Upgrading The Network
Procurement & Deployment
Acquiring vital infrastructure and orchestrating expansions to meet the healthcare office’s high standards of security, efficiency, and enterprise-grade performance.
Procurement Overview
Building on our Company Objectives & Gap Analysis, this phase involves acquiring the hardware, software, and services needed to achieve a secure and scalable enterprise environment. By selecting reputable vendors, establishing a clear budget, and mitigating risks like Shadow IT, we set the foundation for a successful deployment.
Vendor Research
We compared multiple ISP and MSP offerings to find the best cost, reliability, and SLA coverage. We ultimately chose Tier-1 providers for consistent bandwidth and 24/7 uptime guarantees.
Risk Prevention
Centralizing purchase decisions to prevent Shadow IT. Ensuring all new technology meets HIPAA compliance and Zero-Trust principles.
Budget Alignment
Allocating resources for enterprise-level hardware (Cisco switches/routers/firewalls), virtualization software, and multi-year support contracts while maintaining cost efficiency.
Vendor Selection & Solutions
To enhance security and performance, we chose Cisco devices for their proven reliability and advanced feature set. We also evaluated cloud providers, focusing on HIPAA compliance and integration with on-prem resources.
Cisco Hardware
Cisco Catalyst switches, ASA/Firepower firewalls, and integrated routers form our core network. These devices deliver robust security, QoS for voice/data, and global support tailored to healthcare needs.
Hybrid Cloud
Leveraging Azure for HIPAA-compliant storage and backups, while retaining on-prem Windows servers for database and domain control. This ensures optimal balance between performance and scalability.
VoIP & ISP
Primary WAN via Tier-1 fiber ISP, with secondary ISP for failover. VoIP infrastructure (Cisco Unified Communications) for seamless voice integration and redundancy.
Budget & Cost Control
We carefully planned a multi-phase budget to secure the necessary Cisco hardware, cloud services, and support contracts. Below is a visual breakdown of how procurement costs are distributed across key areas.
Deployment Strategy
After finalizing procurement, we orchestrate a methodical deployment to ensure minimal downtime and strict adherence to HIPAA standards. This includes:
- Initial Configuration: Staging Cisco gear off-site with pre-built ACLs, VLANs, and encryption policies.
- Pilot Roll-Out: Testing core services on a limited scale, verifying failover scenarios and zero-trust enforcement.
- Hybrid Integration: Linking on-prem Windows servers with Azure-based backups for unified identity management and accelerated data recovery.
- Monitoring & Optimization: Ongoing performance tracking, system log audits, and routine firmware updates to maintain compliance and maximize ROI.
Next Steps
By carefully planning our procurement strategy, selecting best-fit vendors, and deploying Cisco’s robust solutions, this healthcare office is poised for secure, scalable operations. Our final step is to document all assets, assemble comprehensive Network Diagrams & Topologies, and conduct final compliance checks to ensure the new infrastructure meets all project objectives.