Case Study: Blackpool Council achieves secure, efficient unified network access with Fortinet

Secure Unified Access At Blackpool Council

Blackpool Council, which provides network services to nearly 150,000 residents and to local schools, libraries and council sites, faced rising cyber threats, austerity-driven budget cuts and new Prevent safeguarding requirements. The council was filtering around half a million emails a day, needed stronger defenses after incidents like WannaCry, and had to maintain compliance with PSN, PCI, GDPR and other regimes while protecting pupils and the wider community.

Working with Fortinet and a local partner, Blackpool deployed FortiGate, FortiSandbox and FortiSIEM to unify security, gain real-time visibility and enable SSL inspection and proactive alerts for safeguarding. The solution reduced complexity, improved threat detection and response, supported a cost‑effective virtual network for schools, helped meet Prevent requirements and increased operational efficiency and confidence among elected leaders.

Blackpool Council

Tony Doyle

Head of ICT Services