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INDUSTRY FACT FILE · PROFESSIONAL & BUSINESS SERVICES
Applicable Cybersecurity Services and Codec Networks Bundles for Professional Services
How Codec Networks services and bundled service models help law, accounting, consulting, recruitment, staffing, payroll and shared-services firms resolve their threats and meet CERT-In, DPDP, professional confidentiality and client 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
Professional firms need security that protects the client relationship as well as the network. Codec Networks works on four principles:
- Client first: every control is judged by what it does for the clients, employees and candidates whose information the firm holds.
- Confidentiality by default: engagements run under strict NDAs and need-to-know access, and evidence is handled as carefully as the client files it protects.
- Assume compromise: make mailboxes, documents and payroll recoverable, monitored and rehearsed, and investigate fraud to its source.
- Prove it: findings mapped to CERT-In, DPDP, professional confidentiality duties, RBI and SEBI vendor expectations, SOC 2 and ISO/IEC 27001 so clients, insurers and regulators can rely on them.
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.
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Threat / challenge |
Applicable Codec Networks services |
Intended outcome |
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Business email compromise and payment diversion |
Email security review, phishing-resistant MFA, call-back controls, BEC forensics |
Payments that reach the right party |
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Ransomware on practice and delivery systems |
Remote-access hardening, segmentation, backup and restore testing, managed SOC |
Practices that keep working |
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Data theft and extortion via leak sites |
DLP, exfiltration monitoring, extortion response playbooks |
Client files that stay private |
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Mailbox and cloud identity takeover |
Tenant review, conditional access, token protection, sign-in monitoring |
Identities that stay yours |
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Confidential document leaks |
Data classification, DMS and data-room access reviews, link controls |
Need-to-know access |
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File-transfer and SaaS supply chain compromise |
Vendor risk programme, file-transfer testing, exposure monitoring |
A trustworthy supply chain |
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Payroll and bank-detail fraud |
Self-service and help-desk control review, dual approval, monitoring |
Salaries paid to the right accounts |
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Candidate and employee data exposure |
ATS and HRMS testing, encryption, DPDP retention controls |
Protected people data |
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Cloud storage and data-room misconfiguration |
Cloud posture review, public-link discovery, sharing policies |
No accidental exposure |
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Insider exfiltration by leavers |
Leaver workflows, DLP, bulk-download alerts, insider investigations |
Files that stay with the firm |
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Impersonation and fake recruiter scams |
Brand monitoring, lookalike-domain detection, takedown support |
Fakes removed fast |
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Deal and M&A espionage |
Threat-led assessments, deal-team access controls, monitoring |
Protected deal information |
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Help-desk social engineering |
Identity-verification procedures, PAM, simulation of vishing calls |
Resets only for real users |
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Client portal and application vulnerabilities |
Web, mobile and API VAPT, secure SDLC |
Hardened client portals |
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Remote access and VPN compromise |
External and remote-access assessment, MFA, patch assurance |
A closed front door |
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Generative AI data leakage |
AI usage policy, approved tools, data controls, AI risk review |
Safe use of AI on client work |
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Weak detection and response |
Managed SOC, playbooks, IR retainer |
Reliable 6-hour reporting |
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Backup and recovery failure |
Backup review, immutable copies, restore drills |
Proven recovery |
3. Codec Networks service catalogue for the sector
|
Service line |
Sector-relevant services |
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Security Vulnerability Assessment & Penetration Testing |
Firm network, remote-access, VPN and external attack-surface assessments; red teaming against document, audit and payroll systems |
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Application & platform security |
Client portal, payroll, HRMS, ATS and tax-platform testing; API security; secure SDLC for firms that build their own tools |
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Email, identity & cloud security |
Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace reviews, phishing-resistant MFA, conditional access, mailbox-rule hardening, cloud posture |
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Confidential data protection |
Data discovery and classification, DMS and data-room access reviews, data loss prevention, leaver controls, AI usage governance |
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Data privacy & protection |
DPDP programmes covering fiduciary and processor roles; candidate, staff and payroll data mapping; contract clauses; DPO-as-a-Service |
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Information security audit & client assurance |
CERT-In-aligned audits, ISO/IEC 27001 and SOC 2 readiness, security questionnaires, RBI and SEBI vendor evidence packs |
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Third-party and vendor risk |
Payroll, HR, file-transfer, document, background-verification and cloud vendor assessments; contract clauses; continuous monitoring |
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24/7 Managed SOC & threat monitoring |
Mailbox, identity, endpoint, cloud and vendor monitoring; BEC, takeover and exfiltration detection; brand monitoring |
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Cyber forensics & fraud investigations |
BEC and payment-diversion, payroll, invoice and insider investigations; ransomware response; 6-hour reporting and DPDP intimation support |
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Awareness & simulation |
BEC and phishing simulation for partners and finance; vishing tests for help desks; extortion and fraud tabletop exercises |
4. Codec Networks bundles for the sector
Eleven of the twelve bundles in the Codec Networks Bundled Service Models apply directly to professional and business services firms; the Global Cyber Back-Office SPV Program (Bundle 12) is offered separately for international clients.
Figure 6: Codec Networks bundles applied to the sector.
|
Bundle |
Name |
Sector-relevant scope |
Best suited for |
Key deliverables |
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B1 |
Cyber Assessment & VAPT Assurance Program |
Firm network, remote-access, client portal and external attack-surface assessments |
All professional and business services firms |
Assessment reports, retests and closure tracker |
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B2 |
Application, API & DevSecOps Security Program |
Client portals, payroll, HRMS, ATS and tax platforms; APIs; secure SDLC |
Payroll, HR, recruitment, tax and corporate services firms |
Application and API risk reports |
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B3 |
Cloud, Infrastructure & Zero Trust Security Program |
Microsoft 365 and Workspace, identity, conditional access, segmentation, backup architecture |
Law, CA, consulting and shared-services firms |
Architecture review and remediation roadmap |
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B4 |
Regulatory Cybersecurity Audit & Compliance Assurance Program |
CERT-In-aligned audits, RBI and SEBI vendor evidence, SEBI disclosure support |
Firms serving regulated clients, RTAs, listed firms |
Audit report, gap matrix, evidence tracker |
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B5 |
GRC, ISO, SOC 2 & Cyber Maturity Program |
ISO/IEC 27001, SOC 2 and security questionnaires for client due diligence |
Firms selling to banks, insurers, listed and global clients |
Maturity scorecard, policies, evidence packs |
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B6 |
Data Privacy, DPDPA & Data Protection Program |
Client, staff and candidate data; fiduciary and processor duties; contracts |
All firms ahead of May 2027, especially staffing and payroll |
Privacy gap assessment, data map, roadmap |
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B7 |
Managed SOC, MDR & Continuous Threat Monitoring Program |
24x7 managed SOC for mailboxes, identities, endpoints and cloud; brand monitoring |
Firms of every size |
SOC reports, MTTD/MTTR |
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B8 |
Digital Forensics, Incident Response & Malware RCA Program |
BEC, payroll, invoice, insider and ransomware investigations; 6-hour reporting |
Any firm facing fraud or an incident |
Forensic report, RCA, reporting support |
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B9 |
Third-Party Risk Management & Supply Chain Cyber Risk Program |
Payroll, HR, file-transfer, document and verification vendor assessments |
Firms relying on SaaS and outsourcing partners |
Vendor risk register and assessments |
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B10 |
Cyber Simulation, Awareness, Tabletop & Crisis Readiness Program |
BEC and vishing simulation, extortion and fraud tabletop exercises |
Partners, finance, HR, help-desk and client-service teams |
Exercise reports and playbooks |
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B11 |
Emerging Technology, AI, Web3 & Future Security Program |
Generative AI governance and AI risk reviews for client work |
Firms using AI in drafting, review and analysis |
Risk assessment and controls |
5. Sector programmes built from the bundles
Codec Networks packages the catalogue bundles into six professional services programmes.
|
Programme |
Built from bundles |
Challenges addressed |
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Email & Identity Protection Programme |
B3, B7, B10 |
Mailbox takeover, BEC, MFA and sign-in monitoring |
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Confidential Data Programme |
B3, B5, B11 |
Classification, DMS access, DLP, leavers and AI use |
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Client Assurance Programme |
B5, B4, B1 |
ISO 27001, SOC 2, questionnaires and audits |
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People Data Privacy Programme |
B6, B2, B9 |
Candidate, staff and payroll data; processors |
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Payment & Fraud Resilience |
B10, B8, B7 |
Call-back controls, fraud investigations, exercises |
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Managed SOC & Response |
B7, B8 |
Detection, response and 6-hour reporting |
6. Packages: Foundation, Assurance and Continuous Resilience
|
Package element |
Foundation |
Assurance |
Continuous Resilience |
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Typical organisation |
Boutique law, CA, consulting and recruitment firms |
Mid-size firms, staffing and payroll providers |
Large firms, networks, GCCs and shared services |
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Testing |
B1: external and remote-access assessment |
B1 + B2: client portal and application testing |
B1 + B2 + B10: continuous testing and red teaming |
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Audit and GRC |
B5: policy pack and client questionnaire support |
B5: ISO 27001 or SOC 2 readiness + B4 |
B4 + B5 + B9: audits, certifications and vendor programme |
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Email, data and privacy |
B3: Microsoft 365 review + B6: privacy quick assessment |
B3 + B6: identity hardening and DPDP programme |
B3 + B6 + B11: DLP, DPDP and AI governance |
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Monitoring and response |
IR retainer (B8) |
B7: managed SOC + B8 |
B7: SOC with threat hunting and brand monitoring + B8 |
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Reporting |
Compliance checklist and client responses |
Managing partner and client reporting |
Board, client, insurer and regulator reporting |
7. Regulatory requirement-to-bundle mapping
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Requirement (source) |
How Codec Networks helps |
Bundle |
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Cyber incidents to CERT-In within six hours; 180-day logs (CERT-In Directions) |
Managed SOC, IR retainer and reporting support |
B7, B8 |
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Risk-based independent cyber audits (CERT-In audit guidelines, 2025) |
Independent firm, portal and cloud audits |
B4, B1 |
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Staff, partner and candidate data as data fiduciary (DPDP Act and Rules) |
DPDPA programme with data map and retention controls |
B6 |
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Processing of client data only under a valid contract, with safeguards (DPDP) |
Processor contract review, safeguards evidence |
B6, B9 |
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Confidentiality of client information (CA Act 1949; ICAI Code of Ethics; BCI rules; BSA 2023 Section 132) |
Access control, DLP, leaver controls and monitoring |
B3, B5 |
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Service-provider controls and audit rights for vendors to banks (RBI IT outsourcing directions) |
Evidence packs, audits, ISO 27001 and SOC 2 |
B4, B5 |
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Cyber resilience for SEBI-regulated entities such as RTAs (SEBI CSCRF) |
Gap assessment, audits and SOC coverage |
B4, B7 |
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Quarterly cyber incident disclosure by listed companies (SEBI LODR) |
Incident records and disclosure support |
B4, B8 |
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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
|
Threat / challenge |
Primary bundle |
Supporting bundles |
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Business email compromise and payment diversion |
B3 |
B7, B10, B8 |
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Ransomware on practice and delivery systems |
B1 |
B3, B7, B8 |
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Data theft and extortion via leak sites |
B7 |
B3, B8 |
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Mailbox and cloud identity takeover |
B3 |
B7 |
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Confidential document leaks |
B5 |
B3, B7 |
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File-transfer and SaaS supply chain compromise |
B9 |
B2, B7 |
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Payroll and bank-detail fraud |
B10 |
B2, B8 |
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Candidate and employee data exposure |
B6 |
B2, B3 |
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Cloud storage and data-room misconfiguration |
B3 |
B1, B6 |
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Insider exfiltration by leavers |
B7 |
B3, B8 |
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Impersonation and fake recruiter scams |
B7 |
B10 |
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Deal and M&A espionage |
B1 |
B3, B7 |
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Help-desk social engineering |
B10 |
B3, B7 |
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Client portal and application vulnerabilities |
B2 |
B1 |
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Remote access and VPN compromise |
B1 |
B3, B7 |
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Generative AI data leakage |
B11 |
B5, B6 |
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Weak detection and response |
B7 |
B8 |
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Backup and recovery failure |
B3 |
B10 |
“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 external, remote-access and firm network assessment reports with retests, client portal, payroll, HRMS and ATS test reports, a Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace security review with identity and mailbox-rule findings, a data classification and access review with DLP recommendations, a DPDP gap assessment with data map, fiduciary and processor analysis and contract review, a vendor risk register, ISO 27001 or SOC 2 readiness reports and client evidence packs, a CERT-In-aligned audit report, BEC and fraud investigation reports, playbooks and exercise reports, and managed 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.
- Professional services depth: law, audit, consulting, staffing, payroll and shared-services environments assessed with confidentiality-first methods and mapped to DPDP fiduciary and processor duties, professional confidentiality rules, RBI and SEBI vendor expectations, SOC 2 and ISO/IEC 27001.
- 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.
|
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.