The risk management committee and the senior leadership team of a Paythen Ltd, a major fintech company and Kyuthen Ltd, its e-commerce subsidiary convened for a strategic cybersecurity review. As both companies expanded

The risk management committee and the senior leadership team of a Paythen Ltd, a major fintech company and Kyuthen Ltd, its e-commerce subsidiary convened for a strategic cybersecurity review. As both companies expanded their digital presence, concerns over cybersecurity threats, regulatory compliance, and operational risks became more pressing. The Chief Risk Officer (CRO) opened the session by emphasizing the need for a proactive approach to cybersecurity. He invited the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) to brief the team on how the e-commerce subsidiary could enhance its network security to prevent DoS attacks and unauthorized access. The CISO suggested implementing stateful inspection to monitor network traffic dynamically, while the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) argued that proxy-based filtering would provide greater control over outbound traffic. The discussion revealed that a hybrid approach, combining multiple filtering techniques, would likely provide the best balance between security and performance. The conversation naturally evolved to secure remote and hybrid access for employees across both entities. The Head of IT Security explained that traditional VPNs were proving insufficient in handling diverse access points, and the company was considering a shift toward zero-trust architecture. The committee discussed the benefits of identity and access management solutions, including multi-factor authentication and role-based access controls. The Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) raised concerns about the impact on employee productivity, prompting a debate on how to maintain a seamless user experience while ensuring robust security. Endpoint security for personal devices also emerged as a critical topic, with the Risk Management Committee stressing the importance of strict policies and cybersecurity awareness programs. Midway through the session, the discussion shifted to a recent cybersecurity breach at competitor fintech company, where sensitive customer data had been compromised. The Compliance Officer reminded the leadership team of their obligation to report such incidents to the national cybersecurity response agency, warning that non-compliance could lead to penalties and reputational damage. The CRO questioned whether the Company's security policies were sufficiently proactive or merely reactive. The consensus was that investing in continuous threat monitoring and incident response mechanisms was essential to prevent future breaches. Attention then turned to risk management at the multinational level. The fintech company was rapidly expanding its operations, and the committee recognized the need for a globally recognized cybersecurity framework. The CIO emphasized the importance of prioritizing investments in cybersecurity infrastructure based on critical operational risks. The team explored strategies for integrating cybersecurity risk management with business objectives, ensuring that investments in cybersecurity were both effective and cost-efficient. The discussion underscored the significance of aligning cybersecurity strategies with regulatory requirements across different regions, ensuring compliance while optimizing security practices. Further complicating matters, one of the firm's major financial clients faced increasing cyber threats, including phishing, ransomware, and identity fraud. The firm was engaged in helping this client develop a robust Cyber Crisis Management Plan (CCMP) that aligned with regulatory frameworks and RBI guidelines. Cybersecurity and regulatory teams worked closely with the client to integrate proactive threat detection, swift incident response strategies, and effective recovery protocols. The firm also advised on fostering a cybersecurity-conscious corporate culture to minimize risks associated with human error. As the meeting neared its conclusion, a critical issue surfaced concerning the e-commerce subsidiary. The platform had come under legal scrutiny for allegedly enabling the sale of counterfeit products. While the Company claimed intermediary protection from liability, legal experts pointed out that this protection was contingent on demonstrating due diligence. The discussion revolved around the necessary steps the e-commerce platform should take, including setting up automated monitoring tools, strengthening seller verification processes, and swiftly acting on customer complaints regarding counterfeit goods. The committee emphasized that beyond legal compliance, ensuring a trustworthy platform was essential for maintaining customer confidence and long-term sustainability. In the light of above case scenario, how should the e-commerce subsidiary of both Paythen Ltd and Kyuthen Ltd optimize network security using hardware as well as software or combination of both to prevent DoS attacks and unauthorized access while maintaining efficiency ?