Strengthening Security for a Large-Scale Whiskey Distiller
Lockstock helped eliminate vulnerabilities in the whiskey distiller’s client-facing web application.
Client Overview
A large-scale whiskey distiller with an international presence developed a proprietary web application to process sensitive client information, allowing them to refine and expand production of their exclusive whiskey blends. The company sought to ensure the security and integrity of the application while also demonstrating its security posture to clients and prospects who required risk assurance before engaging with the platform. They reached out to LockStock for help.
Problem Statement
The client needed an attestation of security to assure customers that using the web application would not expose them to cyber risk. The company faced two key challenges:
Trust and adoption – Without an independent security assessment, potential clients and partners were hesitant to use the platform.
Risk of breach – The web app could be a target for cyberattacks, jeopardizing proprietary data, client confidentiality, and regulatory compliance.
Additionally, the company had ISO compliance goals but needed guidance on addressing security gaps.
Scope of Engagement
We provided a comprehensive security assessment that included:
Penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities in the web application and supporting infrastructure.
Risk assessment to evaluate overall cybersecurity posture and alignment with industry best practices.
Risk mitigation planning to address security gaps and provide a roadmap for ongoing security improvements.
This engagement was project-based, with a follow-up request to assess the company’s cloud security posture and ISO compliance readiness, pending procurement approval.
Approach & Solution
Leveraging NIST 800-115, OWASP Top 10, OWASP ASVS, and MITRE ATT&CK, we conducted:
Web application penetration testing following NIST 800-115 guidelines, simulating real-world attack scenarios to uncover vulnerabilities.
Secure code review and threat modeling using OWASP ASVS to assess the application's security architecture against common attack vectors.
Third-party risk evaluation to ensure vendor integrations did not introduce additional risks.
Security roadmap development outlining a structured vulnerability management program, secure SDLC practices, and cloud security improvements to support the client’s long-term security and compliance goals.
Results & Impact
Significantly reduced risk exposure through remediation of identified vulnerabilities.
Improved security posture with clear security controls aligned with ISO compliance goals.
Stronger client confidence leading to increased adoption of the web application.
Actionable remediation roadmap to integrate vulnerability management and security best practices into their development lifecycle.
Client Testimonial
“We came into this engagement looking for an independent security review of our web application, and we left with far more than we expected. The depth of risk analysis, attention to detail, and ability to explain complex security issues in a way that leadership could understand made this one of the most valuable security assessments we have ever undertaken.
Not only did we gain confidence in the security of our application, but we also identified additional areas where we could improve our overall risk management approach. Because of the quality of this engagement, we are moving forward with further assessments on our cloud security posture and a roadmap toward ISO compliance.”
Lessons Learned & Best Practices
Security attestation is critical for SaaS adoption. Organizations that handle sensitive data must be able to demonstrate their security posture to earn the trust of clients and partners.
