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MTN Ghana Strengthens Azure Security Posture with Microsoft Defender for Cloud Remediation and Zero Trust Governance Framework

Improving cloud security maturity and compliance across MTN Ghana’s Azure environment through structured Defender for Cloud remediation, identity hardening, and policy-driven governance
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Cloud Security Gaps Low Secure Score Identity Risks

Azure security posture at risk with 38% secure score and unmanaged vulnerabilities

MTN Ghana's Azure environment operated with a secure score of just 38%, with over 200 unresolved security recommendations. MFA was not enforced across privileged accounts, and diagnostic logging was absent from several subscriptions, leaving critical workloads exposed.

Health professionals reviewing data on screen
Defender for Cloud Zero Trust Identity Azure Policy

Structured Defender for Cloud remediation with Zero Trust identity and governance enforcement

Reliance Infosystems deployed a phased security remediation using Microsoft Defender for Cloud, Microsoft Entra ID to enforce MFA and Conditional Access, and Azure Policy to govern compliance and prevent configuration drift at scale across all subscriptions.

82% Secure Score 200+ Fixed MFA Enforced

Azure secure score improved from 38% to 82% with full critical vulnerability remediation

MTN Ghana's secure score more than doubled in a single engagement. All critical and high-severity vulnerabilities were remediated, MFA enforced for all privileged accounts, just-in-time access enabled for internet-facing VMs, and diagnostic logging activated enterprise-wide.

CASE STUDY

Customer

MTN Ghana

Industry

Telecommunications & Media

Category 

Security

Revenue (USD)

$500,000 

Microsoft Azure Security Transformation 

MTN Ghana is a leading telecommunications provider in West Africa and a subsidiary of MTN Group, delivering mobile connectivity, data services, and digital financial solutions to millions of customers across Ghana. 

To strengthen its cloud security posture after migrating enterprise workloads to Microsoft Azure, MTN Ghana partnered with Reliance Infosystems to assess and remediate security gaps across its Azure environment using Microsoft Defender for Cloud and native Azure security services. 

The engagement significantly improved security visibility, compliance alignment, and governance enforcement across MTN Ghana’s cloud infrastructure, reinforcing its position as a trusted digital infrastructure provider in Ghana’s telecommunications ecosystem. 

Azure Security Capabilities Enabling Transformation

Enterprise Outcomes Enabled by 

Microsoft Security Stack

Significant Security Posture Improvement 

MTN Ghana’s Azure secure score increased from 38% to 82%, reflecting a major uplift in cloud security maturity.

Risk Reduction Across Critical Workloads 
Over 200 security recommendations resolved, including full remediation of all critical and high-risk issues. 
Zero Trust Identity Enforcement 
MFA enforced across all privileged accounts with just-in-time access enabled for high-risk virtual machines. 
Improved Security Visibility and Monitoring 
Diagnostic logging enabled across all Azure subscriptions, improving detection and audit readiness. 
Governed and Compliant Cloud Environment 
Azure Policy ensured continuous compliance and eliminated configuration drift risks. 

Business Impact

Reliance Infosystems followed a structured, phased security remediation approach: 

Social Impact

The modernization strengthened access to reliable, high-quality telecommunications, mobile money, and digital services for millions of customers across Ghana who depend on MTN Ghana for everyday communication, financial transactions, and enterprise connectivity. By improving the resilience and scalability of critical digital platforms, MTN Ghana enhanced trust, stability, and continuity in services that support households, small businesses, and enterprises nationwide. The transformation also improved the customer experience during peak usage periods, reducing service interruptions and ensuring more consistent access to digital services that underpin economic activity and daily life.   

At a broader level, MTN Ghana’s stronger digital foundation contributes to national digital inclusion, supporting safer, more dependable, and more resilient connectivity across communities and the wider digital ecosystem. 

Approach and Delivery Methodology 

Reliance Infosystems followed a structured, phased security remediation approach: 

01.

Security Assessment & Baseline Establishment 

Evaluated MTN Ghana’s Azure environment using Microsoft Defender for Cloud secure score and mapped risk exposure. 
02.

Remediation Planning 

Prioritized findings across identity, network security, data protection, and workload configuration domains. 
03.

Iterative Security Remediation 

Executed controlled remediation cycles to avoid production disruption while addressing high-risk vulnerabilities first. 
04.

Governance & Policy Enforcement

Implemented Azure Policy and identity controls to ensure long-term compliance and prevent drift. 
05.

Validation & Knowledge Transfer

Reassessed security posture post-remediation and trained internal teams for sustained governance. 

Microsoft Technologies Used

A comprehensive stack of Azure services and Microsoft security capabilities delivered this transformation.
  • Microsoft Defender for Cloud
  • Defender for Servers
  • Defender for Storage
  • Defender for SQL
  • Defender for Key Vault
  • Defender for DNS
  • Microsoft Entra ID
  • Azure Policy
  • Azure Monitor
  • Azure Diagnostic Settings
  • Azure Network Security Groups (NSGs)
  • Microsoft Cloud Security Benchmark (MCSB)

How Microsoft Technologies
Enabled the Outcome 

Microsoft Defender for Cloud provided centralized visibility into security risks and tracked remediation progress via secure score improvement. 
Azure Policy enforced compliance rules at scale and prevented configuration drift. 

Microsoft Entra ID strengthened identity security through MFA and Conditional Access policies. 
Defender for Servers extended protection into workloads with continuous vulnerability assessment. 
Together, these capabilities transformed MTN Ghana’s Azure environment into a continuously governed, secure, and compliant cloud platform. 

Partner Value and Expertise

Reliance Infosystems delivered deep expertise in: 
Microsoft cloud security architecture 
Azure Defender for Cloud remediation programs  
Identity and access management (Zero Trust)  
Enterprise governance using Azure Policy  
Security operations and compliance frameworks  
Winner summary

MTN Ghana partnered with Reliance Infosystems to strengthen its Azure security posture through a structured Microsoft Defender for Cloud remediation program. The engagement improved secure score from 38% to 82%, resolved 200+ security issues, enforced Zero Trust identity controls, and enhanced compliance and governance across its cloud environment, significantly reducing risk and strengthening enterprise security maturity.