Industry: Transportation
Service: Professional Services
Location: Americas
Organization Type: Private
Employees: 10,001+
Dedicated IT Staff: 25
Needs And Requirements:
The client, a major player in the transportation and logistics sector, required an independent cybersecurity assessment of its web application to ensure the security of its digital platforms and protect sensitive client and operational data. The organization needed to verify that authentication systems, password management mechanisms, and Single Sign-On (SSO) integrations met industry standards and were resilient against potential cyber threats. The primary objective was to identify vulnerabilities before exploitation could occur and to validate that remediation measures effectively mitigated the identified risks.
Main Challenges:
Evolving Cyber Threats: The client’s platform manages critical data across multiple stakeholders, making it a potential target for cyberattacks. Ensuring compliance with security best practices such as OWASP standards was crucial.
Complex Authentication Ecosystem: The integration of centralized and federated authentication mechanisms, including SSO, required in-depth testing to ensure that identity management and access control were properly configured.
Operational Continuity During Testing: Security testing needed to be conducted in a controlled and non-intrusive manner, ensuring no disruption to production systems while maintaining test accuracy.
Solution:
Penetration Testing: Hitachi Cyber conducted a grey-box security assessment in accordance with the OWASP Web Security Testing Guide (WSTG). The engagement covered reconnaissance, authentication testing, role-based access validation, and vulnerability detection.
The assessment included:
- Passive and active reconnaissance to identify exposed assets and entry points.
- Authentication and password management testing, verifying password complexity, hashing algorithms, and reset mechanisms.
- Role-based access control testing for two defined profiles (administrative and client roles).
- Testing of known vulnerabilities using both automated tools and manual validation techniques.
- Re-testing phase following client remediation to confirm the effectiveness of corrective measures.
Outcomes:
The assessment enabled the transportation company to gain clear visibility into its web application’s security posture. Several vulnerabilities were identified and remediated, significantly reducing risk exposure. Authentication mechanisms were strengthened, SSO configurations were validated for resilience, and password management practices were aligned with best-in-class standards. The client’s technical and security teams benefited from enhanced awareness and improved procedures for managing digital identities securely.
Next Steps:
The client plans to maintain an ongoing partnership with Hitachi Cyber to perform periodic penetration testing and continuous improvement of its application security controls. Future initiatives include implementing automated vulnerability management, continuous monitoring, and integrating security testing earlier in the software development lifecycle to reinforce a proactive cybersecurity culture.
