Device Security within Cyber Defence & Engineering (CDE) focuses on protecting all types of endpoints—such as workstations, laptops, smartphones, tablets, and IoT devices—against technical and operational threats. Core activities include encryption of storage media, implementation of strong authentication methods, continuous patch and update management, and real-time monitoring of device behavior. By employing a layered security architecture, barriers are created to prevent malicious actors from gaining unauthorized access to sensitive data, corrupting functionalities, or using devices as a springboard into broader network domains. Device Security is therefore a crucial part of fraud risk management, where each endpoint is carefully anchored in policies, technology, and operational procedures.
Financial Mismanagement
Devices responsible for financial reporting and accounting systems represent attractive targets for attackers seeking to manipulate figures. Full disk encryption and file-based encryption protect critical data from extraction in the event of physical loss or theft of devices. Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) restricts access to administrative modules, while Just-In-Time (JIT) provisioning ensures that highly sensitive rights are granted only temporarily during necessary operations. Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) agents continuously monitor process and network behavior for signs of lateral movement or unauthorized script execution that could falsify financial statements. Additionally, offline backups are automatically integrity-checked via hash validation, so any unauthorized change is immediately detected and can be reversed.
Fraud
Device-related fraud manifests through techniques such as credential theft, command-and-control communication, and lateral movement to hijack sensitive systems. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) using device-based tokens or biometric factors hardens endpoints against phishing and keylogging, while Trusted Platform Module (TPM)-based verification ensures hardware integrity. Behavioral biometric algorithms on devices analyze anomalies in keystroke dynamics, mouse movements, and usage patterns, triggering automated anomaly detection. When suspicious activity is detected, the EDR system initiates an isolation procedure, temporarily removing the device from the network and capturing a forensic snapshot for further investigation.
Bribery
Digital bribery practices involving corrupted insiders or compromised devices target manipulation of procurement applications or invoicing software. Device Security requires hardware-based encryption for payment and invoicing modules, combined with secure boot and firmware integrity checks to prevent malware insertion during startup. Controlled application whitelisting and kernel-level policy enforcement block unauthorized installation of executables that could alter pricing agreements or contract data. Event logging is enriched with endpoint metadata—such as firmware version and security patch level—to verify whether suspicious changes correlate with specific hardware or software configurations.
Money Laundering
For money laundering schemes via devices—such as remotely operated payment terminals or virtual wallets on smartphones—protection of cryptographic keys is essential. Secure Element chips and Hardware Security Modules (HSMs) store private keys in isolated secure environments, making extraction nearly impossible if the device is compromised. Mobile Device Management (MDM) platforms enforce encryption policies and restrict app installation to a predefined store, while Runtime Application Self-Protection (RASP) in payment apps detects attempts at memory tampering. Transaction patterns are pre-filtered on the device itself for suspicious behavior, with only verified records forwarded to central systems.
Corruption
Digital corruption extends to the covert modification of commission reports, compliance dashboards, or governance tools running on desktops or tablets. Device Security employs secure logging with append-only storage and cryptographically secured audit trails so that every change can be conclusively traced back to specific hardware identifiers and certificate-based user profiles. Application sandboxing prevents corrupt code from infiltrating core applications, while regular integrity scans of system and application files detect deviations. Upon detection of a deviation, an escalation procedure is triggered in which the device is automatically quarantined and a tamper-proof forensic image is created.
Violations of International Sanctions
Devices that inadvertently establish communications with sanctioned entities pose a significant compliance risk. Network Access Control (NAC) combined with endpoint-based policy engines ensures devices only connect to approved IP ranges and cloud services. SSL/TLS interception with device-side certificate management guarantees all outgoing requests are scanned against up-to-date sanctions lists and watchlists. Mobile Threat Defense (MTD) clients on smartphones and tablets detect suspicious beacon activity from command-and-control infrastructures in sanctioned regions. Upon detection of a violation, the equipment is immediately blocked and a full audit report is generated to support compliance reporting to regulators.
