Cloud-first complexity
AWS, Azure, GCP and SaaS sprawl across product, ops and finance. Security configuration often lags feature velocity.
Why financial services security is under more scrutiny
Financial services firms, from established banks, asset managers and insurers through to digital-first lenders, wealth platforms and fintech, operate under intense regulatory scrutiny and rising client expectations on cyber security. Three pressures are pushing in at the same time.
The Financial Conduct Authority expects operational resilience under PS21/3, with firms required to identify important business services, set impact tolerances, and demonstrate they can withstand and recover from disruption, including cyber incidents. Firms with EU exposure may also need to evidence DORA compliance, and US-facing firms may face FFIEC expectations.
Boards, investors and audit committees expect security maturity that matches the firm stage and exposure. For a listed bank or asset manager, that means reporting against operational resilience and audit findings. For a private equity-backed insurer or wealth manager, it means clean technical due diligence at every refinancing. For a fintech, it means investor scrutiny at every funding round, with the floor tightening at Series B and beyond.
Tier-1 clients, including banks, asset managers and insurers, increasingly require Cyber Essentials Plus, ISO 27001 or both as a condition of doing business. Security questionnaires are getting longer, evidence requirements are getting stricter, and the firms that answer them well are the ones still being shortlisted.
Forensic Control works with financial services firms to meet all three pressures with a single coherent security programme. We understand the sector, we work to the speed financial services runs at, and we operate within Quantum Financial Holdings Limited, a relationship that has strengthened our operational capability and financial backing without changing what clients value: direct access to senior expertise, clear communication, and security advice that works.
Common security challenges in financial services
Different financial services firms face different threats, but the gaps we find in assessments cluster around the same handful of issues.
Client security questionnaires
Tier-1 banks and asset managers send 200-question security questionnaires. Answering them well takes evidence, not just policy documents.
FCA operational resilience
PS21/3 requires firms to map important business services, set impact tolerances and prove resilience under stress.
Board and investor scrutiny
Audit committees, private equity backers and venture investors all run technical due diligence. Findings can delay closes or change terms.
Application and API security
Modern financial services platforms are software products, with web, mobile and API surfaces that need testing closer to product security than corporate IT.
Reportable incidents
FCA-regulated firms have specific incident notification obligations. The clock starts the moment something material happens.
Meeting FCA and Tier-1 client expectations through Cyber Essentials Plus
For most FCA-regulated firms, Cyber Essentials Plus is the technical baseline that answers two questions at once: what evidence can we give the regulator that we have proportionate cyber security controls, and what evidence can we give Tier-1 banking clients to clear their security questionnaires? The independent technical audit, plus included vulnerability scanning, gives investors and boards a recognised baseline they can point to.
Forensic Control is an authorised IASME Certification Body, not a reseller. We have been delivering Cyber Essentials since 2017, and we work with financial services firms to make the certification process fast and predictable:
- Cyber Essentials Plus. Independent technical audit with vulnerability scanning included at no extra cost. The level Tier-1 clients typically expect.
- Cyber Essentials Duo. Basic and Plus combined at a single price point. Our most popular option for firms putting certification in place ahead of a funding round, audit or major contract.
- Pre-assessment readiness review. A short engagement before formal assessment, particularly useful for firms with hybrid cloud environments where scope can be complex.
Most financial services firms can be certified within weeks once scope is agreed. We work to your timeline, not the other way round.
Wider services for financial services
Beyond Cyber Essentials, we support financial services firms across the full security and investigations lifecycle.
Penetration testing
Application, API and infrastructure testing that exposes the risks automated scanning misses. Closer to product security testing than corporate IT testing.
Vulnerability scanning
Continuous monitoring of your environment for known vulnerabilities, with prioritised remediation guidance. Included with every CE Plus certification.
eDiscovery for financial litigation
Forensic-grade collection and review of electronic evidence for regulatory investigations, internal investigations and litigation. Led by Greg Deane.
Incident response
When something material happens, we help you contain, investigate, recover and meet your FCA notification obligations. Drawing on Metropolitan Police Hi-Tech Crime Unit experience.
"I highly recommend Forensic Control to any organisation seeking top-tier cyber security services. Their well-coordinated process, insightful guidance, and refreshing approach to cyber security set them apart. They are true experts in their field, and we are grateful for their invaluable contributions to our company's cyber security journey."
Elon Schutze
Services Director, Know Why BV
Frequently asked questions
Practical answers to the questions financial services firms ask us most often.
Is Cyber Essentials enough for an FCA-regulated firm?
How does Cyber Essentials Plus help with Tier-1 client security questionnaires?
What security work should we have in place before investor or board due diligence?
How does FCA operational resilience (PS21/3) affect our cyber security obligations?
What does a penetration test for a financial services firm involve?
How does eDiscovery support financial services firms?
How quickly can you respond to a security incident for an FCA-regulated firm?
What is the Quantum Financial Holdings relationship and how does it affect how Forensic Control operates?
Speak to a specialist about financial services cyber security
Whether you are preparing for investor due diligence, responding to a Tier-1 client security questionnaire, meeting FCA operational resilience expectations, or supporting a regulatory investigation, we can help. Book a short call to talk through where you are and what you need.
