Case Study: Affinity Technology Partners

Background

Sean Wright, founder and CEO of Affinity Technology Partners, has been in the Managed Service Provider (MSP) space for over two decades.

Starting his journey in a large IT shop, Sean transitioned into consulting when businesses began seeking his expertise for everything from wireless networks to server installations. “I guess I have this consulting gig right now,” Sean recalled. “Next thing you know, I’m helping this person, I’m helping this business—and here we go.

I guess we’re starting something.” What began as an individual effort quickly evolved into a full-fledged MSP focused on delivering comprehensive, value-driven services.

The challenge

Affinity Technology Partners had relied on Bitdefender’s content filtering, integrated with their RMM tool at the time. However, a pivot to a new RMM tool necessitated a reevaluation of their cybersecurity stack, particularly in DNS filtering.

Sean was hesitant to invest in traditional DNS filters, citing frustrations with solutions that caused network disruptions when services stopped functioning correctly. “I don’t think DNS filtering is the thing we need anymore,” Sean stated boldly. “I didn’t want a DNS filter to be a service that stops and, next thing you know, we’re getting a call because DNS isn’t working.”

For a period, Affinity sought out other DNS filtering, while also relying on other layers like EDR, Zero-Trust, AV, etc.

However, increasing cybersecurity insurance requirements and the need for a robust, reliable filtering solution led Sean to reconsider. “I wanted to find a solution that wasn’t just a DNS filter anymore.”

Finding Zorus

Sean first heard about Zorus at an XChange event, where a Zorus representative spoke about the product’s unique capabilities. “I walked out of that room going, ‘Wait a second, that’s a DNS filter, but they talked more about the business insights.'”

While Zorus’ DNS filtering caught his attention, it was the additional features—especially those tied to understanding business operations—that stuck in his mind.

When Affinity finally needed a DNS filter, Sean remembered that presentation and sought out Zorus.

The solution

Zorus Filtering with CyberSight offered Affinity Technology Partners exactly what they were looking for: a reliable DNS filtering solution that integrated seamlessly into their existing tech stack without the common pitfalls of traditional filters.

Importantly, the platform provided detailed business insights, helping Affinity and their clients understand where time and resources were being spent and how to optimize them.

Sean was particularly impressed with the platform’s fail-safe mechanisms. “Even in unexpected situations, things keep working,” he noted, addressing one of his primary concerns about other DNS solutions.

Additionally, the detailed reporting features resonated with Affinity’s Virtual CIOs (vCIOs) and clients alike. “Our vCIOs bring strategy to the table, and Zorus gives them that talking point. Even HR people have asked, ‘Can I log in? Can I get those reports?’ It’s not just IT folks; it’s everyone.”

Implementation

Deploying Zorus was a smooth process. Using their RMM tool, Affinity rolled out the platform across their client base, starting with minimal filtering to block only the most harmful sites. “It was really quiet,” Sean said. “We accomplished what we wanted to do—we’re stopping the worst of the worst. We can give business reports at a higher level now and are ready to set policies per client when they’re ready.”

Results

The introduction of Zorus Filtering with CyberSight had a significant impact on Affinity’s operations and client relationships:

• Enhanced Security Without Disruptions: Zorus’ fail-open feature ensured that network issues commonly associated with DNS filters were a thing of the past. “If Zorus stops, your whole system doesn’t go down,” Sean emphasized. “That’s a fan favorite.”
• Valuable Business Insights for Clients: The reporting tools provided clarity on how time and resources were being used, helping businesses optimize operations and reduce inefficiencies. “Suddenly, I’m adding value in two places,” Sean explained. “Not just cybersecurity, but helping business owners understand how their teams are spending time.”
• Risk Exposure Awareness: The insights from Zorus helped Affinity identify where clients were inadvertently exposing themselves to risks, enabling proactive education and the implementation of stronger safeguards. “We can see where our clients are exposing themselves to risk and help plug those holes through QBRs.”
• Consolidation of Tools: For a major client with 150 seats, Zorus replaced a separate, cumbersome tool. “We’re talking about removing a tool they don’t need to manage anymore—Zorus handles it all. That’s real value.”
• Cross-Platform Support: The ability to support both PC and Mac environments was another key factor in Affinity’s decision. “The Mac agent was an important part of our decision because we have to support both. It’s a pain to manage Macs, but Zorus made it easier.”

Conclusion

For Affinity Technology Partners, Zorus Filtering with CyberSight was more than just a DNS filtering solution; it was a strategic addition that provided crucial business insights, enhanced client relationships, and simplified their cybersecurity stack.

By choosing Zorus, Affinity was able to deliver greater value to their clients, not just by improving security but by offering a clearer understanding of how time and resources were being utilized.

As Sean Wright put it, “Zorus isn’t just about filtering; it’s about giving businesses the data they need to make smarter decisions.”