Challenges
The client requested a full cybersecurity audit in preparation for a merger and acquisition process. Understanding the sensitivity of the situation, CyberGlobal deployed a team of two to four engineers over a two-week period to assess the company’s overall security posture.
The testing process included:
- External and internal network penetration testing.
- Web application assessments.
- Firewall configuration reviews.
- Comprehensive policy reviews covering application security, data protection, and business continuity.
All activities were aligned with recognized standards, including NIST, ASVS, OWASP, and ISO 27001.
The scope of testing included servers, databases, Docker containers, and enterprise-wide policies. Out of more than 40 web applications, three were sampled for testing, alongside a full infrastructure penetration test covering over 1,000 assets.
Although no malware was found, the assessment revealed a range of security risks, from critical to informational, as follows:
- External Testing: 5 low and 2 informational risks
- Internal Testing: 1 critical, 1 high, 3 medium, 16 low, and 3 informational risks
- Web Application Testing: 1 medium and 8 low risks
- Firewall Configuration Review: 1 medium and 2 informational findings
CyberGlobal followed a structured testing process, moving from reconnaissance to exploitation and further investigation.
In the meantime, the team conducted interviews with key stakeholders, reviewed internal documentation, analyzed system architecture, and evaluated the organization’s software development lifecycle (SDLC).
A mix of advanced tools and techniques were used, including:
| Nessus | Custom Scripts |
| Nmap | Interviews |
| Burp Suite | Policy Analysis |
Solutions
After conducting a thorough cybersecurity assessment, CyberGlobal proposed a comprehensive set of solutions to strengthen the company’s overall security posture.
The remediation process began with targeted actions to close immediate gaps, such as:
- patching vulnerable systems.
- adjusting configurations.
- updating outdated security policies.
To further reduce risk and improve long-term resilience, CyberGlobal implemented a layered defense strategy. This included:
- adding extra SOC resources for continuous monitoring.
- deploying endpoint protection.
- enhancing intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDS/IPS).
Firewalls were fine-tuned for stricter control, and secure coding practices were introduced across development teams.
Even more, strategic improvements were made to the company’s CI/CD pipelines and software development lifecycle (SDLC) policies. A business continuity plan was also put in place, along with strong data security measures based on strict policies and industry best practices.
These steps together helped the organization build a more secure and future-ready environment.
Results
The outcome of the cybersecurity assessment provided the acquiring company with clear, actionable insights into the security posture of the organization under review. This understanding was essential in identifying what needed to be improved to bring both companies into alignment under a unified security framework.
One of the key takeaways from this engagement was the importance of conducting a thorough security audit during the merger and acquisition process. It not only helps uncover hidden risks but also guarantees that both organizations operate on the same level of security maturity before integration begins.
Client feedback reflected a strong level of satisfaction with the process and methodology applied by CyberGlobal. The audit was considered successful across all parties: the acquiring company, the audited company, and CyberGlobal itself.
With a solid foundation and a good overall security posture, the companies were well-prepared to move forward with confidence in the next phase of their collaboration.
