TraderEvolution engaged Protagonist to formalize its existing security controls into a certified, auditable information security management system. In 4 months, we delivered end-to-end ISO 27001 readiness — spanning ISMS documentation, operational processes, and operational-resilience practices aligned with DORA expectations — and the company passed the external certification audit on the first attempt with zero critical findings.
First-attempt pass
Zero major non-conformities at external audit
4 months
From kickoff to certified ISMS
End-to-end readiness
Technical controls, governance, and audit support
To satisfy enterprise procurement, TraderEvolution needed certified proof of security maturity
TraderEvolution is a multi-asset trading platform vendor whose software is deployed in-house by brokers and banks worldwide. As enterprise financial institutions in their pipeline began requiring ISO 27001 certification as part of due diligence, TraderEvolution set out to formalize its security posture: strong technical controls were already in place at the product level, but they needed to be consolidated into a documented risk process, a formal governance structure, and a certifiable management system. Protagonist took on the program end-to-end as the company’s fractional security team — extending the existing controls, leading the ISMS buildout, and walking TraderEvolution through certification.
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Industry: Fintech · Trading Platform
Services: Compliance & Readiness
Project timeline: 4 months
TraderEvolution is a multi-asset trading platform vendor whose software is deployed in-house by brokers and banks worldwide. As enterprise financial institutions in their pipeline began requiring ISO 27001 certification as part of due diligence, TraderEvolution set out to formalize its security posture: strong technical controls were already in place at the product level, but they needed to be consolidated into a documented risk process, a formal governance structure, and a certifiable management system. Protagonist took on the program end-to-end as the company’s fractional security team — extending the existing controls, leading the ISMS buildout, and walking TraderEvolution through certification.
Protagonist leads a managed compliance program for ISO 27001 readiness
In 4 months, Protagonist designed and delivered a complete information security program — covering the technical stack, the operational processes, and the external audit itself. Below are the three milestones and the workstreams that anchored each phase.
Technical baseline hardened and extended
ISMS complete and internally audited
External audit passed
Formalized security operations and governance
TraderEvolution had strong technical controls that were not yet backed by a formally documented security program. We documented security processes, defined ownership and approval flows, built risk and asset tracking, and consolidated existing practices into a formal operating model that supported audits, customer requirements, and day-to-day decision-making.
Built a threat-driven SIEM and detection capability
We built TraderEvolution’s SIEM on a fully owned, open-standards logging and detection stack. The solution centralized monitoring across infrastructure, endpoints, and product systems, with detection logic mapped to fintech threat models, MITRE ATT&CK techniques, and custom correlation rules designed for faster incident detection, response, and audit evidence generation.
Strengthened network security on the existing stack
We rebuilt the VPN and hardened segmentation, access control, and traffic governance across production, corporate, and management environments without replacing existing infrastructure, while documenting topology and firewall policies for secure operations and audits.
Hardened endpoints for a remote-work-first environment
We established and enforced workstation security configurations aligned with a remote-work-first model, deployed an endpoint protection solution for detection and response, and built a structured incident response process for handling security threats across the environment.
Aligned operational resilience with DORA expectations
We implemented operational-resilience controls aligned with DORA expectations, including structured impact and dependency assessments and formalized internal processes, supporting the ICT risk-management and continuity requirements that TraderEvolution’s financial-institution clients must evidence.
Ran the internal audit and led the external audit
After delivering security awareness training across the company, we conducted a full internal audit to surface and close gaps. We then led external audit facilitation, walking auditors through evidence, controls, and process artifacts. The auditor closed the engagement with zero critical findings.
TraderEvolution established a formal security and compliance capability that now supports enterprise customer requirements and regulatory expectations. Its strong technical controls are now backed by an embedded operational function used in decision-making, audits, and customer due diligence.
The organization successfully passed ISO 27001 certification on the first attempt with zero critical findings, creating a trusted security baseline for enterprise financial institutions and broker clients. This significantly reduced friction in sales cycles and helped the company evidence the security and operational-resilience requirements — including those clients cite under DORA — expected across regulated financial ecosystems.
ISO 27001 certifiedZero critical findings on first attempt
Enterprise & banking readyCredentials regulated FIs require
Operational ISMSBuilt to run, not just to pass
“From day one, Protagonist worked like part of our team rather than an outside vendor. They took ownership end-to-end and walked us into the audit with everything already in place.”
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