Enhancing Cybersecurity Measures through Penetration Testing and Cyber Threat Intelligence for a Major European Bank

Needs And Requirements:

As one of the largest banks in Europe, the institution was a constant target for cyberattacks. Following a recent series of attacks, the bank recognized the critical need to bolster its cybersecurity measures. To achieve this objective, they decided to conduct thorough penetration testing of their network as well as dark web crawling to find any leaked data.

Main Challenges:

High-Profile Cyberattack Target: As a large institution, the bank was a notable target for cyber threats.

Complex IT Infrastructure: Its vast and intricate IT network posed significant update and management challenges.

Critical Need for Data Confidentiality and Integrity: Protecting data against breaches and insider threats was a top priority.

Solution:

Penetration Testing: Hitachi Cyber conducted thorough internal and external penetration testing to identify and address vulnerabilities within the bank’s cybersecurity defenses. Following the penetration testing, a comprehensive report was written by Hitachi Cyber’s Penetration Testers, highlighting vulnerabilities in order of priority and providing the client with recommended remediation actions.

Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI): Alongside penetration testing, Hitachi Cyber implemented a ‘hacker’s view’ approach to monitor and analyze dark web activities. This approach helped in detecting and managing exposures such as leaked email addresses and clear text user passwords, thus enhancing the bank’s ability to preemptively respond to potential data breaches.

Outcomes:

The dual approach of penetration testing, and cyber threat intelligence significantly fortified the bank’s security posture. Penetration testing identified crucial vulnerabilities that were swiftly mitigated, while the cyber threat intelligence provided insights into potential data leaks, allowing the bank to secure exposed sensitive information quickly.

Next Steps:

In collaboration with Hitachi Cyber, the bank plans to continue its investment in regular penetration testing and expand its cyber threat intelligence efforts. These measures will ensure the bank remains resilient against evolving cybersecurity threats and maintains robust protection for its infrastructure and sensitive data.