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A Case Study of Solutions for an Iowa based Municipal Services Department
With just a two-person IT team for a workforce of 150 people, the Iowa-based County of Hardin struggled to stay ahead of evolving cybersecurity threats. Their IT environment had become increasingly complex due to each department having its own software needs. Gaps in their cybersecurity became clear, particularly as they tried to meet strict insurance requirements for immutable backups and comprehensive security measures. They needed a partner who could provide the necessary expertise and solutions.
In 2021, the County of Hardin met Port53 — a call that the IT team later described as the “best phone call I never meant to answer.” Their partnership with Port53 began with a Cisco Umbrella trial, providing DNS and IP layer security to shield the county’s network from malicious websites and malware. This initial success led to a gradual, comprehensive overhaul of their cybersecurity infrastructure, managed by Port53. Within three months of deploying Umbrella, theCounty of Hardin adopted Cisco Duo for multi-factor authentication (MFA), enhancing security by limiting unauthorized access. Five months later, they implemented Cisco Email Security to protect against phishing and other email-based threats.
As their trust in Port53 grew, the County of Hardin expanded their security measures further. They added penetration testing to identify and address
vulnerabilities, deployed Cisco Secure Endpoint and transitioned to a managed XDR (Extended Detection and Response) solution, and most recently, upgraded from Cisco SecureX to XDR, marking a significant step forward in their cybersecurity journey. Throughout this period, Port53’s team worked closely with the County of Hardin, providing guidance and support every step of the way.
The County of Hardin has expressed deep satisfaction with their partnership with Port53. The IT team appreciates that Port53 not only provides top-tier cybersecurity solutions but also acts as an extension of their own team. Alerts that occur off-hours are promptly handled byPort53’s SOC-as-a-Service, allowing the county’s IT team to rest easy knowing their systems are in capable hands. As quoted by the County of Hardin IT Team, “Port53 has been a game-changer for us. We were always winging iton our own, but as security requirements became stricter, we knew we needed help. With Port53, we not only get the right solutions but also the right people to help us when we need it. They bring something new to every meeting, and we’ve never had a bad experience with them.”
One standout moment in their collaboration was when a Microsoft-related issue disrupted email services across the county. The Port53 engineering team quickly diagnosed the problem and walked the County of Hardin through the necessary command shell fixes, resolving the issue in half a day—a task the county’s IT team acknowledges they wouldn’t have been able to accomplish on their own. The County of Hardin’s journey with Port53 demonstrates the power of a well-matched partnership in transforming an organization’s cybersecurity landscape. Port53’s ongoing support ensures that even a small IT team can manage a complex security environment with confidence.
Turning Vendor Overload into Streamlined Security
County governments face increasing cybersecurity challenges while often operating with small IT teams and limited resources. One such organization found itself struggling with growing security demands and a complex web of technology vendors, slowing down response times and creating operational friction.
Before engaging Port53, their IT department was experiencing significant vendor fatigue. Multiple platforms and services were managed by different vendors, and when problems occurred it was unclear who was responsible for resolving them. Support requests took multiple calls and escalations just to find the right contact. In some cases, vendors contracted to provide support were instead calling the county’s IT staff at all hours for help, leaving the internal team to perform work that vendors were supposed to handle.
These challenges created growing frustration and had a clear operational impact. One vendor relationship became so unpleasant that the IT team avoided contacting them unless absolutely necessary. As a result, much of the team’s time was spent dealing with vendors instead of their actual job, supporting county employees. Workflows regularly stalled while issues remained unresolved, limiting the team’s ability to improve systems or focus on strengthening security.
Recognizing that their current model was unsustainable, the county partnered with Port53 to streamline their cybersecurity approach, consolidate vendors, and restore efficiency to their IT operations. They began searching for a cybersecurity solution that could simplify operations while strengthening protection. Their primary goal was to implement 24/7 monitoring with first- line issue resolution, ensuring that problems could be detected and handled before escalating to the local IT team.
During this process, the county worked with the Port53 solutions engineering team, who helped assess their environment and identify opportunities to consolidate services under a single trusted partner. The Port53 team took a consultative approach, clearly explaining the technologies involved and how multiple security and management solutions could work together as part of a unified strategy. By taking the time to answer questions and walk through potential options, Port53 made it easy for the county to move forward with confidence.
As part of the engagement, the county implemented a consolidated set of tools and services through Port53, including remote monitoring and management with NinjaOne and security solutions such as Cisco Secure Endpoint and Cisco Umbrella for endpoint protection, DNS-layer threat prevention, and secure connectivity. These technologies created a layered security approach while reducing the number of vendors the IT team had to manage.
The results were transformative for the county’s IT department. With continuous monitoring and proactive support in place, many issues are now identified and resolved before they disrupt operations. The Port53 team’s wide range of expertise also ensures that whenever a complex issue arises, there is always a specialist available to provide assistance. Perhaps the most meaningful improvement has been peace of mind. The county’s IT leader noted that the new system allows them to finally get a full night’s sleep without worrying about late-night alerts or vendor escalations.
Equally valuable has been the relationship with Port53’s account management team. All Port53 team members have been especially helpful in ensuring the county receives the correct installation packages and support resources when new needs arise, while their technical account manager has demonstrated the same high level of responsiveness and commitment to service.
Today, the county’s IT department no longer faces the stress of vendor overload. By consolidating cybersecurity tools and services through Port53, the team has gained reliable support, stronger security visibility, and the freedom to focus on serving county employees and residents. This county government stands as an example of how the right cybersecurity partner with the right cybersecurity platform can simplify operations, strengthen protection, and empower small IT teams to work more effectively.
