Cybersecurity Technology Assessment: Strengthening Security for Multinational Manufacturer

Challenge

Strengthen cybersecurity posture across a complex, multi-location IT environment while ensuring compliance with industry standards and improving visibility into vulnerabilities.

Solution

A comprehensive cybersecurity technology assessment using industry best practices that covered key security domains and provided a detailed remediation plan to address gaps.

Result

Identifying legacy configuration issues and violations led to a significantly improved security posture, greater compliance, and a clear roadmap for ongoing security enhancements.

In Depth Challenge

The manufacturer faced a series of complex challenges that hindered its ability to effectively manage cybersecurity risks across its diverse and expansive IT environment:

Specific challenges to overcome:

• Complex IT Environment: Managing consistent security policies and controls across 19+ locations, supporting 5,600 employees and 100+ critical applications, proved challenging. The environment included Palo Alto Networks, Mimecast, Trend Micro, and Cisco Umbrella technologies, necessitating a comprehensive and cohesive security strategy.
• Evolving Threat Landscape: The manufacturer knew cyber threats were becoming increasingly sophisticated, necessitating up-to-date defenses to protect internal systems from emerging risks.
• Compliance Requirements: Operating in a regulated industry, the company needed to maintain compliance with standards such as NIST CSF, ISO 9001, SOX IT, and ISO 27001 to avoid penalties, retain contracts, protect sensitive data, and maintain customer trust.
• Limited Visibility: A lack of comprehensive visibility into the overall security posture made it challenging to identify weaknesses, prioritize risks, and make informed decisions about security investments, particularly in configurations and management procedures.

Solution

SDG responded to these challenges by designing and implementing a thorough Cybersecurity Technology Assessment, utilizing a multi-faceted approach:

• Comprehensive Assessment Framework: SDG tailored the assessment to align with the organization’s industry requirements and risk profile, ensuring relevance and effectiveness. Industry-leading cybersecurity frameworks like NIST were also used to evaluate security controls and practices.
• Multi-Domain Coverage: The assessment covered several key security domains crucial for a robust defense:
  • Network Security: Assessed the strength of network defenses, including firewall configurations, intrusion detection systems, and secure remote access mechanisms. SDG reviewed the network architecture to identify any potential security gaps.
  • Endpoint Security: Evaluated the effectiveness of endpoint security measures, including antivirus software, EDR solutions, and patch management processes, ensuring robust protection across all endpoints.
  • Email Security: Analyzed the security of the company’s email systems, focusing on spam filtering, phishing protection, and email encryption practices.
• Data Collection and Analysis: Utilized a combination of automated vulnerability scanning, penetration testing, log analysis, and configuration reviews to gather data on the company’s security technologies and practices. Interviews with key personnel provided additional insights into security processes and awareness levels within the organization.
• Gap Analysis and Remediation Planning: SDG conducted a gap analysis to identify discrepancies between the current security posture and industry best practices. A prioritized remediation plan was developed, offering specific, actionable recommendations to address identified vulnerabilities.

Results

The Cybersecurity Technology Assessment delivered significant improvements in the manufacturer’s security posture:

• Enhanced Security Posture: The assessment identified and addressed critical vulnerabilities, significantly strengthening the company’s ability to defend against cyber threats and protect its critical assets.
• Improved Compliance: Ensured alignment with relevant compliance standards and regulations, reducing the risk of penalties and enhancing customer trust.
• Clear Roadmap for Improvement: The remediation plan provided a structured approach to prioritize security investments and guide the implementation of necessary improvements.
• Increased Visibility and Control: The assessment process gave the company a comprehensive view of its security posture, enabling better-informed decisions on security strategies and resource allocation.

Conclusion

By partnering with SDG, our client was able to gain visibility into its vulnerabilities and proactively address its cybersecurity challenges. The Cybersecurity Technology Assessment gave the organization a clear understanding of its security posture, delivered a solid foundation for a more mature and resilient security program, and equipped our client to defend against new and evolving threats. This engagement underscores SDG’s commitment to delivering effective, scalable, and business-valued solutions for its clients.