In the fintech sector, rapid growth brings complex challenges: maintaining innovation without compromising security, complying with stringent regulations, and managing access to multiple systems. The case of N1Co, a fintech company with a presence in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, illustrates how digital identity management can be key to scaling operations without putting them at risk.
Digital identity solutions as the foundation for secure scaling
N1Co faced a common challenge in highly regulated industries: growing quickly without neglecting regulatory compliance. To address this, the company adopted a technology strategy focused on automation and access security, relying on solutions from Okta and Auth0 for identity management.
“N1Co was founded with a mission to empower businesses and transform personal finance in Central America”, explains Santiago Antonio Bernal Ibarra, Chief Technology Officer at N1Co. “Our main challenge was balancing regulatory compliance, security, and the agility to innovate. We couldn’t afford any vulnerabilities, but we also couldn’t slow down our growth,”, he adds.
Before this transformation, access was managed manually, which posed a constant risk. “Every time a staff member clocked out, we had to check everything manually—this was already a latent risk,”, says Bernal.
TEC360 as a strategic partner in cybersecurity
From the very beginning, N1Co has prioritized technology, choosing Auth0 to secure access for its end users. This decision enabled the company to offer a seamless login experience and scale quickly. However, as it faced challenges such as PCI certification and the growth of its internal workforce, the company sought to comprehensively strengthen its identity management.
That's where it was integrated TEC360 as a key partner, offering an ecosystem of cybersecurity solutions that included Okta Workforce, CrowdStrike and KnowBe4.
“We evaluated several options, but TEC360 stood out for its expertise and comprehensive ecosystem. This led us to strengthen our security by adding, in addition to Okta Workforce, key solutions such as CrowdStrike and KnowBe4, which were essential to our certification process,”, says Bernal.
From Cultural Change to Operational Benefits
The implementation of Okta Workforce enabled us to centralize internal access management, with visible results from the very first month. Although there was a learning curve at the beginning, adoption went smoothly thanks to well-structured training sessions.
“Everyone understood the importance of security and efficiency. Today, we can control access based on roles in a granular way—something that was unthinkable before,”, explains Bernal. He also highlighted a significant reduction in support tickets related to access and passwords.
Automation that enables sustainable growth
The quantitative results reflect the impact of the transformation:
- Increase in the number of managed internal users: from 150 to over 200.
- Integration of more than 20 critical applications into the identity system.
- 90% reduction in errors related to employee termination.
- A 60% reduction in the administrative burden associated with hiring and terminating employees.
On the end-user side, with Auth0, N1Co securely manages access for over 120,000 monthly users without any downtime or major security incidents.
“I’m convinced that without Auth0 and Okta, we wouldn’t have been able to make progress on the PCI certification process. Today, we have robust password policies, multi-factor authentication, and clean internal audits,”, says Bernal.
Technology for Regulatory Compliance
The case of N1Co demonstrates how a fintech company can scale its operations without compromising security, provided that robust technology is combined with strategic implementation. Solutions such as those from Okta and Auth0, along with support from experts such as TEC360, enable companies in the financial sector to tackle regulatory and operational challenges without slowing their growth. “It’s not just about technology. It’s about how technology, when implemented correctly, enables growth,”, Bernal concludes.
Written by: Marketing4eCommerce Mexico
Special thanks to Santiago Antonio Bernal Ibarra, Chief Technology Officer atN1Co.
