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Case Studies

Rhythmic Technologies Transforms World Bank Global Partnership for Education’s Website Performance and Security

February 26, 2024      

About the Client

The World Bank Group is a global partnership of five institutions dedicated to reducing poverty and promoting sustainable development in developing countries. With 189 member countries and offices in over 130 locations, it serves as one of the world’s largest sources of funding and knowledge for development initiatives. Working closely with international partners, the private sector, and civil society, the World Bank Group addresses complex global challenges through funding, expertise, and collaborative efforts across diverse sectors. 

The Challenge

The WBG-GPE needed someone who could work well with its existing design and development team while taking charge of enhancing the website’s performance. This partner would need to focus on long-term improvements in speed and security, as well as understand and resolve complex website issues. The goal was to ensure the website ran smoothly and effectively supported the organization’s mission of improving education in developing countries. They were looking for more than just a hosting service; they sought a strategic partner who could solve their complex website problems and transform their online presence into a powerful tool.  

Operating under strict World Bank procurement rules, the WBG-GPE selected our company as one of only three authorized hosting providers, ensuring their technological infrastructure meets the high standards required for their critical work in global education development. 

The Solution

Understanding their unique needs, we implemented a gradual takeover of website management, making incremental improvements to minimize disruption while ensuring continuous enhancements. This strategy included advanced caching techniques that significantly reduced server load and improved site responsiveness, resulting in faster page load times and an enhanced user experience. Our commitment to excellence aligned perfectly with WBG-GPE’s mission to improve education in developing nations. 

Security was paramount in our collaboration with WBG-GPE. We worked closely with the Office of Information Security (OIS) to establish an Authority to Operate (ATO), conducting comprehensive security assessments and implementing best practices. Rigorous penetration tests ensured compliance with Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP) standards, resulting in a highly secure platform that protected sensitive data and maintained stakeholder trust. Throughout the engagement, we maintained open communication with their development team and stakeholders, fostering a strong partnership built on trust, transparency, and shared success, which further supported WBG-GPE’s critical work in global education development. 

The Results

Through targeted improvements, we achieved significant enhancements in website performance, reducing page load times from over five seconds to less than half a second without increasing costs. This dramatic improvement in speed and responsiveness led to a better user experience and increased engagement, directly supporting WBG-GPE’s mission to improve education in developing countries. 

Our commitment to security and compliance was demonstrated through successful penetration tests, which our work passed without any flags or vulnerabilities. This achievement underscored the robustness of our solutions and our dedication to protecting sensitive data. As a result of our successful partnership, WBG-GPE now benefits from a reliable, high-performing website that effectively supports its mission. By collaborating closely with their development team and providing tailored solutions, we have become a trusted partner in their digital strategy, enabling WBG-GPE to focus more on their core objectives and make a greater impact in the global education sector.