Enhancing Cyber Security with Regular Vulnerability Scanning: A Case Study
Introduction
Our customer, Aryza, a global provider of case management and process automation software, faced significant security challenges while building and deploying web applications. To ensure the safety of sensitive information and provide a secure experience for their users, they sought a robust security solution. By implementing our advanced technology, Aryza was able to enhance the security of its web applications and reduce the risk of cyber-attacks significantly. This case study details the success of this partnership and the positive impact on Aryza’s business operations.
Company Background
Aryza’s solutions automate back and middle-office activities, including customer data collection, administration, and payment processing. Its scalable technology platform supports high-volume, high-complexity operations while ensuring compliance with local regulations. Since its foundation in 2002, Aryza has grown rapidly, becoming a market leader in the UK, Canada, and Ireland, with an expanding international presence. The company’s strong customer relationships reflect the breadth and quality of its software and service offerings.
The Challenge: Inadequate Security Visibility
Operating in a highly regulated financial services industry, Aryza needed to demonstrate rigorous security testing throughout the software development life cycle (SDLC). The company historically relied on standalone penetration testing on an ad hoc basis. However, this approach provided only partial visibility into its security posture and failed to deliver continuous risk assessment.
Without frequent vulnerability scanning, security risks remained undetected for extended periods. Given the nature of Aryza’s applications—including debt management and advisory solutions—regulatory compliance required access to detailed, historical vulnerability reports. Additionally, many scanning tools in the market lacked ease of use and efficient reporting capabilities, making it difficult to produce audit-ready documentation.
The Rising Need for Regular Vulnerability Scanning
A 2023 study by IBM Security found that organisations taking a proactive approach to vulnerability management reduced the average cost of a data breach by 31% compared to those with a reactive approach. Moreover, research from Verizon’s Data Breach Investigations Report highlights that 82% of cyber incidents stem from exploitable vulnerabilities, underscoring the importance of frequent scanning and remediation.
The Solution: Implementing a Proactive Security Approach
After engaging with the team at CommSec, Aryza’s Chief Technology Officer (CTO) recognised the need for a fully managed, integrated security solution that provided frequent vulnerability assessments and in-depth reporting.
CommSec’s CheckScan+ Vulnerability Scanning service was selected as the ideal solution. This service provides host discovery and vulnerability scans across external (internet-facing) and internal networks. By leveraging both automated scanning and manual validation, CheckScan+ proactively identifies vulnerabilities and ensures compliance with industry best practices.
Each CheckScan+ client is assigned a dedicated Security Analyst (SA) within the Security Operations Centre (SOC). The SA provides ongoing consulting and risk-based recommendations, ensuring continuous improvement in security posture.
Integration with Development Processes
The CheckScan+ service seamlessly integrated with Aryza’s CI/CD development environment, including tools like Azure DevOps, Jenkins, TeamCity, and GitLab. This allowed the company to conduct on-demand vulnerability scans at various stages of the software development lifecycle, reducing security risks before application deployment.
Key Benefits of CheckScan+ for Aryza
Enhanced Cyber Security Posture
- Significant reduction in the likelihood of cyber-attacks, protecting Aryza’s reputation and customer trust.
- Automated and regular vulnerability assessments provide a more structured approach to security testing.
Increased Efficiency and Accuracy
- 80% reduction in scan times due to the efficiency of the CheckScan+ scanning engine.
- Fewer false positives, reducing manual effort and allowing security teams to focus on critical vulnerabilities.
- Comprehensive management of the scanning process, from scheduling to configuration and remediation.
Regulatory Compliance and Audit Readiness
- High-level, detailed reports that support compliance with ISO 27001 and Cyber Essentials Plus.
- Quarterly testing and reporting demonstrate ongoing improvements in IT security, offering transparency to clients and regulators.
- Readily available audit-ready documentation for external assessments and compliance audits.
Seamless Integration and Business Continuity
- Full integration with Aryza’s application development processes, ensuring security is built into software from the start.
- Reduced time and effort needed for security reporting, freeing internal resources for strategic initiatives.
Client Testimonial
“Working with the CommSec team has been easy, the reporting is in-depth, and support is readily available. The CheckScan+ service provides us with additional confidence in a world where external information security threats to all financial technology companies and customers are increasing all the time.”
— CTO, Aryza
Conclusion: The Importance of Regular Vulnerability Scanning
Aryza’s success with CheckScan+ underscores the importance of regular vulnerability scanning as a critical component of a robust cyber security strategy. With cyber threats evolving rapidly, organisations cannot rely on occasional penetration tests alone.
By adopting a continuous vulnerability management approach, Aryza has significantly strengthened its security posture, enhanced regulatory compliance, and ensured business continuity. This case study demonstrates that frequent and structured vulnerability scanning is essential for identifying, mitigating, and preventing security threats in today’s digital landscape.
For organisations looking to enhance their cyber security strategy, implementing a managed vulnerability scanning solution can provide the visibility, efficiency, and compliance required to stay ahead of evolving threats.