Hanover Food Co-op Strengthens IT Security & Achieves PCI Compliance with AVATAR Managed Services

By Jason Wright Case Studies

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Case Study

Case Study: Hanover Food Co-op Strengthens IT Security & Achieves PCI Compliance with AVATAR Managed Services

Client Overview

Hanover Food Co-op is a community-owned grocery cooperative serving New Hampshire and Vermont. Dedicated to providing high-quality food and service while maintaining ethical and sustainable business practices, Hanover operates multiple retail locations with a growing digital footprint. To protect customer payment data and maintain compliance, Hanover needed to modernize its IT security infrastructure.

Challenge

Hanover faced increasing cybersecurity risks and regulatory pressure, particularly around PCI DSS compliance due to its handling of payment card data. Their existing IT infrastructure lacked:

A layered security architecture
Real-time threat detection and response
Visibility into vulnerabilities
A clear roadmap for compliance and risk management

These gaps posed risks to customer trust, operational continuity, and regulatory standing.

Solution

Hanover partnered with AVATAR Managed Services to deploy a fully managed IT solution that included a comprehensive defense-in-depth cybersecurity strategy tailored for retail environments.

Key Benefits

Layered Security Architecture: Email & endpoint protection, firewall management, intrusion detection systems, vulnerability scans, secure POS systems, and encrypted data storage.PCI DSS Compliance Enablement: Gap analysis, secure payment processing, segmented networks, audit support, and ongoing monitoring to maintain compliance. Proactive IT Leadership: Quarterly business reviews, IT roadmaps aligned with strategic goals, and staff awareness training to reduce risks.

Results

Achieved full PCI DSS compliance within 90 days of implementation.
Reduced security incidents by 70% through proactive monitoring and layered defenses.
Improved system uptime and reliability, enhancing customer experience.
Strengthened internal IT governance with clear policies and procedures.

Conclusion

By partnering with AVATAR Managed Services, Hanover Food Co-op transformed its IT posture from reactive to resilient. With layered cybersecurity, compliance enablement, and proactive leadership, Hanover secured its operations and safeguarded its reputation, empowering the cooperative to continue serving its community with confidence.