Cyber Security powered by BI
Effective monitoring and improvement of IT security using security performance indicators
Introduction
At a time when cyber threats and system efficiency are at the forefront of business priorities, IT security and performance monitoring are critical to an organization’s success. IT decision makers and CTOs face the challenge of implementing the right tools and strategies to combat these threats while optimizing system performance.
This case study highlights how Sulzer helped a leading player in the automotive industry to implement a centralized solution for monitoring and assessing its IT security.
The challenge
Decentralized IT security in a growing digital landscape
In the IT security landscape, there are numerous tools that need to be constantly monitored and updated, especially patches, antivirus software and agents. When managing hundreds of thousands of devices, this becomes a daunting task, despite automation. Specialized service providers, whether internal or external, are contracted to ensure smooth operation. They update definitions, carry out rollouts in maintenance windows and initiate updates, whereby the aim according to SLAs is to keep all computers up to date at all times.
Problems and solution approaches
A recurring problem is that not all computers are online all the time, which means that some devices are always out of date. In addition, each feature owner creates their own evaluation tool, which leads to a fragmentation of tools and a complicated evaluation for auditors. To overcome these challenges, a central solution was developed that consolidates the data and security statuses of the computers and visualizes them in a colour-coded dashboard.
Sulzer provided support with its expertise in data analytics and business intelligence. A modern, future-proof system was to replace an outdated solution. Simple but comprehensive visualization and the development of a more advanced platform were important.
Our solution
Central data visualization and performance monitoring
- Project start with clear goals:
Clear framework conditions were set at the project kick-off: around twenty features were to be evaluated using KPIs and a dozen data sources were to be tapped. While visual requirements and the selection of technologies and BI tools were still open, Sulzer’s expertise in the field of business intelligence was relied upon
- First steps and Proof-of-Concept:
The Sulzer team quickly set to work, acquiring the data sources and integrating the required views into a central database. After a thorough data analysis, a rating system with traffic light colors was developed in collaboration with the customer. A proof-of-concept was created on an Oracle database with APEX to test the core functionalities. This approach was very well received by the feature owners and initiated the next project phase.
- Technology evaluation and implementation:
The client had various BI tool options, some of which Sulzer could recommend from their own experience. A cloud solution was preferred, with AWS and QuickSight selected as the tool, using PostgreSQL as the database. Sulzer transferred the existing solution to this new platform and optimized the code. Despite initial challenges with data access provisioning, the team was able to work efficiently. While cloud experts established the data connections, the business analyst clarified further requirements. Finally, SQL scripts, dashboards and a comprehensive rights concept were developed and implemented.
Project details
Creation of a proof of concept for early feedback on the look and feel of the application
Expert advice on BI tools based on years of experience
Uniform display of indicators
Faster access times compared to previous solutions
A future-proof platform
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