Digital resilience in the sky: Lumen builds a scalable, future-ready security ecosystem for the Space Needle
Since piercing the Seattle skyline in 1962, the Space Needle has stood as a monument of possibility. Built in just 400 days, it embodied the bold ambition of the World’s Fair and launched the city into the Space Age.
Today, it remains one of the world’s most iconic structures, welcoming over a million visitors each year with 360-degree views of mountains, water and innovation. But the Space Needle isn’t just a place to look out—it’s a place to look ahead.
As digital experiences reshape tourism, the Space Needle is reimagining what it means to be a landmark in the 21st century. Beyond glass floors and immersive selfies, this transformation is built on a resilient, secure infrastructure that fuels innovation from the inside out.
“The Space Needle put Seattle on the map,” said Karen Olson, Chief Operating Officer at the Space Needle. “It’s that innovative spirit that brings people together. We want the memories to be the view, the smiles, the photos—and we need really strong technology partners to make that happen.”
Building a scalable foundation beneath an icon
Behind the Space Needle’s iconic silhouette is a lean operation managing complex modernization on historic infrastructure. With infrastructure dating back to its original construction, upgrades are both technically and physically challenging.
“We’re pretty tall, but we’re actually kind of a small business with a big brand,” said Olson.
As digital ticketing, immersive kiosks and interactive experiences like the Sky High Selfie 2.0 rolled out, it became clear that legacy systems couldn’t support modern networking demands—or defend against today’s cybersecurity threats.
“As a defining feature of Seattle’s skyline, the Space Needle stands as a symbol of innovation and pride,” said Pearce Cobarr, Director of Innovation at the Space Needle. “We needed a system robust enough to fortify that legacy and safeguard our future.”
The need sparked a shift: protecting the Space Needle’s legacy meant embracing a secure, scalable foundation for innovation.
A future-ready security ecosystem built on trust
Modernizing the Space Needle meant preserving legacy while enabling innovation. With a compact footprint and a lean IT team, the Space Needle needed a partner that could scale without disrupting the guest experience.
That partner was Lumen. More than a network provider, Lumen offered a trusted collaboration that could orchestrate a comprehensive security ecosystem. The Lumen platform is built for the AI era—delivering intelligent, scalable infrastructure that powers innovation and helps protect iconic destinations like the Space Needle.
At the core of this transformation is Check Point Software Technologies, a cybersecurity leader whose AI-driven solutions run seamlessly on the Lumen platform.
“The strengths of Lumen and Check Point are extremely symbiotic,” said Pete Nicoletti, Global CISO for Check Point Software Technologies. “The combination of their network and our suite is a one-plus-one-equals-three equation.”
Together, Lumen and Check Point Software Technologies built a comprehensive, intelligent ecosystem tailored to the Space Needle’s needs.
Key technologies deployed
Lumen technologies:
- Penetration Testing Service simulates real-world attacks to uncover vulnerabilities and guide remediation.
- Cyber Incident Response Service provides expert guidance through the full incident response lifecycle, helping the Space Needle maintain uptime and guest trust during high-traffic seasons.
- Managed Network Services deliver scalable, cloud-inspired support across Meraki switches, routers and SD-WAN to help ensure reliable connectivity in a compact, high-demand environment.
Check Point Software Technologies:
- Harmony Email and Collaboration Application blocks phishing and malware with 99.9% efficacy, reducing admin overhead and protecting employee communications from evolving threats.
- Harmony Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) delivers secure, low-latency access to internal and cloud apps, enabling remote work and seamless partner collaboration across the Space Needle’s operations.
- Harmony Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR) protects kiosks, servers and workstations from ransomware and credential misuse, reinforcing the Space Needle’s operational backbone.
- CloudGuard Web Application Firewall (WAF) safeguards guest-facing websites and APIs using AI-powered protection against 100% of OWASP attacks, minimizing risk without requiring deep in-house expertise.
All tools are managed through a single unified console—reducing complexity, cost and admin effort. “We have about 80 tools managed on one console,” Nicoletti explained. “What used to take six screens and 25 clicks now takes one screen and three clicks.”
This transformation gave the Space Needle the digital backbone to support bold ideas, with security that works quietly in the background while innovation takes center stage.
Securing the Space Needle’s digital future with confidence
Transforming a landmark like the Space Needle requires more than cutting-edge tools—it demands speed, simplicity and trust. That’s exactly what Lumen and Check Point Software Technologies delivered: a fully managed security ecosystem deployed in under 30 days. No delays. No disruptions.
“Everything went smooth and fast and easy,” said Nicoletti. “Who wants a deployment that takes months or ends up shelfware?”
With the Lumen platform powering Check Point Software Technologies’ AI-driven tools, the Space Needle moved from reactive security to proactive innovation. Creativity no longer competes with caution. They could build boldly, knowing their digital foundation was secure.
With over 50 AI-driven security services deployed, the Space Needle now operates on a digital backbone designed for the AI-first world—one that protects, adapts and scales with every new idea.
Key outcomes
- Rapid deployment: fully operational in under a month.
- Safe, reliable communication: Employees communicate confidently, knowing their messages are protected and supported by expert guidance when needed.
- Innovation without fear: Security and awareness empower teams to experiment and create freely.
- Seamless guest experience: Robust, invisible tech enables smooth ticketing, immersive experiences and signature food—all with “technology as the ‘of course’ and the experience is the ‘wow’,” according to Olson.
“We can’t flex our innovation muscles unless we have a strong backbone,” said Cobarr. “Knowing that we have security, our teams can now innovate fearlessly. We can try new ideas without worrying about what might stop us down the road.”
A blueprint for iconic innovation
The Space Needle has always been more than steel and glass—it’s a symbol of what’s next. From its debut as the futuristic centerpiece of the 1962 World’s Fair to its role today as a digitally connected landmark, it continues to evolve without losing sight of its legacy.
“The Space Needle was always about being future forward,” said Olson. “We want the Space Needle to be as relevant in 2062 as it was in 1962.”
That future is now powered by a secure, scalable foundation. With Lumen and Check Point Software Technologies working quietly in the background, the Space Needle team can focus on what they do best: transforming moments into memories.
The Space Needle is redefining what it means to be a landmark in the digital age—just as it once redefined the Seattle skyline. It’s not just keeping up. It’s leading the way.
To learn more about the Space Needle’s transformation, read the full customer success story.
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Current Lumen customer compensated for their endorsement.
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