Securing a Multinational Corporation: Preventing Data Exfiltration
Multinational Corporation
01/ Case Study Details
Background
A large financial institution in the UAE, responsible for managing billions in assets, was concerned about the growing risk of insider threats. Given the sensitive nature of their operations and the critical data they handled, they required a comprehensive assessment of their vulnerability to insider attacks.
Engagement Approach
Paratus Cybersecurity's Red Team was engaged to conduct a thorough evaluation of the institution’s insider threat defenses. Our approach involved multiple phases, each designed to test different aspects of the organization’s security measures.
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Phase 1: Social Engineering Attacks We initiated a series of social engineering attacks targeting various departments. This included phishing emails designed to trick employees into revealing confidential information, as well as impersonation attempts where our team members posed as IT support staff to gain access to restricted areas. -
Phase 2: Physical Access Attempts Next, we assessed the physical security of the institution’s premises. Our team attempted unauthorized entry through tailgating, badge cloning, and exploiting weaknesses in the security protocols of third-party vendors and cleaning staff. -
Phase 3: Technical Assessments We conducted technical assessments to identify any existing vulnerabilities in their access control systems, including weaknesses in their network segmentation, lack of multi-factor authentication, and inadequate logging and monitoring of user activities.
Findings
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Access Control Gaps: We discovered several critical gaps in their access control systems, such as the use of easily guessable passwords and lack of proper authentication mechanisms for sensitive areas. -
Employee Awareness: Our social engineering attacks revealed that a significant number of employees were susceptible to phishing attempts and lacked proper training in recognizing and reporting suspicious activities. -
Physical Security Weaknesses: Our team successfully gained access to restricted areas by exploiting weak entry point protocols and unmonitored entryways.
Recommendations
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Strengthening Access Controls: Implement multi-factor authentication for all sensitive systems and enforce strict password policies.
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Employee Training Programs: Conduct regular training sessions to improve employee awareness and response to social engineering attacks.
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Enhanced Physical Security Measures: Upgrade physical security systems, including better surveillance, secure entry points, and regular security drills.
Results
Following the implementation of our recommendations, the institution significantly improved its ability to detect and respond to insider threats. They reported a 50% reduction in successful social engineering attacks and enhanced monitoring capabilities, leading to a more secure operational environment.
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