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Application Security

Practices and tools to secure applications handling financial data, from development to deployment.

API Security Tools: Protects APIs from unauthorized access and attacks.
Application Penetration Testing: Regular testing of application defenses by ethical hackers.
Code Review Automation: Automated scanning and review of codebases for security issues.
Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST): Tests running applications for vulnerabilities.
Sandboxing Capabilities: Runs applications in isolated environments to limit possible attacks.
Secure Coding Standards Enforcement: Mandates use of published secure coding guidelines.
Secure Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC): Integrates security checkpoints at each phase of application development.
Security Configuration Management: Ensures secure default configurations for all applications.
Static Application Security Testing (SAST): Analyzes source code for vulnerabilities during development.
Third-Party Library Scanning: Checks for vulnerabilities in third-party dependencies.
Vulnerability Patch Frequency: How often identified vulnerabilities are patched.
Web Application Firewall (WAF): Protects web applications from common threats (e.g., OWASP Top 10).

Authentication & Access Controls

Systems and processes for verifying user identities and controlling access to sensitive information.

Account Lockout Mechanism: Temporarily locks user accounts after a set number of failed login attempts.
Adaptive Authentication: Adjusts authentication requirements based on risk factors.
Audit Logging of Access Attempts: Maintains an immutable record of all access attempts.
Device Authentication: Restricts access based on registered devices.
Granular Permissions: Enables fine-tuned access controls down to module or record level.
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Requires more than one method of authentication to verify a user's identity.
Password Policy Enforcement: Enforces complexity, rotation, and reuse rules for passwords.
Privileged Access Management: Provides special controls for administrator or sensitive access.
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Assigns system access based on user roles and responsibilities.
Session Timeout: Automates the termination of sessions after inactivity.
Single Sign-On (SSO): Allows users to access multiple applications using one set of login credentials.
Time-based Access Restrictions: Limits system access to specific time windows.
User Provisioning/Deprovisioning Automation: Automates account creation and removal to prevent orphaned access.

Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery

Capabilities for maintaining and restoring business functions during and after unexpected disruptions.

Alternate Communication Channels: Provides backup communications (e.g., phone, messaging).
Automated Backups: Schedules and maintains regular data backups.
Backup Frequency: How often data backups are performed.
Backup Retention Policy: Policies for how long backups are retained.
Data Center Redundancy: Ensures backup systems are located geographically apart.
Disaster Recovery Plan Documentation: Maintains comprehensive documentation for recovery procedures.
Failover Systems: Automatic switching to redundant resources during outages.
Ransomware Recovery Tools: Capabilities to recover data in the event of ransomware attacks.
Recovery Point Objective (RPO): Maximum allowable data loss measured in time.
Recovery Time Objective (RTO): Maximum allowable downtime for critical systems.
Tabletop Testing Frequency: How often disaster recovery plans are tested via scenarios.

Compliance and Regulatory Controls

Measures ensuring adherence to legal and industry compliance standards in financial advisory.

Audit-ready Reporting: Generates reports immediately usable in compliance audits.
Automated Compliance Monitoring: Continuously checks systems for compliance with defined standards.
Automated Incident Reporting: Files regulatory notifications of security incidents per jurisdiction.
Automated Regulatory Updates: Monitors and integrates regulatory change notifications.
Breach Notification Timeliness: Average time from breach discovery to notification.
Compliance Checklist Management: Tracks and manages compliance requirements and status.
Consent Management Tools: Captures, manages, and documents client consent under CCPA/GDPR/etc.
Data Subject Request Management: Assists with requests under privacy laws (e.g., access, delete, rectify).
GDPR Compliance: Meets the General Data Protection Regulation requirements.
PCI DSS Compliance: Meets the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards.
Policy Management Tools: Enables creation, approval, and enforcement of compliance policies.
SOC 2 Reporting: Supports System and Organization Controls (SOC) 2 compliance.

Data Encryption

Methods and policies that protect sensitive client and organizational data from unauthorized access.

At-rest Encryption: Ensures all stored data is encrypted on disk.
Automatic Key Rotation: Regular automatic change of encryption keys.
Database Encryption: Encrypts entire databases or selected fields.
Encrypted Backups: Ensures all backup data is also encrypted.
Encryption Algorithm Strength: Bit length or standard of encryption (e.g., AES-256).
Encryption Policy Management: Defines and enforces data encryption standards.
End-to-End Encryption: Secures data from the origin to the intended recipient.
Hardware Security Module (HSM) Integration: Leverages physical devices for additional encryption security.
In-transit Encryption: Encrypts data as it travels across networks.
Key Management System: Manages and rotates cryptographic keys securely.
Pseudonymization Options: Enables privacy-preserving techniques alongside encryption.
Regulatory-Compliant Encryption: Aligns with PCI DSS, GDPR, and similar standards.
Tokenization Support: Replaces sensitive data with non-sensitive placeholders.

Endpoint Security

Technologies that protect laptops, desktops, and mobile devices used to access sensitive financial data.

Antivirus & Antimalware: Detects and removes malicious software from endpoints.
Application Whitelisting/Blacklisting: Restricts which applications can run on endpoints.
Browser Security Controls: Secures web browsing on endpoints.
Device Encryption: Encrypts hard drives and storage on endpoints.
Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR): Monitors endpoints for suspicious activity to respond rapidly to incidents.
Endpoint Health Checks: Ensures only compliant endpoints can access network resources.
Mobile Device Management (MDM): Centralizes control and monitoring of mobile endpoints.
Patch Management Automation: Automates installation of software security patches.
Phishing Protection: Detects and blocks phishing attempts delivered to endpoints.
Real-time Threat Monitoring: Provides continuous monitoring for endpoint threats.
Remote Device Wipe: Allows administrators to erase sensitive data from lost/stolen devices.
USB/Peripheral Control: Restricts use of removable storage and peripheral devices.

Network Security

Measures and systems to protect computer networks from unauthorized access, misuse, or theft.

Automated Threat Blocking: Ability to automatically block threats detected on the network.
DDoS Protection: Protects networks and services against Distributed Denial of Service attacks.
DNS Filtering: Prevents access to malicious domains and controls web access.
Firewall Protection: Implements barriers between trusted and untrusted networks to control traffic.
Intrusion Detection System (IDS): Monitors network traffic for suspicious activity and potential threats.
Intrusion Prevention System (IPS): Actively prevents network threats identified by monitoring systems.
Logging and Audit Trails: Maintains detailed logs of network activity for forensic analysis.
Network Access Control (NAC): Restricts device and user access based on compliance with policies.
Network Monitoring Frequency: How frequently the network is actively monitored for threats.
Network Segmentation: Divides networks into segments to restrict access and reduce attack surfaces.
Secure VPN Access: Allows remote users secure and encrypted access to internal systems.
Traffic Encryption: Encrypts data communicated within and between networks.
Wireless Security Controls: Protects wireless communications via protocols and strong authentication.
Zero Trust Network Architecture: Reduces reliance on perimeter security by enforcing strict access controls everywhere.

Physical Security

Onsite measures and technologies that safeguard hardware, facilities, and physical access to data.

Access Control Systems: Restricts physical access to authorized personnel only.
Alarm Systems: Detects and alerts to unauthorized entry or incidents.
Biometric Access Controls: Uses fingerprints or facial recognition to authorize personnel.
Environment Monitoring: Detects fire, water, or temperature threats to IT environments.
Equipment Disposal Procedures: Ensures secure destruction or wiping of retired equipment.
Onsite Security Staffing: Employs dedicated personnel for facility security.
Physical Asset Tagging: Tags and inventories critical devices for monitoring.
Physical Penetration Testing: Regularly tests the effectiveness of physical security defenses.
Secure Area Designation: Defines and enforces areas with restricted access.
Security Surveillance Cameras: Monitors facilities with video recording for incident review.
Visitor Log Management: Tracks all external personnel entering secure areas.

Security Awareness and Training

Programs and systems for educating staff about cyber risks and proper security protocols.

Customizable Training Content: Adapts content to organization roles and needs.
Executive & Board Training Programs: Tailored programs for senior leadership.
Incident Response Training: Teaches staff their responsibilities in event of breach.
Knowledge Assessment Quizzes: Tests user retention and comprehension after training.
Mandatory Security Training: All staff must complete initial and periodic security training.
Multilingual Training Support: Offers content in multiple languages.
Phishing Simulation Exercises: Regular simulated attacks to train staff in recognizing threats.
Security Policy Acknowledgement: Staff must confirm understanding/compliance with policies.
Social Engineering Awareness: Includes modules on social engineering tactics and response.
Training Completion Tracking: Monitors which users have completed required courses.
Training Frequency: How often training must be renewed.

User Monitoring and Incident Detection

Tools and procedures for tracking user activity and rapidly detecting incidents or breaches.

Alert Resolution Time: Average time to resolve security alerts.
Anomaly Detection Algorithms: Uses machine learning or heuristics to spot unusual behavior.
Automated Incident Response: Initiates response playbooks or actions upon detection.
Data Loss Prevention (DLP): Monitors for, and prevents, the unauthorized movement of sensitive data.
Privilege Escalation Detection: Detects when a user tries to gain unauthorized access.
Real-time Alerting: Notifies security teams instantly of potential security incidents.
Reporting Dashboard: Provides graphical reports and summaries of user and incident data.
Security Information and Event Management (SIEM): Centralizes analysis of security events and alerts.
Session Recording: Captures user sessions for review and auditing.
User Activity Logging: Records all user actions on sensitive systems.
User Behavior Analytics (UBA): Analyzes statistical user behavior to find security issues.

Vendor and Third-Party Risk Management

Processes and controls for managing risks introduced by external partners and service providers.

Continuous Vendor Monitoring: Regularly reviews vendors for changing risk.
Contractual Security Clauses: Mandates specific security obligations in contracts.
Data Sharing Agreements: Specifies how client data is shared, used, and protected.
Due Diligence Documentation Retention: How long vendor risk assessment records are kept.
Fourth-Party Risk Visibility: Tracks risk due to your vendors’ suppliers.
Integration Security Testing: Validates the security of vendor software/API integrations.
Shared Responsibility Matrix: Defines security responsibilities among parties.
Third-Party Security Assessments: Evaluates vendors’ security postures before partnership.
Vendor Breach Notification Time: Time required for vendors to disclose breaches.
Vendor Onboarding Controls: Standard procedures to ensure secure onboarding.

Cybersecurity Infrastructure features explained

for Compliance and Risk Management