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INDUSTRY FACT FILE · PAYMENTS & TRANSACTION PROCESSING

Applicable Cybersecurity Services and Codec Networks Bundles for Payments and Transaction Processing

How Codec Networks services and bundled service models help payments and transaction processing companies resolve the sector's threats, meet regulatory obligations and reduce business impact.

In this document

1. Our approach

2. Mapping threats to services

3. Codec Networks service catalogue for the sector

4. Codec Networks bundles for payments and transaction processing

5. Sector packages: Foundation, Assurance and Continuous Resilience

6. Regulatory requirement-to-bundle mapping

7. Threat-to-bundle coverage matrix

8. Delivery methodology and deliverables

9. Why Codec Networks

10. Annex: indicative commercial ranges

1. Our approach

Payments and fintech companies do not need 180 separate services; they need a clear path from their highest risks to measurable assurance. Codec Networks' approach follows four principles:

Start from the money flow: scope assessments around the products, interfaces and partners that move funds and data.
Align to the applicable directions: map every engagement to the RBI, NPCI, CERT-In, DPDP and PCI DSS obligations that apply to the entity's licence and category.
Test the chain, not just the link: combine technical testing, process testing and monitoring validation, because real incidents exploit several weaknesses together.
Prove closure: retest findings and organise evidence so that auditors, partner banks and the Board can see measurable improvement.

2. Mapping threats to services

The table maps the 18 threats identified in Document 4 of this set to the Codec Networks services that help mitigate them.

Threat / challenge	Applicable Codec Networks services	Intended outcome
Account takeover	Mobile app security testing, IAM & MFA bypass testing (SIM swapping, OTP attacks), authentication flow review, SOC fraud-signal monitoring	Stronger device binding and authentication; faster detection of takeover patterns
Social engineering and push-payment scams	Phishing and vishing simulation, awareness programmes, deepfake testing, brand and dark web monitoring	Reduced success of impersonation; faster takedown of fake channels
Mule accounts and mule merchants	Onboarding controls review, process-bypass testing, fraud risk assessment, mule analytics in the SOC, forensic investigation	Fewer fraudulent onboardings; earlier escalation for FIU-IND reporting
API abuse and broken authorisation	API security testing, secure code review, threat modelling, API gateway assessment	Authorisation flaws found before release; reduced data-exposure risk
E-skimming and malicious scripts or SDKs	Payment-page security assessment, PCI DSS readiness, supply-chain security testing	Controlled script inventory; tamper detection on payment pages
Business-logic abuse	Business-logic and workflow testing, process-bypass testing, reconciliation controls review	Closure of refund, cashback and limit loopholes
QR and collect-request fraud	UPI app testing, merchant QR controls review, customer-alert design review	Reduced exposure to fake QR and collect-request abuse
Fake and rogue apps	Brand monitoring, rogue-app detection and takedown support, mobile app hardening	Faster removal of impersonating apps
Synthetic identities and deepfake KYC	KYC and V-CIP process testing, AI-powered deepfake testing, onboarding analytics review	Stronger liveness and document checks
Cloud misconfiguration and secrets exposure	Cloud security audit, container and serverless testing, secrets and IAM review	Continuous posture visibility; least-privilege access
Third-party compromise	Third-party risk management, vendor control validation, contract security review	Visibility of supplier risk; enforceable security obligations
Ransomware and data extortion	Ransomware simulation, backup security testing, EDR/XDR validation, incident response retainer	Tested recovery; reduced blast radius
DDoS and availability attacks	Resilience and DR review, architecture assessment, availability testing (authorised)	Validated capacity and failover
Insider and privileged-access misuse	Privileged-access review, insider threat simulation, data exfiltration simulation, log monitoring	Accountability for sensitive actions; detection of misuse
Settlement and escrow tampering	Settlement-process audit, file-integrity and segregation-of-duties review, forensic support	Protected merchant funds; evidence-ready controls
Personal and financial data leakage	DPDPA readiness, data discovery and classification, DPIA, data-masking testing	Reduced data footprint; readiness for DPDP obligations
Weak detection and slow response	Managed SOC, SIEM use-case tuning, incident playbooks, tabletop exercises	Reliable 6-hour reporting capability
AI-enabled attacks and AI-system abuse	AI/LLM security testing, prompt-injection testing, AI governance (ISO 42001 readiness)	Safer AI-enabled services and operations

3. Codec Networks service catalogue for the sector

Service line	Sector-relevant services
Security Vulnerability Assessment & Penetration Testing	Web, mobile (iOS/Android, SDK) and API (REST, GraphQL, SOAP) testing; external and internal network pentesting; cloud infrastructure testing (AWS, Azure, GCP); database testing; configuration review; PCI DSS network compliance testing
Offensive security & people/process testing	Red and purple teaming, APT and ransomware simulation, phishing simulation, IAM & MFA bypass testing (SIM swapping, OTP attacks), process-bypass testing of approval workflows, AI-powered deepfake testing
Information security consulting, audit & compliance	RBI-related cyber security audits, payment data storage audits, CERT-In readiness, ISO/IEC 27001:2022, PCI DSS for payment gateways and fintech, SOC 2, NIST CSF, third-party risk management, fraud risk assessment
Data privacy & protection	DPDPA 2023 readiness and implementation, ISO 27701, DPIA, consent management, data discovery and classification, breach response, DPO services
24/7 Managed SOC & threat monitoring	SOC-as-a-Service, SIEM, managed EDR/XDR, SOAR, cloud security monitoring, dark web intelligence, threat hunting, brand monitoring
Cyber forensics & threat analysis	System imaging, malware analysis, mobile and device forensics, cloud forensics, blockchain and cryptocurrency forensics, fraud investigations
Board-level advisory	Cyber risk quantification (FAIR), Board risk reporting, CISO support, crisis communication readiness, M&A cyber due diligence
Emerging technology security	AI and LLM security, ISO 42001 readiness, smart contract audits, post-quantum cryptography readiness
Centre for Professional Excellence (CoPE)	Security awareness, CISO workshops and accredited certification training for client teams

4. Codec Networks bundles for payments and transaction processing

Codec Networks packages its catalogue into business-ready bundles. Eleven of the twelve bundles in the Codec Networks Bundled Service Models apply directly to this sector; the Global Cyber Back-Office SPV Program (Bundle 12) is offered separately for international clients.

Title: Figure 6: Codec Networks bundles applied to payments and transaction processing. - Description: Figure 6: Codec Networks bundles applied to payments and transaction processing.

Figure 6: Codec Networks bundles applied to payments and transaction processing.

Bundle	Name	Sector-relevant scope	Best suited for	Key deliverables
B1	Cyber Assessment & VAPT Assurance Program	Web, mobile, API, network, cloud and database testing; configuration review; patch audit; retesting	PAs needing half-yearly VAPT; PSOs needing at least annual authenticated testing and pre-go-live testing; lenders and wallets	Executive summary, technical VAPT report (CVSS, evidence), remediation tracker, retest report, compliance mapping
B2	Application, API & DevSecOps Security Program	Web, mobile and API pentesting (REST, GraphQL, SOAP), SAST/DAST, secure code review, CI/CD and supply-chain testing, threat modelling	UPI apps, wallets, gateways, lending apps, BaaS and API platforms	Application and API risk report, code review report, DevSecOps maturity report, CI/CD hardening checklist
B3	Cloud, Infrastructure & Zero Trust Security Program	Cloud security audit, cloud VM and container testing, IAM review, segmentation, VPN and remote access, Zero Trust assessment	Cloud-native fintechs, PSOs and processors, multi-cloud platforms	Cloud posture report, misconfiguration report, IAM review, Zero Trust roadmap
B4	Regulatory Cybersecurity Audit & Compliance Assurance Program	Cyber security and system audits under RBI directions, payment data storage audit, CERT-In guideline readiness, evidence index and closure validation	Authorised PAs, PPI issuers, BBPOUs, card networks, MTSS operators and other non-bank PSOs	Regulatory audit report, compliance checklist, evidence index, gap assessment, regulator-ready response matrix
B5	GRC, ISO, SOC 2 & Cyber Maturity Program	ISO/IEC 27001:2022, PCI DSS, SOC 2 readiness, NIST CSF, ISO 22301, policy framework, risk register, fraud risk assessment	Fintechs preparing for partner diligence, processors and SaaS vendors serving regulated entities	Maturity scorecard, compliance roadmap, policy framework, risk register, certification readiness report
B6	Data Privacy, DPDPA, GDPR & Data Protection Program	DPDPA readiness, data discovery and classification, consent management, DPIA, breach response, DPO services	Lenders, AAs, wallets, PAs and all data-heavy platforms	Privacy gap assessment, data inventory, DPIA, consent review, breach response plan
B7	Managed SOC, MDR & Continuous Threat Monitoring Program	SOC-as-a-Service, SIEM, managed EDR/XDR, SOAR, cloud monitoring, dark web intelligence, threat hunting	PSOs required to run a SOC; mid-sized fintechs without an in-house 24x7 team	Alert dashboard, incident tickets, weekly and monthly SOC reports, MTTD/MTTR metrics, compliance evidence
B8	Digital Forensics, Incident Response & Malware RCA Program	Incident triage, system imaging, malware analysis, mobile, cloud and blockchain forensics, breach reporting support	Any entity facing a suspected compromise, fraud case or insider incident	Triage report, forensic evidence index, malware RCA, compromise timeline, Board incident summary
B9	Third-Party Risk Management & Supply Chain Cyber Risk Program	Vendor questionnaires, evidence review, risk scoring, control validation, contract security review, continuous monitoring	PSOs extending controls to gateways, TSPs and vendors; lenders overseeing LSPs	Vendor risk assessments, scoring dashboard, high-risk vendor list, remediation plan
B10	Cyber Simulation, Awareness, Tabletop & Crisis Readiness Program	Phishing simulation, ransomware and APT simulation, tabletop exercises, IAM/MFA bypass and process-bypass testing, deepfake testing	Boards and CXOs, fraud and operations teams, contact centres	Campaign reports, tabletop exercise report, playbook gaps, cyber drill scorecard
B11	Emerging Technology, AI, Web3 & Future Security Program	AI/LLM security testing, ISO 42001 readiness, smart contract audits, blockchain node review, post-quantum readiness	Fintechs using AI agents and chatbots, tokenisation and digital-asset platforms	AI/LLM risk assessment, smart contract audit report, post-quantum readiness report

5. Sector packages: Foundation, Assurance and Continuous Resilience

The bundles can be combined into three sector packages. These are proposed commercial groupings that are finalised through scoping; they do not replace a detailed statement of work.

Package element	Foundation	Assurance	Continuous Resilience
Typical customer	Startups, technology providers, new applicants for authorisation	Authorised mid-sized PAs, PPI issuers, lenders	Large PSOs, multi-licence fintechs, networks and processors
Testing	B1: scoped VAPT and retest	B1 + B2: half-yearly VAPT, application and API testing	B1 + B2 + B10: continuous testing, red teaming, simulations
Regulatory and GRC	B5: ISO 27001 / PCI DSS gap review	B4 + B5: annual regulatory cyber audit, PCI DSS, evidence management	B4 + B5 + B9: multi-licence audit calendar, vendor assurance
Cloud and privacy	B3: single-account cloud review	B3 + B6: cloud posture and DPDPA readiness	B3 + B6 + B11: continuous cloud assurance, privacy and AI governance
Monitoring and response	Optional incident-response retainer (B8)	B7: extended-hours SOC + B8 retainer	B7: 24x7 SOC with fraud-signal correlation + B8 assured response
Reporting	Assessment report and roadmap	Consolidated risk and remediation reporting	Monthly operational and quarterly Board sub-committee reporting

6. Regulatory requirement-to-bundle mapping

Requirement (source)	How Codec Networks helps	Bundle
Annual system audit including cyber security audit by CERT-In empanelled auditors (PA Master Direction, 2025)	Cyber security and system audit by a CERT-In empanelled organisation, with closure tracking	B4
Half-yearly VAPT reports (PA Master Direction, 2025)	Scheduled half-yearly VAPT with retest and management summary	B1
Security testing at least annually in authenticated mode, and before new critical services go live (2024 PSO directions)	Authenticated VAPT, source code review and pre-go-live testing	B1, B2
SOC and SIEM-based monitoring; real-time fraud monitoring (2024 PSO directions)	Managed SOC with fraud-signal correlation	B7
Incident reporting to RBI within 6 hours and to CERT-In (2024 PSO directions; CERT-In Directions, 2022)	Incident playbooks, reporting support, forensic investigation and RCA	B7, B8
Backups tested at least half-yearly; DR drills at least half-yearly (2024 PSO directions)	Backup security testing, DR drill observation, ransomware simulation	B1, B10
Independent assurance from critical vendors and annual audit of cloud providers (2024 PSO directions)	Third-party assessments and cloud provider assurance reviews	B9, B3
Board-approved IS policy, CCMP and Board sub-committee reporting (2024 PSO directions; PA Master Direction)	Policy framework, Cyber Crisis Management Plan, Board dashboards	B5, B10
Payment data stored only in India with System Audit Report (RBI, 2018)	Data-flow mapping and payment data storage audit	B4
PCI DSS / PCI SSF compliance where applicable (PA Master Direction; card networks)	PCI DSS readiness, payment-page security, network compliance testing	B5, B1
Security safeguards and breach intimation (DPDP Act and Rules)	DPDPA readiness, data mapping, breach workflow and drills	B6
Two-factor authentication with a dynamic factor (Authentication Directions, 2025)	Authentication flow and MFA-bypass testing	B2, B10

Auditor eligibility

Certain RBI requirements specify that audits must be performed by CERT-In empanelled auditors. Codec Networks is CERT-In empanelled for information security auditing services. Where an engagement must also meet independence requirements, Codec Networks can confirm in the proposal that the audit team has not designed or operated the controls being audited.

7. Threat-to-bundle coverage matrix

Threat / challenge	Primary bundle	Supporting bundles
Account takeover	B2	B7, B10
Social engineering and scams	B10	B7
Mule accounts and mule merchants	B4	B7, B8
API abuse	B2	B1
E-skimming and SDK supply chain	B5	B2, B7
Business-logic abuse	B2	B10
QR and collect-request fraud	B2	B10
Fake and rogue apps	B7	B10
Synthetic identity and deepfake KYC	B10	B11
Cloud misconfiguration	B3	B7
Third-party compromise	B9	B3
Ransomware	B7	B8, B10
DDoS	B3	B10
Insider misuse	B7	B8
Settlement and escrow tampering	B4	B8
Data leakage	B6	B3
Weak detection and response	B7	B8, B10
AI-enabled attacks	B11	B10

“Primary” and “supporting” indicate suggested service combinations, not guaranteed mitigation or complete coverage of a threat.

8. Delivery methodology and deliverables

Title: Figure 7: The Codec Networks delivery methodology. - Description: Figure 7: The Codec Networks delivery methodology.

Figure 7: The Codec Networks delivery methodology.

Typical deliverables, depending on the agreed scope, include an executive summary for the Board sub-committee, a technical findings register with evidence and CVSS ratings, a compliance gap matrix mapped to the applicable directions, a prioritised remediation roadmap, retest reports and an evidence tracker for auditors and partner banks.

9. Why Codec Networks

CERT-In empanelled for information security auditing services, and empanelled with NICSI for application audit and compliance services (start-up category).
Certified to ISO 9001:2015, ISO/IEC 27001:2022 and ISO/IEC 20000-1:2018.
Full stack: VAPT, regulatory audit, managed SOC, forensics, privacy and Board advisory from one partner, so findings, monitoring and closure stay connected.
Fintech depth: API, mobile, payment-page, PCI DSS and fraud-scenario testing for payment and lending platforms.
Recognised frameworks and tools: OWASP ASVS/MASVS and API Top 10, MITRE ATT&CK, NIST CSF, ISO 27001 and PCI DSS; industry tools such as Burp Suite, MobSF, Nessus, Prowler and leading SIEM/EDR platforms.
Certified people: ethical hackers (CEH, OSCP, CPENT), auditors (CISA, ISO 27001 LA/LI), forensic and SOC analysts (CHFI, CTIA, ECIH) and cloud specialists.

Annex: Indicative commercial ranges

For sales reference only. The ranges below are taken from the Codec Networks Bundled Service Models and are subject to scoping, asset counts, frequency and service levels.

Bundle	Package examples and indicative ranges
B1 VAPT Assurance	Essential ₹1.5–5 lakh; Professional ₹5–15 lakh; Enterprise ₹15–40 lakh; Annual retainer ₹25 lakh–₹1.5 crore
B2 AppSec & DevSecOps	API Quick Check ₹2–6 lakh; AppSec Professional ₹8–20 lakh; DevSecOps Maturity ₹12–35 lakh; Secure SDLC retainer ₹3–15 lakh/month
B3 Cloud & Zero Trust	Cloud Essential ₹3–8 lakh; Professional ₹8–25 lakh; Enterprise ₹25–75 lakh; Continuous assurance ₹2–10 lakh/month
B4 Regulatory Audit	Gap review ₹5–15 lakh; Full regulatory audit ₹15–50 lakh; Multi-framework audit ₹30 lakh–₹1.25 crore; Annual retainer ₹3–20 lakh/month
B5 GRC, ISO, SOC 2	ISO readiness ₹5–15 lakh; ISO implementation ₹15–45 lakh; SOC 2 readiness ₹15–60 lakh; GRC retainer ₹2–12 lakh/month
B6 Privacy & DPDPA	Quick assessment ₹3–10 lakh; Implementation ₹10–40 lakh; DPO-as-a-Service ₹2–8 lakh/month; Privacy retainer ₹3–15 lakh/month
B7 Managed SOC	Starter ₹2–5 lakh/month; Professional ₹5–15 lakh/month; Enterprise ₹15–50 lakh/month; co-managed per FTE/shift
B8 Forensics & IR	Triage ₹3–15 lakh; Full investigation ₹15–75 lakh; Ransomware response ₹25 lakh–₹1.5 crore; IR retainer ₹5–50 lakh/year
B9 TPRM	₹25,000–₹2 lakh per vendor; batch pricing for 50–500 vendors; retainer ₹3–25 lakh/month
B10 Simulation & Tabletop	Awareness ₹1–5 lakh; Phishing simulation ₹2–10 lakh; Tabletop ₹5–20 lakh; Cyber war-game ₹15–75 lakh; Annual retainer ₹10 lakh–₹1 crore/year
B11 Emerging Tech	AI/LLM risk review ₹5–25 lakh; Smart contract audit ₹5–50 lakh; Emerging tech retainer ₹5–25 lakh/month

Talk to Codec Networks

Contact

Codec Networks Pvt. Ltd.

New Delhi: 507, 5th Floor, New Delhi House, Barakhamba Road, Connaught Place, New Delhi – 110001

Gurugram: 707, 7th Floor, Silverton Tower, Golf Course Extension Road, Sector 50, Gurugram – 122018, Haryana

Landline: 011 430 496 96 | 011 437 522 99 Mobile: +91 99716 76124 | +91 88007 88220 | +91 88003 31124

Email: mktg@codecnetworks.com Web: www.codecnetworks.com

Note: Service availability, scope, deliverables, monitoring coverage and service levels are confirmed during engagement scoping. Services support risk reduction and assurance but do not guarantee prevention of all cyber incidents or regulatory compliance. Regulatory references are summaries; confirm against the official instruments.