Projects

Network Merger and Implementation Plan

Project Overview

One of my most challenging recent projects involved developing a comprehensive Network Merger and Implementation Plan for a financial company’s acquisition of a medical software provider. This case study highlights my approach to secure network design, compliance management, and strategic implementation.

Business Context

Company A: A global financial institution based in the United States providing various financial products including checking accounts, bank cards, and investment products.

Company B: A smaller specialized company offering software solutions to medical providers with credit card payment capabilities, no dedicated cybersecurity personnel, and reliance on third-party infrastructure support.

The Challenge

Following the acquisition, I was tasked with creating a secure network design that would:

• Integrate both companies’ networks seamlessly
• Implement zero trust principles
• Incorporate both on-premises and cloud infrastructure
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements
• Utilize cloud-based technologies for security
• Stay within a first-year budget of $50,000

My Approach

1. Vulnerability and Risk Assessment

I began by conducting a thorough analysis of both companies’ networks, including:

• Identifying security vulnerabilities in each network
• Assessing the impact, risk, and likelihood of each vulnerability
• Examining existing infrastructure weaknesses
• Analyzing current security capabilities and tools

2. Network Topology Design

Based on the assessment, I developed a comprehensive network topology that:

• Merged the strengths of both companies’ existing networks
• Added critical security components
• Eliminated redundancies
• Repurposed existing resources to maximize budget efficiency
• Referenced all components to the OSI model and TCP/IP protocol stack for clarity

3. Security Design Principles

The network design incorporated key secure network principles including:

• Defense in depth strategies
• Zero trust architecture
• Segmentation based on business function
• Least privilege access controls
• Enhanced monitoring capabilities

4. Regulatory Compliance

A critical aspect of the project involved ensuring compliance with:

• Financial industry regulations for Company A
• Healthcare data protection requirements relevant to Company B’s medical software
• Payment card industry standards for credit card processing

5. Threat Analysis

The implementation plan included a detailed analysis of:

• Emerging threats applicable to the merged organization
• Potential network security risks in the proposed topology
• Performance impact considerations
• Mitigation strategies for identified risks

Implementation Recommendations

My final recommendations included:

• A phased implementation approach to minimize disruption
• Cost-benefit analysis comparing on-premises vs. cloud solutions
• Strategic use of both cloud and on-premises infrastructure
• Detailed budget allocation within the $50,000 constraint
• Security monitoring and management procedures

Outcomes

The implementation of this plan resulted in:

• A secure, integrated network environment
• Enhanced security capabilities across the organization
• Compliance with all relevant regulatory frameworks
• Efficient use of existing resources
• Foundation for future scalability and growth

Key Takeaways

This project reinforced several important principles in network security design:

1. A thorough assessment of existing vulnerabilities is essential before integration
2. Budget constraints can be addressed through strategic repurposing of existing components
3. Regulatory compliance must be baked into the design from the beginning
4. Cloud technologies can provide cost-effective security enhancements
5. Zero trust principles are increasingly critical in merged environments

For organizations facing similar challenges, I recommend starting with a comprehensive assessment of current states before designing future states, and maintaining a strong focus on both security and business requirements throughout the process.

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If you’re interested in learning more about my approach to secure network design or discussing your organization’s cybersecurity needs, feel free to contact me.