December 29, 2023 at 03:05AM
In The Register’s On Call column, a consultant/client liaison for a security services provider shares a challenging experience with a banking client. After a state actor breach, the client’s panic purchase of defensive tools led to friction over pricing. Eventually, the CEO’s unannounced cybersecurity test caused further strain, requiring months to mend the relationship.
The meeting notes give a detailed account of “Jack’s” experience as a consultant/client liaison for a managed security services provider (MSSP) working with an African banking outfit. The situation involved a state actor’s penetration, panic purchases of defensive tools, and an unexpected test by the bank’s CEO using another cybersecurity provider. The tumultuous relationship strained by misunderstandings took four months to recover.
This provides a valuable insight into challenges faced by tech support providers when clients work against them. A story worth sharing with On Call in 2024.