The Swiss watch movement specialist improves its cybersecurity through Arctic Wolf Managed Detection and Response

Ronda AG, known for its precise mechanical and quartz watch movements, faced the challenge of modernizing its IT security structures and gaining transparency over potential threats. With the support of Axians, Ronda was able to implement a reliable security solution in just two days. The Managed Detection and Response (MDR) service from Arctic Wolf relieves the IT teams and elevates the company’s security to a new level, while Axians, as a trusted partner, supports the implementation and continuous optimization.

Ronda AG

Ronda manufactures the heart of the watch: with Swiss precision, Ronda AG produces mechanical and quartz watch movements. Customers use Ronda movements in brand-name watches, which range from classic or sporty timepieces to fashionable accessories and even luxurious models.

Projektübersicht

  • Initial Situation

    Premium manufacturers of the most renowned Swiss wristwatches source their movements from the supplier Ronda AG, which proudly states: “Time is our passion.” These customers have high standards and expect reliability and precision—exactly what they receive for their exceptional watches.

    “We take care of the heart of the watch: mechanical and quartz movements,” is how the manufacturing company succinctly describes its core competencies. Focusing on the essentials, the third-generation family business relies on external partners in several areas, such as security.

    Our movement production must keep running, and the emphasis is on ‘must’, says Jeremy Pace, Senior Head of IT at the company, headquartered in Lausen, in the Basel-Landschaft canton.

    Our IT strategy is built on partnerships, and we focus on long-term collaborations, like the one with our IT partner Axians.

    What this means in practice is that Ronda has some in-house IT expertise but primarily relies on highly dependable external specialists who provide their services as simple, high-quality solutions—this includes cybersecurity.

    We have been Ronda’s long-standing cybersecurity partner, and we were thrilled to be involved in shaping their security strategy. With Arctic Wolf, we found a reliable security solution that perfectly meets the supplier’s needs, says Sabrina Peter, Key Account Manager at Axians BNC.

  • Challanges

    – Existing fundamental IT security structures that needed an update

    – Limited transparency regarding potential and actual threats

    – Need for a “fully managed” Threat Detection and Response (MDR) service so that IT personnel can focus on their core competencies

  • Solution

    At the beginning of the collaboration with Arctic Wolf, a security strategy had already been implemented. “However, Arctic Wolf’s Managed Detection and Response (MDR) was not yet in use, which meant there were no regular audits. We also weren’t always clear about the relevant threats we faced—this was something we definitely wanted to change,” says security expert Pace.

    Founded in 1946, Ronda AG initiated a tender process, in which Arctic Wolf emerged as the winner and quickly proved its effectiveness.

    The onboarding process with Arctic Wolf completely blew me away. The solution was ready for use in just two days, reports Jeremy Pace.

    This impressive speed was possible because the solution was already preconfigured and the partner Axians was involved from the very beginning. A second advantage is that Arctic Wolf’s Managed Detection and Response (MDR) operates exactly as Ronda envisions in its partnership strategy. Arctic Wolf reliably enhances the company’s security in the background, allowing Ronda to focus on its core business. “Fully Managed Security” is an indispensable criterion for success for the movement supplier.

    Additionally, the technological framework is ideal for Ronda. The dashboard is easy to understand and intuitive to use, the login processes are straightforward, and employees find it comfortable to handle. The performance of the implemented agents is strong and does not slow down the company’s IT processes.

    For Ronda, “fully managed” also means relying on the services of the Concierge Security® team.

    We only meet for a call every two months. In just one hour, I receive the most important information directly from them. It’s a time-saving process that frees me up for other tasks, says Pace, who also appreciates the proactive approach in this process:

    For example, if our contact person advises us on implementing certain topics, I can count on being asked in the next meeting whether we actually implemented them, Pace continues.

    He emphasizes that this collaboration, where Arctic Wolf acts as a close partner, is always on equal footing. It’s a process of continuous improvement with recommendations and oversight.

    Ronda started with Arctic Wolf Security Services at its Swiss headquarters, and gradually extended this to additional locations, such as production facilities in Hong Kong and Thailand. This is an ideal approach for managed services that are centralized in Switzerland for evaluation. In the next step, Ronda AG is considering strengthening its risk management with Arctic Wolf Managed Risk

    It’s great that Arctic Wolf always provides us with local contacts here in Switzerland who assist us in German. We can’t afford to have language issues during a crisis, concludes Jeremy Pace.

Results

– Onboarding with preconfigured services in just two days

– Reliable monitoring of IT infrastructure through Arctic Wolf Managed Detection and Response (MDR)

– Regular updates on threats and necessary security optimizations during meetings with the Concierge Security Team (CST)

– Implementation of an effective and efficient process for the continuous improvement of IT security with recommendations and oversight

– User-friendly solution with maximum usability for IT teams, without negative impacts on the company’s IT processes