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The Challenge
Manual, time-consuming control testing delayed validation of new systems and drained valuable analyst time, diverting effort from higher-impact threat investigation. Validation of new machines, environments, and technologies relied on repetitive manual testing, and a constant influx of validation requests pulled analysts away from deeper, more complex security analysis, making the work repetitive, disruptive, and slowing progress across the organization. Frequent interruptions prevented sustained focus on advanced threats, while reliance on vendor claims obscured true protection levels. Without measurable, verifiable evidence of protection effectiveness, the team lacked clear visibility into whether controls actually worked as claimed, resulting in delayed visibility into defensive gaps and making it difficult to quickly identify control failures and prioritize remediation.
The Solution
Instead of adding another security tool, the company implemented Picus Security Control Validation (SCV) to continuously test and validate defenses against real-world attacks. Automated security control validation replaced repetitive, time-consuming manual testing, shifting routine control tests from analysts to the platform and saving time while eliminating what the team described as “phantom time,” the loss of focus and productivity caused by constant interruptions. Picus enabled the team to verify control effectiveness with data rather than assumptions through detailed, reproducible reporting that includes timestamps, log data, and complete attack sequences showing exactly where and why controls succeed or fail. Continuous validation is operationally integrated into daily workflows, running against everything new that gets deployed without disrupting analyst focus, and providing evidence-based reporting with reproducible proof.
Before Picus, it could take months to demonstrate the impact of our work,ˮ the security leader explained. “Now we can share results every month, show where gaps exist, and help other teams close them. Our work is visible, and our value is clear."
The Outcome
Automated validation eliminated repetitive, manual control testing, allowing analysts to reclaim time previously lost to constant interruptions and low-value repetitive work. With measurable, real-world validation, the team could confirm actual control effectiveness rather than relying on assumptions, while detailed, reproducible evidence improved vendor accountability. This shift to proactive, validation-driven security strengthened long-term resilience and positioned the organization to continuously verify and improve its defenses.
Cybersecurity is about determining the difference between whatʼs claimed and whatʼs true,ˮ the Global Head of Offensive Security explained. “Picus lets us verify whether a control really protects us rather than assuming it does."
