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INDUSTRY FACT FILE · PHARMACEUTICALS & LIFE SCIENCES
Applicable Cybersecurity Services and Codec Networks Bundles for Pharma
How Codec Networks services and bundled service models help pharma and life sciences organisations resolve their threats and meet Schedule M, data integrity, clinical, CERT-In and DPDP expectations.
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In this document 1. Our approach 2. Mapping threats to services 3. Codec Networks service catalogue for the sector 4. Codec Networks bundles for the sector 5. Sector programmes built from the bundles 6. Packages: Foundation, Assurance and Continuous Resilience 7. Regulatory requirement-to-bundle mapping 8. Threat-to-bundle coverage matrix 9. Delivery methodology and deliverables 10. Why Codec Networks 11. Annex: indicative commercial ranges |
1. Our approach
Pharma needs assurance that protects research, production and quality data together. Codec Networks works on four principles:
- Plant-safe OT work: assess OT without disrupting production.
- Integrity first: treat data integrity as a security and GMP outcome.
- Protect the IP: classify, monitor and control research data.
- Assure the partners: CROs, CDMOs and vendors are part of the attack surface.
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 |
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Ransomware into OT |
OT assessment, IT/OT segmentation, backup testing |
Contained incidents |
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IP theft and espionage |
IP protection programme, threat hunting |
Protected research |
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Insider exfiltration |
DLP, UEBA, forensic readiness |
Detected exfiltration |
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Data integrity failures |
Computerised system and data integrity review |
Inspection-ready systems |
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OT compromise |
MES, SCADA and DCS assessment |
Hardened control systems |
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Clinical data leakage |
Clinical platform testing, privacy programme |
Protected participants |
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Phishing |
Phishing simulation, MFA review |
Fewer compromised accounts |
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Partner compromise |
CRO, CDMO and vendor assessments |
Assured partners |
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Cloud and collaboration exposure |
Cloud and SaaS configuration review |
Private research data |
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BEC |
BEC simulation, payment controls review |
Reduced fraud |
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Counterfeit and supply-chain fraud |
Serialisation and supply-chain controls review |
Trusted supply |
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Legacy systems |
Compensating controls and segmentation |
Reduced legacy exposure |
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Vendor OT access |
Vendor remote access review |
Controlled vendor sessions |
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Dossier tampering |
Document control and access review |
Trusted submissions |
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Clinical data tampering |
EDC audit trail and access review |
Study integrity |
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Cold-chain attacks |
Monitoring system security review |
Reliable temperature data |
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Weak detection |
Managed SOC for IT and OT, playbooks |
Reliable 6-hour reporting |
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Recovery failure |
OT and IT recovery drills |
Proven recovery |
3. Codec Networks service catalogue for the sector
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Service line |
Sector-relevant services |
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Security Vulnerability Assessment & Penetration Testing |
IT, lab and plant network testing, planned around production |
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OT security |
Plant OT inventory, IT/OT segmentation, MES, SCADA and DCS assessments, vendor access reviews |
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Information security audit & compliance |
Computerised system and data integrity reviews aligned to GMP expectations, ISO/IEC 27001:2022 |
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Application security |
LIMS, EDC, CTMS, QMS and partner portal testing |
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Data privacy & protection |
DPDPA readiness for participant and employee data, research data classification, DLP |
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24/7 Managed SOC & threat monitoring |
IT and OT monitoring, espionage-focused threat hunting, UEBA |
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Cyber forensics |
Ransomware and IP theft investigations, evidence handling |
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Third-party risk management |
CRO, CDMO, equipment and software vendor assessments |
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Offensive security & simulation |
OT incident exercises, phishing and BEC simulations |
4. Codec Networks bundles for the sector
Eleven of the twelve bundles in the Codec Networks Bundled Service Models apply directly to pharmaceutical and life sciences organisations; the Global Cyber Back-Office SPV Program (Bundle 12) is offered separately for international clients.
Figure 6: Codec Networks bundles applied to the sector.
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Bundle |
Name |
Sector-relevant scope |
Best suited for |
Key deliverables |
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B1 |
Cyber Assessment & VAPT Assurance Program |
IT, lab and plant network testing |
All organisations |
PT reports and closure tracker |
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B2 |
Application, API & DevSecOps Security Program |
LIMS, EDC, CTMS, QMS and portal testing |
Manufacturers and CROs |
Application risk report |
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B3 |
Cloud, Infrastructure & Zero Trust Security Program |
IT/OT segmentation, DMZ and cloud reviews |
Manufacturers and CDMOs |
Architecture review |
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B4 |
Regulatory Cybersecurity Audit & Compliance Assurance Program |
Computerised system and data integrity reviews |
Manufacturers and labs |
Gap matrix, evidence index |
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B5 |
GRC, ISO, SOC 2 & Cyber Maturity Program |
ISO 27001, policies and partner evidence |
Organisations facing partner audits |
Maturity scorecard, evidence pack |
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B6 |
Data Privacy, DPDPA & Data Protection Program |
Participant and employee data protection |
CROs, sites and all employers |
Privacy gap assessment |
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B7 |
Managed SOC, MDR & Continuous Threat Monitoring Program |
24x7 SOC for IT and OT |
Mid-sized and large organisations |
SOC reports, MTTD/MTTR |
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B8 |
Digital Forensics, Incident Response & Malware RCA Program |
Ransomware and IP theft investigations |
Any organisation facing compromise |
Forensic report and RCA |
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B9 |
Third-Party Risk Management & Supply Chain Cyber Risk Program |
CRO, CDMO and vendor assessments |
Sponsors and manufacturers |
Vendor risk assessments |
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B10 |
Cyber Simulation, Awareness, Tabletop & Crisis Readiness Program |
OT incident and crisis exercises |
Plant, quality and leadership teams |
Exercise reports |
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B11 |
Emerging Technology, AI, Web3 & Future Security Program |
AI in research and quality governance |
Organisations using AI |
AI risk assessment |
5. Sector programmes built from the bundles
Codec Networks packages the catalogue bundles into six pharma programmes.
|
Programme |
Built from bundles |
Challenges addressed |
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OT Resilience Programme |
B3, B7, B10 |
Plant OT, segmentation and recovery |
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Data Integrity Assurance |
B4, B2 |
Lab and quality systems |
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IP Protection Programme |
B6, B7, B8 |
Research data, insiders and espionage |
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Clinical Data Protection |
B2, B6, B9 |
Trial platforms, CROs and participants |
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Partner Assurance |
B9, B5 |
CROs, CDMOs and vendors |
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Incident Readiness |
B7, B8, B10 |
Detection, response and 6-hour reporting |
6. Packages: Foundation, Assurance and Continuous Resilience
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Package element |
Foundation |
Assurance |
Continuous Resilience |
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Typical organisation |
MSME manufacturers and labs |
Mid-sized manufacturers and CROs |
Large pharma and biotech |
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Testing |
B1: IT and plant VAPT |
B1 + B2: LIMS, EDC and QMS testing |
B1 + B10: IT/OT red teaming |
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Audit and GRC |
B4: data integrity quick review |
B4 + B5: data integrity and ISO 27001 |
B4 + B5 + B9: inspection readiness and partner assurance |
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Cloud and privacy |
B5: policy and gap check |
B3 + B6: OT segmentation and clinical privacy |
B3 + B6 + B11: IP protection and AI governance |
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Monitoring and response |
IR retainer (B8) |
B7: managed SOC + B8 |
B7: SOC with OT and espionage signals + B8 |
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Reporting |
Compliance checklist |
Quality and management reporting |
Board and inspection-readiness reporting |
7. Regulatory requirement-to-bundle mapping
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Requirement (source) |
How Codec Networks helps |
Bundle |
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Good manufacturing practices including computerised systems (Revised Schedule M) |
Computerised system and data integrity assessment |
B4 |
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Electronic records and signatures (US FDA 21 CFR Part 11) |
Access, audit trail and signature controls review |
B4 |
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Computerised systems (EU GMP Annex 11) |
Validation-aware security review |
B4 |
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Clinical trial records and participant protection (NDCT Rules 2019; ICMR) |
Clinical platform testing and privacy programme |
B2, B6 |
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Cyber incidents to CERT-In within six hours; 180-day logs |
SOC, IR retainer and reporting support |
B7, B8 |
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Participant and employee personal data (DPDP) |
DPDPA programme |
B6 |
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Partner security (sponsor, CRO and CDMO agreements) |
Third-party risk programme |
B9 |
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Supply continuity (customer and regulator expectations) |
OT resilience and recovery testing |
B3, B10 |
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Auditor eligibility and independence Where a regulator, standard or contract requires CERT-In empanelled or independent auditors, Codec Networks—CERT-In empanelled for information security auditing services—confirms eligibility and independence in each proposal. |
8. Threat-to-bundle coverage matrix
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Threat / challenge |
Primary bundle |
Supporting bundles |
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Ransomware into OT |
B3 |
B7, B8 |
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IP theft |
B6 |
B7 |
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Insider exfiltration |
B7 |
B8 |
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Data integrity |
B4 |
B2 |
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OT compromise |
B3 |
B1 |
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Clinical data leakage |
B6 |
B2 |
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Phishing |
B10 |
B7 |
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Partner compromise |
B9 |
B5 |
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Cloud exposure |
B3 |
B6 |
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BEC |
B10 |
B7 |
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Counterfeit |
B9 |
B4 |
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Legacy systems |
B3 |
B1 |
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Vendor OT access |
B3 |
B9 |
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Dossier tampering |
B4 |
B5 |
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Clinical data tampering |
B4 |
B2 |
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Cold-chain attacks |
B3 |
B7 |
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Weak detection |
B7 |
B8 |
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Recovery failure |
B10 |
B3 |
“Primary” and “supporting” indicate suggested combinations, not guaranteed mitigation or complete coverage.
9. Delivery methodology and deliverables
Figure 7: The Codec Networks delivery methodology.
Typical deliverables include IT and plant test reports with retests, an OT asset inventory and segmentation review, a computerised system and data integrity gap matrix, clinical platform and CRO assessments, an IP protection programme design, vendor risk assessments and SOC reporting.
10. 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.
- Pharma depth: plant OT, lab systems and clinical platforms assessed with GMP and data integrity expectations in mind.
- Recognised frameworks and tools: OWASP ASVS/MASVS and API Top 10, MITRE ATT&CK, NIST CSF, ISO 27001 and PCI DSS; tools such as Burp Suite, Nessus, Metasploit, Prowler and leading SIEM/EDR platforms.
- Certified people: CEH, OSCP, CPENT, CISA, ISO 27001 LA/LI, CHFI, CTIA and ECIH professionals.
Annex: Indicative commercial ranges
For internal sales reference only—remove this annex before sharing externally. Ranges are taken from the Codec Networks Bundled Service Models and are subject to scoping, asset counts, frequency and service levels.
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Bundle |
Package examples and indicative ranges |
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B1 VAPT Assurance |
Essential ₹1.5–5 lakh; Professional ₹5–15 lakh; Enterprise ₹15–40 lakh; Annual retainer ₹25 lakh–₹1.5 crore |
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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 |
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B3 Cloud & Zero Trust |
Cloud Essential ₹3–8 lakh; Professional ₹8–25 lakh; Enterprise ₹25–75 lakh; Continuous assurance ₹2–10 lakh/month |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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B7 Managed SOC |
Starter ₹2–5 lakh/month; Professional ₹5–15 lakh/month; Enterprise ₹15–50 lakh/month; co-managed per FTE/shift |
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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 |
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B9 TPRM |
₹25,000–₹2 lakh per vendor; batch pricing for 50–500 vendors; retainer ₹3–25 lakh/month |
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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 |
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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
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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 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 applicable to each entity.