Case Study · Wealth Management & Investment Adviser
$670M AUM Investment Adviser
How a Dallas-based investment adviser simplified cyber risk, SEC readiness, and ongoing security with Fortrex.
The Challenge
A Dallas-based investment adviser managing approximately $670 million in Assets Under Management operates in a highly regulated environment, where cybersecurity controls, vendor oversight, and regulatory readiness are closely scrutinized by the SEC.
As cyber threats increased and regulatory expectations evolved, the firm relied on multiple vendors to support compliance and security operations. One vendor handled compliance-driven activities such as policies and regulatory support, while another provided technical monitoring and vulnerability scanning.
This fragmented approach created inefficiencies, higher costs, and inconsistent quality.
“Our biggest challenge was managing multiple vendors who didn't talk to each other, while still trying to stay ahead of SEC expectations.”
Key challenges included:
- High costs with limited value from prior vendors
- Inconsistent quality across compliance and technical services
- Reliance on separate vendors for regulatory readiness and security monitoring
- Limited visibility into overall cyber risk posture
- Manual preparation for SEC examinations
- Gaps between written policies and actual technical controls
- Difficulty demonstrating continuous monitoring and oversight
As the firm prepared for ongoing regulatory examinations and increased client scrutiny, leadership needed a single partner that could manage both cyber risk and compliance readiness without increasing cost or operational burden.
The Solution
The investment adviser partnered with Fortrex to deliver an integrated cyber risk and regulatory readiness program.
Fortrex worked directly with firm leadership to take ownership of both compliance-driven and technical cybersecurity activities, providing a unified approach aligned with SEC expectations.
“We wanted one partner who could own the full picture, from policies to testing to continuous monitoring.”
Fortrex delivered a comprehensive set of services, including:
- Cyber risk assessments aligned to SEC and regulatory expectations
- SEC readiness audits and examination support
- Policy and procedure review to ensure alignment with actual controls
- Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery testing
- Vendor risk assessments for third-party oversight
- Continuous external vulnerability scanning and website scanning
- Ongoing endpoint monitoring across the firm's environment
- Email threat defense to reduce phishing and business email compromise risk
By consolidating these services under one provider, Fortrex eliminated gaps between compliance documentation and technical execution.
The Results
Reduced cost with improved service quality
By replacing multiple vendors with a single, integrated Fortrex engagement, the firm reduced overall cost while receiving deeper, more consistent support.
Improved SEC readiness and examination confidence
Cyber risk assessments, policy reviews, and testing activities were aligned and documented, enabling the firm to demonstrate preparedness during SEC examinations.
Stronger alignment between policies and controls
Policies and procedures now accurately reflect the firm's technical environment, reducing regulatory risk and audit findings.
Continuous visibility into cyber risk
Ongoing vulnerability scanning, website monitoring, endpoint monitoring, and email threat defense provide continuous insight into the firm's security posture.
Improved vendor risk oversight
Vendor risk assessments strengthened third-party governance and supported regulatory expectations for oversight of service providers.
Reduced operational burden on internal teams
Fortrex assumed responsibility for execution and monitoring, allowing internal staff to focus on advisory and client-facing activities.
Simplified governance and reporting
Leadership receives clear, consolidated reporting across cyber risk, compliance readiness, and monitoring activities.
“Fortrex gave us what our previous vendors could not: consistent quality, clear accountability, and confidence that both our cyber risk and SEC readiness are being managed effectively.”
Founder
$670M AUM Investment Adviser, Dallas
Simplify cyber risk and SEC readiness
Talk to Fortrex about integrated cyber risk, continuous monitoring, and regulatory readiness for investment advisers and wealth managers.