Сase study:
FINTECH
Complex Cybersecurity Approach for a Fintech Startup
A young, fast-growing UK-based payment platform was aiming to achieve PCI DSS certification — a crucial milestone for building trust with customers and establishing partnerships with major banks.
The client’s goal was to not only meet the certification requirements but also ensure that they could scale securely while maintaining strong relationships with financial institutions.
Challenge
Initially, the focus was on achieving PCI DSS certification, but it soon became clear that the client’s existing infrastructure had deeper, more complex cybersecurity gaps. These vulnerabilities posed significant risks, including:
Financial fraud
Potential manipulation of transactions.
Data breaches
Risk of sensitive customer information being compromised.
Compliance failure
Without proper security measures, their ability to meet industry standards was at stake.
The client required a comprehensive security approach to address these risks and ensure that their infrastructure could support future growth, maintain compliance, and foster trust with banking partners.
Methodologies we use
Our Approach
We implemented a holistic security model that engaged our full range of expertise across three specialized teams: GRC, Red Team, and Blue Team. These teams collaborated seamlessly to cover all aspects of cybersecurity — from compliance to offensive security and proactive threat monitoring.
Red Team
Penetration Testing: We performed a series of simulated attacks to identify vulnerabilities in the client’s system. A critical API vulnerability was discovered, allowing potential manipulation of transaction data — a severe threat to customer funds.
Immediate Remediation: Our Red Team worked closely with the client’s development team to address the vulnerability, applying fixes within days to prevent exploitation and secure sensitive data.
Blue Team
Real-time Threat Detection: Within the first month, our Blue Team detected a suspicious external IP activity attempting brute-force attacks on the admin panel.
Incident Response: We immediately activated incident response protocols to neutralize the threat. Additionally, we implemented continuous monitoring, setting up advanced event correlation to detect and mitigate similar attacks in the future.
GRC Team
Security Policies & Procedures: We crafted detailed security policies tailored to the fintech industry, ensuring alignment with regulatory standards and best practices.
Compliance Documentation: We helped the client gather and organize the necessary evidence for PCI DSS certification, streamlining the process for a smooth audit.
Formalization of Business Processes: By documenting key business workflows, we ensured that critical processes were properly aligned with security requirements, minimizing risk during future audits.
Results
Successful PCI DSS Certification: The client not only moved closer to certification but also gained operational cybersecurity from day one, which positioned them for scalable growth.
Eliminated Critical Vulnerabilities: By addressing the API vulnerability and preventing the brute-force attack, we protected the client from potentially catastrophic financial losses.
Building Trust with Partners: The client established a stronger reputation for security, leading to successful partnerships with major banking institutions, facilitating new business opportunities.
Key Takeaway
This case highlights the power of a comprehensive, unified security approach. By integrating our GRC, Red, and Blue Teams, we provided a multi-layered defense strategy that not only achieved compliance but also safeguarded the client against financial fraud, data breaches, and operational disruptions. The collaboration between these teams ensured that the client’s security posture was robust and adaptable, providing a foundation for long-term success and growth in a highly regulated industry.
Are you interested in learning more about this case or do you have similar security needs?
Our team of experts at ESKA delivered a complex cybersecurity project for a fintech startup by uniting the strengths of our Red, Blue, and GRC teams.
Partner with ESKA today to build a holistic cybersecurity strategy that empowers your business to stay compliant, resilient, and ready for the future.
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