Strengthening Security and Compliance in AdTech
As a global leader in native advertising, MGID operates on a massive scale, reaching 900 million unique users monthly and delivering 200 billion ad impressions across 25,000 trusted publishers. Handling vast amounts of user data, MGID must maintain the highest security standards to protect sensitive information, ensure compliance, and meet growing regulatory and client security expectations.
n the fast-evolving AdTech industry, MGID recognized the importance of strengthening its security framework to mitigate risks, enhance trust with enterprise clients, and ensure compliance with key regulatory requirements. The company embarked on a structured cybersecurity journey, partnering with Sekurno to achieve three critical security milestones:
ISO 27001 Certification: Establishing a structured and risk-based approach to information security management.
GDPR Compliance: Aligning data privacy practices with European regulations and ensuring transparency in handling user data.
Comprehensive Penetration Testing (Pentesting): Proactively identifying vulnerabilities and reinforcing the platform’s defenses against cyber threats.
Through these initiatives, MGID has reinforced its reputation as a privacy-first, security-conscious platform, ensuring the safety of its users, advertisers, and publishers.
Challenge:
Navigating Security, Compliance & Client Expectations
Increasing Regulatory Compliance Burden
Although MGID followed security best practices, the company lacked a structured and unified cybersecurity framework that could streamline risk management, compliance, and proactive threat detection.
With global operations, MGID had to comply with multiple regulations, including GDPR and industry-specific AdTech frameworks. Meeting these legal requirements was resource-intensive and essential to prevent reputational and financial risks associated with non-compliance.
High Client Security Expectations
Although MGID followed security best practices, the company lacked a structured and unified cybersecurity framework that could streamline risk management, compliance, and proactive threat detection.
Large enterprise clients demanded verifiable proof of security, risk management, and compliance before engaging in business. MGID frequently received extensive security questionnaires that required documented evidence of security policies, penetration testing reports, and certifications.
Growing Cybersecurity Threats
Although MGID followed security best practices, the company lacked a structured and unified cybersecurity framework that could streamline risk management, compliance, and proactive threat detection.
Operating in the AdTech space, MGID faced increasing cyber threats, including potential data breaches and external vulnerability reports. Even a single critical vulnerability could damage its credibility and result in customer attrition.
Unstructured Security Framework
Although MGID followed security best practices, the company lacked a structured and unified cybersecurity framework that could streamline risk management, compliance, and proactive threat detection.
Although MGID followed security best practices, the company lacked a structured and unified cybersecurity framework that could streamline risk management, compliance, and proactive threat detection.
As MGID expanded into regulated industries like banking and automotive, and engaged with enterprise clients with strict security expectations, it faced several key challenges:
MGID needed a comprehensive security approach that could address these challenges, secure client trust, and strengthen its defenses against potential attacks.
Solution: A Holistic Cybersecurity Strategy with Sekurno
Achieving ISO 27001 Certification: Security Beyond Compliance
Key Steps Taken:
To establish a formalized security posture, MGID worked with Sekurno to achieve ISO 27001 certification—an internationally recognized standard for Information Security Management Systems (ISMS).
Results:
Enhanced Business Trust & Growth:
Enterprise clients gained confidence in MGID’s security standards, leading to new business opportunities.​​
Regulatory Alignment:
Achieved compliance with GDPR’s Article 32 on data security and risk mitigation.​​​
Operational Efficiency:
Standardized security processes, reducing the burden of completing security questionnaires for prospective clients.
Achieving GDPR Compliance:
Building a Strong Data Protection Framework
Key Steps Taken:
With increasing user privacy concerns and strict data protection laws, MGID needed a GDPR-compliant approach to data governance. Sekurno guided MGID through a structured data protection transformation, ensuring compliance with European regulations.
Results:
Zero Non-Conformities in Big4 GDPR Audit:
An external audit confirmed MGID’s full GDPR compliance, validating its data protection efforts.
Strengthened Client Trust:
Compliance with GDPR allowed MGID to seamlessly engage with enterprise clients who prioritize privacy.
Operational Efficiency:
Streamlined EU-US data transfers and reduced the administrative burden of vendor assessments.
Strengthening Security with Penetration Testing: A Proactive Approach
Key Steps Taken:
MGID partnered with Sekurno to conduct rigorous penetration testing to identify and eliminate critical security vulnerabilities before they could be exploited.
Threat Modeling & Risk Analysis:
Identified high-risk attack vectors specific to MGID’s infrastructure
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White-Box Penetration Testing:
Conducted manual and automated security tests using industry-standard frameworks like OWASP and PTES.
Comprehensive Reporting & Fixes:
Delivered detailed vulnerability reports, along with targeted remediation strategies for MGID’s development teams.
Security Attestation for Clients:
Provided an Attestation Letter verifying MGID’s robust security posture, helping ease client concerns.
Results:
Zero Critical Vulnerabilities in Production:
Ensured no high-risk security issues were present after remediation efforts.
Improved Security Reputation:
Enhanced MGID’s position as a secure, privacy-first platform, strengthening its standing with advertisers and publishers.
Ongoing Bug Bounty Program:
Established a continuous vulnerability detection strategy to proactively monitor security risks.
Conclusion: A Future-Proof Security Strategy for MGID
Through its partnership with Sekurno, MGID has established itself as a trusted leader in secure, privacy-focused digital advertising, ensuring long-term success in an ever-evolving security landscape.
By integrating ISO 27001 compliance, GDPR alignment, and rigorous penetration testing, MGID has successfully built a resilient cybersecurity foundation that enables it to:
Secure new business opportunities by demonstrating compliance and security excellence.
Mitigate cybersecurity risks through proactive penetration testing and continuous monitoring.
Strengthen regulatory alignment with GDPR and other industry frameworks.
Enhance operational efficiency by streamlining security processes and reducing compliance burdens.