Keeping pace with modern retail cyberthreats
The European retail sector is a prime target for threat actors focused on exploiting it as a rich source of personal data, or on using ransomware for a rapid payout without the need for data exfiltration. To defend against today’s cyberthreats, this supermarket cooperative needed to:
- Strengthen endpoint security: outmoded endpoint security lacked visibility and required excessive administration. For example, it needed robust protection on the cash registers in stores, but traditional solutions proved resource intensive.
- Secure remote workers: the global pandemic required 500 people to work from home. The existing VPN struggled to cope with the extra demand for bandwidth, and most devices were inadequately protected by the legacy technology.
- Ensure 24/7 retail operations: fragmented cybersecurity tools lacked the visibility and control required to deliver a fully secure, always-on retail experience to its cooperative members.
"We want to ensure uninterrupted business continuity. Our focus is on protecting sensitive data, automating data security governance, and following Zero Trust principles."
Chief Information Office
European supermarket cooperative
“Complete visibility and simple administration”
The European supermarket cooperative standardised on a unified Palo Alto Networks platform, which safeguards the business from every type of threat across every application. Spanning secure access service edge (SASE) and network and endpoint security, this consolidated approach is simpler, more efficient, and more secure than separate point solutions.
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Delivers best-in-class protection
More than 300 Next-generation firewalls (NGFWs) powered by Precision AI® with natively integrated protection are deployed across the branch network – two per site for high availability.
“Wherever there is a server farm, a point of sale, a device with internet access or access to a network outside of our immediate control, there’s a firewall,” says the Head of Networking.
The organisation is also trialling the Palo Alto Networks Industrial OT Security internet of things (IoT) solution to discover and maintain a real-time inventory of the IoT devices on the network. This enables vulnerable devices including sensors, cameras, and door-access devices to receive best-in-class protection at all times.
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Provides full visibility and automation-driven security
Cortex XDR is seamlessly integrated as a unified, endpoint-based extended detection and response platform to protect against advanced threats. Cortex XDR integrates data from numerous sources across the security and IT estate, enhancing threat protection and investigations. Cortex XDR agents are also deployed across 1,000 endpoints, enabling continuous monitoring and threat detection.
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Improves threat defence and security posture
The Palo Alto Networks NGFWs and Prisma Access also provide additional data to Cortex XDR via Enhanced Application logs to seamlessly stitch and enrich data, with Cortex XDR applying advanced analytics for advanced detection and effective protection. This allows the integrated Palo Alto Networks solution to strengthen the retailer’s security posture.
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Streamlines security operations and reduces costs
One unified platform makes cybersecurity simpler to monitor and manage, compared to a disconnected assortment of separate point systems. Security consolidation has helped the organisation to eliminate expensive, redundant legacy security hardware and software licences, while meeting PCI compliance standards and other retail governance requirements.
It also increases retail agility and innovation. With a single platform, the organisation can pivot quickly to capitalise on emerging retail opportunities, such as loyalty programmes and ‘scan-and-shop’ services on mobile devices.
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