This article details how we prepared the company to meet the rigorous security and compliance standards demanded by both Amazon and PwC, allowing them to scale their services while protecting the privacy of thousands of customers.
In today’s data-driven logistics sector, secure access to personal identifiable information (PII) is not a luxury — it’s a requirement for doing business with major platforms like Amazon. When a fast-growing logistics company needed to pass a dual audit conducted by Amazon and one of the Big Four auditing firms — PwC — to gain API access to customer data, they turned to Mediasapiens.
Table of contents
- Project Background
- Objectives of the Engagement
- Key Areas of Focus
- PwC and Amazon Audit Process
- Results Achieved
- Deliverables
- Why Mediasapiens
Project Background
The client, a mid-sized European logistics provider, had recently secured a partnership agreement with Amazon Logistics. To enable deeper operational integration and access to Amazon’s APIs — including those involving PII such as delivery addresses, contact information, and preferences — the company was required to undergo a comprehensive security audit.
Amazon mandated the audit as a prerequisite to API access, and they engaged PwC to lead the external assessment. The requirements were stringent, covering not only technical safeguards but also organizational policies and compliance documentation.
Objectives of the Engagement
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Perform a gap analysis against Amazon’s data security requirements for PII.
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Assist the client in preparing documentation, technical infrastructure, and internal processes for audit readiness.
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Implement or reinforce technical and organizational measures (TOMs) aligned with GDPR and ISO/IEC 27001.
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Guide the client through pre-audit validation, audit response handling, and post-audit remediation.
Key Areas of Focus
1. Data Access Control and Authentication
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Account Management: We implemented strict user account provisioning and deprovisioning procedures, including automatic role expiration and real-time access audits.
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Authentication: Multi-factor authentication (MFA) was enforced across all systems accessing PII.
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Least Privilege Principle: Access rights were revised based on actual job responsibilities, and all administrative access was reviewed and minimized.
2. Encryption and Data Protection
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At-Rest and In-Transit Encryption: We validated end-to-end encryption for all stored and transmitted data using AES-256 and TLS 1.2+ protocols.
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Key Management: A centralized, rotated key management system was deployed with restricted access and audit trails.
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PII Tokenization: We helped the client implement field-level tokenization for sensitive attributes in their internal databases.
3. Infrastructure and Network Security
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Firewalls and Segmentation: Internal systems were segregated using VLANs, and perimeter defense rules were hardened.
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Patch Management: We helped institute a patching policy and automation scripts to ensure timely updates across OS, middleware, and APIs.
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Monitoring and Logging: We deployed a centralized SIEM platform to track login attempts, privilege escalation, and anomalous behavior in real-time.
4. Policy and Compliance Documentation
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Security Policies: Mediasapiens developed and documented comprehensive internal security policies, including acceptable use, incident response, and remote access protocols.
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Data Processing Agreements (DPAs): We supported the creation of legally compliant DPAs with third-party vendors and logistics partners.
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Employee Training: A mandatory data protection training program was launched for all staff.
5. Incident Response and Business Continuity
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DRP/BCP Frameworks: Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity Plans were created and tested to meet Amazon’s RTO/RPO standards.
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Incident Response Plan (IRP): We defined escalation procedures, containment strategies, and post-incident reviews.
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Simulation Drills: Tabletop exercises were conducted to prepare teams for real-world breach scenarios.
PwC and Amazon Audit Process
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Pre-Audit Readiness: Mediasapiens performed a mock audit simulating PwC’s methodology. This included walkthroughs, document review, and spot checks.
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Audit Support: We provided direct support during the audit week, including technical responses, architecture overviews, and live demonstrations.
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Post-Audit Actions: Minor findings from PwC were addressed within 2 weeks, including additional log retention configurations and refining the internal ticketing workflow.
Results Achieved
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Full audit clearance by both PwC and Amazon on the first submission.
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API access granted, enabling real-time delivery data synchronization with Amazon.
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Enhanced client reputation and ability to onboard additional eCommerce partners.
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Zero critical findings in final audit reports.
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Documented full compliance with Amazon’s PII handling policies and GDPR.
Deliverables
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Complete documentation package including:
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15+ security policies tailored to logistics operations.
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System architecture diagrams and data flow charts.
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Role-based access control matrix.
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Incident response playbooks and DRP/BCP documentation.
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Live SIEM dashboards and encryption configuration guides.
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Staff awareness training materials.
Why Mediasapiens
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When logistics meets compliance, precision matters. Mediasapiens brings:
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Experience in working with Amazon API compliance frameworks.
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Hands-on success navigating Big Four audit methodologies.
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GDPR-aligned, industry-specific security strategy.
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Independent position: our focus is on advisory, not product sales.
Successfully passing a joint audit by Amazon and PwC is no small feat. For our client, it meant access to a broader market, seamless API integration, and the confidence of meeting global standards in data security.
Whether you’re a logistics firm aiming to scale or a tech partner preparing for vendor audits, Mediasapiens can help you implement the policies, controls, and safeguards needed to win trust — and access.
Let’s turn compliance into capability.