THE CHALLENGE
A services provider to Fortune 500 companies and government entities quantified its cybersecurity risk at $76 million—20% of annual revenues—with client loss potential of $80 million. Global threat actors targeted their systems daily for ransomware or data breach attacks.
The top global threat rating tool placed them among the most at-risk companies in their industry. The combined risk to revenue, reputation, and penalty losses could seriously imperil the client's business.
THE ENGAGEMENT
Our team implemented a GRC shield comprised of a robust framework, compliance controls aligning security measures with standards and priorities, and scheduled risk assessments.
Vulnerabilities were mitigated through advanced threat intelligence, comprehensive training programs, and a cybersecurity continuity plan designed to withstand nation-state level attacks.
- •Risk-aligned security architecture
- •Policy framework mapping to industry standards
- •Executive-level governance structure
- •Advanced threat intelligence integration
- •Workforce security awareness training
- •Automated monitoring and response systems
- •Scheduled vulnerability assessments
- •Penetration testing and red team exercises
- •Real-time compliance monitoring
- •Comprehensive incident response playbooks
- •Disaster recovery and backup strategies
- •Crisis communication protocols
MEASURABLE OUTCOMES
Within 18 months, the provider's external threat rating improved from bottom 10% to top 5% of their industry. The transformation was comprehensive, measurable, and positioned them to withstand the ultimate test.
THE TEST
A coordinated cyberattack by two of the world's largest cybercrime groups presented an unprecedented threat to this services provider. The attackers launched a relentless four-month attack, deploying ransomware intended to cripple systems, extort funds, disrupt critical operations, and open access to larger targets: the customers the provider served.
The attackers, confident that they had control over the client's data, demanded a $22 million ransom.
The attackers were wrong. This business was prepared to withstand the failed attacks. Our client paid no ransom and suffered no losses.
- •Two of world's largest cybercrime groups
- •Four-month coordinated campaign
- •Sophisticated ransomware deployment
- •$22M ransom demand
- Zero ransom paid
- Zero revenue loss
- Zero production downtime
- Zero data loss
FINAL RESULTS
No revenue, production time, or data lost during the four-month coordinated attack by two of the world's largest cybercrime groups.
Defense cost totaled less than 3% of estimated risk. The $76M risk exposure was eliminated at a fraction of the predicted cost.
We invested in governance and it paid for itself 100x over when we faced a $22M ransom demand and walked away with zero losses. This wasn't just about avoiding a breach—it was about proving our business could withstand the most sophisticated attacks in the world.