June 04, 2025 – Ip.Glass, a leading provider of innovative cybersecurity and networking services, has successfully delivered a complete network transformation for Hornsby Shire Council using Fortinet’s Secure SD-WAN and SD-Branch solutions. The project represents a significant step forward in the Council’s strategy to improve connectivity, enhance cybersecurity, and support future innovation across its services and infrastructure.
Hornsby Shire Council replaced its legacy multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) network, which was costly, inflexible, and difficult to scale, with a future-ready network powered by Fortinet. The new infrastructure includes FortiGate Next-Generation Firewalls, FortiSwitch LAN components, FortiAP wireless access points, and FortiExtender for 4G and 5G connectivity. All components are centrally managed using FortiManager Cloud, giving the council greater visibility and control while reducing complexity.
Cameron McNaught, infrastructure services team leader, Hornsby Shire Council, said, “Fortinet SD-WAN was a really good story from the council’s point of view. It offers a more secure and more flexible product, more resiliency, redundancy, simplicity for less money, and a much better user experience.
“With Fortinet, every council site is its own standalone network, fully segregated, but still part of the whole. If a site goes down, there’s no longer a single point of failure. Hornsby Shire Council has reduced communications spend by at least 50 per cent and now has the visibility and control to manage and secure all council locations effectively.”
The modernised infrastructure provides consistent security policies, fast onboarding of new sites, and better digital experiences for staff and ratepayers. It lays a strong foundation for future smart city services and emerging technologies.
The transformation also supports the council’s compliance with Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) Essential Eight and ISO 27001 standards. With improved connectivity, Hornsby Shire Council can now integrate Internet of Things (IoT) devices, support zero trust network access, and deliver enhanced digital services to the community.
Tim Weddell, IT operations manager, Hornsby Shire Council, said, “Council users don’t see problems anymore. It just works. They are protected wherever they go, even when they are offsite. Their focus is now on business outcomes, not IT challenges.”
The success of the Hornsby Shire Council project reinforces Ip.Glass’s position as a trusted leader in cybersecurity and networking services. It also reflects the company’s strength as a Fortinet Engage Preferred Services Partner (EPSP), a designation that highlights Ip.Glass’s ability to deliver expert deployment and ongoing support for Fortinet’s advanced solutions. Ip.Glass is the first, and only partner in Australia to date, to achieve this status.
John Millionis, director, channel and distribution, Australia, Fortinet, said, “Fortinet is pleased to support this important initiative through the collaboration with Ip.Glass. This project highlights the critical role of Fortinet’s Engage Preferred Services Partners in helping customers achieve secure and scalable digital transformation. Ip.Glass has once again demonstrated its ability to deliver outstanding outcomes through deep expertise and trusted partnership.”
Semyon Taskin, managing director, Ip.Glass, said, “Ip.Glass is proud to partner with Hornsby Shire Council on a project that delivers meaningful and lasting impact. Hornsby Shire Council had a clear vision for digital innovation, and the Ip.Glass team worked closely with the council to design and deliver a network that supports both immediate operational improvements and long-term strategic goals. The Fortinet Secure SD-WAN solution provided the foundation to improve performance, reduce complexity, and embed robust security controls across every location.”
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About Hornsby Shire Council
Hornsby Shire Council has local government responsibility for a region in the northern suburbs of Sydney, home to more than 150,000 people and covering approximately 510 square kilometres, including 6,000 hectares of public parks, waterways and bushland. The Council’s future vision is guided by four key themes – liveable, sustainable, productive and collaborative – and an initiative to embrace emerging technology and optimise existing digital assets.
About Ip.Glass
Ip.Glass is at the forefront of cybersecurity innovation, providing tailored solutions that protect enterprise environments from an ever-evolving threat landscape. With a focus on delivering exceptional service and expertise, Ip.Glass empowers businesses to advance their digital transformation while fortifying their security posture.
