‘We enjoy considerable flexibility.’
Valiant is individualising its security solutions to launch new e-banking features faster. This is all possible thanks to a new collaboration model with Swisscom specialists.
Custom Web Application Security services for Valiant Bank AG 4 min
- 80 branches in 15 cantons
- Over 1,100 employees
- Balance sheet total CHF 37.1 billion
- Web Application Security services
- Including cIAM and anomaly shield
- Close cooperation in a joint team
To lead the field in e-banking, you have to bring new, customer-friendly products to market faster than your competitors. But how do you reconcile the age-old conflict between speed and security? With multiple mobile apps as well as a portal with diverse applications, including messenger and appointment scheduling apps, Valiant faces considerable web security challenges. “These applications are managed by different teams with different needs, which doesn't make things any easier,” says Jan Mathieu, Senior IT Architect at Valiant. “Teams understandably want to prioritise the applications they manage. They expect transparency and predictability from us, which requires a high degree of flexibility in web security services.”
Managed service provides comprehensive protection
Valiant uses Web Application Security from Swisscom to reliably protect its applications. The core service managed by Swisscom is an upstream web application firewall with automated API security. This is joined by customer identity and access management (cIAM) solutions and an anomaly shield that automatically detects potentially critical web activities. “A customer can put together this full service from the Swisscom modular system,” explains Jan Mathieu. “In such cases, Swisscom submits a quotation, defines a timescale and delivers. For many customers, that is ideal. We, on the other hand, need more flexibility, which is why we opted for the customised option.” Swisscom offers a wide range of Web Application Security services and also supports customisation.
A robust, up-to-date security architecture for complete peace of mind.
Input in shaping the service
Valiant was interested in discovering whether Swisscom’s service, including teams and capacities, could be adapted more flexibly to the bank’s needs. After discussing this with his Swisscom contact persons, a new collaboration model was established, says Jan Mathieu: “We have evolved from a traditional customer-supplier relationship to a joint team that works together as equals. To my knowledge, we were the first banking customers to be actively involved in sprint planning, retrospectives and reviews at Swisscom Web Security Services. We have a fixed weekly meeting as well as agile ceremonies every three weeks.”
A shorter time to market
According to Jan Mathieu, the close cooperation with Swisscom is bearing fruit for Valiant: “We can respond faster because we actively influence how Swisscom deploys its resources for us. We enjoy considerable flexibility in reprioritising, rescheduling, postponing and bringing forward projects. Capacities are adapted to our current needs, which increases our efficiency and shortens the time to market of new features. I believe that this also enables us to target our financial resources very effectively. Our internal partners value the reliability and adherence to deadlines that we offer thanks to the high level of transparency. This is all possible thanks to our model with Swisscom.”
A straightforward bank requires straightforward banking features.
Why choose Swisscom?
For Jan Mathieu, Swisscom’s individualised service offers real added value. “I have been working with the same partners in the Swisscom teams for years. Swisscom has a large pool of excellent engineers and other employees. I’ve had only positive experiences with everyone I have worked with. They are the right people in the right place.”