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Firm Security · Modern Stack

Parallel implementation — protection starts on day one.

When a new firm comes on board, FCI does not wait for migration to finish before deploying security. Endpoint protection, always-on VPN, and security controls go live immediately — while the file server migration to Microsoft 365 runs in parallel.

Day 1
endpoint protection deployed
2 Tracks
security & migration run simultaneously
Zero
days the firm is left unprotected
The Challenge

Every new engagement starts with the same question.

A firm is ready to move forward with FCI. There is a local file server that everyone depends on. Users log in through a firewall to access shared files. The firm also needs to transition to Microsoft 365, deploy OneDrive, and modernize how people work. Where do you start?

Sequential = Exposed
The traditional approach is migrate first, secure later. During migration — which can take weeks or months — the firm is completely exposed.
No Protection in Place
Endpoints are unprotected, communications are unencrypted. The firm is at its most vulnerable exactly when nobody is paying attention to security.
No Detection Capability
If something goes wrong during migration, there is no security infrastructure in place to detect or contain it.
No Evidence for Regulators
Without security tooling, the firm cannot produce evidence of monitoring or controls if a regulator asks during the transition period.
The Approach

Two tracks running at the same time.

FCI runs two parallel workstreams from the start of every engagement. Neither track waits for the other.

Track 1 — Security
Endpoint protection is deployed on day one. Always-on VPN is installed on every device, encrypting all communications from the start. Security controls are enforced before a single file is migrated. The firm is protected from the moment FCI begins work.
Track 2 — Migration
In parallel, FCI begins migrating the firm's file server to Microsoft 365. Files move to OneDrive and SharePoint. This takes time — the volume of data, the folder structure, and the firm's operational needs all affect the timeline. But users are already protected while it happens.
The Transition

From local file server to Microsoft 365 — without disruption.

The transition is not a single event — it is a gradual process with a clear beginning, middle, and end.

  1. 01Coexistence — Users continue to access the local file server through the firewall while FCI migrates data to Microsoft 365. Once OneDrive is installed, users begin to see their files in both places.
  2. 02Overlap & Verification — Both systems run side by side. Users work primarily from OneDrive but can still log into the office to access the local file server if something is missing. This is a safety net — not a permanent state.
  3. 03Cutover & Decommission — When FCI confirms the migration is complete, the local file server access is cut. The firewall is reconfigured, the file server is decommissioned. All file access runs through OneDrive — protected, encrypted, and backed up.
Day One

What FCI deploys before migration begins.

Security does not wait for migration. The following controls are deployed to every endpoint at the start of the engagement.

  1. 01Endpoint protection — Advanced endpoint detection and response is deployed to every device. FCI's SOC monitors all endpoints around the clock from this point forward.
  2. 02Always-on VPN — An always-on VPN is installed on every device, encrypting all communications — whether the user is in the office, at home, or on the road. Active from day one and permanent.
  3. 03Security controls enforcement — MFA, full-disk encryption, and access controls are enforced across all users. The firm's compliance posture is established before a single file has been moved.
  4. 04FCI Portal visibility — The firm gains access to the FCI Portal — a real-time dashboard showing the compliance status of every device, every user, and every control.
The Cutover

When the old system goes away.

The cutover happens only when FCI has confirmed that the migration is complete and users are working successfully from Microsoft 365. This is not a deadline — it is a decision based on evidence.

Firewall Reconfigured
Remote connections to the local file server are blocked. The firewall no longer accepts inbound access for file sharing.
File Server Decommissioned
The local file server is taken offline and retired. The firm's data now lives exclusively in Microsoft 365.
OneDrive as Primary
Every user accesses files through OneDrive — synced, backed up, and accessible from any device, anywhere.
Always-On VPN Remains
The VPN installed on day one stays in place permanently, encrypting all communication regardless of how or where users connect.
Why This Matters

The risk of doing things in the wrong order.

Firms that migrate first and secure later accept a window of exposure that can last weeks or months. During that time, endpoints are unprotected, communications are unencrypted, and the firm has no visibility into what is happening on its devices.

Zero Blind Spots
FCI's parallel implementation eliminates the exposure window entirely. From the moment we begin, every endpoint is monitored and every communication is encrypted.
Regulator-Ready from Day One
If an incident occurs during the transition, the firm can produce evidence of monitoring and controls — because they were already in place.
Full Visibility
The firm has full visibility into its security posture through the FCI Portal from the first day of the engagement.
No Tradeoffs
Security and migration run at the same time. The firm does not have to choose between moving forward and staying protected.

Ready to discuss implementation for your firm?

FCI works with broker-dealers and branch offices, insurance carriers and agencies, and RIAs. Every engagement begins with security — and migration runs in parallel from day one. View the full web brochure or download the PDF for the complete details.

Phone 973-227-8878
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