RE: Bank Audit Best practices

["Chuck Fullerton" <chuckf69 () ceinetworks com>]

My answer to this would be to check the policy and agreement between the
two.  If the bank Falls under GLBA the Audit team can request the Audit
results pertaining to the link from the partner to include in their report
as well.

I am a strong believer in a strong policy.  If you find that it is lacking
give them the choice of securing the link or contractually forcing the
remote side to secure it.  In whatever they choose ensure that Management
understands the risks involved in this link.

Good luck.

Sincerely,

Chuck Fullerton
CISSP, OPST, CSS1, CCNP, CCDA, CNA, A+
Founder, CEO
Charles W. Fullerton Institute of Analysis
www.cia-sec.com
chuck () cia-sec com


-----Original Message-----
From: Dante Mercurio [mailto:Dante () webcti com]
Sent: Wednesday, March 17, 2004 9:07 AM
To: pen-test () securityfocus com
Subject: Bank Audit Best practices


I'm looking for some feedback from other people who conduct security
audits and penetration tests on banks.

One of the network aspects I come across a lot is a direct line to their
transaction processor. This is often in the form of a point-to-point or
frame line that is dropped onsite with a router controlled by the
processor, not the bank. I always point out that this is a network
security risk, as there is no control from the bank side regarding the
access provided through that line, and recommend an ACL or departmental
firewall at that point.

As always, the administrators look at me like I recommended them selling
their firstborn. The relationship between the bank and their processor
is very symbiotic as the bank couldn't even exist without their
services, yet my perspective is any outside system should go through
some level of border security in order to monitor and restrict traffic.

Anyone run into this? How do you handle?

M. Dante Mercurio
dante () webcti com
Consulting Group Manager
Continental Technologies, Inc
www.webcti.com

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