Zero-Trust Architecture for a Multi-Cloud SaaS Platform
Redesigned a flat network architecture into a zero-trust model across AWS and Azure, reducing the attack surface by 73% and cutting incident response time from 4 hours to 15 minutes.
The Challenge
An enterprise SaaS company running across AWS and Azure had a flat network with no segmentation, excessive admin privileges, and minimal detection capabilities. A near-miss incident prompted the board to mandate a security architecture overhaul.
- 1Flat network architecture with no microsegmentation across two cloud providers
- 2142 users with standing admin access (only 12 required it)
- 3Near-miss lateral movement incident that took 4 hours to contain
- 4No infrastructure-as-code security baselines or drift detection
- 5Pen test findings: 23 critical, 41 high-severity vulnerabilities
Our Approach
Executed a 3-month security architecture redesign following zero-trust principles, with minimal disruption to engineering velocity.
Architecture Assessment
Mapped the entire cloud footprint across AWS and Azure. Documented data flows, trust boundaries, and identified 23 critical vulnerabilities in the current architecture.
Zero-Trust Design
Designed microsegmentation strategy, implemented least-privilege RBAC, and deployed identity-aware proxies. Reduced standing admin access from 142 users to 12 with just-in-time elevation.
Infrastructure as Code
Codified all security controls in Terraform modules with automated compliance scanning. Built drift detection to alert on unauthorized configuration changes within 5 minutes.
Detection Engineering
Deployed SIEM with 35 custom detection rules mapped to MITRE ATT&CK. Built automated response playbooks that reduced mean-time-to-respond from 4 hours to 15 minutes.
The Results
The follow-up pen test returned zero critical findings. The board received its first quantified risk dashboard, and the company passed its SOC 2 Type II renewal with no exceptions.
Our previous architecture was a ticking time bomb. Adil rebuilt our security foundation in 3 months without slowing down a single sprint. The pen test results speak for themselves.
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