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Waypoint Mutual has earned a reputation for reliability. As a Kansas-based mutual insurance provider, the organization is deeply committed to protecting client information, meeting compliance obligations and providing consistent, high-quality service.
When evolving technology demands began to stretch the limits of its internal IT management team, Waypoint turned to CyTek. What began as a fully managed services engagement has grown into a collaborative, co-managed partnership, one that now powers the organization’s infrastructure, security and long-term scalability.
Several years ago, Waypoint’s in-house IT environment was at an inflection point. Internal team members had shifted into more administrative roles, and the organization lacked the dedicated technical expertise required to keep pace with growing cybersecurity requirements and a rapidly aging server environment.
“Waypoint had strong internal expertise focused on business-critical applications,” said Bill Meyer, senior network engineer at CyTek. “As the company grew, they brought us in to manage the increasing complexity around network security and compliance. That allowed their internal team to stay focused on what they do best.”
Waypoint was facing:
Initially, CyTek stepped in to fully manage IT operations, taking ownership of the network, security posture and strategic planning. Over time, that relationship transitioned to a co-managed IT model as Waypoint rebuilt its internal IT management team.
Today, CyTek works directly with Waypoint Mutual’s IT team, led by Scott Novak, IT manager. The co-managed IT model allows both teams to focus on their strengths, with clear lines of ownership and open communication.
Waypoint handles day-to-day workstation and application support, while CyTek leads infrastructure, cybersecurity and long-range planning. As Waypoint grew, one of the internal team’s biggest challenges became managing and prioritizing the increasing volume of employee support requests. To address this, CyTek set Waypoint up with its own Professional Services Automation (PSA) system: a shared ticketing platform that gives the internal IT team full visibility into support requests while allowing CyTek to step in seamlessly when needed.
“They’ve brought us on as co-managers in their help desk software,” Novak said. “All of our tickets funnel through that system, and they solve problems and get to resolutions right away. They’ve been great to work with.”
CyTek is taking lead point on:
While Waypoint handles:
“Everyone has their place,” Meyer said. “No one’s stepping on toes. It just works.”
The relationship between CyTek and Waypoint has included several significant projects, some of which took months or years of careful planning and execution.
One of the most impactful efforts was transitioning Waypoint from VMware to Microsoft’s Hyper-V environment. The two-year project included:
“They’re now a total Hyper-V shop, which aligns perfectly with our team’s expertise,” Meyer said. “We spec’d the hardware, managed the migration and got them off of VMware completely.”
CyTek also led a complex six-month upgrade of Breeze, Waypoint’s proprietary insurance software platform.
“That doesn’t sound like a difficult project, but it’s a really involved process that requires a deep understanding of their business operations,” Meyer said. “It’s central to everything they do, and we got it across the finish line.”
When Novak joined Waypoint in 2023, he made the decision to move away from their previous security provider and implement CyTek’s in-house cybersecurity solution.
“We used to use Arctic Wolf,” Novak said. “Now we’re using CyTek’s program, and they were very helpful in getting us up and running. We’re budgeting now for additional server replacements in 2026, and they’re helping guide that process, too.”
Waypoint’s decision to continue the co-managed relationship has saved time, reduced hiring needs and delivered more comprehensive security oversight than could be achieved internally.
“Waypoint would have to hire three or four more people if we weren’t involved,” Meyer said. “They’d need a security person, a senior network technician and probably an applications specialist. Instead, they get our entire technical team – 15 experts, all with different specializations.”
Novak echoed that sentiment: “CyTek has a lot of knowledge in a lot of different areas. And if they don’t know something, they’ll go find the answer and get back to you. That’s been very helpful.”
In addition to technical skills, both Meyer and Novak emphasized the strength of the relationship itself.
“We like to think we’re the right size,” Meyer said. “Big enough to handle the large projects, but small enough that everyone at Waypoint knows exactly who they’re working with. We’re truly an extension of their team.”
For companies considering a co-managed IT approach, Novak offered this advice:
“Understand how helpful CyTek is. They’re very beneficial, especially if you need a team that can fill in the gaps. They’re knowledgeable, responsive and easy to work with.”
Whether you’re running lean with a small in-house IT team or preparing for your next stage of growth, CyTek helps organizations like Waypoint Mutual scale securely and strategically.
Let’s talk. We’ll meet you where you are and help take you where you need to go.
