310-553-3055
213-463-2100
A mid-sized financial services firm specializing in wealth management and brokerage operations was facing a critical operational threat: frequent system outages were disrupting client transactions, delaying reporting, and putting the firm at risk of non-compliance with FINRA regulations. With an upcoming audit looming, the firm needed urgent, expert intervention to stabilize its IT infrastructure, reduce downtime, and ensure full regulatory alignment.
The stakes were high. Every minute of downtime not only impacted revenue but also risked reputational damage and potential penalties from FINRA. The firm’s internal IT team lacked the specialized expertise to implement the kind of regulatory technology infrastructure required for long-term compliance and business continuity.
That’s when they turned to Netready.
The Challenge: System Instability and Compliance Gaps
Before engaging Netready, the firm was experiencing an average of 14 hours of unplanned downtime per month. These outages affected everything from trading platforms to client portals, leading to missed SLAs and frustrated clients. More critically, the firm had received a preliminary notice from FINRA citing deficiencies in:
- Data retention and retrieval protocols
- Incident response documentation
- Network segmentation and access controls
- Business continuity planning
The firm’s IT environment had grown organically over the years, resulting in a patchwork of legacy systems, inconsistent security policies, and limited visibility into network activity. Their internal audit revealed:
- No centralized logging or SIEM solution
- Outdated firewall configurations
- Inadequate endpoint protection
- Manual backup processes with no offsite redundancy
The business impact was severe. Client trust was eroding, compliance officers were overwhelmed, and leadership feared the next audit could result in fines or even trading restrictions.
The Netready Approach: A Phased, Compliance-First Strategy
Netready deployed a structured, four-phase approach tailored to the firm’s regulatory and operational needs.
Phase 1: Infrastructure Assessment and Risk Mapping
- Conducted a full network vulnerability scan and penetration test
- Mapped all endpoints, servers, and cloud assets
- Identified compliance gaps against FINRA Rule 4370 (Business Continuity), Rule 4511 (Books and Records), and SEC Regulation S-P
Phase 2: Secure Network Redesign
- Re-architected the network with micro-segmentation to isolate sensitive systems
- Deployed next-gen firewalls with deep packet inspection
- Implemented VLANs to separate trading, compliance, and administrative traffic
Phase 3: Compliance-Driven Automation and Monitoring
- Rolled out a centralized SIEM platform with real-time alerting
- Automated log retention and retrieval to meet FINRA audit standards
- Integrated endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools across all devices
- Established automated backup workflows with encrypted offsite replication
Phase 4: Business Continuity and Audit Readiness
- Developed a FINRA-aligned Business Continuity Plan (BCP)
- Conducted tabletop exercises with compliance and IT teams
- Created audit-ready documentation and dashboards for regulators
- Provided CISO-level coaching to internal leadership
Throughout the process, Netready’s team worked closely with the firm’s compliance officers and IT staff, ensuring knowledge transfer and long-term sustainability.
Implementation Timeline: From Chaos to Control in 90 Days
Netready executed the transformation over a 12-week period, broken down as follows:
- Weeks 1–2: Discovery, risk assessment, and compliance gap analysis
- Weeks 3–6: Network redesign and deployment of security infrastructure
- Weeks 7–9: Automation of compliance workflows and SIEM integration
- Weeks 10–12: Business continuity planning, audit prep, and staff training
To maintain operations during the transition, Netready implemented changes during off-peak hours and used a parallel testing environment to validate configurations before go-live.
Results: 60% Downtime Reduction and Full FINRA Readiness
Within three months, the firm saw a dramatic improvement in both system stability and compliance posture:
- 60% reduction in unplanned downtime (from 14 to 5.6 hours/month)
- 100% audit readiness with no deficiencies cited in the subsequent FINRA audit
- 40% improvement in incident response time due to centralized monitoring
- $75,000 in annual savings from reduced outages and manual compliance labor
- Enhanced client trust through improved service availability and transparency
"Netready didn’t just fix our IT—they transformed it into a compliance asset. Their team understood the regulatory landscape better than any vendor we’ve worked with." — Director of IT, Financial Services Firm
Key Takeaways: Lessons for Financial Services Leaders
- Downtime is a compliance risk. In regulated industries, system outages can trigger audit failures and reputational damage.
- FINRA audit IT support requires specialization. Generalist MSPs often lack the regulatory insight needed for financial services compliance.
- Automation is essential. Manual processes are error-prone and non-scalable—automated compliance workflows are now a baseline requirement.
- Business continuity must be audit-ready. A BCP isn’t just a document—it’s a living system that must align with FINRA Rule 4370.
- Partner with experts. Netready’s 25+ years of experience and sector-specific knowledge make them a trusted ally for financial firms.
Ready for Your Next Audit?
If your financial services firm is struggling with downtime, compliance gaps, or audit anxiety, Netready can help. Led by Zac Abdulkadir—bestselling author of Exposed to Secure and featured in Cyber Crime Investigations—Netready brings deep expertise in cybersecurity for financial firms, regulatory technology infrastructure, and business continuity for broker-dealers.
Contact Netready today to turn your IT from a liability into a competitive advantage.
