Architecture
Case Study – Insider Threat Response & Internal Environment Security
Overview
A leading architectural design firm delivering innovative residential, commercial and public infrastructure projects faced a serious internal security breach. Known for its creative excellence and high-value clientele, the firm manages large volumes of confidential project data and intellectual property—making data security and operational integrity a top priority.
Business Needs
The firm required an immediate and long-term solution to: Protect sensitive architectural and client data. Investigate suspected data leakage and insider activity. Restore erased logs and trace malicious internal actions. Secure its internal IT infrastructure against future breaches. Implement proactive monitoring and regular security testing.
Problems and Challenges
The organization encountered a critical insider threat: A high-level IT employee with administrative access stole confidential data and sold it to a competitor. To conceal his actions, he manipulated and erased server logs, firewall logs and internal security records. There were no existing detection mechanisms to catch such privileged misuse. The incident risked damaging the firm’s reputation, legal standing and client confidentiality
Solutions
Our cybersecurity team was engaged to perform a complete investigation and remedial action plan: Digital Forensics & Log Recovery: We successfully recovered erased system logs and reconstructed the timeline of unauthorized access and data transfers. Evidence Submission: A detailed forensics report with digital proof was prepared for internal and legal action, clearly attributing the breach to the former employee. VAPT (Vulnerability Assessment & Penetration Testing): A thorough internal assessment was conducted to uncover system weaknesses, misconfigured access controls and policy gaps. Security Infrastructure Overhaul: Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) Centralized log management and real-time alerting Endpoint protection and encrypted storage Scheduled vulnerability scans and patching protocols Cybersecurity Awareness Training: All staff were trained on internal data handling, access hygiene and early threat identification.
Benefits
The response and remediation process delivered strong, lasting benefits: Insider Activity Proven: The breach was validated with concrete forensic evidence. Internal Security Fortified: Post-VAPT, all identified vulnerabilities were resolved and access controls were tightened. Real-Time Monitoring Enabled: The firm now receives alerts on suspicious activity, helping prevent future incidents. Improved Compliance and Trust: The prompt and professional handling of the situation helped maintain client confidence and legal compliance. Security Culture Established: With better policies, training and governance, the organization significantly improved its cybersecurity posture.
Project Scope: Employee Insider Threat
Project Duration: 3 Days