Unified Security Solution – Jharkhand State Cooperative Bank Ltd.
Unified Security Solution
Problem
- Limitations of physical banking infrastructure hindered security deployment.
- Difficulties in delivery and installation of security services at endpoints.
- Complex integration challenges with MDR, XDR, XSOAR, Firewalls, and Active Directory.
- Compliance mandates for protecting sensitive financial data.
- Balancing stringent security needs with smooth business efficiency
Solution
- Designed a unified architecture integrating Cortex XDR, XSOAR, Next-Gen Firewalls, and AI/ML technologies.
- Established a Security Operations Centre (SOC) for centralized threat monitoring and response.
- Deployed redundant networks using SD-WAN technology for high availability.
- Implemented auto-incident generation and intelligent response systems.
- Ensured encryption, access controls, and real-time monitoring across all digital assets.
Outcomes
- Established a secured environment for safe banking transactions.
- Reduced security incidents with improved detection and faster response.
- Strengthened cybersecurity posture and reduced overall risk exposure.
- Achieved comprehensive protection of data, servers, networks, and applications.
- Enhanced cyber compliance management across all bank branches and data centers.
Innovations
- Integrated AI and ML for behavioral monitoring and predictive threat detection.
- Automated threat detection, investigation, and orchestration through XSOAR.
- Created a logical cybersecurity perimeter with unified protection layers.
- Centralized log collection and analysis using advanced SIEM features within XSOAR.
- Introduced auto-failover redundant WAN networks for uninterrupted operations.
Challenges
- Securing approval for implementing a novel and complex security architecture.
- Procuring cost-effective yet highly specialized hardware and software.
- Ensuring simplified operation and management for technical teams.
- Overcoming dependency on network uptime and provider performance.
- Continuously upgrading security expertise and financial investment requirements.
SKOCH Award Nominee
Category: Banks
Sub-Category: Technology – Cyber Security
Project: Unified Security Solution
Start Date: 7-24-2024
Organisation: Jharkhand State Cooperative Bank Ltd.
Respondent: Bibha Singh
https://jscb.gov.in/
Level: BFSI – 4
Video
See Presentation
Gallery
Case Study
Unified Security Solution – Jharkhand State Cooperative Bank Ltd.
The Unified Security Solution project by Jharkhand State Cooperative Bank Ltd. (JSCB) marks a significant milestone in the bank’s cybersecurity journey. Recognizing the increasing sophistication of cyber threats targeting the financial sector, JSCB launched this comprehensive initiative in 2025. The solution integrates advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Cortex XDR, XSOAR, and Next-Gen Firewalls to establish a robust security framework ensuring the safety of banking transactions.
The genesis of this project dates back to 2023, when the bank, during a network upgrade, identified vulnerabilities in its existing security infrastructure. Realizing the urgency to fortify its defenses, the bank embarked on a detailed exploration of available technologies, developing a sustainable plan that culminated in the Unified Security Solution. Approval for the project was secured, procurement commenced in 2024, and the full-scale implementation was completed in 2025.
The project aimed to provide end-to-end protection for all endpoints, servers, and systems involved in banking operations. It sought to establish a centralized cybersecurity platform, enable real-time threat monitoring, automate incident generation, and ensure the safety of financial transactions. The core components of the solution included a logical security perimeter protecting digital assets, redundant Next-Gen Firewalls with Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS), Cortex XDR for endpoint security, Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) for application security, encrypted data protection, and dual MPLS WAN links with SD-WAN technology for network redundancy. Additionally, Cortex XSOAR was employed for centralized log collection, analysis, and incident response, while a dedicated Security Operations Centre (SOC) was established at the Disaster Recovery site for continuous security management.
The bank’s architecture incorporated unified MPLS and Internet Leased Line networks, redundant firewalls and routers, Broker Virtual Machines for endpoint services, up-to-date Cortex XDR and XSOAR systems, local XSOAR engines for data analytics, dedicated proxy servers, and Web Application Firewalls. This sophisticated system facilitated centralized monitoring, threat detection, behavioral analysis, asset discovery, vulnerability assessment, automated threat detection, investigation orchestration, and intelligent response.
The implementation process followed a structured approach beginning with architecture design and approval, followed by platform development and testing. Devices were procured after thorough market evaluation, a pilot deployment phase tested the system’s efficacy, and finally, a full-scale rollout was executed. Despite its successful deployment, the project encountered several challenges, including obtaining approval for the novel solution, selecting cost-effective yet high-performing hardware and software, ensuring precise procurement, integrating security features tailored for banking, simplifying system operations for technical teams, and overcoming physical infrastructure limitations. Complexities also arose in integrating the MDR platform with XDR, XSOAR, Firewalls, and Active Directory while adhering to strict compliance mandates and balancing security with business efficiency.
The project yielded numerous positive outcomes, such as creating a secure environment for financial transactions, providing comprehensive protection against cyber threats, enhancing the bank’s security posture, enabling automated threat detection and centralized response, simplifying maintenance, and ensuring holistic protection across data, servers, endpoints, networks, and applications. It also improved cyber compliance management, significantly reduced security incidents, and enhanced response times.
Cost-effectiveness was a hallmark of the project. Leveraging JSCB’s existing redundant network infrastructure minimized expenses, with costs primarily associated with deploying new security tools, their integration, and network upgrades over SD-WAN technology. The total project cost was approximately INR 8 Crores, covering both security components and network enhancements.
Looking ahead, JSCB plans to integrate additional security tools like dedicated SIEM solutions, continuously update security policies, enhance employee training, segment the security department for specialized focus, and maintain centralized control while adapting to technological advancements. The project emphasized the importance of proactive innovation and continuous improvement, highlighting the necessity for ongoing monitoring, dependency management on network providers, staying current with security advancements, managing financial implications, and maintaining technical expertise.
For more information, please contact:
Bibha Singh at chairman@jscb.gov.in
(The content on the page is provided by the Exhibitor)