Leading US Financial Institution Case Study
Large U.S. Bank gets 10x increase in Threat Intelligence using Team Cymru
Key Insights
Proactive Threat Mitigation
Identified and blocked new APT infrastructure before campaigns launched.
Enhanced Phishing Defense
Prevents phishing campaigns, such as healthcare scams, before emails are sent
Protected Supply Chain
Monitored partner systems for signs of compromise, safeguarding interconnected networks.
Summary
A leading US financial institution faced growing cybersecurity challenges, including advanced persistent threats (APTs), phishing campaigns, and supply chain compromises that impacted day-to-day operations, introduced potential regulatory risks and drained resources. With limited visibility beyond its perimeter and reliance on retrospective intelligence feeds, the organization struggled to detect threats early and respond effectively.
By adopting Team Cymru’s Pure Signal™ platform, the bank transformed its cybersecurity strategy. The solution provided real-time visibility into global threat activity, enabling preemptive threat detection, proactive risk mitigation, and fast incident response. This shift empowered the bank to protect critical infrastructure, strengthen customer trust, and support seamless business operations.
The Challenges
External pressures, including an increase in sophisticated cyberattacks, challenged the financial institution’s ability to protect sensitive customer data and meet regulatory standards. Advanced persistent threats (APTs) and phishing campaigns targeted critical systems, while supply chain vulnerabilities introduced contagion risks. Fragmented intelligence sources and time-intensive manual processes limited the security team’s ability to stay ahead of adversaries.
The bank encountered several key challenges that required a proactive approach:
Limited Threat Visibility: Traditional intelligence feeds offered outdated, fragmented data, delaying effective responses.
Reactive Threat Hunting: Analysts could only identify Indicators of Compromise (IoCs) after incidents occurred.
Targeted Phishing Attacks: Repeated sophisticated phishing attempts targeted employees and customers.
Supply Chain Risks: Compromised partner systems posed significant contagion risks.
The Solution
Team Cymru’s Pure Signal™ Recon provided the breakthrough the institution needed. By integrating Recon into its workflows, the security team gained real-time visibility into external threat actor activity, tracing malicious infrastructures back to their origins. This enabled them to detect and neutralize risks before they could escalate, while automated processes reduced the burden on analysts. Recon empowered the organization to transition from reactive to proactive defense, ensuring robust protection for its financial systems and customers.
Use cases and outcomes of integrating Recon included:
Proactive Threat Mapping
Analysts traced threat actors’ infrastructure to their origins, monitoring for malicious activity before it impacted operations.
“We were able to see infrastructure stood up before phishing emails even went out.”
Advanced Phishing Defense
The platform enabled attribution of phishing campaigns, such as COVID-19 scams, to threat actors, blocking attacks preemptively.
“We traced malware attributes and IPs back to their source, stopping the attack in its tracks.”
Real-Time Supply Chain Monitoring
Monitoring Command and Control (C2) servers revealed potential compromises in partner infrastructure, ensuring early warnings.
“We identified compromised nodes before they impacted trusted partners.”
Streamlined Incident Investigations
The platform consolidated threat intelligence, reducing manual analysis and enabling faster, more accurate incident response.
“Recon fills the missing link, giving us external visibility we couldn’t achieve before.”
Operational Scalability
Automated workflows allowed the team to continuously monitor and respond to evolving threats, optimizing resource use.
“Team Cymru gives us a 10-fold increase in the amount of threat intelligence we can use.”
Demonstrated Results
With Recon, the financial institution was equipped to adapt its defenses against evolving cyber threats. Real-time insights into threat actor infrastructures enabled the team to block attacks before they impacted business operations. By monitoring third-party networks, the organization mitigated potential supply chain risks, safeguarding interconnected systems and protecting sensitive customer data from indirect attacks.
The team benefitted from improved operational efficiencies, as Recon eliminated false positives and streamlined triage efforts, allowing the security team to focus on high-priority threats with better business outcomes. These proactive measures maintained continuity, enhanced regulatory compliance, and reinforced the institution’s reputation as a trusted financial provider. With its strengthened cybersecurity posture, the organization successfully stayed ahead of adversaries in a dynamic threat landscape.
Preemptive Threat Defense
Identified and blocked APT infrastructure, including new Command and Control servers linked to APT 33 and 34.
Enhanced Phishing Prevention
Prevented targeted phishing campaigns before they impacted employees and customers.
Improved Supply Chain Security
Monitored partner systems for compromise, reducing contagion risks.
Faster Incident Resolution
Reduced the time required to investigate and respond to threats, ensuring business continuity.
Operational Cost Savings
Automated processes minimized manual workloads, improving efficiency and reducing costs.
Conclusion
With Team Cymru’s Pure Signal™ platform, the bank transitioned from reactive to proactive cybersecurity. Real-time visibility into global threats, proactive risk mitigation, and streamlined workflows strengthened its defenses and supported operational resilience. By safeguarding critical infrastructure and protecting customer trust, the institution reinforced its position as a leader in the financial sector.
Pure Signal™ continues to enable the organization to stay ahead of evolving threats, ensuring long-term success in a rapidly changing threat landscape.
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