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CASE STUDY

70% Labor Cost Reduction

How a Pharmaceutical Giant Transformed OT Security and Optimized Resources

INDUSTRY

Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

COMPANY SIZE

Fortune 500 global enterprise

LOCATION

Headquarters: USA
55 manufacturing locations globally

Summary

Our client, a global pharmaceutical manufacturer with 55 facilities, faced significant challenges securing its OT environment. Verve Industrial implemented its unified security platform, Verve Security Center, resulting in a 70% reduction in security-related labor costs, streamlined threat response, and a shift to a proactive security posture. The solution also improved regulatory compliance and allowed the reallocation of resources to revenue-generating activities.

Challenges

The pharmaceutical manufacturer struggled to secure its OT environment due to mismatched security tools, lack of visibility, manual processes, global scale, regulatory constraints, and infrastructure vulnerabilities.

Traditional IT security tools were inadequate for OT systems, which prioritize continuous operation over data confidentiality.

Large portions of the OT network were unmonitored, hindering accurate asset inventory and vulnerability identification.

Time-consuming manual asset management and patching increased human error risk and delayed security updates.

Strict pharmaceutical regulations slowed security measure implementation. Change control processes, while necessary for product safety, impeded rapid security updates.

Limited visibility and manual processes extended vulnerability periods. Prioritizing security efforts became difficult due to unclear asset criticality.

Assessment revealed inadequate network segmentation, unauthorized remote access, poor access control, and insufficient backups.

Verve Industrial's Solution

The pharmaceutical manufacturer partnered with Verve to implement Verve Security Center across 55 global facilities, addressing critical OT security challenges including visibility, automation, threat response, and regulatory compliance.

1. Tech-Enabled Assessment (TEA):

• Conducted deep analysis of OT environment across people, processes, and technology

• Identified security gaps and informed tailored solution design

2. Phased Implementation:

• Initial pilot in four production facilities to evaluate and refine approach

• Lessons from pilot applied to subsequent rollout across remaining 52 sites

3. Comprehensive Asset Visibility:

• Conducted deep analysis of OT environment across people, processes, and technology

• Identified security gaps and informed tailored solution design

4. Automated Inventory and Contextual Risk Scoring:

• Automated previously manual processes for inventory management and risk assessment

• Streamlined vulnerability assessments and patch coordination

• Contextual risk scoring for effective security prioritization

• Reduced human error risk and freed up valuable resources

This image outlines Verve's systematic approach to operational technology (OT) security risk management. It illustrates a step-by-step process for identifying, assessing, mitigating, and evaluating risks to OT assets. The workflow progresses from asset identification through risk assessment to mitigation strategies and residual risk evaluation. The diagram also highlights key benefits of this approach, including optimized resource allocation, improved compliance, enhanced incident readiness, and ensured operational continuity. This framework provides a holistic view of how organizations can effectively manage and reduce cybersecurity risks in their OT environments.

5. Think Global, Act Local (TGAL) Approach:

• Balanced centralized security control with localized execution

• Tailored security measures to each facility’s specific needs and maintenance windows

Think Global, Act Local: A Comprehensive Approach to OT Security Management. This image illustrates Verve's multi-tiered strategy for managing operational technology (OT) security across large organizations. It demonstrates how centralized analysis and automation at the top level inform and guide regional subject matter experts (SMEs), who in turn support local teams. This hierarchical structure enables a balance between standardized, enterprise-wide security practices and tailored, site-specific actions. The approach combines the benefits of centralized data analysis with regional expertise and local execution, allowing for both comprehensive risk management and adaptable, context-aware implementation of security measures.

6. Enhanced Infrastructure Security:

• Improved network segmentation to isolate critical systems

• Strengthened access control mechanisms

• Upgraded backup capabilities to ensure data and system recovery

7. Accelerated Threat Response:

• Implemented efficient vulnerability management workflow

• Significantly reduced time to address and mitigate security threats

• Minimized window of exposure to potential attacks

8. Regulatory Compliance:

• Aligned security practices with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards

• Implemented robust change management and audit trail capabilities

• Enhanced reporting features to support regulatory requirements

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Outcome and Benefits

The implementation of Verve Security Center resulted in a dramatic reduction in manual labor costs associated with security management. The pharmaceutical manufacturer achieved a remarkable 70% decrease in these expenses, translating to an annual saving of nearly $700,000. This substantial cost reduction was primarily driven by the automation of previously manual tasks, such as vulnerability assessments and patch management, which had formerly cost the company almost $1 million annually.

Additional key benefits included:

Reduced Manual Effort

Streamlined assessments and patch management

Faster Response

Shifted from multi-day process to real-time assessment and action

Total OT Visibility

Eliminated blind spots across the entire OT environment

Risk Prioritization

Implemented contextual risk scoring for focused security efforts

Resource Optimization

Freed engineering staff for revenue-generating activities

Security Roadmap

Developed clear plan for ongoing OT security enhancements

Proactive Security

Transformed approach from reactive to proactive

Regulatory Compliance

Ensured adherence to industry standards and regulations

“This implementation marks a pivotal shift for the pharmaceutical manufacturer. With Verve Security Center, they've transitioned from a reactive to a proactive security posture based on contextual risk information, enabling early threat detection and prevention.”
John Doe, VP of Solutions, Verve Industrial

This transformation not only strengthened the company’s security posture but also aligned its OT security practices with regulatory requirements and industry best practices. The success of this implementation demonstrates the powerful impact of technology-enabled security solutions in complex OT environments.

Moving forward, the company is well-positioned to face evolving cyber threats, with a scalable, efficient security framework that supports both operational excellence and innovation. This case study underscores the potential of advanced OT security solutions to deliver tangible business value while safeguarding critical infrastructure.

For more information on how Verve Industrial can help you achieve similar results, contact us.