Client story Curtin University has stabilised its Microsoft digital identity capabilities to provide reliable experiences and bring together their student and staff identities to enhance collaboration
By Insight Editor / 30 Oct 2024 / Topics: Modern infrastructure Cybersecurity
Facts at a glance
Client industry:
Education
Challenge:
Curtin University faced significant challenges with its fragmented and outdated Microsoft digital identity systems built on legacy design principles. This caused technical operational issues, inefficiencies and an inability for the systems to provide for evolved and unified student and staff collaboration.
Solution:
Needed a robust solution that would unify its Microsoft digital identity systems and provide reliable access for its academic and research communities.
Insight developed a comprehensive digital identity management solution for Curtin. The initiative rebuilt and consolidated Curtin’s Microsoft identity technologies into a unified framework that simplified access management and heightened security measures. Results
Results:
The unified digital identity system delivered by Insight has enhanced Curtin University’s operational efficiency and technological readiness, fostering an environment for excellence and innovation.
The project is also a pivotal part of Curtin's ongoing digital transformation, which will see the University integrate more advanced technologies and methods.
Curtin University is a prestigious Australian institution, renowned for its emphasis on research, technology and industry collaboration, and for its dedication to providing innovative educational experiences to its 56,000 students.
The University faced significant challenges with its fragmented and outdated Microsoft digital identity systems built on legacy design principles. This caused technical operational issues, inefficiencies and an inability for the systems to provide for evolved and unified student and staff collaboration.
Prior to engaging Insight, Curtin’s IT setup included separate identity management systems for students and staff, which hindered collaborative learning and teaching using Microsoft technologies.
Recognising these challenges, the University realised it needed a robust solution that would unify its Microsoft digital identity systems and provide reliable access for its academic and research communities.
“Our identity environment was not stable, and we lacked the specialist knowledge and resources needed to evolve. We had legacy IT debt and design principles that were hindering our ability to provide reliable access experiences.” says Robbie Whittome, Chief Information Security Officer, Curtin University
The University decided on a new approach to improve security and identity user management, and engaged Insight to support its digital identity system project.
“We worked closely with the Curtin team to understand their needs and craft a tailored solution. They needed to overhaul and unify their legacy systems to ensure a robust and reliable environment going forwards.” Cameron Zivkovic, Practice Lead – Cloud Platform, Insight
Building the stabilised Microsoft digital identity system
Insight developed a comprehensive digital identity management solution for Curtin. The initiative rebuilt and consolidated Curtin’s Microsoft identity technologies into a unified framework that simplified access management and heightened security measures. The process comprised a thorough design and assessment phase, collaborative strategic planning, stakeholder engagement and the integration of Microsoft identities technologies.
Insight's approach not only addressed the immediate technical requirements but also prepared the system for future scalability and technological integration. In addition, Insight's solution delivered substantial benefits in line with the University's strategic goals:
Building digital trust: Insight’s solution created a secure, productive environment for students and staff, fostering reliability in the digital offerings.
Technology maturity: the initiative facilitated onboarding and upskilling initiatives that bolstered Curtin's intellectual property and reduced technical debt, enabling the University to focus more on innovation and developing pre-emptive capabilities.
Reduced cyber risk: the project enhanced Curtin’s security measures, lowering the risk of cyber threats.
On-time delivery: the program was delivered within stipulated timelines, ensuring minimal disruption and maximising resource utilisation.
Overall, the consolidation of Microsoft identity technologies and identity users ensures that students and staff can reliably access and share educational resources, promoting a digital learning experience that is reliable, while facilitating smooth communication.
“This new identity management capability sets a foundation for digital trust. If students can’t trust the IT systems and services we provide to be reliable, efficient and secure, it impacts their learning. This project proved to be a valuable investment in digital capability and cybersecurity.” Robbie Whittome, Chief Information Security Officer, Curtin University
The unified digital identity system delivered by Insight has enhanced Curtin University’s operational efficiency and technological readiness, fostering an environment for excellence and innovation. This stability has allowed Curtin to focus more on delivering technology innovation rather than managing IT operations.
The project is also a pivotal part of Curtin's ongoing digital transformation, which will see the University integrate more advanced technologies and methods.
“The new system has stabilised our identity environment, advance Curtin on its journey in providing enhanced and reliable access experiences.” Robbie Whittome, Chief Information Security Officer, Curtin University
The collaboration with Insight was highly valued not only for the technical expertise and solution it delivered but also for its strategic alignment and shared vision for digital excellence.
