Engagement Overview
Bank of Ireland engaged Everyday Communications to lead a high-impact consulting engagement focused on enterprise network architecture and cyber resilience, aligned with the European Central Bank (ECB) regulatory framework. The engagement spanned multiple workstreams, including data protection, cyber recovery, and defining a scalable, secure future-state network across dual data centres.
Through strategic consulting, architectural oversight, and vendor alignment, Everyday Communications delivered a fully integrated and regulation-compliant network architecture. Our involvement enabled the bank to meet its IT resilience goals, navigate programme complexity, and retain control during vendor-led delivery cycles.
Business Challenge
The Bank of Ireland initiated a multi-year transformation programme to comply with the ECB’s data protection and cyber resilience mandates. However, the bank faced several architectural and operational challenges:
- Legacy network topologies lacked the flexibility to support disaster recovery (DR) and cyber recovery objectives.
- Insufficient bandwidth between production, disaster recovery (DR), and recovery environments hindered replication and failover.
- Firewall policies and routing lacked consistency and visibility across inter-data centre traffic flows.
- Vendor deliverables were fragmented, with limited architectural oversight.
- CyberArk vault access strategies were inconsistent, posing operational and audit risks.
The bank required a trusted consultancy to:
- Assess the current network architecture
- Design a future-proof, scalable network
- Ensure ECB compliance
- Integrate vendor efforts under a unified technical strategy.
Our Approach
Everyday Communications deployed a senior network architecture consultant with extensive experience in regulated environments. Our framework was delivered across four strategic pillars:
Discovery & Architecture Assessment
- Conducted a detailed review of the existing architecture across dual data centres
- Mapped intra/inter-DC bandwidth and throughput performance under load
- Identified fragmented routing paths and firewall rule inconsistencies
- Validated incomplete/missing documentation and artefacts
Future-State Architecture Design
- Delivered a dual-site EVPN-VXLAN spine-and-leaf architecture for scalable east-west traffic
- Designed VLAN segmentation for management, backup, DR, and cyber recovery zones
- Built an integration model linking production backup to Dell Cyber Recovery Vault
- Defined control plane/data plane separation policies for high security and performance
Cyber Resilience & Vault Access Strategy
- Designed underlay routing for CyberArk access with layered break-glass controls
- Defined packet inspection and security posture for out-of-band access
- Enabled session logging, RBAC enforcement, and secure proxy-based access
- Guided firewall flows and Zscaler internet breakout segmentation
Governance, Vendor Oversight & Stakeholder Alignment
- Engaged cross-functional teams including infrastructure, security, and programme leads
- Facilitated weekly architecture and vendor governance meetings
- Identified and resolved gaps in firewall rule implementation and routing scopes
- Acted as technical liaison between Dell, Kyndryl, Systal, BT, and BOI internal teams
Strategic Value Added
Following the initial delivery phase, multiple programme stakeholders escalated the need for continued advisory involvement. Everyday Communications was reengaged to:
- Provide strategic oversight across vendor workstreams
- Support the programme during critical migration planning
- Stabilise governance during a period of internal confusion and delivery risk
- Identify new network segments and firewall requirements overlooked during the initial scope
This reengagement demonstrated the bank’s trust in our expertise and reinforced our positioning as a strategic delivery partner.
Key Results & Outcomes
- Delivered a modernised EVPN-VXLAN network across dual data centres
- Increased bandwidth performance for backup replication and DR scenarios
- Enabled CyberArk secure vault access with audited controls and remote access options
- Supported firewall design and submission across multiple network zones and vendor platforms
- Identified and mitigated missed infrastructure dependencies impacting data protection workflows
- Helped the bank retain programme continuity under regulatory pressure
Strategic Impact
Everyday Communications’ involvement extended beyond traditional consulting; we became the stabilising force behind a fragmented delivery model. By embedding proactive risk management, bridging vendor misalignment, and executing with regulatory precision, we empowered Bank of Ireland to move forward with confidence and control.
This case study highlights how Everyday Communications operates not just as a network excellence integrator but as a strategic partner capable of aligning compliance, scale, and delivery.
