Zero Trust Identity Architecture Reduces Breach Risk by 80% for a Global Financial Services Firm
A global financial services firm operating across 14 countries faced mounting identity-related security incidents — credential theft, over-privileged accounts, and shadow IT access that bypassed traditional perimeter controls. Vimix designed and implemented a Zero Trust Identity Architecture, replacing legacy VPN-based access with continuous identity verification, least-privilege access controls, and real-time threat intelligence. The result was an 80% reduction in identity-related breach risk and full compliance with SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001 requirements.
Project Overview
The Challenge
The firm's workforce had grown rapidly through acquisitions, leaving behind a fragmented identity estate: multiple Active Directory forests, inconsistent MFA enforcement, and thousands of dormant privileged accounts. Remote work had accelerated shadow IT adoption, with employees accessing sensitive financial systems through unmanaged devices and unsanctioned applications. Traditional perimeter-based security could not detect lateral movement once credentials were compromised, and audit teams struggled to produce access evidence for regulators without weeks of manual effort.
Our Solution
Vimix's Zero Trust Identity Architecture engagement transformed the firm's security posture from a perimeter-dependent model to a continuous, identity-centric verification approach.
Project Details
Quick Actions
Our Approach
Identity Discovery & Risk Assessment
We conducted a comprehensive discovery of all identity stores — on-premises Active Directory, cloud directories, SaaS applications, and privileged accounts. Using automated tooling, we mapped access entitlements, identified dormant and over-privileged accounts, and scored risk across 40,000+ identities. This baseline became the foundation for the Zero Trust policy model.
Zero Trust Architecture Design
We designed a Zero Trust architecture based on the principle of 'never trust, always verify'. Every access request — regardless of network location — was evaluated against identity, device health, location, and behavioural context. We defined policy enforcement points at the application layer, replacing VPN tunnels with identity-aware proxies and conditional access policies.
Privileged Access Management (PAM) Implementation
We deployed a PAM solution to vault, rotate, and monitor all privileged credentials. Just-in-time (JIT) access workflows replaced standing privileges for administrators, and session recording was enabled for all privileged sessions. Automated de-provisioning eliminated dormant accounts within 24 hours of employee departure.
Adaptive Multi-Factor Authentication Rollout
We implemented adaptive MFA across all applications — cloud, on-premises, and legacy — using risk-based step-up authentication. High-risk scenarios (new device, unusual location, sensitive data access) triggered additional verification, while low-risk routine access remained frictionless. Phishing-resistant FIDO2 keys were deployed for the most sensitive roles.
Identity Governance & Compliance Automation
We deployed an Identity Governance and Administration (IGA) platform to automate access request, approval, certification, and revocation workflows. Access reviews that previously took six weeks were reduced to 72 hours. Compliance reports for SOC 2 and ISO 27001 auditors were generated automatically, eliminating manual evidence collection.
Impact & Results
80% Reduction in Identity-Related Breach Risk
Elimination of standing privileges, enforcement of least-privilege access, and continuous identity verification dramatically reduced the attack surface and lateral movement opportunities for threat actors.
SOC 2 Type II & ISO 27001 Compliance Achieved
Automated access governance and audit reporting enabled the firm to pass both certifications on the first attempt, with auditors commending the quality and completeness of evidence.
72-Hour Access Reviews vs. Six Weeks
Automated access certification campaigns replaced manual spreadsheet-driven reviews, freeing compliance teams for higher-value risk analysis work.
Zero Standing Privileges for Administrators
Just-in-time access workflows eliminated 100% of standing privileged accounts, removing the most common vector for insider threat and credential-based attacks.
Technology Stack
Identity & Access Management
Privileged Access Management
Identity Governance
Zero Trust Network Access
Related Services & Industries
Services Used
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Project Conclusion
Vimix's Zero Trust Identity Architecture engagement transformed the firm's security posture from a perimeter-dependent model to a continuous, identity-centric verification approach. By eliminating standing privileges, enforcing adaptive MFA, and automating governance, the firm achieved both regulatory compliance and a measurable reduction in breach risk — demonstrating that identity security and operational efficiency are not competing priorities.