Client: Leading Financial Institution, UAE
Department: Marketing
Industry: Finance

Overview

A leading financial institution in the UAE was harnessing Low-Code/No-Code (LC/NC) platforms to rapidly innovate and deploy customer-facing marketing initiatives. While these platforms offered agility and reduced dependency on IT, they also introduced critical security and compliance challenges. With strict financial industry regulations, the need for robust data protection, governance, and threat monitoring became imperative.

Cloud Networks Solutions implemented a tailored combination of Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) and Breach and Attack Simulation (BAS) solutions to address these challenges, empowering the marketing department to innovate securely while maintaining compliance with UAE regulations.

The Challenge

1. Shadow IT Risks – LC/NC applications were being developed without IT oversight, leading to unmonitored data flows and potential breaches.
2. Data Protection Compliance – Sensitive customer data was frequently processed without sufficient encryption or governance, posing a risk of non-compliance with UAE’s Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL).
3. Regulatory Non-Compliance – Rapid application rollouts increased the risk of non-compliance with strict financial regulations, jeopardizing the institution’s reputation.
4. Vulnerability Exposure – The speed of development left LC/NC applications vulnerable to cyber threats, with inadequate security testing and protection.

Our Solution

To tackle these issues, we introduced a strategic blend of CASB and BAS solutions, designed to secure LC/NC projects and streamline compliance.

1) Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB)

• Visibility and Control: Enabled centralized monitoring of all LC/NC applications, providing the IT and security teams with full oversight of data flows and access points.
• Real-Time Data Protection: Monitored data transfers, enforced encryption, and ensured compliance with PDPL.
• Shadow IT Elimination: Prevented unauthorized activities by flagging suspicious behaviors and enforcing security policies.

2) Breach and Attack Simulation (BAS)

• Proactive Vulnerability Testing: Simulated potential cyberattacks to identify and remediate vulnerabilities before applications went live.
• Continuous Security Assessments: Regularly tested LC/NC environments to maintain a strong security posture.

3) Additional Measures

• Data Encryption and Compliance: Ensured secure handling of customer data in alignment with UAE data protection regulations.
• Team Training: Conducted workshops for the marketing team to instill secure LC/NC development practices, reducing risks and empowering in-house capabilities.

Implementation Highlights

1. Centralized Monitoring via CASB: Real-time visibility over all LC/NC activities and enforcement of security policies.
2. Automated Vulnerability Testing via BAS: Continuous attack simulations uncovered security gaps, enabling timely mitigation.
3. Enhanced Data Encryption: Guaranteed that sensitive customer information was encrypted and compliant with PDPL.
4. Team Empowerment: Marketing staff gained knowledge of secure application development, aligning innovation with security best practices.

Results

1. Improved Security and Oversight: CASB eliminated shadow IT risks by providing comprehensive visibility and control, ensuring no application bypassed security protocols.
2. Reduced Vulnerability Risks: BAS reduced security incidents by 50%, proactively addressing vulnerabilities before application deployment.
3. Regulatory Compliance: Full compliance with UAE’s PDPL was achieved, safeguarding customer data and adhering to financial regulations.
4. Agile Innovation with Confidence: Security measures seamlessly integrated into the LC/NC workflow, allowing the marketing team to maintain speed and flexibility in launching campaigns.

Conclusion

By leveraging CASB and BAS solutions, Cloud Networks Solutions transformed the institution’s LC/NC development process into a secure and compliant framework. This success story demonstrates how strategic cybersecurity solutions can enable innovation in highly regulated industries without compromising on security or compliance.

If your organization is navigating similar challenges, contact us to explore tailored cybersecurity solutions that protect your digital initiatives while ensuring regulatory compliance.