Strengthening security and resilience in an evolving threat landscape

Strengthening security and resilience in an involving threat landscape

finao has made substantial advancements in its cyber security practices, driven by the demands of an expanding digital footprint and an ever-increasing volume of data to protect. This growth has required the company to implement a robust and adaptable security framework, capable of addressing diverse threats and regulatory requirements. By adopting AWS Control Tower, finao has achieved consistency and compliance across its AWS environment, establishing a secure foundation that enables all aspects of its digital operations to adhere to stringent security standards. This framework lays the groundwork for a holistic approach to cyber security that integrates technology, processes, and people to protect data and ensure operational resilience.

Adopting advanced security tools for comprehensive defence

To enhance this foundation, finao leverages a suite of advanced AWS security tools, including AWS Inspector, GuardDuty, and Security Hub. These tools provide multiple layers of defence, covering threat detection, vulnerability management, and centralised security visibility. Together, they offer a unified view of finao's security posture, enabling real-time monitoring and rapid response to potential threats. This integrated approach allows finao to anticipate risks, reduce exposure, and address vulnerabilities promptly. It reflects finao’s commitment to safeguarding sensitive information and building trust with clients through transparency and rigorous security practices.

The increasing workload of security engineering teams

As finao’s cyber security capabilities have become more sophisticated, so too has the workload for its security engineering team. The team is responsible for the ongoing management and tuning of the security framework, along with the constant review of new Security Hub findings. Each finding requires rapid and thorough analysis to assess potential impacts and implement necessary mitigations. The increasing volume of identified vulnerabilities across the industry highlights the urgency of this work; for example, reported Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs) have risen from 17,000 in 2019 to over 35,000 in 2024. This trend underscores the growing complexity of the cyber security landscape and the need for diligent, continuous efforts to stay ahead of emerging threats.

Proactive measures with continuous application deployments

One clear indicator of finao’s proactive stance in security management is the number of application deployments it undertakes each month to ensure all systems are up-to-date with the latest patches and dependency upgrades. finao now performs (on average) an additional 80 deployments per month to address vulnerabilities and maintain robust defences. This rigorous patching schedule is essential for minimising security gaps and ensuring that the infrastructure supporting finao’s services remains resilient against potential attacks. Each deployment reflects a careful balance between agility and security, helping to strengthen finao’s defences without disrupting its commitment to high-quality service.

Establishing trust with transparent security practices

The finao Trust Center was created as a transparent, accessible resource to showcase the company’s dedication to data security, compliance, and continuous improvement. It provides stakeholders with insight into finao’s security practices, detailing its use of globally recognised standards such as ISO 27001, SOC2, the Essential Eight, and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs). Additionally, it highlights finao’s commitment to business continuity, with strategies in place for disaster recovery and rapid response. Through regular audits, vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, and ongoing security training for developers, finao demonstrates a proactive and resilient approach to cyber security, fostering confidence among its clients and partners in a time when digital trust has never been more critical.

References

• ISO 27001: finao’s use of the internationally recognised ISO 27001 standard aligns with best practices in information security management, often referenced in Australian cyber security frameworks.
• SOC2: As a security compliance framework, SOC2 aligns with Australian businesses seeking certification under industry standards, including the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) guidelines.
• Essential Eight: The Australian Government’s Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) recommends the Essential Eight as the baseline for protecting Australian organisations against cyber threats.
• Australian Privacy Principles (APPs): These principles, part of the Privacy Act 1988, set out the framework for managing personal information in Australia, ensuring compliance with privacy and data security standards.

finao demonstrates a proactive and resilient approach to cyber security, fostering confidence among its clients and partners – including our decade long partnership with critical government infrastructure clients such as Sydney Water – in a time when digital trust has never been more critical.