Overview:
A group of eight subsidiaries of a healthcare company located in the New England area of the US faced a significant wake-up call when a cyber incident exposed vulnerabilities across their organization. With each subsidiary operating independently, using disparate technology stacks and security controls, the group realized they lacked the necessary defenses to protect against modern threats.
The cyber incident revealed the urgent need for a unified and robust cybersecurity strategy to safeguard their data, systems, and reputation. Over the course of three months, the organization partnered with us to design and implement a comprehensive security overhaul, delivering significant improvements to their cybersecurity posture.
The Challenge
The cyber incident highlighted several critical shortcomings across the group of subsidiaries:
- Fragmented Security Posture:
Each subsidiary had its own approach to technology and cybersecurity. This fragmentation resulted in uneven levels of protection, with some subsidiaries lacking essential security controls like email encryption, phishing protection, or endpoint monitoring. - No Centralized Oversight:
The organization lacked a centralized cybersecurity strategy to ensure consistency, leaving them vulnerable to gaps in coverage and uncoordinated responses to threats. - Growing Threat Landscape:
Phishing emails, ransomware, and email spoofing attacks were increasing in frequency. Without unified security policies, the subsidiaries struggled to detect and mitigate these threats effectively. - Operational Inefficiencies:
Managing cybersecurity on a subsidiary-by-subsidiary basis was resource-intensive, and the lack of standardized tools made incident response slower and less effective.
The leadership team knew they needed a solution to streamline their cybersecurity efforts, implement proactive measures, and protect the organization from future incidents.
The Solution
To address these challenges, the organization partnered with a virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) to assess their vulnerabilities and design a tailored security strategy. Working closely with the leadership and IT teams across all subsidiaries, the vCISO implemented a comprehensive plan that standardized security measures and improved their overall defenses.
Phase 1: Standardizing Security Controls
The vCISO introduced a set of standardized security controls to ensure consistent protection across all eight subsidiaries:
- Real-Time Link Scanning in Emails:
Implemented advanced email security tools to detect and block malicious URLs in real-time, significantly reducing the risk of phishing attacks. - Email Encryption:
Deployed email encryption solutions to safeguard sensitive communications and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. - Phishing Testing and Cybersecurity Training:
Conducted regular phishing simulations to assess employee awareness and provided comprehensive training to reduce the likelihood of human error. - DMARC Policies:
Established Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance (DMARC) policies to prevent email spoofing and enhance domain security. - Improved Spam Controls:
Strengthened spam filtering to minimize exposure to unwanted and potentially harmful emails.
Phase 2: Advanced Security Enhancements
In addition to standardizing controls, the vCISO implemented advanced security measures to bolster the organization’s defenses:
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA):
Mandated MFA across all subsidiaries to provide an additional layer of security for user accounts and sensitive data. - SIEM Implementation:
Deployed a Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system to centralize threat detection, monitoring, and response efforts across the entire organization.
Phase 3: Operational Support
Recognizing the need for consistent operational support, the vCISO onboarded a Managed Service Provider (MSP) to provide:
- Round-the-clock monitoring and incident response.
- Helpdesk support to address technical issues promptly and efficiently.
The Results
The implementation of standardized controls and advanced security measures transformed the organization’s cybersecurity posture. Key outcomes included:
- Unified Security Framework:
All eight subsidiaries now operate under a cohesive cybersecurity framework, eliminating gaps and inconsistencies. - Improved Threat Detection and Prevention:
Real-time link scanning, enhanced spam controls, and the SIEM system significantly reduced the organization’s exposure to phishing and other cyber threats. - Increased Employee Awareness:
Phishing simulations and training programs resulted in a measurable improvement in employees’ ability to identify and report suspicious activity, reducing the likelihood of successful attacks. - Faster Incident Response:
Centralized monitoring through the SIEM and MSP support ensured quicker responses to potential threats, minimizing downtime and impact on operations. - Regulatory Compliance:
Implementing controls such as email encryption and DMARC policies improved the organization’s compliance posture, reducing the risk of fines and reputational damage. - Efficient Use of Resources:
The onboarding of an MSP allowed the organization to streamline operations, ensuring consistent coverage and reducing the burden on internal IT teams. - Rapid Execution:
The entire transformation, covering eight subsidiaries, was completed within just three months, demonstrating the effectiveness of the vCISO-led approach.
Conclusion
This case study highlights how a distributed organization can overcome cybersecurity challenges by leveraging a vCISO’s expertise. By standardizing security controls, implementing advanced tools, and onboarding reliable operational support, the group of subsidiaries now operates with a stronger, more unified cybersecurity posture.
Is your organization struggling with fragmented security or outdated controls? Contact us today to learn how our vCISO services can help you achieve the same level of protection and peace of mind.