Client Profile
A mid-sized global legal consulting firm with over 500 employees across North America and Europe. The client rapidly transitioned to remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic. While productivity increased, concerns around data confidentiality, unsecured endpoints, and remote access protocols triggered the need for a robust security assessment.
Challenges Faced
Key security concerns included:
- Lack of standardized endpoint protection for remote devices
- Shadow IT usage and data sprawl across unauthorized SaaS apps
- Weak remote access controls and VPN misconfigurations
- Insufficient employee awareness on secure remote practices
Solution
COE Security implemented a tailored Remote Work Security Assessment Program, combining:
- Asset Discovery and Endpoint Hardening: Identified unmanaged devices and enforced encryption and EDR baselines
- Remote Access Review: Evaluated VPN configurations, split tunneling, and implemented MFA
- Cloud & SaaS Risk Analysis: Assessed third-party tool usage and aligned with acceptable use policies
- Security Awareness Campaign: Delivered custom training, simulated phishing, and a secure remote work policy guide
Securing Work-From-Anywhere Environments
- Performed endpoint compliance checks on over 500 devices
- Enforced strong authentication across VPN and cloud access platforms
- Mitigated 87% of discovered endpoint misconfigurations within 30 days
- Reduced shadow IT apps usage by 60% through policy enforcement and approved tool onboarding
- Conducted targeted phishing simulations that improved reporting rate by 45%
Governance, Strategy, and Readiness
- Established a Remote Work Policy Framework including device usage, access rights, and support guidelines
- Implemented a Zero Trust baseline with conditional access policies
- Initiated monthly compliance reporting to executive leadership
- Introduced a Security Champions network for remote teams to localize security ownership
COE Remote Work Security Assessment Service Suite
- Remote Work Security Assessments
- Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR) Deployment
- Remote Access Control Audits
- SaaS Risk Posture Reviews
- Phishing Simulation Campaigns
- Custom Security Awareness Trainings
- Zero Trust Access Configuration
- Cloud Compliance Monitoring
- BYOD Policy Design & Implementation
- Remote Risk Dashboard & Metrics Reporting
Implementation Details
- Deployed EDR agents remotely across all user devices
- Integrated conditional access policies with Microsoft 365 and Okta
- Delivered live remote training sessions across 3 time zones
- Compiled a Remote Work Security Playbook customized per department
- Provided bi-weekly security posture reports with user risk scoring
Results Achieved
- 100% device visibility achieved within the first 3 weeks
- 70% reduction in security incidents related to remote work within 60 days
- Aligned with ISO 27001 Clause 6.1.2 (Risk Treatment) for teleworking
- Improved security awareness score by 35% across user base
Client Testimonial
“COE Security turned our remote work challenge into a strategic advantage. Their practical recommendations, fast deployment, and user-first training changed how we think about security – permanently.”