// SOC Q&A Case Study
24X7 Protection: How Barton PEVERIL Safeguards its Data with Khipu Security Operations Centre (SOC)
Facing increasing cybersecurity threats, particularly out-of-hours, Barton Peveril Sixth Form College sought a solution to provide comprehensive network monitoring and protection. The concerns of the college’s senior leadership team were heightened after a neighbouring institution experienced a cyberattack, prompting them to approach KHIPU Networks for a Security Operations Centre (SOC) solution tailored to the education sector’s unique challenges.
After almost 6 months of using KHIPU’s Security Operations Centre (SOC) services, we asked Charlie Davis, IT Manager at Barton Peveril to share his views and experiences on how the SOC was performing amidst the ever-changing cyber threat landscape.
KHIPU: Since implementing the SOC service, what would you say has been the most significant outcome?
CD: It has to be the visibility we now have into what’s happening on our network. For example, just today, the SOC flagged a harmless script a student was running. It was completely benign, but the SOC caught it because it involved downloading a script from GitHub. That level of visibility is something we never had before.
KHIPU: Was there a way to detect such activity prior to the SOC, or is this a completely new capability for you and the college?
CD: This is absolutely a new level of visibility for us. Before the SOC, we wouldn’t have seen anything like that unless it caused a problem, or someone reported it. Now, we’re aware of
activity in real time.
KHIPU: Overall, what would you say are the core benefits of the SOC service?
CD: First and foremost, peace of mind. Knowing someone is monitoring our network around the clock is invaluable. The SOC team has been fantastic from the very start—
they held our hand through the onboarding process but also worked with us efficiently to get everything up and running.
Before we had the SOC, senior management were very concerned about cybersecurity, especially after another local college suffered an attack. Their main worry was what would
happen if we were attacked overnight. At that time, we wouldn’t have known until the next morning. It’s a big relief now knowing the SOC is keeping an eye on things while we’re not
there.
“Before we had the SOC, senior management were very concerned about cybersecurity, especially after another local college suffered an attack. Their main worry was what would happen if we were attacked overnight. It’s a big relief now knowing the SOC is keeping an eye on things while we’re not there.”
KHIPU: What distinguishes KHIPU’s Security Operations Center (SOC) from others in the market?
CD: For me, it’s the personal touch. I work closely with the SOC team, and they’re always approachable. I can ask quick questions or confirm whether an alert is good or bad activity. They are an extension of my team, and I can even drop by the office and meet the analysts in person if necessary. That accessibility and personalisation really stands out.
KHIPU: Prior to opting for the KHIPU SOC, did you consider building an in-house alternative?
CD: As an educational institution, we couldn’t afford to build an in-house SOC—not just in terms of infrastructure but staffing as well. Skilled SOC analysts are hard to find, and even if we managed to hire them, they wouldn’t stay long when they could earn much more in the private sector. Outsourcing to KHIPU solves that problem entirely and is a far more sustainable option for us.
KHIPU: What drove your decision to choose KHIPU’s SOC over other providers?
CD: As a KHIPU customer, we knew we wanted to expand our security under their banner. However, of course, there were other providers that we were aware of, but there were some key differences which would have been an issue for us regardless of our preexisting relationship with KHIPU.
For one, other SOC services can’t offer the same level of real-time support. With KHIPU, we deal directly with the SOC team—they’re approachable and hands-on. That personal connection and their expertise were major factors in our decision.
KHIPU: What are your plans to expand YOUR cybersecurity capabilities & infrastructure?
CD: We’re always growing as a college, and as we expand, we’ll need to scale our cybersecurity services too. We’re currently looking into complementary services like Dark Web Monitoring and other tools to enhance our protection. It’s about staying ahead of the threats and evolving with them.
KHIPU: How do you see the future of cybersecurity education within the educational landscape?
CD: Education will always be a prime target for cyberattacks, and it’s crucial to stay proactive. You can’t just implement a solution and think the job’s done – threats evolve, and we need to evolve too. Partnering with experts like KHIPU is essential to keep up with those changes. As an IT Manager, I wear many hats—strategy, implementation, cybersecurity, patching—you name it. Having KHIPU by my side makes a big difference.
KHIPU: Any final thoughts on your partnership with KHIPU Networks?
CD: It’s been the right fit for us, not just in terms of the technology but the relationship as well. KHIPU understands the education sector and its challenges, and their SOC solution has been exceptional for our college. It’s great knowing we have a partner we can rely on as we continue to grow and face new challenges.
“Other SOC services can’t offer the same level of real-time support. With KHIPU, we deal directly with the SOC team—they’re approachable and hands-on. That personal connection and their expertise were major factors in our decision.”
Charlie Davis
IT Manager
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