Note: All identifying details have been anonymized at the client’s request. The insights and outcomes shared are accurate.
About
A U.S.-based FSI delivers full-spectrum cybersecurity, data operations, systems integration, and other services tailored for U.S. government agencies and highly regulated sectors.
Following a structural reorganization and a migration to AWS, the organization faced a major challenge. It needed to enable seamless, secure collaboration for more than 600 engineers spread across 11 secure sites.
The technical infrastructure team, responsible for managing software, hardware, and network services, was tasked with finding a communications platform that worked within these strict limitations.
Challenge: Enabling collaboration across 40+ sensitive and classified programs without compromising access control
Before Rocket.Chat, the team used a single IRC server hosted on-premises. This setup was outdated and unreliable, leading to communication loss during incidents.
As the move to AWS progressed, it became clear that IRC could no longer support the organization's operational or security requirements.
Key issues included:
- Siloed communication: With over 40 DoD and government programs running, engineers lacked a centralized space to share knowledge and coordinate work
- High security demands: As a federal contractor, the organization needed strict access controls, auditing, and policy enforcement built into any solution
- Disconnected environments: The messaging system had to operate without public cloud access or internet connectivity
The team needed a secure, user-friendly solution that could be deployed quickly and scaled across isolated infrastructure while keeping data and access under full internal control.
"With over 40 active programs, we needed a stable, secure way to keep our teams connected. Without it, people would be tempted to use unapproved tools, which isn’t just inefficient—it’s a security risk we can’t afford."
Infrastructure Services Lead at the U.S. FSI
The Solution: Secure communications platform that works within strict limitations
After evaluating several options, the team chose Rocket.Chat for its security features, flexibility, and ease of use. The solution was implemented in a fully disconnected AWS environment using a lightweight containerized setup.
Why Rocket.Chat stood out:
- Offline deployment: Installed in a disconnected environment using only two components: Rocket.Chat and MongoDB
- Centralized user management: Integrated with LDAP, with future plans to shift to SSO
- Custom access control: Role-based permissions help maintain separation between sensitive programs
- User-friendly design: A simple, modern interface made adoption easy, even for non-technical users and leadership
"Rocket.Chat provides the fine-grained access control we need to keep sensitive work secure. It lets us segment access by program, so each team only sees what’s relevant to them. This prevents cross-program data leaks and eliminates the need for multiple communication platforms."
Infrastructure Services Lead at the U.S. FSI
Rocket.Chat is used across the organization for a range of communication needs. These include internal team messaging, cross-program collaboration, IT support, open forums, and leadership Q&A sessions.
The Outcome: Strengthened team collaboration while reducing security risks
Over six years of use, Rocket.Chat has consistently demonstrated its value by maintaining operational continuity, reducing security risks, and keeping engineers connected across even the most disconnected environments.
Key outcomes include:
- Faster onboarding and adoption: Both technical and non-technical users embraced Rocket.Chat with minimal IT support, accelerating time to value
- Secure cross-program collaboration: Centralized communication helped unify 40+ programs, breaking down silos while enforcing strict access boundaries
- Stronger organizational alignment: Channels enabled both strategic collaboration and informal team engagement, fostering a connected engineering culture despite physical separation
“If you're managing sensitive environments or disconnected infrastructure, Rocket.Chat is one of the few platforms that truly meets security needs without compromising ease of use or team adoption.”
Infrastructure Services Lead at the U.S. FSI
