For financial institutions, security incidents can escalate quickly—from a minor alert to a potential crisis. Even the appearance of suspicious activity can cause concern for business leaders, employees, and customers. In this case study, we share how Ascend Defend helped a financial services client address a suspected cyberattack, verify the facts, and restore confidence—all with minimal disruption.
Challenges
A user reported that their computer mouse appeared to be moving on its own. Understandably, the team feared a potential security compromise or active cyberattack. Without advanced visibility into logs and system behavior, the organization had no way to confirm whether this was a legitimate threat or simply benign activity. This uncertainty not only created anxiety but also risked unnecessary downtime if the system were taken offline prematurely.
Solution
The Ascend Defend team immediately leveraged Microsoft Sentinel and Microsoft Defender to investigate logs and telemetry in real time. Using these tools, our security experts conducted a forensic-style review of the affected system to determine whether malicious tools or access indicators were present. The investigation confirmed that the only remote access tool installed was the bank’s authorized IT management platform, ConnectWise—ruling out the presence of any unauthorized or malicious access.
Outcome
With Ascend Defend in place, the client was able to quickly rule out a potential security incident and avoid costly disruption. Our transparent analysis, grounded in Microsoft security data, provided clear reassurance to the organization’s leadership and staff. Beyond solving the immediate concern, this incident demonstrated the value of having real-time visibility, expert monitoring, and the ability to distinguish between genuine threats and false alarms. Most importantly, it reinforced the client’s trust that their security is being managed proactively and professionally.
Need some help?
Not every report of suspicious activity has to create panic. With the right visibility and expertise, organizations can separate real threats from false alarms and respond with confidence. That’s where Ascend Defend comes in—strengthening Microsoft environments with 24/7 monitoring and response. If you’d like to see how it could fit your business, connect with our team and start the conversation.