As independent security architects, we assess your business risks and design, implement and validate practical security architectures that address them. Our recommendations are technology-agnostic, proportionate and tailored to maximise both security outcomes and return on investment.
AI and LLM Security
As organisations adopt AI and Large Language Models (LLMs) to drive efficiency, new attack surfaces and governance obligations emerge. Architectures involving private/self-hosted LLMs, agentic tool integrations, and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) each introduce distinct trust boundaries that must be secured by design. Threats such as prompt injection, model and data poisoning, insecure plugin/tool integrations, RAG data source poisoning, embedding and vector store exposure, sensitive data leakage through prompts, and unauthorized agentic actions require dedicated risk assessment and security architecture review beyond traditional application security testing.
In-Depth Penetration Testing and Assurance
In-depth penetration testing evaluates the technical security of user identity and access management (IAM), Single Page Applications and APIs, Cloud, traditional network/Wifi/Active directory systems. Proactive testing helps identify and validate vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors, reducing risk and strengthening overall resilience. Assurance extends beyond testing by confirming that vulnerabilities are remediated, controls are effective, and improvements are sustainable over time.
Cyber Resilience
Cyber Resilience involves: 1)
anticipating likely threat actor tactics, techniques, and procedures relevant to your environment; 2) designing mission-critical business services to
withstand such threats; 3)
recovering from such threats; and 4)
adapting to the threat landscape. This approach prepares organisations to handle adverse cyber stresses, attacks, or compromises. It aligns closely with Zero Trust Architecture principles by predicting potential actions of threat actors, assuming breaches, and protecting against lateral movement and privilege escalation. If you are looking for a focused perspective, we can help you strategically align with cyber resilience principles, goals, and objectives.
Zero Trust Architecture
Zero Trust Architectures operate on the principle of
assume breach and trust is not applied based on location alone. Every access attempt is identified, its security posture evaluated, including user and device security posture, and other risk signals evaluated as part of pre-authentication and before access is granted. Access may be adjusted or denied based on changes in risk. Users are provided with least-privilege, just-in-time, and just-enough-access rights, combined with data protection measures to enhance data security. In ZTNA, Machine-to-machine communications are also protected via micro-segmentation to prevent lateral movement. If you are navigating Zero Trust Architectures and looking for practical implementation strategies, we can help.
NIST Cybersecurity Framework
The NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) provides a benchmark of controls for measuring and enhancing an organisation’s overall technical security posture. The core functions — Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover focus on technical controls while the Govern function addresses business context; risk management strategy; cybersecurity supply chain risk management; roles, responsibilities, and authorities; policies, processes, and procedures; and oversight. The NIST CSF combines technical controls with Governance, Risk, and Vompliance (GRC) practices, making it a practical benchmark for enterprise security and the basis for most governing and regulatory bodies.
Enterprise Network Security Architectures
Organizations operating Critical National Infrastructure, and enterprises managing large and complex networks, face increasing risk from criminal and nation-state threat actors as well as insider threats. Applying threat management and controls proportionate to risk level is essential to maintaining confidentiality, integrity and availability. Effective enterprise network security requires a structured approach and continuous validation against evolving threats. Drawing on extensive experience securing large-scale critical networks, we apply proven practices to support the overall resilience of large enterprise and service provider network environments.
Enterprise and Cloud Architecture
Enterprise data center, hybrid, and cloud environments continue to underpin your business and require appropriate cybersecurity architecture to balance operational needs with resilience and risk management. From concept through deployment and validation, modern approaches emphasize zero trust principles and cyber resilience, applying secure-by-design and risk-based practices throughout. Drawing on extensive experience with contemporary methodologies, frameworks, and tools, we focus on building architectures that are reliable, secure, and resilient.
Secrets Management and PKI
Secrets, keys, and certificates form the credential backbone of enterprise identity and authentication. Secrets and key management solutions protect application and service credentials, while PKI and Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS) underpin Active Directory and 802.1X authentication. Misconfigurations in either area are a common path to Domain Admin escalation, and secrets leaking via source code repositories or breaches remain an active attack vector. Verus Risk Management can assist with the validation or design of your secrets, key management, and PKI solutions.
Why work with Verus Risk Management?
- Over 30 years of enterprise cybersecurity experience
- Former executive responsible for delivering security consultancy at scale
- Independent vendor-neutral advice
- Experience across Critical National Infrastructure, telecommunications, financial services, healthcare, and government
- Practical architecture backed by real implementation experience