Whalebone Immunity Became the Cornerstone of O2’s Security Infrastructure

Whalebone Immunity as the Cornerstone of O2’s Security Infrastructure – Case Study

O2 is the largest provider of integrated telecommunication services in the Czech Republic, managing nearly 8 million unique mobile and fixed access points. This position highlights O2’s importance as a fully convergent services provider within the European market.

O2 evaluated their cooperation with Whalebone as exceptional, citing an issue-free implementation process and outstanding results.

Challenge: Strengthening a Complex Security Architecture

For O2, a secure network is critical. The complexity of their infrastructure required a DNS solution that would not add unnecessary layers or interfere with existing security systems. The ideal solution would enhance security across all devices without requiring individual installations or disrupting the architecture. Additionally, the O2 security team sought greater control and monitoring capabilities at the DNS level.

Solution: Seamless Deployment in Three Steps

Since O2 had prior experience with Whalebone technology through one of their divisions, the network team decided to trial Whalebone Immunity. The deployment consisted of three straightforward steps:

1. Evaluating Functionality: Whalebone’s DNS resolvers were tested in a pilot phase to ensure compatibility with O2’s complex infrastructure.

2. Redirecting Traffic: Initial traffic redirection to the Whalebone resolver was carried out without any service disruptions.

3. Expanding Coverage: The remainder of the network, including external workers, was redirected after the pilot exceeded expectations.

“No complications occurred, which is not so common when it comes to security products. We were pleased with the results of the pilot, so we decided to fully implement the product.”
— Jan Hrdonka, O2 Network Security Manager

Results: Elevated Network Security and Simplicity

The full implementation of Whalebone Immunity enhanced O2’s security infrastructure, offering immediate benefits:

• Seamless Deployment: The solution was integrated smoothly, with no network outages or user disruptions.

• Exceptional Precision: Despite blocking a high number of threats, there were no false positives or user complaints about restrictions.

• User-Friendly Operation: Employees experienced no noticeable changes apart from the prevention of harmful activities.

• Comprehensive Protection: DNS-level security extended across the internal network and external devices.

For further convenience, O2’s security team created an internal form for users to request the unblocking of websites, but it has yet to be used. This highlights Whalebone’s ability to deliver precise and effective filtering.

Ongoing Collaboration and Future Goals

O2’s Security Team continues to explore Whalebone’s potential. Plans include extending protection to all user stations and integrating Whalebone into their mail server security systems. As they refine security thresholds, they aim to maximize Immunity’s effectiveness and share their experiences with other O2 divisions across Europe.

“Whalebone rises above the competition — even though nobody complained about false positives, we can see just how many real threats it blocks.”
— Jan Hrdonka, O2 Network Security Manager

Key Takeaways

• Smooth Integration: Fast and straightforward implementation, with no need for additional staffing.

• Enhanced Security: Comprehensive DNS-level protection, blocking numerous threats with precision.

• Satisfied Stakeholders: The solution exceeded expectations, becoming a cornerstone of O2’s security infrastructure.

O2’s cooperation with Whalebone sets a benchmark for secure enterprise networks, reinforcing Whalebone’s reputation as a trusted partner for even the most demanding customers.

Additional References

Easily redirect part of your network traffic to Whalebone resolvers and try out our trial.
immunity@whalebone.io
We will be happy to answer any questions. Mutual satisfaction is our main goal, and we will do our best to fulfill your requests.

Follow us on LinkedIn for more information on DNS security and ZTDNS.

Keywords

case study, DNS security, O2, telecommunications security, DNS-level protection, Whalebone Immunity, advanced threat detection, network traffic filtering, enterprise cybersecurity solutions