Cybersecurity as a cornerstone
The NXTGN Solutions GmbH success story
The success story of NXTGN Solutions GmbH
The success story of NXTGN Solutions GmbH
Cybersecurity as foundation for digital solutions
The threat landscape for corporate networks is growing – and with it, the demands placed on professional IT security. Cyberattacks are no longer confined to large corporations: medium-sized enterprises and specialist IT service providers are also increasingly being targeted. At the same time, their customers’ expectations regarding data protection, availability and reliability are rising. The example of NXTGN Solutions illustrates how a company can not only meet this challenge for itself, but also turn it into a strategic advantage within its own service portfolio.
Vodafone Business’s Security Operations Centre ensures security around the clock. This takes the pressure off both us and our customers.
Marc Lehmeier – Co-founder and Managing Director of NXTGN
The Challenge
Increasing demands, complex threats
NXTGN is an innovative service provider in the IT sector. As the company grew and the digitalisation of its clients’ projects increased, the demands on IT security and technological flexibility also rose significantly. In particular, securing complex IoT solutions and handling sensitive client data across various sectors presented the company with new challenges.
At the same time, it was essential to reliably protect the company’s own IT infrastructure around the clock against cyber threats – without overburdening internal resources. To reduce complexity and make efficient use of synergies, NXTGN also opted for an integrated approach combining cloud, IoT and security technologies from a single source. As a solutions provider, NXTGN further aimed to pass on these technologies and security standards to its own customers and to strategically develop its own portfolio.
To meet these requirements, NXTGN specifically sought out a strong partner and decided to collaborate with Vodafone Business. The company benefits in two ways: as a customer of Vodafone’s high-performance services and as a partner that integrates innovative IoT and security solutions into its own portfolio.
In safe hands
The Company
Innovative IT service provider
NXTGN Solutions GmbH was founded in 2016 with the vision of breaking down the barriers between Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and the Internet of Things (IoT). Today, the company carries out projects worldwide and specialises in software solutions, highly scalable IoT applications, connectivity and business consultancy.
As a reliable technology partner for digitalisation projects, NXTGN develops bespoke solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises in close collaboration with leading technology providers. The team combines in-depth process knowledge with a high degree of innovation and draws on over 30 years’ experience in international projects across a wide range of industries.
NXTGN Solutions GmbH develops bespoke IoT and IT solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises – drawing on an integrated portfolio from Vodafone Business.
Round-the-clock protection for the entire corporate network: Vodafone Business’s Security Operations Centre (SOC) monitors NXTGN’s IT infrastructure and responds immediately in the event of an emergency.
As a Vodafone Business customer, NXTGN not only benefits from professional IT security itself – it also passes on the standards it has adopted directly to its own customers.
The Solution
Security, cloud and IoT from a single source
As part of this collaboration, NXTGN relies on an integrated portfolio of IT and communications solutions from Vodafone Business. The Managed Security Service protects the company network and all connected devices – including mobile devices and computers used whilst working from home.
The experts at the Vodafone Security Operations Centre (SOC) monitor the systems round the clock, detect threats at an early stage and proactively identify vulnerabilities. Security incidents are reported immediately, and Vodafone actively assists in resolving them. In addition, NXTGN receives regular security reports. Via the "CyberHub" portal, NXTGN’s IT managers have access to the current security status at all times.
Marc Lehmeier, co-founder and managing director of NXTGN, explains: “The Managed Security Service provided by Vodafone takes the pressure off both us and our customers when it comes to cyber security. Not only does it ensure 24/7 security, but it also guarantees that a knowledgeable point of contact is available at all times. Nothing can replace that peace of mind.”
Vodafone Business’s service package impressed us in every way.
Marc Lehmeier – Co-founder and Managing Director of NXTGN
In addition to its security solutions, NXTGN utilises high-performance IoT connectivity. Via the Global Data Service Platform (GDSP), the company centrally manages SIM cards for its own projects and customer applications. This setup is complemented by cloud services such as Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365, as well as modern communication solutions such as the RingCentral cloud-based telephone system, which enable efficient internal and external collaboration.
As a solutions provider, NXTGN also benefits from being able to apply the technologies and experience it has gained directly to client projects. The integration of Managed Security Services and IoT connectivity strengthens its own portfolio – particularly in environments with high security and availability requirements. Using the solutions in-house creates additional credibility and builds lasting trust with clients.
The Advantages
The Managed Security Service protects NXTGN – and its customers’ IT systems
Vodafone Business’s managed security solution protects NXTGN’s entire IT infrastructure – including all connected employee devices. As the IoT solutions implemented by NXTGN are based on the servers and IT resources provided, this protection also extends to customers’ applications and systems. Vodafone’s secure and high-performance mobile network ensures reliable IoT connectivity.
Centralised management, activation and configuration
of the security solution
Up-to-date information on new security threats
from SOC analysts
Transparent evaluation of cyber risk
for your business
Monthly security reports
for all connected devices, networks and data
5 questions for Marc Lehmeier
5 questions for Marc Lehmeier, co-founder and managing director of NXTGN
"A high level of security is essential for us"
Marc Lehmeier, co-founder and managing director of NXTGN, is responsible for the company’s strategic direction. In this interview, he talks about the benefits of managed security services and the partnership with Vodafone.
What role does cyber security play for NXTGN itself and for your client projects?
Marc Lehmeier: As an IT-focused company, we naturally attach the utmost importance to the security of our own network and IT resources. At the same time, our corporate network hosts key infrastructure components for our IoT client projects. A high level of security is therefore not only essential for us, but also a key selling point in our dealings with our clients.
Why did you choose the Managed Security Service offered by Vodafone Business?
Marc Lehmeier: The proposal impressed us in every respect. We have enjoyed a successful partnership with Vodafone for many years – for example, in mobile communications, in the IoT and M2M connectivity of our customer solutions, and in the use of Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365. We particularly appreciate Vodafone Business’s solution-oriented approach. Vodafone has also provided exactly the right solution for our needs when it comes to managed security services.
With its Managed Security Service, Vodafone has provided exactly the right solution for our needs.
Marc Lehmeier – Co-founder and Managing Director of NXTGN
What specific benefits does your business gain from sourcing various solution components from Vodafone Business as a single-source provider?
Marc Lehmeier: We work with trusted contacts who understand our business and have a holistic view of all the solutions we use. This reduces the need for coordination, avoids inefficiencies and ensures that we achieve good results more quickly.
And what are the specific benefits for your customers?
Marc Lehmeier: Our customers rightly expect secure and reliable solutions – particularly in the context of artificial intelligence, which already plays a key role in many of our current projects. Trust and security are crucial factors in this regard. The Managed Security Service provided by Vodafone makes a significant contribution in this respect.
Are there any plans yet for further joint activities with Vodafone Business?
Marc Lehmeier: We are currently exploring further areas for closer collaboration. Issues such as sustainability and energy efficiency are of great importance in this regard. Particularly when combined with the IoT, this gives rise to some very exciting and forward-looking solutions.
IT security in professional hands
Managed Security Service for businesses
Managed Security Service for businesses
IT security in professional hands
Cyberattacks affect businesses of all sizes – and usually when no one is expecting them. Ransomware, phishing, zero-day exploits: the methods used to attack B2B and B2C infrastructures are becoming more complex, and the intervals between attacks are getting shorter. At the same time, many IT departments lack the capacity to manage professional round-the-clock monitoring on their own. Managed Security Services (MSS) offer a solution: companies outsource the monitoring and protection of their IT infrastructure to specialist partners – without losing control or transparency.
What Managed Security Services actually do for businesses
Essentially, a specialised Security Operations Centre (SOC) takes charge of the continuous monitoring of the entire IT infrastructure – from the company network and mobile devices right through to home office workstations. Threats are detected at an early stage and vulnerabilities are proactively identified. In the event of an incident, security experts respond immediately and implement targeted countermeasures. This is complemented by regular security reports and a transparent assessment of individual cyber risk – ensuring that companies know exactly where they stand at all times.
The five key benefits of managed security services
1. 24/7 protection without your own security team
It is virtually impossible to set up a cost-effective, in-house system for professional, round-the-clock monitoring of a company’s IT infrastructure. A Managed Security Service takes care of this task entirely – with specialist teams on standby 24 hours a day.
2. Proactive threat detection rather than reactive damage control
Rather than reacting only after a security incident has occurred, the SOC identifies vulnerabilities and attack patterns at an early stage. This significantly reduces response times and limits potential damage before it occurs.
3. Transparency and control are maintained
Through centralised portals such as Vodafone Business’s CyberHub, IT managers can view their organisation’s current security status at any time. Monthly reports document incidents, measures taken and risk trends – in a transparent and audit-proof manner.
4. Reducing the workload on the in-house IT department
Security monitoring, patch management, configuration of security systems: these tasks tie up considerable internal resources within organisations. A Managed Security Service takes care of day-to-day operations – allowing the in-house IT team to focus on strategic tasks.
5. Compliance support through documented security processes
Regulatory requirements such as NIS2 or sector-specific data protection regulations present companies with increasing challenges. Documented security processes and a transparent risk assessment carried out by the MSS provider make it considerably easier to meet these requirements.
From IT security to a competitive advantage
Today, managed security services do far more than simply protect against cyber-attacks. They build trust, provide support with regulatory requirements and take the strain off internal resources. For IT service providers and solution providers, they also open up the opportunity to establish security as an integral part of their own value proposition.
NXTGN Solutions’ experience shows that a professional security strategy does more than just strengthen a company’s own infrastructure. It also lays the foundation for supporting customers with a higher level of security, transparency and reliability. As a result, cyber security evolves from a mere protective mechanism into a genuine competitive advantage.
Companies wishing to future-proof their security architecture stand to benefit from the support of an experienced managed security partner. If your company would also like to build its cyber security on a professional foundation, get a free consultation now.
