The Challenge: Security at Scale
The client managed security 150+ microservices while working with multiple tenants through various cloud platforms, all of which added risk. The organization faced several critical challenges:
- Fragmented Security Maturity: Development teams had different levels of security awareness, and their security practices were still maturing in the software development life cycle (SDLC). Teams often discover security issues late in development, leading to costly remediation efforts and delayed releases. This inconsistency created gaps that attackers could exploit.
- Complex Attack Surface: With over 150 applications running across multiple cloud environments, the attack surface was both vast and constantly evolving.
- Resource Constraints: The internal security team couldn't scale to match the organization's growth. They needed specialized expertise to integrate seamlessly with existing workflows without disrupting productivity.
Our Approach: Embedded Security Partnership
To tackle this, DataArt’s Security Lab built a long-term partnership with the client. Rather than operating as external consultants, we embedded our security experts into the client’s development and infrastructure teams and became part of their internal workflows. We supported over 50 teams and integrated deeply into their SDLC. This close collaboration helped us improve security, lower risks, and enhance the organization’s overall security maturity.
Security Services Delivered
Comprehensive Security Testing and Assessment
Our security specialists conducted thorough security checks across all areas of the client's technology:
- Application Security Assessment: We established a systematic approach to evaluate all 150+ applications annually through penetration testing. Our security specialists developed custom methodologies tailored to the client's specific technology stack and risk profile, ensuring comprehensive coverage without unnecessary overhead.
- Infrastructure Penetration Testing: We evaluated the security of their cloud environments and network infrastructure, identifying configuration weaknesses and architectural vulnerabilities that could compromise the entire ecosystem.
- Code-Level Security Integration: We implemented security code reviews and threat modelling sessions as standard practice, catching vulnerabilities during development rather than after deployment. This proactive approach significantly reduced the cost and complexity of security remediation.
- Strategic Security Alignment: We had regular sessions with management and architects to ensure security goals aligned with business priorities and strengthened system design.
SDLC Alignment and Process Optimization
To improve security, our team focused on aligning with and enhancing the client's SDLC processes.
- Penetration Testing Process Optimization: By adapting our workflows to match the client’s development lifecycle and actively contributing to SDLC evolution, we reduced average testing time by 40%, improving coverage and accuracy. Teams could iterate faster without compromising security quality.
- Continuous Improvement Culture: Through ongoing SDLC contributions, we helped establish security as a shared responsibility across all teams, including guidance at every stage.
Communication and Reporting on Security
We established robust communication frameworks to ensure security insights drive organizational decisions:
- Monthly Reporting Meetings: Regular strategic sessions to review security posture and new threats.
- Comprehensive Final Reports: Detailed analysis highlighting security findings, process improvements, and actionable recommendations for the defined period that engineering teams could implement immediately.
- Security Issue Resolution Monitoring: Continuous tracking of raised security tickets to ensure alignment with the client's security strategy, including escalation protocols and security policy validation.
Security Policy and Governance Contribution
Our team actively participated in shaping the client's security framework:
- Security Policy Development: Direct contribution to client security and SDLC policies, particularly focusing on penetration testing standards and security code quality requirements
- Risk Assessment and Compliance: Ongoing risk evaluation and internal audit support to maintain compliance standards
Knowledge Transfer and Organizational Development
We focused on enhancing our internal security capabilities and fostering a security-conscious culture:
- Security Design Consultation: We guided engineering teams through authentication, encryption, and secure architecture.
- Security Summit Participation: We actively participated in the client's internal security summits and strategic planning sessions.
- Best Practices Sharing: We shared security knowledge across teams. This helped us all work together on common security challenges we identified.
Results: Measurable Security Transformation
Operational Excellence
We guided engineering teams through authentication, encryption, and secure architecture.
We actively participated in the client's internal security summits and strategic planning sessions.
We shared security knowledge across teams. This helped us all work together on common security challenges we identified.
Organizational Impact
Our deep integration with the client's InfoSec and AppSec teams and SDLC model created exceptional value, elevating the organization's security posture to an industry-leading level. The collaborative approach fostered a security mindset across all development teams while maintaining operational efficiency.
Partnership Success Metrics: Team Preference and Client Satisfaction
During our long partnership, the client’s development teams often honoured our strong security knowledge and our hands-on, team-oriented approach. DataArt’s collaborative approach proved particularly valuable when other security vendors struggled to work effectively within the client's complex environment.
Our embedded methodology allowed us to support numerous development teams in setting up their environments, resolving issues, and conducting our penetration tests, ensuring security assessments accurately reflected real-world usage patterns. This approach proved effective, strengthening our reputation as a reliable and skilled security partner within the organization.
