SOCAR Türkiye, a major player in Türkiye’s refining and petrochemical sector and the Turkish subsidiary of Azerbaijan’s SOCAR, has embarked on a significant digital transformation to bolster its security infrastructure. By moving from an outdated set of 15 on-premises MDM servers to a consolidated cloud-based solution leveraging Microsoft 365 E5 and Microsoft Intune, the organization has set a new precedent for secure, agile IT management in the energy industry.
Operating within a highly regulated industry, SOCAR Türkiye had long grappled with the complex task of managing thousands of devices running iOS, macOS, Android, and Windows. The legacy system, which involved multiple servers with disparate endpoint protection tools, resulted in exorbitant costs and strenuous operational maintenance. As Fırat Bilmiş, the IT System Services Supervisor, noted, handling on-premises solutions not only drained resources but also hindered business continuity and posed considerable security risks due to fragmented visibility into endpoint protection.
The company’s need for rigorous data security and simplified device management was undeniable, especially when executives dealing with highly sensitive information required streamlined, secure access. This scenario is consistent with broader industry trends where organizations are shifting from reactive, segmented security approaches to more unified, resilient frameworks .
Such a centralized approach is particularly critical in today’s environment, where visibility and proactive threat management can mean the difference between a smooth operation and a significant security breach. The underlying strategy behind this integration is to offer a comprehensive security framework that resonates with modern digital defenses, ensuring that all endpoints—from traditional desktops to mobile devices—are protected under a single, cohesive system .
The practicalities of managing secure endpoints, especially in an era of increasing remote and hybrid work, cannot be overstated. Like many organizations transitioning from legacy systems to integrated cloud solutions, SOCAR Türkiye’s efforts reflect a proactive stance against cyber threats. Their approach is a vivid example of how consolidating management tools and centralized security operations not only addresses current challenges but also paves the way for future innovations in cybersecurity.
For IT professionals and business leaders, the lesson is clear: embracing integrated, cloud-based management and security solutions is essential for navigating today’s dynamic threat landscape while maintaining operational resilience. The journey of SOCAR Türkiye reinforces that with the right technology stack, modern IT environments can achieve a delicate balance between robust security, cost efficiency, and seamless user experience .
Source: Microsoft SOCAR Türkiye strengthens security with Microsoft Intune and Microsoft 365 E5 | Microsoft Customer Stories
Background and Challenges
Operating within a highly regulated industry, SOCAR Türkiye had long grappled with the complex task of managing thousands of devices running iOS, macOS, Android, and Windows. The legacy system, which involved multiple servers with disparate endpoint protection tools, resulted in exorbitant costs and strenuous operational maintenance. As Fırat Bilmiş, the IT System Services Supervisor, noted, handling on-premises solutions not only drained resources but also hindered business continuity and posed considerable security risks due to fragmented visibility into endpoint protection.The company’s need for rigorous data security and simplified device management was undeniable, especially when executives dealing with highly sensitive information required streamlined, secure access. This scenario is consistent with broader industry trends where organizations are shifting from reactive, segmented security approaches to more unified, resilient frameworks .
The Migration to Microsoft 365 E5 and Intune
In its quest to modernize its IT infrastructure, SOCAR Türkiye embraced Microsoft 365 E5. This move provided several immediate benefits:- Cost Savings and Efficiency: Consolidating 15 servers and numerous legacy systems into a single, cloud-based platform substantially reduced both capital and operational expenses. This consolidation also simplified hardware maintenance and update processes.
- Unified Security Management: With Microsoft Intune, the company was able to seamlessly onboard nearly 5,000 devices, irrespective of their operating system. The ability to manage a diverse ecosystem through a single pane of glass significantly reduced the complexity of endpoint management.
- Enhanced Security Features: The integration of single sign-on (SSO) and cloud public key infrastructure (PKI) features across all devices ensured that executives and key users maintained secure and streamlined access to critical applications and data.
Unifying On-Prem and Cloud Environments
A noteworthy aspect of SOCAR Türkiye’s migration was the merger of its on-premises System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) with Microsoft Intune. This integration allowed IT administrators to manage both cloud-based and on-premises endpoints from a unified system. Coupled with the adoption of Microsoft Purview for data classification, the company achieved an extended detection and response (XDR) capability by replacing its previous fragmented solutions with Microsoft Defender for Identity, Defender for Endpoint, and Defender for Office 365.Such a centralized approach is particularly critical in today’s environment, where visibility and proactive threat management can mean the difference between a smooth operation and a significant security breach. The underlying strategy behind this integration is to offer a comprehensive security framework that resonates with modern digital defenses, ensuring that all endpoints—from traditional desktops to mobile devices—are protected under a single, cohesive system .
Key Benefits Realized
SOCAR Türkiye’s digital transformation has heralded a range of benefits that echo the evolving norms in cybersecurity and IT management:- Simplified IT Operations: Centralizing device management through Intune reduces the overhead of managing disparate systems, offering IT departments more time to focus on strategic initiatives.
- Cost Efficiency: By consolidating servers and streamlining hardware maintenance, the company has realized significant operational savings.
- Stronger Security Posture: Enhanced features such as SSO, cloud PKI, and a unified endpoint management approach mitigate risks associated with data breaches and unauthorized access.
- Improved Business Continuity: Integrating disaster recovery processes into a centralized cloud platform ensures more robust business continuity measures, critical for an industry where uninterrupted operations are paramount.
Modernizing Security in Regulated Industries
In regulated industries such as refining and petrochemicals, security is not a luxury—it is a regulatory mandate. The migration to Microsoft 365 E5 has allowed SOCAR Türkiye to standardize its security protocols across various sites and devices. This strategic move protects sensitive operations, ensuring that even executives with high-level access benefit from robust, yet user-friendly, security measures.The practicalities of managing secure endpoints, especially in an era of increasing remote and hybrid work, cannot be overstated. Like many organizations transitioning from legacy systems to integrated cloud solutions, SOCAR Türkiye’s efforts reflect a proactive stance against cyber threats. Their approach is a vivid example of how consolidating management tools and centralized security operations not only addresses current challenges but also paves the way for future innovations in cybersecurity.
Broader Implications for IT Management
SOCAR Türkiye’s transformation is more than just a case study in cost reduction; it provides an insightful model for IT professionals grappling with the dual demands of operational efficiency and robust security. The success of their migration underscores several key trends:- Unified Approach to Cybersecurity: The seamless integration of cloud-based management with on-prem systems highlights the importance of a consolidated security framework—a shift that is being widely adopted across industries.
- Scalability and Flexibility: The ability to manage an extensive range of devices—from mobile phones to desktop PCs—ensures that organizations can scale their operations without compromising on security.
- Proactive Threat Detection: The integration of Microsoft Defender solutions enables IT teams to monitor, detect, and respond to threats in real time, embodying the proactive approach needed to tackle modern cybersecurity challenges.
Conclusion
SOCAR Türkiye’s migration to Microsoft 365 E5 and Microsoft Intune marks a pivotal step in their digital evolution. By unifying disparate security and management solutions into a single, scalable cloud platform, the company not only reduces operational costs but also fortifies its security across a diverse device ecosystem. This transformation not only aligns with industry best practices but also sets a strong example for other organizations in highly regulated sectors.For IT professionals and business leaders, the lesson is clear: embracing integrated, cloud-based management and security solutions is essential for navigating today’s dynamic threat landscape while maintaining operational resilience. The journey of SOCAR Türkiye reinforces that with the right technology stack, modern IT environments can achieve a delicate balance between robust security, cost efficiency, and seamless user experience .
Source: Microsoft SOCAR Türkiye strengthens security with Microsoft Intune and Microsoft 365 E5 | Microsoft Customer Stories
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