UXUI: Cybersecurity Case Study
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Consortium Networks hired this designer to resolve an issue with their initially released MVP, Metrics That Matter ®, and to assist in the development and design of additional features to be added in version 2.0.
The MVP was a disruptive SaaS product that empowered its user base, communicated only as CISOs at the start, to model their entire cybersecurity profile for their company, and adjust controls against threats with ease at any time. The company also offered consultations to their users seeking to adjust their controls, matching them with budget and control level appropriate solutions with many of the contributing vendors to the project.
Since the technological age is very much still the “Wild West,” even in the 2020s, the board (executives, shareholders and engineering teams) wanted to also integrate a comparison tool of current controls based on live news threats based on verticals. The SaaS already had two frameworks integrated into the product, but the team wanted to integrate others such as those based on machine-learning, AI and MITRE, to start.
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To start, this designer broke down the goals into tangible plans. Breaking the to-do list down by rank of importance and SCRUM story points, it was decided there would be 2 releases of the MVP. 1.2 would include an improvement on overall readability. The designer also opted for collecting user feedback via a short survey to the most active user group and was eventually granted permission and access to do so.
Version 2.0 would include the addition of more complex comparison features such as current threats vs. controls by category vs. budget and the integration of machine learning and industry-standard frameworks such as MITRE into the foundation of NIST and NY DFS models to assist in this process.
Original Sample Page
Updated Page by This Designer
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Based on user feedback, it was learned that the main user group was not just CISOs, but CFOs too. CFOs were more active in this data collection, stating how much the tool already empowered them in advocating for control or budget changes and many other ways in their day-to-day.
With the changes planned now validated, this designer went through every single page of the SaaS product, as well as every page of the company’s online presence, editing and checking for brand inconsistencies for the products overall presentation to sell. This designer advocated for potential rebranding of the disruptive product and additionally designed minor changes to the logo to center it and refine its corporate image.
Following agile methodology, this designer iterated a prototyped solution first with the engineering lead and the frontend developer lead. The prototype was then presented to the engineering team to collect and integrate their feedback before then presenting the prototype to the entire board. Engineering joined the designer in her presentations to the board to truly collaborate across team-lines and hierarchies. Everyone had the ability to contribute to this process, and this designer carefully integrated all viable feedback and suggestions, iterating hundreds of versions of 1.2 alone.
1.2 was released within a few months of this designers start, with epic changes in user feedback regarding readability. This designer improved every level of the MVP by addressing informational hierarchies issues and by updating all graphics for quick ease-of-use and understanding.
With 1.2’s release and improved feedback, project 2.0 began. The board also approved the logo changes, and a refined design system was also developed and shared to the entire company in a presentation by the designer alone. (Which is still being used to this day).
Original Logo
Updated Logo by This Designer
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This designer then repeated the process with the integration of comparison tools within the improved, restructured MVP for version 2.0. The advert (video) shown was created to empower the sales team in national trade shows, in a meticulously planned marketing program for this product that year, showcasing the 2.0 MVP and driving the user base exponentially upward.
Within a year of this designer’s work released, the product sold, achieving the company’s end goal.
This designer’s logo and design system for Consortium continues to be used cross their website, LinkedIn, and more to this day.
Advert created by this designer for trade-show use. Additional versions were created for the sales and consulting teams’ day-to-day use. It remains in use to this day alongside this designers logo and branding updates, as seen on their LinkedIn.