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As per the SEBI circular "SEBI/HO/ ITD-1/ITD_CSC_EXT/P/CIR/2024/113" dated 20 Aug 2024 it is mandatory for all MIIs and Qualified REs to be compliant to the below DE.DP.S4 CART guidelines.

SEBI’s CART Requirement (SEBI/HO/ ITD-1/ITD_CSC_EXT/P/CIR/2024/113)

• SEBI Requirement 1: REs shall conduct red teaming exercises as part of their cybersecurity framework on a half-yearly basis through use of red/ blue teams.
  
  
• SEBI Requirement 2: CART solution shall be deployed for continuous, automated process of testing the security of the systems, and achieving greater visibility on attack surfaces.
  
  
• SEBI Requirement 3:For red teaming exercise, a red team may consist of REs employees and/ or outside experts. Additionally, the red team shall be independent of the function being tested.
  
  
• SEBI Requirement 4: The results of the red teaming exercise shall be placed before IT Committee for REs and Governing board. The lessons learned from conducting such red team exercises shall be shared with SEBI within 3 months after completion of the exercise. Status of the remediation of the observation found during the red team exercise shall be monitored by IT Committee for REs.

>> Learn How FireCompass Helps With SEBI & Compliance Ready Reports for Continuous Automated Red Teaming (CART)


Why SEBI’s New Guidelines Make Automated Red Teaming Essential for Security Teams

When was the last time you looked at your organization’s security as if you were the one trying to break in? SEBI’s recent guidelines on cybersecurity call for exactly that kind of relentless examination—and they want it continuous, automated, and adaptive.

FireCompass, a pioneer in Continuous Automated Red Teaming (CART), is leading the way in making this vision a reality. CART, a term coined by FireCompass, has caught the attention of the cybersecurity community and is now featured in over 30 industry reports from Gartner, Forrester, IDC, and others. But what makes CART and automated red teaming crucial, especially in India. Let’s dive into the value of these guidelines and how they’re transforming security.

Why SEBI’s Push for Automation is Groundbreaking

The call for continuous automated red teaming in SEBI’s guidelines marks a pivotal shift. Cyber threats are always evolving, and traditional, sporadic testing leaves gaps. Attackers don’t wait; they’re constantly looking for weak points, looking for ways in. SEBI’s guidelines now urge organizations to adopt automated methods like CART to identify vulnerabilities before attackers can exploit them.

For security teams, this is a game-changer. Traditional penetration testing is often point-in-time and may miss new vulnerabilities that surface after the test is completed. In contrast, CART allows security teams to mimic the relentless nature of attackers, assessing risks in real-time without the typical constraints of time and human resources.

The Role of CART in a Fast-Moving Threat Landscape

So, what makes Continuous Automated Red Teaming (CART) so effective? Think of CART as a kind of virtual scout, always on duty, tirelessly looking at the organization’s defenses. It’s designed to detect every crack, every hidden doorway, and every weakness that might go unnoticed with traditional pen testing.

Some benefits of CART include:

• Real-time Attack Simulation: CART works around the clock, simulating real-world attacks.
• Comprehensive Asset Discovery: By uncovering unknown assets, CART helps prevent blind spots in security.
• Faster Response to New Threats: Automated updates keep CART aligned with emerging threats.

FireCompass has been at the forefront of this innovation. Featured in over 30 analyst reports, including Gartner’s Hype Cycle, FireCompass’s CART solution gives CISOs and cybersecurity managers the edge they need to stay ahead of attackers.

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What the SEBI Guidelines Mean for CISOs and Security Teams

For CISOs, CIOs, and security managers, SEBI’s guidelines underscore the need for continuous vigilance. By implementing CART, organizations can stay in line with these guidelines while protecting critical assets.

Here’s why SEBI’s focus on CART is so crucial:

1. Staying Ahead of Attackers: With the automation and regular updates of CART, organizations are less likely to be caught off guard by new tactics.

2. Improving Vulnerability Management: CART helps in discovering not only vulnerabilities but also unknown assets that might otherwise go undetected.

3. Optimizing Security Budgets: Automation in red teaming reduces the need for frequent, costly manual penetration tests, freeing up resources for other critical areas.

In essence, SEBI’s guidelines encourage organizations to take a proactive stance. Instead of waiting for attackers to reveal a weakness, CART enables security teams to uncover and address potential threats before they become incidents.

Key Questions That CISOs Asked & How CART (Continuous Automated Red Teaming) Can Help resolve It

• CISO Question 1: How can we ensure we're not missing critical vulnerabilities between pen tests?"
  Pen tests are point-in-time assessments and don’t reflect the continuously evolving attack surface. Attackers don’t wait for your schedule, so relying on periodic testing leaves blind spots. At FireCompass, we use Continuous Automated Red Teaming (CART) to run continuous attack simulations on your assets, identifying vulnerabilities 24/7, without the delays of traditional pen testing.

• CISO Question 2: I am worried that traditional pen tests & red teaming give a false sense of security 
  

  Most security teams react after an attack simulation or pen test shows a vulnerability. However, attackers are continuously scanning your systems. By the time vulnerabilities are discovered and addressed, attackers might already be ahead.  FireCompass Continuous Automated Red Teaming (CART) mirrors this behavior by constantly scanning and identifying potential attack vectors, helping you stay ahead of attackers by knowing what they know about your network at all times. 

  
  
• CISO Question 3: ASM tools give a lot of false positives, how do I know the real vulnerabilities and prioritize what to fix first?
  FireCompass has a new approach with Continuous Automated Red Teaming. Unlike traditional ASM, our platform integrates active AI-driven scans on the discovered attack surface to eliminate false positives and reduce alert fatigue through risk-based prioritization.
  

>>Get a Complimentary Gartner Hype Cycle for Continuous Automated Red Teaming (CART)


How FireCompass Pioneered Continuous Automated Red Teaming

FireCompass’s CART solution stands out for its blend of automation and effectiveness. By coining the term CART and developing an industry-leading solution, FireCompass has changed the game for security teams worldwide.

Featured in numerous reports, including Gartner’s, FireCompass’s CART continues to receive recognition for its innovative approach. This solution simplifies complex, continuous testing, putting advanced red teaming within reach of organizations of any size.

>> Learn How Continuous Automated Red Teaming (CART) Prioritizes Initial Access Points

Conclusion: Adapting to the New Norm of Continuous Security With CART

The new SEBI guidelines emphasize a paradigm shift in how organizations approach security testing. With CART and automated red teaming, security leaders can confidently protect their organizations and meet regulatory expectations.

FireCompass’s CART solution, with its advanced features and proven efficacy, is here to help organizations in India, the Middle East, and beyond keep up with SEBI’s evolving requirements. In today’s cyber landscape, that’s a step no security team can afford to skip.