How Managed SOC Protected a Healthcare Client from a Potential Breach

Published on

August 14, 2025

Overview

Proactive Threat Containment

With a Security Operations Center

A healthcare client recently experienced a security incident that highlighted the critical role of StoredTech’s Managed SOC (Security Operations Center) in detecting, isolating, and mitigating threats in real-time. The incident demonstrated the value of having a proactive security solution in place to protect sensitive healthcare data and maintain operational integrity.

How The Threat was Contained Within 7 Minutes

Incident Timeline

01. Initial Alert

Late on a Friday afternoon, Bitdefender’s endpoint protection software detected unusual activity flagged in client’s environment and immediately alerted the client’s Managed SOC. The alert indicated suspicious PowerShell activity on a computer. This activity was unusual enough to prompt immediate investigation by the Managed SOC engineer.

02. Containment

The suspicious computer was immediately isolated by the Managed SOC, effectively placing it in a "network bubble." This isolation ensured the device was cut off from the rest of the network, preventing any potential communication with a threat actor while still allowing the Managed SOC to send commands and perform further analysis.

03. First Response

The Managed SOC team quickly initiated a response action. Logs were collected, and the client was contacted by StoredTech to verify the legitimacy of the activity. The client confirmed that the PowerShell activity was neither recognized nor authorized.

04. Investigation

Upon further investigation, it was determined that the attack vector may have originated from remote control software placed on the computer by a third-party vendor without proper authorization or disclosure. Logs were analyzed in detail to piece together the sequence of events and understand the full scope of the incident.

"Time is of the essence. The typical time between access to the environment and full compromise is less than 60 minutes, and actually I'm starting to see statistics where they're reducing that time, now it's minutes. So, it's so important that it's acted upon very fast, and that's what the value of Managed SOC gets you."

-Aleks Pavlinik, Chief Information Security Officer-

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Outcome

A Managed SOC Success Story

Rapid Response

From the moment the initial detection was made, StoredTech and their Managed SOC took swift action, isolating the affected devices in under 15 minutes (approximately 7-10 minutes).

Minimized Risk

By isolating the affected devices and breaking the chain of connectivity, these actions successfully prevented a potential data breach and avoided any disruption to the client’s healthcare operations.

Client Engagement

StoredTech immediately reached out to the client to inform them of the incident, share findings, and discuss next steps. The early intervention ensured the client was fully informed and able to take appropriate follow-up actions.

Lessons Learned

The unauthorized software installed by the third-party vendor highlighted key vulnerabilities. The client was advised to tighten access controls, enforce stricter third-party vendor policies, and review remote access configurations.

Key Takeaways

Identifying and Isolating Threats

Proactive Detection

The Managed SOC identified indicators of attack early in the process, significantly reducing the potential impact of the threat.

Real-Time Action

The ability to isolate affected devices immediately was critical in containing the threat and preventing its spread across the network. StoredTech’s Managed SOC operates with a "security-first" mindset, taking swift action to isolate suspicious activity before reaching out to the client for verification.

Vigilance During Vulnerable Times

The timing of the attack, late Friday into early Saturday, is a common tactic used by threat actors to exploit reduced monitoring. With a proactive IT partner combined with Managed SOC, the client had round-the-clock protection, even during off-hours.

Importance of Third-Party Vendor Management

Unauthorized actions by third-party vendors can introduce significant vulnerabilities, as highlighted in this incident. Partnering with StoredTech provides the expertise and proactive monitoring needed to identify and mitigate these risks, ensuring stringent vendor oversight and a secure network environment.