Merlin improves network security at tourist sites

Merlin Entertainment, which owns attractions such as Legoland and the London Dungeon, has simplified its network security environment, tightening defences and cutting costs in the process.

The company was prompted to overhaul its network security technology when it discovered that Cisco network management devices deployed at the London Dungeon site were too complex to administer without specialist training.

Paul Sylvester, Merlin IT infrastructure and security manager, says the company needed to find a device to simplify management of the London Dungeon’s anti-virus security.

‘We found the Cisco virus definition management devices very complex and it would have been difficult to retrain staff to use it if the specialist staff member left the company,’ said Sylvester.

Merlin installed a unified threat management device from security vendor SonicWall at the London Dungeon. It proved so successful at reducing the risk of exposure to viruses that the company extended the project to 36 international sites, 15 of which are in the UK.  

Legoland, which Merlin acquired in July, was the last site to be equipped with the technology.

‘When we purchased Legoland last year it became apparent that the IT team there were having quite a few virus-related issues. Their biggest problem was dealing with virus attacks that came through to them via the networks of their parent company, the Lego Group,’ said Sylvester.

SonicWall was installed at Legoland last November, when the IT resources were transferred from The Lego Group’s network to Merlin.

‘It’s an extremely straightforward process to install and configure, and it allows the small, on-site Legoland IT team to look after their own environment,’ said Sylvester.

He says the technology’s remote management capabilities have also delivered £30,000 in annual savings, because the company no longer has to send IT support staff out to sites every six months to update virus definitions.

‘The biggest improvement is to the management of the very complex anti-virus package we run.
The devices deliver simplicity, cut travel costs and free up a lot more time for engineers to spend on other tasks,’ said Sylvester.