Case Study
Canadian Insurance Provider
Prevented multimillion‑dollar exposure risk for Canadian insurance provider through independent security review. Critical vulnerability discovered and remediated pre‑launch, protecting partner relationships and enabling on‑schedule rollout.
At a Glance
The Challenge
A Canadian insurance provider was preparing to launch a business-critical web application to their distribution partners—but the code came from a third-party contractor with limited ongoing support. With tight deadlines looming and sensitive client data at stake, they needed independent validation that the application was secure before rollout. Any undiscovered vulnerability could expose confidential information, destroy partner trust, trigger regulatory penalties, and derail their launch timeline.
The challenge was compounded by the fact that this wasn't an in-house development. Technical support wasn't readily available, and the team was 'too close' to their own work to catch potential oversights. In the insurance industry, where everything rides on trust and compliance, a security failure could mean losing partners, facing regulatory action, and suffering reputation damage that takes years to rebuild.
Our Solution
EliteSec conducted a comprehensive web application penetration test following the OWASP Testing Guide methodology. Our systematic approach covered all critical application components over a three-week engagement: the first two weeks focused on thorough vulnerability testing, with the final week dedicated to exploring edge cases and preparing detailed documentation. When we identified a critical data exposure vulnerability—what appeared to be a copy-paste error that created a significant security gap—we immediately notified the client, coordinated directly with their vendor to discuss the finding, and validated the fix once implemented.
Technical Approach
Results & Impact
Peace of Mind & Risk Mitigation
- • Executive team could finally breathe easy about the app launch
- • Sidestepped reputation damage, regulatory fines, and partner concerns
- • Solidified distributor relationships through demonstrable security
- • Expert validation for C-level, board, and external stakeholders
Revenue Protection & Cost Savings
- • Protected against serious multimillion-dollar breach impacts
- • Fixed critical vulnerability in 3-week window vs. months of crisis response
- • Early detection dramatically cheaper than post-breach remediation
- • Avoided partner defection and legal complications
Operational Continuity
- • Hit launch deadlines without deployment delays
- • No team disruptions or partner onboarding hiccups
- • Smooth development process with immediate issue resolution
- • Maintained business momentum during critical launch phase
Extras That Surprised Us
- • Enhanced vendor accountability with documented development gaps
- • Strengthened security culture and future investment justification
- • Audit-ready documentation for regulatory compliance
- • Established independent validation process for future releases
Key Takeaways for Your Business
- Question every bit of new code — even from trusted professionals. Independent validation is your insurance policy.
- Security isn't just technical — it directly impacts reputation, partnerships, compliance, and market timing.
- Invest a little now to save big later — a three-week security review costs far less than breach remediation.
"EliteSec completed a penetration and vulnerability test against the application and was able to work with us and the third party very effectively to remediate identified issues. John's work was excellent, and very detailed; not only providing the technical details, but also demonstrations of how discovered vulnerabilities could be exploited, and recommended solutions. The level of detail provided in the initial report, and remediation scan reports provided us with confidence to launch the application successfully and securely. Thanks John and the EliteSec team!"
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