What Are the Top Use Cases for Network Detection and Response in Finance?
Every day, banks deal with sensitive data. Customer details, account information, payment records, you name it. And that is precisely the type of data that cybercriminals are looking for.
The problem is that attackers don’t always take clear action. They might get into a network using stolen credentials, quietly access other systems, or start moving data without anyone noticing.
So, how do security teams catch them, then?
Network Detection and Response (NDR) monitors network traffic, spots unusual activity, and helps teams investigate threats.
Let’s look at some ways financial organizations can use NDR in their day-to-day security operations.
1. Catching Suspicious Activity Early
Imagine a server that usually communicates with a few internal systems suddenly starts connecting to an unfamiliar external address. Nothing else might seem wrong, but that connection could be a sign of an attack.
This is the kind of activity NDR helps security teams spot.
It monitors network traffic, flags unusual activity, and helps teams check for threats.
The benefit? Security teams don’t have to wait for an obvious sign of an attack before looking into what’s happening.
2. Finding Signs of Data Theft
Financial organizations have a lot of sensitive information to protect. If an attacker gets access to customer records or payment data, they might try to send that information outside the network.
NDR helps teams spot unusual data transfers that could indicate something is wrong.
For instance, the team can look for data theft if a worker’s computer transmits a lot of data to an unidentified server.
This is useful for spotting external attacks as well as insider threats, such as an employee sending confidential files to an unauthorized destination.
Of course, not every unusual transfer means data theft. But it’s worth checking before things get worse.
3. Spotting Ransomware Activity
Ransomware can lock important files and disrupt a financial organization’s operations. But attackers may first explore the network and access other systems before launching an attack.
NDR helps spot unusual activity, like a computer suddenly connecting to unfamiliar internal servers. This gives security teams a chance to investigate and stop the attack from spreading.
4. Monitoring Cloud and Third-Party Systems
Financial organizations rely on plenty of services outside their own networks. They might use cloud platforms, payment processors, or third-party applications to keep their operations running.
But what happens if one of those connections is compromised?
NDR keeps an eye on traffic between internal systems, cloud services, and external networks, helping teams spot and check anything unusual.
For instance, a cloud server suddenly sending data to an unfamiliar destination could be a reason to investigate.
This is particularly useful for financial organizations that have a mix of older systems, cloud services, and third-party applications. It helps them keep track of activity across these different environments.
5. Checking Hacked Accounts
An attacker with stolen employee credentials could access internal systems and sensitive data.
The security team will want to know what the attacker did once they gained access to the compromised account.
NDR can help by showing the network activity linked to the affected device or account.
For example, the team might find that the employee’s computer was communicating with a suspicious server around the time the account was compromised. That gives them another clue to investigate.
NDR doesn’t replace fraud detection tools, but it can help security teams understand the network activity behind a suspected account compromise.
6. Figuring Out What Actually Happened During an Attack
Finding a suspicious alert is one thing. Understanding what happened is another.
Security teams need answers to questions like: How did the attacker get in? Which systems did they access? Did they move any sensitive data? Are other systems affected?
NDR helps teams figure out what happened by showing network activity and past connections.
For example, if a bank spots suspicious activity on a server, the team can check where the traffic came from and whether other systems were affected. This helps them understand what happened and figure out what to do next.
7. Keeping Useful Records for Compliance
Financial organizations have rules and regulations to follow when it comes to protecting sensitive information. Depending on their operations, these may include PCI DSS, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA), and other applicable requirements.
They also need to keep track of security activity and investigate incidents when they happen.
NDR can help by providing network activity records that teams can review during investigations and audits.
It doesn’t ensure compliance, but it helps teams investigate suspicious activity and security incidents.
What Should You Look for in an NDR Solution?
If a financial organization is considering NDR, here are a few things worth checking:
- Network visibility: Can it monitor the entire network, including cloud systems?
- Threat detection: Can it spot suspicious activity and data theft?
- Investigation: Can teams review past network activity?
- Integration: Does it work with tools like SIEM and EDR?
- Scalability: Can it handle growing network traffic?
- Response: Does it help teams investigate and contain threats quickly?
Finding a solution that integrates with current systems and facilitates the work of the security team is the aim.
Conclusion
Cyberattacks don’t always come with obvious warning signs. Sometimes, all it takes is an unusual connection or an unexpected data transfer to signal that something isn’t right.
For financial organizations, a robust NDR solution like Fidelis Network® helps spot these signs and gives security teams more information to investigate. Whether they’re looking into possible data theft, suspicious account activity, or a ransomware attack, that extra visibility can make a real difference.
NDR isn’t a replacement for other security tools. It’s another way to see what’s happening across the network, catch potential threats, and give security teams a better chance of dealing with them before things get worse.
