Enhancing Cybersecurity in an International Manufacturing Organization: A Comprehensive Approach to Complex Digital Trust and Security

Needs And Requirements:

As a global leader in manufacturing industrial machinery, the company’s prominent branding and extensive B2B ecosystem made it a significant target for cybercrime. Despite taking cybersecurity seriously, the focus on product development often overshadowed investment in cyber defenses. Secure information handling with numerous suppliers and clients was crucial to safeguarding the integrity of business operations. Any breach or cyber incident not only risked disrupting operations but also posed severe reputational damage, potentially jeopardizing relationships with B2B customers and impacting revenue.

Main Challenges:

• Target for Cybercrime: As a global leader in manufacturing industrial machinery, the company’s high-profile brand and extensive B2B ecosystem made it a notable target for cybercrime, necessitating enhanced security measures.
• Balancing Priorities: While cybersecurity is prioritized, the primary focus remained on product development, creating a challenge in allocating sufficient resources to robust cybersecurity practices.
• Secure Information Exchange: The company’s extensive network of suppliers and clients required secure information handling to prevent breaches that could disrupt operations and damage reputational standing.
• Impact of Cyber Incidents: Any security breach or cyber incident risked severe reputational damage and potential revenue loss, underlining the need for a resilient and reliable security posture within the B2B value chain.

Solution:

• Governance, Risk & Compliance: Hitachi Cyber provided guidance for achieving ISO27001 certification and ensuring GDPR compliance. This involved conducting a comprehensive risk assessment, implementing a systematic approach to managing sensitive company information, and establishing control mechanisms for handling personal data. The goal was to ensure robust data governance that aligns with international standards.
• 24/7 Managed Security Services: Hitachi Cyber deployed services through their Security Operations Centers (SOC), providing 24/7 Managed Security Services across multiple sites. This service utilized advanced threat intelligence and security incident event management (SIEM) systems, with access to dedicated certified experts who can quickly detect and respond to cybersecurity threats. In the event of a breach, swift actions can be taken to isolate and contain the threat, effectively minimizing the potential impact on the business and safeguarding critical operations and customer relationships.

Outcomes:

The implementation of a “Digital Trust” portfolio significantly bolstered the company’s cybersecurity framework. This strategic deployment enabled the company to maintain a high level of security for its digital and physical assets, enhancing data governance and ensuring compliance with ISO27001 standards. As a result, customer trust and loyalty were strengthened, providing the company with a competitive edge in the market. The company now benefits from a predictable cost model, ensuring that expenses related to cybersecurity are transparent and manageable. Additionally, the assurance that the company adheres to up-to-date security standards and requirements minimizes the risk of cyber threats. This allows the company to focus on its core business activities, ensuring continuity and resilience in its operations.

Next Steps:

To adapt to the dynamic security needs of the client’s business, Hitachi Cyber will continue its monitoring efforts, tailoring its approach as the company evolves. This includes scaling and refining monitoring practices to align with the changing landscape of the business. Regular penetration testing will remain a cornerstone of the strategy to proactively identify and mitigate vulnerabilities. The commitment to Governance, Risk Management, and Compliance activities will also be sustained, ensuring that the client’s security governance framework keeps pace with both regulatory demands and industry best practices.