Magellan Aviation Group frees its IT team without sacrificing security

About Magellan Aviation Group

Magellan Aviation Group is a global aviation parts supplier that has delivered top-tier aviation parts and services for years. As its IT infrastructure expanded, Magellan recognized the need for a dedicated security partner to modernize systems while letting the internal team focus on core business functions. Having already worked with Katalyst for network engineering support, they saw a natural fit for a critical security initiative.

The Challenge

Magellan's firewall infrastructure was fragmented and inconsistent across locations, leading to security vulnerabilities, limited visibility into network traffic, and prolonged troubleshooting. As Tim Jeffries, Lead System Engineer, explained, "Our existing firewall infrastructure was outdated, difficult to manage, and didn't provide the level of security or visibility we required."

The company explored other options, but local MSPs lacked the deep familiarity with Magellan's network that Katalyst already had, which gave them confidence to move forward.

The Solution

Katalyst implemented a standardized, enterprise-grade firewall strategy tailored to Magellan's needs.

Assess, standardize, and support

The approach started with a comprehensive security analysis of existing infrastructure and a custom roadmap, followed by a firewall upgrade and standardization that deployed new hardware across multiple locations with minimal downtime, backed by ongoing monitoring and optimization. "The implementation process was well-organized, starting with a full assessment of our existing infrastructure. Katalyst helped us design a standardized firewall policy and migrate to the new hardware with minimal downtime," Jeffries said.

A smooth transition

The main concern was avoiding operational disruption. Katalyst addressed the risks with detailed planning and post-implementation fine-tuning, resolving application compatibility issues quickly as they surfaced.

The Results

Since implementing Katalyst's firewall management, Magellan has seen significant improvements.

A stronger security posture with standardized policies across locations, reduced IT workload that lets the internal team focus on strategic initiatives, increased network visibility with real-time insight into activity and potential threats, and streamlined management with faster response times. What began as a firewall project expanded into server management, endpoint security, and SIEM data storage and management, with monthly reviews of key metrics like average response, first-touch, and resolution times. As Anzilotti put it, "Anytime we have a security requirement, we always turn to Katalyst first to see if they can deliver."

Key Takeaways

• Standardization strengthens security. One consistent firewall policy across sites closed gaps and improved visibility.
• Minimal disruption. Detailed planning and post-implementation tuning kept operations running through the migration.
• Time back for the team. Offloading firewall management freed internal staff for strategic work.
• Managed by the numbers. Monthly KPI reviews made the partnership measurable and accountable.