What are some application cases of threat tracing in the financial industry?

Threat tracing in the financial industry involves identifying, analyzing, and mitigating cyber threats to protect sensitive data, transactions, and systems. Here are some key application cases with examples:

1. Detecting Fraudulent Transactions
   Financial institutions use threat tracing to monitor transaction patterns and identify anomalies, such as unusual fund transfers or unauthorized access. For example, if a banking customer’s account shows multiple high-value transactions in a short time from unfamiliar locations, threat tracing can help trace the source of the attack—whether it’s a compromised account, malware, or a phishing campaign.

2. Investigating Data Breaches
   When sensitive customer data (e.g., credit card details, personal information) is leaked, threat tracing helps identify how the breach occurred—whether through a vulnerable API, insider threat, or external attack. For instance, if a payment gateway is compromised, security teams can trace the attack path to find the entry point and affected systems.

3. Mitigating Ransomware Attacks
   Ransomware can cripple financial operations by encrypting critical data. Threat tracing helps identify the initial infection vector (e.g., a malicious email attachment or exploited vulnerability) and contain the spread. For example, if a bank’s internal network is hit by ransomware, tracing the attack helps isolate infected systems and prevent further encryption.

4. Tracking ATM Skimming and Malware
   Physical threats like ATM skimming or malware infections on point-of-sale (POS) systems can be investigated through threat tracing. For example, if multiple ATMs report fraudulent card withdrawals, security teams can trace the data exfiltration path to find compromised devices or network vulnerabilities.

5. Monitoring Insider Threats
   Employees or contractors with access to financial systems may intentionally or unintentionally cause harm. Threat tracing helps detect unusual behavior, such as unauthorized access to sensitive databases or large data downloads. For example, if an employee starts accessing customer account records outside normal working hours, threat tracing can flag and investigate the activity.

Recommended Tencent Cloud Services for Threat Tracing in Finance:

• Tencent Cloud Security (T-Sec) Threat Detection Service: Provides real-time threat intelligence and attack tracing to identify malicious activities.
• Tencent Cloud Log Service (CLS): Collects and analyzes logs from financial systems to trace security incidents.
• Tencent Cloud Web Application Firewall (WAF): Protects against web-based attacks and helps trace attack sources.
• Tencent Cloud Host Security (HSM): Detects malware and abnormal behaviors on servers, aiding in threat investigation.

These solutions help financial institutions proactively detect and respond to threats while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.