Deploying SCCM Cloud Management Gateway, 148 GB of traffic was moved from Corporate VPN onto public Internet within 30 days

NBConsult was engaged by a prominent Pan-Asian power utility to address the critical challenge of managing and securing endpoints across a geographically dispersed and highly regulated environment. The client’s existing SCCM 1906 infrastructure, while robust, was constrained by the limitations of a traditional on-premises architecture, particularly in the face of emerging remote work trends.

The Challenge

The utility company operated in a complex and highly secure IT landscape. This environment presented significant hurdles for traditional endpoint management, including:

• Geographic Dispersion: With operations spanning multiple countries, managing endpoints consistently was a complex undertaking.
• Network Constraints: Reliance on a corporate VPN for SCCM traffic created bottlenecks, impacting performance and scalability.
• Security Concerns: The need to protect sensitive data while ensuring compliance with stringent industry regulations was paramount.
• Remote Work Readiness: The potential for rapid shifts in work patterns, such as widespread remote work, posed challenges for maintaining endpoint security and compliance.

The Solution: SCCM Cloud Management Gateway

To overcome these challenges, NBConsult proposed the deployment of a SCCM Cloud Management Gateway (CMG) in Azure. This cloud-based solution offered the potential to:

• Extend SCCM Management: Deliver SCCM management capabilities to endpoints outside the corporate network, including remote workers.
• Offload Network Traffic: Reduce the load on the corporate VPN by routing SCCM traffic through the public internet.
• Enhance Security: Leverage Azure’s security features to protect sensitive data and meet compliance requirements.
• Improve Performance: Accelerate software deployment and patch management by optimizing content delivery.

Implementation and Overcoming Challenges

Deploying the CMG in this highly secure environment was not without its challenges. The client’s hardened server images presented significant obstacles to the installation process. However, through careful planning and execution, the NBConsult team was able to overcome these hurdles and successfully deploy the CMG within a record timeframe.

Key implementation steps included:

• Assessment of the Existing Environment: A thorough evaluation of the client’s SCCM infrastructure, network topology, and security posture was conducted to identify potential challenges and opportunities.
• CMG Design and Architecture: A detailed CMG architecture was developed, considering factors such as network connectivity, security requirements, and scalability.
• Image Preparation: Custom scripts and tools were created to modify the hardened server images to accommodate the CMG installation without compromising security.
• Deployment and Configuration: The CMG was deployed in Azure following best practices and configured to integrate seamlessly with the client’s existing SCCM environment.
• Testing and Validation: Rigorous testing was conducted to ensure that all CMG functionalities were working as expected and that security requirements were met.

Results and Benefits

The successful deployment of the SCCM Cloud Management Gateway yielded significant benefits for the client:

• Improved Endpoint Management: The CMG enabled the client to effectively manage endpoints both within and outside the corporate network, ensuring consistent policy enforcement and software distribution.
• Reduced Network Congestion: By diverting 148 GB of SCCM traffic from the corporate VPN to the public internet within 30 days, the CMG alleviated network congestion and improved overall performance.
• Enhanced Security and Compliance: The CMG leveraged Azure’s security features to protect sensitive data and helped the client maintain compliance with industry regulations.
• Improved Business Continuity: The ability to manage and patch endpoints remotely was critical in ensuring business continuity during the transition to widespread remote work.

Conclusion

The successful deployment of the SCCM Cloud Management Gateway for this Pan-Asian power utility demonstrates NBConsult’s ability to deliver innovative solutions in complex and highly regulated environments. By leveraging cloud technology, the client was able to enhance endpoint management, improve network performance, and strengthen security posture, ultimately driving business efficiency and resilience.