The Challenge: 

Too Much Data, No Clear Priorities

Equiniti, a UK-based financial services company, handles large-scale financial transactions and sensitive personal data for corporate clients. Security is critical, but their complex IT environment made it hard to apply consistent protections. Traditional tools flagged thousands of vulnerabilities, and each one seemed urgent. “We had to sift through massive vulnerability reports and then spend time debating with IT teams about what to fix first,” says John Meakin, Equiniti’s Chief Information Security Officer.

Without a way to separate real risks from background noise, IT teams were overwhelmed. Delays in patching became routine. At the same time, Equiniti was upgrading systems and moving to the cloud. The security team needed a way to keep risk low during these transitions and provide clear, accurate updates to company leadership on their progress.

The Solution  

Prioritizing Real Risk and Aligning Security with Business Objectives

After reviewing several options, Equiniti selected XM Cyber for its ability to go beyond static vulnerability data and provide context-rich insights through attack path modeling. XM Cyber’s Continuous Exposure Management platform identified which vulnerabilities and exposures posed actual risk to critical systems, which allowed the security team to focus their efforts where they mattered most.

“XM Cyber enabled us to move past raw vulnerability counts and understand what was truly exploitable,” said John. “This allowed us to direct IT teams with precision, reducing time spent debating priorities and accelerating remediation.”

XM Cyber also played a key role during major IT initiatives, including cloud migration and operating system upgrades. The platform guided the security team in identifying high-risk systems during these transitions, helping reduce exposure and maintain resilience throughout the process. Its ability to provide clear, visual reporting enhanced communication with company leadership, making it easier to demonstrate measurable improvements in security posture.

Benefits and Outcomes  

Faster Fixes, Less Risk, Better Communication

Since deploying XM Cyber, Equiniti has achieved significant improvements in both risk reduction and operational efficiency. By identifying and focusing on the most critical vulnerabilities, the security team minimized the likelihood of exploitation and reduced unnecessary patching efforts.

“XM Cyber has significantly improved our risk posture,” says John. “It’s helped us avoid potential security incidents by pinpointing and addressing our most pressing vulnerabilities.” The solution also improved collaboration between security and IT teams. With prioritized, actionable insights, remediation became faster and more targeted, eliminating time wasted on low-impact fixes.

Additionally, XM Cyber’s attack graph and risk metrics gave executives a clear, data-driven view of the company’s evolving threat landscape. “Instead of presenting overwhelming numbers, we now provide leadership with meaningful context – this is what matters, this is why, and this is what we’ve done,” John notes.

Recommendation and Future Outlook

Security That Moves at the Speed of Business

Equiniti believes that the approach and features offered by tools like XM Cyber are necessary for organizations seeking to prioritize risk effectively and improve collaboration between security and IT teams. By delivering clear, actionable insights and reducing unnecessary remediation efforts, XM Cyber has helped Equiniti strengthen its defenses while optimizing operational resources.

“XM Cyber has fundamentally changed how we manage vulnerabilities,” says John. “We now act with precision, communicate effectively with leadership, and maintain control during periods of significant IT change.”

Looking ahead, Equiniti plans to continue using XM Cyber to support its digital transformation efforts and maintain a proactive approach to risk management. The solution has become an essential part of the company’s security strategy, providing the insights and agility they need to stay ahead of evolving threats while enabling the business to grow securely.