Elevating Security with Privileged Access Management and Identity Governance
About the Customer
A premier financial institution operating across West Africa, this leading bank delivers essential banking and financial services to millions of customers. Facing rapidly evolving cyber threats and stringent regulatory demands, the institution embarked on a digital transformation to enhance security while ensuring seamless customer service.
Customer Challenge
As the bank expanded its cloud infrastructure, managing privileged access became increasingly complex. Manual processes for provisioning and revoking elevated permissions left persistent access points that exposed the institution to insider threats and unauthorized access.
Fragmented security controls across multiple regions resulted in inconsistent enforcement of policies and heightened risks of non-compliance with regulatory standards. Without a dynamic, automated solution, the institution risked data breaches, operational inefficiencies, and potential financial and reputational damage.
Partner Solution
To address these challenges, the institution partnered with an AWS Security Competency Partner to implement a robust solution centered on Privileged Access Management (PAM) and Identity Governance & Administration (IGA). The solution was built using a suite of AWS-native services, each playing a key role in fortifying security and streamlining operations.
The journey began by establishing secure communications and trusted connections using AWS Certificate Manager, which managed SSL/TLS certificates to encrypt all data in transit. Critical compute workloads were hosted on Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2), ensuring that security applications and monitoring systems operated on high-performance, scalable infrastructure.
Traffic management and global accessibility were enhanced through AWS Route 53 for secure DNS resolution and Amazon CloudFront for content delivery with integrated DDoS protection. The solution also leveraged AWS Direct Connect to create a dedicated, secure link between on-premises systems and the AWS cloud, reducing latency and exposure to external threats.
At the core of identity governance, AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) enforced fine-grained, role-based access controls, ensuring that users and administrators had only the minimum required permissions. AWS Secrets Manager was deployed to securely store and automatically rotate sensitive credentials, while AWS Directory Service centralized identity management across the bank’s hybrid environment.
Network security was bolstered using AWS Virtual Private Cloud (VPC), which isolated critical workloads, while AWS Network Firewall and AWS Web Application Firewall (WAF) provided robust perimeter protection against web-based attacks and unauthorized traffic. To distribute application traffic efficiently and securely, Elastic Load Balancing (ELB) was used, ensuring that security applications maintained high availability.
Data management and compliance played a vital role in the solution. Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS) stored audit logs and transaction data in a secure, managed environment. Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3), combined with Elastic File System (EFS), offered scalable storage solutions for backup, logging, and archival data—all encrypted via AWS Key Management Service (KMS). AWS Config continuously monitored resource configurations to enforce compliance with internal and regulatory standards, while Amazon CloudWatch tracked operational metrics and generated real-time alerts for anomalies.
For application and containerized workloads, Amazon Elastic Container Service (ECS) and Amazon EC2 Container Registry (ECR) ensured that security updates and patches were deployed seamlessly. AWS Support (Business) provided expert guidance throughout the implementation, while AWS SageMaker was utilized to develop machine learning models for anomaly detection, further enhancing the bank’s proactive threat detection capabilities.
Crucially, the solution introduced a Just-in-Time (JIT) access model. By automating the provisioning and revocation of elevated privileges, the system ensured that temporary access was granted only when necessary, reducing the window for potential abuse and streamlining compliance.
Primary AWS Services Used
- AWS Certificate Manager: Manages SSL/TLS certificates for secure communication.
- Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2): Hosts critical workloads.
- AWS Route 53: Provides secure DNS resolution.
- AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM): Enforces fine-grained access controls.
- AWS Secrets Manager: Securely stores and rotates privileged credentials.
- AWS Directory Service: Centralizes identity management.
- AWS Network Firewall & WAF: Protects against unauthorized traffic and web-based attacks.
- Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS): Stores audit logs and transaction data.
- Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3): Stores backup and archival data securely.
- AWS Config: Monitors resource configurations for compliance.
- Amazon CloudWatch: Tracks operational metrics and alerts for anomalies.
- Amazon Elastic Container Service (ECS) & EC2 Container Registry (ECR): Manages containerized workloads.
- AWS SageMaker: Enhances threat detection with machine learning.
- AWS Direct Connect: Provides a secure link between on-premises and AWS.
- AWS Support (Business): Offers expert guidance.
Results and Benefits
By integrating AWS-native security services into a unified PAM and IGA framework, the institution achieved transformative benefits:
- 75% Reduction in Persistent Privileges: Automated, JIT-based access significantly minimized the risks associated with long-term elevated access.
- 60% Faster Provisioning and Revocation: Streamlined identity and access management processes reduced manual interventions and improved operational efficiency.
- Enhanced Regulatory Compliance: Continuous monitoring and automated configuration checks simplified audits and ensured adherence to industry standards.
- Improved Threat Detection and Response: Real-time monitoring and advanced analytics, including machine learning with AWS SageMaker, accelerated incident response and reduced potential breach impacts.
About the Partner
Qucoon is an AWS Advanced Consulting Partner and an AWS Advanced Training Partner, creating and driving AWS Cloud values for enterprise and public sector customers across geographies through:
- Cloud strategy, migration & modernization
- Solutions engineering & managed services
- Machine Learning & AI
- FinOps and cost optimization
About Client
About the Customer
A premier financial institution operating across West Africa, this leading bank delivers essential banking and financial services to millions of customers. Facing rapidly evolving cyber threats and stringent regulatory demands, the institution embarked on a digital transformation to enhance security while ensuring seamless customer service.
Customer Challenge
As the bank expanded its cloud infrastructure, managing privileged access became increasingly complex. Manual processes for provisioning and revoking elevated permissions left persistent access points that exposed the institution to insider threats and unauthorized access.
Fragmented security controls across multiple regions resulted in inconsistent enforcement of policies and heightened risks of non-compliance with regulatory standards. Without a dynamic, automated solution, the institution risked data breaches, operational inefficiencies, and potential financial and reputational damage.
Partner Solution
To address these challenges, the institution partnered with an AWS Security Competency Partner to implement a robust solution centered on Privileged Access Management (PAM) and Identity Governance & Administration (IGA). The solution was built using a suite of AWS-native services, each playing a key role in fortifying security and streamlining operations.
The journey began by establishing secure communications and trusted connections using AWS Certificate Manager, which managed SSL/TLS certificates to encrypt all data in transit. Critical compute workloads were hosted on Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2), ensuring that security applications and monitoring systems operated on high-performance, scalable infrastructure.
Traffic management and global accessibility were enhanced through AWS Route 53 for secure DNS resolution and Amazon CloudFront for content delivery with integrated DDoS protection. The solution also leveraged AWS Direct Connect to create a dedicated, secure link between on-premises systems and the AWS cloud, reducing latency and exposure to external threats.
At the core of identity governance, AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) enforced fine-grained, role-based access controls, ensuring that users and administrators had only the minimum required permissions. AWS Secrets Manager was deployed to securely store and automatically rotate sensitive credentials, while AWS Directory Service centralized identity management across the bank’s hybrid environment.
Network security was bolstered using AWS Virtual Private Cloud (VPC), which isolated critical workloads, while AWS Network Firewall and AWS Web Application Firewall (WAF) provided robust perimeter protection against web-based attacks and unauthorized traffic. To distribute application traffic efficiently and securely, Elastic Load Balancing (ELB) was used, ensuring that security applications maintained high availability.
Data management and compliance played a vital role in the solution. Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS) stored audit logs and transaction data in a secure, managed environment. Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3), combined with Elastic File System (EFS), offered scalable storage solutions for backup, logging, and archival data—all encrypted via AWS Key Management Service (KMS). AWS Config continuously monitored resource configurations to enforce compliance with internal and regulatory standards, while Amazon CloudWatch tracked operational metrics and generated real-time alerts for anomalies.
For application and containerized workloads, Amazon Elastic Container Service (ECS) and Amazon EC2 Container Registry (ECR) ensured that security updates and patches were deployed seamlessly. AWS Support (Business) provided expert guidance throughout the implementation, while AWS SageMaker was utilized to develop machine learning models for anomaly detection, further enhancing the bank’s proactive threat detection capabilities.
Crucially, the solution introduced a Just-in-Time (JIT) access model. By automating the provisioning and revocation of elevated privileges, the system ensured that temporary access was granted only when necessary, reducing the window for potential abuse and streamlining compliance.
Primary AWS Services Used
- AWS Certificate Manager: Manages SSL/TLS certificates for secure communication.
- Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2): Hosts critical workloads.
- AWS Route 53: Provides secure DNS resolution.
- AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM): Enforces fine-grained access controls.
- AWS Secrets Manager: Securely stores and rotates privileged credentials.
- AWS Directory Service: Centralizes identity management.
- AWS Network Firewall & WAF: Protects against unauthorized traffic and web-based attacks.
- Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS): Stores audit logs and transaction data.
- Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3): Stores backup and archival data securely.
- AWS Config: Monitors resource configurations for compliance.
- Amazon CloudWatch: Tracks operational metrics and alerts for anomalies.
- Amazon Elastic Container Service (ECS) & EC2 Container Registry (ECR): Manages containerized workloads.
- AWS SageMaker: Enhances threat detection with machine learning.
- AWS Direct Connect: Provides a secure link between on-premises and AWS.
- AWS Support (Business): Offers expert guidance.
Results and Benefits
By integrating AWS-native security services into a unified PAM and IGA framework, the institution achieved transformative benefits:
- 75% Reduction in Persistent Privileges: Automated, JIT-based access significantly minimized the risks associated with long-term elevated access.
- 60% Faster Provisioning and Revocation: Streamlined identity and access management processes reduced manual interventions and improved operational efficiency.
- Enhanced Regulatory Compliance: Continuous monitoring and automated configuration checks simplified audits and ensured adherence to industry standards.
- Improved Threat Detection and Response: Real-time monitoring and advanced analytics, including machine learning with AWS SageMaker, accelerated incident response and reduced potential breach impacts.
About the Partner
Qucoon is an AWS Advanced Consulting Partner and an AWS Advanced Training Partner, creating and driving AWS Cloud values for enterprise and public sector customers across geographies through:
- Cloud strategy, migration & modernization
- Solutions engineering & managed services
- Machine Learning & AI
- FinOps and cost optimization
Business Background
About the Customer
A premier financial institution operating across West Africa, this leading bank delivers essential banking and financial services to millions of customers. Facing rapidly evolving cyber threats and stringent regulatory demands, the institution embarked on a digital transformation to enhance security while ensuring seamless customer service.
Customer Challenge
As the bank expanded its cloud infrastructure, managing privileged access became increasingly complex. Manual processes for provisioning and revoking elevated permissions left persistent access points that exposed the institution to insider threats and unauthorized access.
Fragmented security controls across multiple regions resulted in inconsistent enforcement of policies and heightened risks of non-compliance with regulatory standards. Without a dynamic, automated solution, the institution risked data breaches, operational inefficiencies, and potential financial and reputational damage.
Partner Solution
To address these challenges, the institution partnered with an AWS Security Competency Partner to implement a robust solution centered on Privileged Access Management (PAM) and Identity Governance & Administration (IGA). The solution was built using a suite of AWS-native services, each playing a key role in fortifying security and streamlining operations.
The journey began by establishing secure communications and trusted connections using AWS Certificate Manager, which managed SSL/TLS certificates to encrypt all data in transit. Critical compute workloads were hosted on Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2), ensuring that security applications and monitoring systems operated on high-performance, scalable infrastructure.
Traffic management and global accessibility were enhanced through AWS Route 53 for secure DNS resolution and Amazon CloudFront for content delivery with integrated DDoS protection. The solution also leveraged AWS Direct Connect to create a dedicated, secure link between on-premises systems and the AWS cloud, reducing latency and exposure to external threats.
At the core of identity governance, AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) enforced fine-grained, role-based access controls, ensuring that users and administrators had only the minimum required permissions. AWS Secrets Manager was deployed to securely store and automatically rotate sensitive credentials, while AWS Directory Service centralized identity management across the bank’s hybrid environment.
Network security was bolstered using AWS Virtual Private Cloud (VPC), which isolated critical workloads, while AWS Network Firewall and AWS Web Application Firewall (WAF) provided robust perimeter protection against web-based attacks and unauthorized traffic. To distribute application traffic efficiently and securely, Elastic Load Balancing (ELB) was used, ensuring that security applications maintained high availability.
Data management and compliance played a vital role in the solution. Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS) stored audit logs and transaction data in a secure, managed environment. Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3), combined with Elastic File System (EFS), offered scalable storage solutions for backup, logging, and archival data—all encrypted via AWS Key Management Service (KMS). AWS Config continuously monitored resource configurations to enforce compliance with internal and regulatory standards, while Amazon CloudWatch tracked operational metrics and generated real-time alerts for anomalies.
For application and containerized workloads, Amazon Elastic Container Service (ECS) and Amazon EC2 Container Registry (ECR) ensured that security updates and patches were deployed seamlessly. AWS Support (Business) provided expert guidance throughout the implementation, while AWS SageMaker was utilized to develop machine learning models for anomaly detection, further enhancing the bank’s proactive threat detection capabilities.
Crucially, the solution introduced a Just-in-Time (JIT) access model. By automating the provisioning and revocation of elevated privileges, the system ensured that temporary access was granted only when necessary, reducing the window for potential abuse and streamlining compliance.
Primary AWS Services Used
- AWS Certificate Manager: Manages SSL/TLS certificates for secure communication.
- Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2): Hosts critical workloads.
- AWS Route 53: Provides secure DNS resolution.
- AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM): Enforces fine-grained access controls.
- AWS Secrets Manager: Securely stores and rotates privileged credentials.
- AWS Directory Service: Centralizes identity management.
- AWS Network Firewall & WAF: Protects against unauthorized traffic and web-based attacks.
- Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS): Stores audit logs and transaction data.
- Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3): Stores backup and archival data securely.
- AWS Config: Monitors resource configurations for compliance.
- Amazon CloudWatch: Tracks operational metrics and alerts for anomalies.
- Amazon Elastic Container Service (ECS) & EC2 Container Registry (ECR): Manages containerized workloads.
- AWS SageMaker: Enhances threat detection with machine learning.
- AWS Direct Connect: Provides a secure link between on-premises and AWS.
- AWS Support (Business): Offers expert guidance.
Results and Benefits
By integrating AWS-native security services into a unified PAM and IGA framework, the institution achieved transformative benefits:
- 75% Reduction in Persistent Privileges: Automated, JIT-based access significantly minimized the risks associated with long-term elevated access.
- 60% Faster Provisioning and Revocation: Streamlined identity and access management processes reduced manual interventions and improved operational efficiency.
- Enhanced Regulatory Compliance: Continuous monitoring and automated configuration checks simplified audits and ensured adherence to industry standards.
- Improved Threat Detection and Response: Real-time monitoring and advanced analytics, including machine learning with AWS SageMaker, accelerated incident response and reduced potential breach impacts.
About the Partner
Qucoon is an AWS Advanced Consulting Partner and an AWS Advanced Training Partner, creating and driving AWS Cloud values for enterprise and public sector customers across geographies through:
- Cloud strategy, migration & modernization
- Solutions engineering & managed services
- Machine Learning & AI
- FinOps and cost optimization
