Client Profile
A multinational financial services firm acquiring a fintech company, requiring secure application integration while protecting sensitive financial data, customer information, and proprietary technologies. The organization needed to mitigate security risks, prevent data breaches, and ensure compliance with PCI DSS, GDPR, and financial cybersecurity regulations.
Challenges Faced
Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) often expose application security risks, including:
- Unsecured Legacy Applications Existing security flaws in the acquired company’s applications, increasing breach risks.
- API & Third-Party Integration Risks Ensuring secure API connectivity and vendor security compliance.
- Regulatory Compliance Alignment Meeting PCI DSS, GDPR, ISO 27001, and financial cybersecurity standards across integrated applications.
- Data Security & Access Control Managing identity and access governance while preventing unauthorized data exposure.
Solution
The organization partnered with COE Security to implement Merger & Acquisition Application Security Consulting, ensuring a secure and compliant application integration process.
Application Security Assessment & Vulnerability Identification
- Conducted static and dynamic analysis of web and mobile applications for security weaknesses.
- Identified vulnerabilities in authentication mechanisms, data storage, and API communication.
- Assessed third-party and SaaS application security risks to prevent supply chain threats.
Secure Application Integration & Risk Mitigation
- Designed a secure integration strategy ensuring seamless application connectivity while maintaining security controls.
- Implemented API security best practices, including authentication, encryption, and rate limiting.
- Deployed access control policies, least privilege principles, and Zero Trust security measures.
Regulatory Compliance & Security Governance
- Ensured application security compliance with PCI DSS, GDPR, ISO 27001, and financial security mandates.
- Conducted code reviews and penetration testing to validate security controls before full integration.
- Established security baselines for DevSecOps integration, ensuring continuous security validation.
Incident Response & Continuous Monitoring
- Developed an incident response plan focused on application security threats, including API abuse and data exfiltration.
- Implemented real-time application security monitoring to detect and mitigate threats post-integration.
- Provided security awareness training for developers and IT teams on secure coding practices and risk mitigation.
Results
With COE Security’s Merger & Acquisition Application Security Consulting, the organization achieved:
- Secure Application Integration Prevented security gaps during business-critical application mergers.
- Risk Mitigation & Threat Prevention Identified and remediated vulnerabilities before full system integration.
- Regulatory Compliance Assurance Ensured PCI DSS, GDPR, and industry security standard adherence.
- Enhanced API & Third-Party Security Strengthened API authentication, encryption, and data protection.
- Improved Secure Development Practices Integrated security into the DevSecOps pipeline for long-term application resilience.
Through COE Security’s Merger & Acquisition Application Security Consulting, the organization safeguarded its business transition, minimizing cybersecurity risks and ensuring the integrity of mission-critical applications.
Client Testimonial
COE Security’s expertise in application security consulting was invaluable during our M&A process. Their proactive approach helped us identify vulnerabilities, secure APIs, and ensure compliance, making the integration seamless and secure.