Grŵp Cynefin strengthens security, enables remote access, and cuts maintenance costs with Azure Hybrid Infrastructure.
Project Type: Azure Sector: Housing Association
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Before the project began, Grŵp Cynefin was reliant on legacy file servers and disaster recovery plans that were increasingly difficult to manage and maintain. While the organisation was keen to move towards a more modern IT setup, there was still a need to retain some legacy infrastructure, meaning a fully cloud-native solution was not yet viable.
Security was a key concern, especially around maintaining explicit permissions and ensuring authentication protocols were upheld during and after the migration. Additionally, any transition needed to be seamless, without interrupting access for a large number of staff working remotely or across different offices.
Grŵp Cynefin is a large cooperative and housing association based in North Wales. With more than 4,800 homes under management and over 300 employees, the organisation provides not only social and specialist housing but also a range of community services, including Care & Repair agencies, Rural Housing Enablers, and support for vulnerable individuals.
The project kicked off with an on-site discovery workshop session, during which Valto reviewed Grŵp Cynefin’s environment and assessed the potential risks and requirements. A hybrid solution was proposed and delivered using Azure File Sync, allowing the organisation to continue using some of their familiar tools and systems while benefiting from cloud-hosted infrastructure.
Files were synchronised and cut over to Azure in a carefully planned sequence to avoid disruption. Security permissions were reviewed and migrated to ensure consistency, and Azure Virtual Desktop and VPN solutions were introduced to provide secure, remote access for staff working from home or in the field.
The project resulted in a seamless transition from on-premise infrastructure to a modern hybrid cloud solution. Grŵp Cynefin experienced an immediate reduction in IT management overhead and maintenance costs. The updated setup also enhanced their disaster recovery capabilities by eliminating the need for local servers and outdated backup systems.
From a security and compliance standpoint, the solution met all necessary requirements while improving access for end users. Looking ahead, the organisation plans to continue evolving their digital estate by moving more data and processes into SaaS platforms such as Microsoft 365. Plans are underway to build an intranet and improve document control, as well as expand their SharePoint and Teams architecture to take full advantage of Microsoft 365’s collaboration and compliance capabilities.
“Implementing Azure File Sync gave Grŵp Cynefin the best of both worlds, retaining essential on-premises functionality while gaining all the scalability, security, and resilience of the cloud.”
Rob Thomas,
Head of MS365, Valto
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