Customer Story TOWN OF NORTH ANDOVER SECURES CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE WITH BULLWALL

BULLWALL SECURES PUBLIC DATA BY STRENGTHENING LOCAL GOVERNMENT CYBERSECURITY MEASURES

THE CHALLENGE 

• Rising ransomware incidents across Massachusetts and the U.S. 
• A neighboring municipality forced offline for a week due to an attack 
• Risk to taxpayer data, operational continuity, and financial resources 
• Complex IT environment with 900 staff and 6,000 students to protect 

Despite having strong antivirus tools and firewalls in place, the Town of North Andover recognized the increasing limitations of traditional cybersecurity defenses. When a ransomware attack paralyzed a nearby town, it served as a wake-up call. 

With limited resources and a sprawling user base across Town and School systems, the IT team needed a solution that could be rapidly deployed, deliver airtight protection, and operate independently without the need for widespread endpoint installations. 

THE SOLUTION 

BullWall Ransomware Containment provided a centralized, easily deployable layer of last-line defense designed to detect and contain ransomware in seconds before damage could occur.

This was one of the easiest setups of all time. We just needed a standard Windows server, and BullWall engineers had it configured in 20 minutes.

John Hyland Director of Information Technology, Town of North Andover

With support from BullWall partner Ricoh, the Town deployed an initial proof-of-concept that validated the solution’s effectiveness across both municipal and educational environments. Within minutes, BullWall was actively monitoring for abnormal behavior and identifying potential threats across the network. 

IMPLEMENTATION HIGHLIGHTS 

• Proof of Concept Deployment: Fast setup using existing infrastructure 
• Rapid Configuration: Remote setup in under 20 minutes 
• Network Insight: Visibility into unusual file activity and user behavior 
• Dual Deployment: Separate installations for Town services and Schools 
• Cloud Data Protection: Safeguarding Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) for education 

BullWall’s Ransomware Containment solution quickly demonstrated its value by highlighting suspicious activity, such as unknown file types and partial downloads, allowing IT to proactively engage with users and set appropriate security parameters. 

THE RESULTS 

• Eliminated the Need for Ransomware Insurance
• Peace of Mind for IT and Leadership 
• Fraction of the Cost of a Single Attack 
• Minimal Ongoing Management Required 

BullWall’s containment solution offered more than just security; it delivered confidence. With protection in place, the Town avoided the need for costly ransomware insurance and gained detailed reporting capabilities that impressed municipal leadership. 

The Town Manager, recognizing the system’s role in safeguarding public services and education, ensured BullWall was included in the annual IT budget moving forward. 

WHY BULLWALL?

• Effortless deployment across a complex environment 
• Real-time containment without user disruption 
• No endpoint software required 
• Full network visibility and control 

CONCLUSION 

With BullWall, the Town of North Andover is now positioned to proactively defend against ransomware threats without the need for costly or complex IT overhauls. From Town Hall to classrooms, public data is protected, operations are secure, and peace of mind is restored.