8221; lb_video_advanced=&#8221;yes&#8221; lb_autoplay=&#8221;yes&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;152467&#8243;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row unlock_row_content=&#8221;yes&#8221; row_height_percent=&#8221;0&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; h_padding=&#8221;4&#8243; top_padding=&#8221;2&#8243; bottom_padding=&#8221;2&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; content_parallax=&#8221;0&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;214477&#8243;][vc_column column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; column_padding=&#8221;4&#8243; style=&#8221;dark&#8221; back_color=&#8221;color-210407&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; radius=&#8221;std&#8221; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;647882&#8243; back_color_type=&#8221;uncode-palette&#8221;][vc_custom_heading separator=&#8221;yes&#8221; sub_reduced=&#8221;yes&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;875827&#8243;]Key facts[\/vc_custom_heading][vc_row_inner row_inner_height_percent=&#8221;0&#8243; row_padding=&#8221;0&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;5&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;148619&#8243;][vc_column_inner column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; style=&#8221;dark&#8221; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/4&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;162336&#8243;][vc_custom_heading text_color=&#8221;color-183927&#8243; sub_reduced=&#8221;yes&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;130014&#8243; subheading=&#8221;active users supported seamlessly&#8221; text_color_type=&#8221;uncode-palette&#8221;]2,500+[\/vc_custom_heading][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; style=&#8221;dark&#8221; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/4&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;739832&#8243;][vc_custom_heading text_color=&#8221;color-183927&#8243; sub_reduced=&#8221;yes&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;169839&#8243; subheading=&#8221;Ultra-low latency mobility deployed campus-wide&#8221; text_color_type=&#8221;uncode-palette&#8221;]Wi-Fi 6E[\/vc_custom_heading][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; style=&#8221;dark&#8221; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/4&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;989818&#8243;][vc_custom_heading text_color=&#8221;color-183927&#8243; sub_reduced=&#8221;yes&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;142474&#8243; subheading=&#8221;Resilient VxLAN \/ EVPN data centre architecture&#8221; text_color_type=&#8221;uncode-palette&#8221;]Leaf-and-Spine[\/vc_custom_heading][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; style=&#8221;dark&#8221; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/4&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;133391&#8243;][vc_custom_heading text_color=&#8221;color-183927&#8243; sub_reduced=&#8221;yes&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;781834&#8243; subheading=&#8221;Migration completed with zero business disruption&#8221; text_color_type=&#8221;uncode-palette&#8221;]Zero-Downtime[\/vc_custom_heading][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row unlock_row_content=&#8221;yes&#8221; row_height_percent=&#8221;0&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; h_padding=&#8221;4&#8243; top_padding=&#8221;3&#8243; bottom_padding=&#8221;3&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; content_parallax=&#8221;0&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;104368&#8243;][vc_column column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;112997&#8243;][vc_custom_heading heading_semantic=&#8221;h3&#8243; text_size=&#8221;h3&#8243; separator_color=&#8221;yes&#8221; separator=&#8221;yes&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;951483&#8243;]The Challenge: Building Secure, Uninterrupted Digital Operations at Scale[\/vc_custom_heading][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;642270&#8243;]The client required a modern, highly resilient network for its new flagship headquarters. The firm needed to eliminate legacy operational silos, enforce Zero Trust access, and guarantee zero service disruption for 2,500+ investment professionals handling time-critical financial operations.<\/p>\n<p>As part of its move to state-of-the-art facility, the client needed infrastructure that moved away from static, manual configurations.<\/p>\n<p>To achieve this, they required a partner that could integrate closely with its internal IT and security teams, providing independent design assurance, elite Cisco and Palo Alto engineering, and a calm, risk-aware delivery plan. They chose Sword.<\/p>\n<p>With stringent financial compliance obligations and high-mobility working patterns, their technical teams faced three essential requirements:[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; column_padding=&#8221;4&#8243; style=&#8221;dark&#8221; back_color=&#8221;color-210407&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; radius=&#8221;std&#8221; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;211705&#8243; back_color_type=&#8221;uncode-palette&#8221;][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;178847&#8243;]<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Strict Zero Trust Network Segmentation: Sensitive financial environments required micro-segmentation at the user and device level, ensuring policy enforcement without introducing management friction.<\/li>\n<li>Multi-Site Data Centre Resilience: Legacy Layer-2 extension technologies (such as OTV) were no longer suitable for the organisation&#8217;s high-availability demands across data centres.<\/li>\n<li>Continuous Trading Continuity: Any cutover or migration window carried significant financial and reputational risk; daily operations had to run without compromise throughout the build.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row unlock_row_content=&#8221;yes&#8221; row_height_percent=&#8221;0&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; h_padding=&#8221;4&#8243; top_padding=&#8221;7&#8243; bottom_padding=&#8221;3&#8243; back_color=&#8221;color-gyho&#8221; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;5&#8243; column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; enable_top_divider=&#8221;default&#8221; top_divider=&#8221;tilt&#8221; shape_top_flip=&#8221;yes&#8221; shape_top_h_use_pixel=&#8221;&#8221; shape_top_height=&#8221;100&#8243; shape_top_opacity=&#8221;100&#8243; shape_top_index=&#8221;0&#8243; bottom_divider=&#8221;tilt&#8221; content_parallax=&#8221;0&#8243; back_color_type=&#8221;uncode-palette&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;536085&#8243;][vc_column column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;112997&#8243;][vc_custom_heading heading_semantic=&#8221;h3&#8243; text_size=&#8221;h3&#8243; separator_color=&#8221;yes&#8221; separator=&#8221;yes&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;209733&#8243;]The Solution: Software-Defined Campus &amp; Multi-Site Data Centre[\/vc_custom_heading][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;861079&#8243;]Sword applied a structured top-down methodology to design and deliver an automated Cisco Software-Defined Access (SDA) campus paired with a high-performance Leaf-and-Spine data centre fabric, protected end-to-end by Palo Alto Networks next-generation firewalls.<\/p>\n<p>Working hand-in-hand with the clients engineers, Sword managed the full lifecycle from early proof-of-concept testing to live migration and 24\/7 ongoing network operations centre (NOC) support.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner row_inner_height_percent=&#8221;0&#8243; row_padding=&#8221;0&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;6&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;552779&#8243;][vc_column_inner column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;222881&#8243;][vc_custom_heading text_color=&#8221;color-wayh&#8221; heading_semantic=&#8221;h3&#8243; text_size=&#8221;h3&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;159930&#8243; text_color_type=&#8221;uncode-palette&#8221;]1. Cisco Software-Defined Access (SDA) Campus[\/vc_custom_heading][uncode_list icon=&#8221;fa fa-arrow-right2&#8243; icon_color=&#8221;color-183927&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;130424&#8243; icon_color_type=&#8221;uncode-palette&#8221;]<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Intent-Based Networking: Centrally deployed and automated via Cisco DNA Center (Catalyst Center), removing repetitive manual switch configurations.<\/li>\n<li>Granular Zero Trust Security: Implemented Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) and TrustSec with Scalable Group Tags (SGTs), providing continuous identity and device verification across the entire estate.<\/li>\n<li>Campus-Wide Wi-Fi 6E: Deployed high-density access points to support secure, high-speed mobile collaboration for staff and visitors across every floor.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/uncode_list][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;128894&#8243;][vc_custom_heading text_color=&#8221;color-wayh&#8221; heading_semantic=&#8221;h3&#8243; text_size=&#8221;h3&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;100055&#8243; text_color_type=&#8221;uncode-palette&#8221;]2. High-Availability Multi-Site Data Centre[\/vc_custom_heading][uncode_list icon=&#8221;fa fa-arrow-right2&#8243; icon_color=&#8221;color-183927&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;202536&#8243; icon_color_type=&#8221;uncode-palette&#8221;]<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Modern Fabric Architecture: Replaced legacy interconnects with a Cisco Leaf-and-Spine topology running VxLAN with BGP EVPN, providing resilient Layer 2 extension across physical data centre locations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/uncode_list][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;956344&#8243;][vc_custom_heading text_color=&#8221;color-wayh&#8221; heading_semantic=&#8221;h3&#8243; text_size=&#8221;h3&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;192093&#8243; text_color_type=&#8221;uncode-palette&#8221;]3. Integrated Perimeter &amp; Fusion Security[\/vc_custom_heading][uncode_list icon=&#8221;fa fa-arrow-right2&#8243; icon_color=&#8221;color-183927&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;715617&#8243; icon_color_type=&#8221;uncode-palette&#8221;]<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Palo Alto Networks Next-Gen Firewalls: Positioned strategically at the network perimeter and between virtual routing instances (VRF\/VN fusion points) to inspect east-west and north-south traffic without choking throughput.<\/li>\n<li>Pragmatic Partner Governance: Sword led coordination between Cisco and Palo Alto, securing commercial transparency, clean licensing structures, and verified technical interoperability.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/uncode_list][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row unlock_row_content=&#8221;yes&#8221; row_height_percent=&#8221;0&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; h_padding=&#8221;4&#8243; top_padding=&#8221;3&#8243; bottom_padding=&#8221;3&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; enable_top_divider=&#8221;default&#8221; top_divider=&#8221;tilt&#8221; shape_top_h_use_pixel=&#8221;&#8221; shape_top_height=&#8221;100&#8243; shape_top_color=&#8221;color-gyho&#8221; shape_top_opacity=&#8221;100&#8243; shape_top_index=&#8221;0&#8243; content_parallax=&#8221;0&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;565002&#8243; shape_top_color_type=&#8221;uncode-palette&#8221;][vc_column column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; column_padding=&#8221;0&#8243; back_image=&#8221;181053&#8243; parallax=&#8221;yes&#8221; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; radius=&#8221;std&#8221; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;165096&#8243;][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; column_padding=&#8221;4&#8243; overlay_color=&#8221;color-183927&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;90&#8243; radius=&#8221;std&#8221; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;907183&#8243; overlay_color_type=&#8221;uncode-palette&#8221;][vc_custom_heading text_color=&#8221;color-wayh&#8221; heading_semantic=&#8221;p&#8221; text_size=&#8221;custom&#8221; text_color_type=&#8221;uncode-palette&#8221; heading_custom_size=&#8221;clamp(20px,5vw,30px)&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;197884&#8243;]&#8221;Sword worked as a natural extension of our team from day one. Their engineering depth across Cisco and Palo Alto gave us total confidence in our architecture, and their pragmatic approach to cutover ensured our people experienced zero disruption during a landmark headquarters transition.&#8221;[\/vc_custom_heading][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_visibility=&#8221;yes&#8221; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;193750&#8243;][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row unlock_row_content=&#8221;yes&#8221; row_height_percent=&#8221;0&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; h_padding=&#8221;4&#8243; top_padding=&#8221;2&#8243; bottom_padding=&#8221;2&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; content_parallax=&#8221;0&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;214477&#8243;][vc_column column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; column_padding=&#8221;4&#8243; style=&#8221;dark&#8221; back_color=&#8221;color-210407&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; radius=&#8221;std&#8221; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;647882&#8243; back_color_type=&#8221;uncode-palette&#8221;][vc_custom_heading separator=&#8221;yes&#8221; sub_reduced=&#8221;yes&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;202481&#8243;]Business outcomes[\/vc_custom_heading][vc_row_inner row_inner_height_percent=&#8221;0&#8243; row_padding=&#8221;0&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;5&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;148619&#8243;][vc_column_inner column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; style=&#8221;dark&#8221; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;162336&#8243;][vc_custom_heading text_color=&#8221;color-183927&#8243; text_size=&#8221;h4&#8243; sub_reduced=&#8221;yes&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;159828&#8243; subheading=&#8221;Centralised software-defined policies allow IT administrators to provision services, onboard secure endpoints, and isolate threats in minutes instead of days.&#8221; text_color_type=&#8221;uncode-palette&#8221;]Automated Network Agility[\/vc_custom_heading][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; style=&#8221;dark&#8221; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;739832&#8243;][vc_custom_heading text_color=&#8221;color-183927&#8243; text_size=&#8221;h4&#8243; sub_reduced=&#8221;yes&#8221; text_color_type=&#8221;uncode-palette&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;172689&#8243; subheading=&#8221;The modernised VxLAN EVPN data centre fabric provides active-active multi-site redundancy, mitigating the risk of site-wide outages.&#8221;]Continuous Operational Resilience[\/vc_custom_heading][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; style=&#8221;dark&#8221; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;989818&#8243;][vc_custom_heading text_color=&#8221;color-183927&#8243; text_size=&#8221;h4&#8243; sub_reduced=&#8221;yes&#8221; text_color_type=&#8221;uncode-palette&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;696711&#8243; subheading=&#8221;High-density Wi-Fi 6E provides seamless voice, video, and data access throughout the new headquarters, matching the clients flexible, collaborative culture.&#8221;]Assured Hybrid Mobility[\/vc_custom_heading][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; style=&#8221;dark&#8221; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;133391&#8243;][vc_custom_heading text_color=&#8221;color-183927&#8243; text_size=&#8221;h4&#8243; sub_reduced=&#8221;yes&#8221; text_color_type=&#8221;uncode-palette&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;156109&#8243; subheading=&#8221;Identity-driven micro-segmentation satisfies stringent regulatory auditing standards while keeping infrastructure adaptable for future cloud integration.&#8221;]Future-Proof Security Compliance[\/vc_custom_heading][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; style=&#8221;dark&#8221; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;111793&#8243;][vc_custom_heading text_color=&#8221;color-183927&#8243; text_size=&#8221;h4&#8243; sub_reduced=&#8221;yes&#8221; text_color_type=&#8221;uncode-palette&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;576149&#8243; subheading=&#8221;Supported by Sword&#8217;s NOC services, the client retains continuous oversight, proactive lifecycle patching, and rapid incident triage.&#8221;]24\/7 Managed Operational Stability[\/vc_custom_heading][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row unlock_row_content=&#8221;yes&#8221; row_height_percent=&#8221;0&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; h_padding=&#8221;4&#8243; top_padding=&#8221;3&#8243; bottom_padding=&#8221;3&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; content_parallax=&#8221;0&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;192111&#8243;][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243;][vc_custom_heading text_size=&#8221;h4&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;170310&#8243;]More Information[\/vc_custom_heading][vc_accordion history=&#8221;yes&#8221; target=&#8221;row&#8221; typography=&#8221;advanced&#8221; sign=&#8221;plus&#8221; sign_size=&#8221;md&#8221; content_border=&#8221;yes&#8221; title_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; gutter_simple=&#8221;0&#8243; no_h_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; titles_size=&#8221;h5&#8243; titles_weight=&#8221;400&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;155085&#8243; active_tab=&#8221;0&#8243;][vc_accordion_tab gutter_size=&#8221;2&#8243; column_padding=&#8221;2&#8243; title=&#8221;How did Sword guarantee zero business disruption during the core network cutover?&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1671551114-1-916728529840381715765038741f075-2eb41787927796011&#8243; slug=&#8221;liquid&#8221;][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;147364&#8243;]Sword utilised a dual-run staging methodology where the new Cisco Software-Defined Access (SDA) campus network and VxLAN EVPN data centre fabric were designed, configured, and tested in parallel with the active legacy systems. Thorough risk modelling and staggered migration windows allowed user groups and services to be transitioned incrementally, ensuring continuous trading operations and zero downtime.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_accordion_tab][vc_accordion_tab gutter_size=&#8221;2&#8243; column_padding=&#8221;2&#8243; title=&#8221;What security standards are enforced by the Zero Trust architecture in this project?&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1671551114-2-9016728529840381715765038741f075-2eb41787927796011&#8243; slug=&#8221;repeaters&#8221;][vc_row_inner row_inner_height_percent=&#8221;0&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;4&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;161921&#8243; limit_content=&#8221;&#8221;][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243;][vc_column_text text_lead=&#8221;yes&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;853624&#8243;]The architecture relies on Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) and Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls to implement Zero Trust micro-segmentation. By utilising Scalable Group Tags (SGTs), user and device identities are continuously verified, isolating sensitive financial environments to satisfy stringent financial compliance, security auditing standards, and operational risk policies.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_accordion_tab][vc_accordion_tab gutter_size=&#8221;2&#8243; column_padding=&#8221;2&#8243; title=&#8221;Why was Wi-Fi 6E selected for the Edinburgh headquarters, and what are its benefits?&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1671551389519-2-716728529840381715765038741f075-2eb41787927796011&#8243; slug=&#8221;geometries&#8221;][vc_row_inner row_inner_height_percent=&#8221;0&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;4&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;161921&#8243; limit_content=&#8221;&#8221;][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243;][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;732781&#8243;]Wi-Fi 6E was chosen to support high-density, low-latency mobile collaboration for more than 2,500 active users. By utilising the newly opened 6 GHz spectrum, the wireless network avoids congestion from legacy devices, delivering highly secure, ultra-reliable gigabit speeds across all campus floors for voice, video, and data traffic.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_accordion_tab][\/vc_accordion][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row unlock_row_content=&#8221;yes&#8221; row_height_percent=&#8221;0&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; h_padding=&#8221;4&#8243; top_padding=&#8221;2&#8243; bottom_padding=&#8221;2&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;2&#8243; column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; content_parallax=&#8221;0&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;883371&#8243;][vc_column column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;4&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243;][vc_custom_heading text_size=&#8221;h4&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;158563&#8243;]More case studies[\/vc_custom_heading][uncode_index el_id=&#8221;index-537495863&#8243; index_type=&#8221;carousel&#8221; loop=&#8221;size:9|order_by:date|post_type:post|taxonomy_count:10&#8243; carousel_lg=&#8221;3&#8243; carousel_md=&#8221;2&#8243; carousel_sm=&#8221;1&#8243; thumb_size=&#8221;twentyone-nine&#8221; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; post_items=&#8221;media|featured|onpost|poster,title|-,text|excerpt|90,sep-one|full&#8221; carousel_interval=&#8221;3000&#8243; carousel_navspeed=&#8221;400&#8243; carousel_dots=&#8221;yes&#8221; carousel_dots_mobile=&#8221;yes&#8221; stage_padding=&#8221;0&#8243; single_shape=&#8221;round&#8221; radius=&#8221;std&#8221; single_overlay_color=&#8221;color-wayh&#8221; single_overlay_opacity=&#8221;50&#8243; single_text_visible=&#8221;yes&#8221; single_text_anim=&#8221;no&#8221; single_padding=&#8221;2&#8243; single_title_dimension=&#8221;h5&#8243; single_border=&#8221;yes&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;125837&#8243;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When international investment manager relocated to a brand-new headquarters, Sword designed and deployed an automated, software-defined campus and resilient multi-site data centre network built for 2,500+ users.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":182951,"template":"","class_list":["post-181339","case_study","type-case_study","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sword-group.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/case_study\/181339","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sword-group.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/case_study"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sword-group.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/case_study"}],"version-history":[{"count":23,"href":"https:\/\/www.sword-group.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/case_study\/181339\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":183523,"href":"https:\/\/www.sword-group.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/case_study\/181339\/revisions\/183523"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sword-group.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/182951"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sword-group.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=181339"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}