Powertech case study
Essential Eight ML2 alignment and approval to start work with a new client.
Client success storiesEnergy
InterContinental Energy reaches Essential Eight Maturity Level 1
A green hydrogen developer with projects across Australia and the Middle East needed to meet the Essential Eight without getting in the way of its people. We layered five security platforms onto the Microsoft 365 licensing it already had.
- ML1Essential Eight maturity level reached
- 5Security platforms layered on Microsoft 365
- M365Built on the Business Premium licences ICE already had
- QBRMonthly check ins and quarterly business reviews
01The challenge
Where ICE started
ICE designs and delivers large scale wind and solar powered energy hubs. As its operations grew, so did its security obligations, and Maturity Level 1 of the Essential Eight became a key milestone in its cyber security strategy.
Every control at once
Reaching Maturity Level 1 meant changes to application control, endpoint protection, user access and patching, across the whole business at the same time.
Macros people rely on
Some staff depended on Microsoft Office macros every day. Strict application control usually blocks them, so the controls had to fit around real work.
No room for disruption
Projects had to keep moving during the uplift. Security that stopped people working would not have lasted.
02What we did
Five layers, one managed setup
We built on the Microsoft 365 Business Premium licensing ICE already paid for, then added specialist tools where Microsoft alone would not meet the standard.
01
Microsoft Intune
Configuration profiles and security policies on every device, with Conditional Access controlling sign in.
02
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Endpoint protection on every device, paired with Huntress for a second layer of detection.
03
Huntress
Managed detection and response, plus security awareness training that helps staff spot phishing.
04
Avanan by Check Point
Email and collaboration security across Microsoft 365, deployed first for the quickest reduction in risk.
05
ThreatLocker
Application control that only lets approved software run, tuned with the team so everyday work kept flowing.
03How we delivered it
Delivered in phases, not all at once
Phase 1
Email first
Avanan went in first to strengthen email defences straight away.
Phase 2
Detection and training
Huntress and Microsoft Defender were integrated for endpoint detection, along with security awareness training.
Phase 3
Policies and access
Intune policies and Conditional Access set how devices and sign ins are controlled.
Phase 4
Application control
ThreatLocker was switched on, with rules agreed with the team so macros people rely on kept working.
Phase 5
Tuning
Microsoft 365 security settings were tuned against each Essential Eight control.
Planned and delivered by our team in Subiaco, Perth.
Meet the teamEngineers, project leads and account managers
04The results
The difference for ICE
What changed Results
- 01Essential Eight Maturity Level 1 achieved across the business
- 02Staff who rely on Office macros kept working
- 03Stronger governance, monitoring and control across devices and cloud platforms
- 04Email, endpoint and application security lifted together
What made it work Approach
- 01Using Microsoft 365 licensing ICE already had
- 02A phased rollout that kept disruption low
- 03Regular stakeholder check ins to balance security with how people work
- 04User education that built support inside the business
Today
ICE remains a managed client. Monthly check ins and quarterly business reviews keep its security and IT aligned with where the business is going.
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All client success stories06Next step
Talk to the team
behind this project.
Tell us what you are working on. A senior engineer will review your IT and security, then outline a plan you can act on, whether you work with us or not.
Level 2, 541 Hay Street, Subiaco WA 6008
Onsite across the Perth metro area. Remote support across regional WA and Australia.