5 NIST Security Challenges for Service Providers & How to Solve Them

Tomer Tal Publication date: 26 March, 2025

5 Challenges Service Providers Face When Designing a Security Strategy with NIST - And Tips to Overcome Them

As more businesses outsource their IT and cybersecurity operations, service providers are expected to deliver not only strong protection but also alignment with recognized standards. NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) frameworks offer a powerful foundation for building secure, scalable programs. However, for MSPs and MSSPs, using NIST as the basis for a security strategy can be anything but straightforward.

In this blog, we explore the top three challenges service providers face when designing a security strategy using NIST – and how to overcome them. Whether you’re just getting started or expanding your compliance services, these insights will help you streamline your approach, avoid duplication, and better serve your clients.

Plus, don’t miss our Step-by-Step Guide to Compliance with NIST for Service Providers, designed to help you implement compliance best practices, streamline your processes, and maintain long-term security maturity.

Challenge #1: Choosing the Right NIST Framework

One of the first – and most confusing – challenges service providers face when building a security strategy with NIST is figuring out which framework to use. NIST publishes several frameworks, each tailored to different industries and use cases, with hundreds of controls spread across various domains.

For instance, the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) is designed for general business use and offers a broad set of best practices suitable for most organizations. NIST SP 800-53 is the most comprehensive, originally developed for U.S. federal agencies, and includes an extensive library of security and privacy controls. NIST SP 800-171 targets government contractors managing controlled unclassified information (CUI), while NIST SP 800-66 is aligned with HIPAA and is commonly used by healthcare providers.

In reality, most businesses need to comply with multiple frameworks due to overlapping legal, regulatory, and contractual obligations. That’s where things get complicated. Many service providers attempt to manage this complexity using GRC platforms or spreadsheets, leaving them to sort through frameworks manually, deciphering overlapping controls and trying to ensure that tasks aren’t duplicated—often across five or more standards.

Tip: Start with CSF

If you’re unsure where to begin, NIST – CSF is a smart default. It’s comprehensive enough to build a robust security program and flexible enough to expand into more specific frameworks later – without duplicating work.

Challenge #2: Translating Standards into Actionable Tasks – And Avoiding Duplicate Work

Even after choosing the right framework(s), many service providers get stuck trying to figure out what to actually do. NIST frameworks provide guidance, but they don’t cover every edge case or tell you exactly how to implement controls in your unique environment.

For example, a control might specify that passwords must be a certain length. But what if a client’s system doesn’t support that exact requirement? NIST gives you the “ideal” standard, but not all real-world environments can meet that standard perfectly. Service providers have to use judgment to apply those standards in a way that balances security, practicality, and client constraints.

Translating NIST controls into actionable tasks is a highly manual process that demands time, expertise, and interpretation. Providers have to read through each control, determine its relevance, and build task lists from scratch. When multiple frameworks are involved – like HIPAA, PCI, and NIST CSF – the complexity multiplies. Many controls overlap, but without a centralized, automated approach, teams often end up recreating the same tasks multiple times across frameworks.

This leads to duplicated work, missed dependencies, inconsistent execution, and a growing pile of manual effort that slows progress and increases risk. For resource-constrained teams, this inefficiency can be the difference between a scalable security program and one that stalls out.

Tip: Automate

Platforms like Cynomi address this challenge by automatically translating NIST frameworks into clear, actionable tasks and mapping them across all applicable standards. When you complete a task, your progress is instantly reflected across every relevant framework – eliminating the need for manual interpretation or duplicated effort. You get precise guidance on what to do, why it matters, and how it strengthens both compliance and your overall security posture.

Challenge #3: Shifting from “Compliance Project” to Ongoing Security Program

One of the biggest challenges service providers face with NIST isn’t technical – it’s a mindset. Many approach NIST as a project to complete: a checklist of tasks to be 100% aligned with, so they can declare the job “done.” But that’s a fundamental misunderstanding of what NIST is.

NIST isn’t a legal requirement or a compliance certification – it’s a framework for continuous security management. It’s not designed to be “completed.” Instead, it helps organizations consistently monitor, improve, and mature their security posture over time.

That’s where the disconnect happens. Compliance, by definition, is a point-in-time assessment: once you pass your audit, you’re done – until the next one. But security doesn’t work that way. Threats evolve, systems change, and what was secure today might not be tomorrow. NIST is built for that reality. It’s not about getting through a list of 100 controls – it’s about building a repeatable, adaptive process that improves over time.

Unfortunately, many service providers still treat NIST as a one-time goal rather than an ongoing method. They attempt to tackle everything at once – often burning through time, budget, and resources – while overlooking the bigger picture: true security maturity is a continuous cycle of planning, execution, review, and improvement.

They often rely on general project management tools to track tasks but are left to manually determine task dependencies, align them with the right frameworks, and figure out which framework should drive the overall strategy. This fragmented approach makes long-term, consistent progress difficult to sustain.

Tip: Shift your mindset from “one and done” to “always improving.”

NIST is not the goal – it’s the method that gets you there. Build a system that supports ongoing planning, monitoring, and adaptation to keep your security program evolving over time.

With platforms like Cynomi, service providers can build long-term, flexible security plans aligned with NIST principles. Tasks can be organized into short-, mid-term, and long-term priorities. Recurring tasks, progress tracking, and automated updates help teams stay on track without burning out. It’s not about doing everything at once – it’s about doing the right things consistently.

Challenge #4: Limited Budgets and Resources

Achieving and maintaining compliance often requires a significant investment in security tools, skilled personnel, and ongoing monitoring. However, many service providers operate with tight budgets and lean teams, making it difficult to allocate resources efficiently. As a result, compliance efforts are often delayed, overspending becomes a risk, and teams are forced to rely on manual processes that consume time and energy.

One common pitfall is overestimating what’s needed—particularly when it comes to tools. Many providers assume they need to buy expensive solutions for every requirement without fully understanding the underlying security problem they’re trying to solve. In reality, not every control requires a tool. Sometimes, the most effective fix is a policy update, process change, or basic best practice. Without clarity on what each task is addressing, it’s easy to misallocate the budget toward unnecessary or misaligned solutions.

Tip: Don’t default to buying a tool for every requirement.

Start by understanding what the task is trying to achieve – then find the simplest, most effective way to get there. With the right insight, you can do more with less.

Platforms like Cynomi help address this challenge by offering context-aware, prioritized guidance. Tasks in the platform are mapped to relevant frameworks and controls and include a built-in “Recommended Solution” feature. Cynomi recommends categories of solutions that align with each requirement, helping service providers identify practical, cost-effective ways to meet controls without unnecessary spending or overcomplicating their approach.

Challenge #5: Continuous Monitoring and Adaptation

NIST frameworks are not static – they evolve regularly to reflect emerging threats, new technologies, and shifting best practices. Keeping up with these changes is an ongoing challenge for service providers, especially those without dedicated compliance staff. Frequent updates, combined with limited resources, can make it difficult to maintain continuous compliance. Without a structured system in place, staying aligned with NIST can quickly become a reactive effort rather than part of a proactive security strategy.

Maintaining alignment requires more than just checking boxes. It involves regularly reviewing and updating policies, training teams to stay current on security practices, and continuously monitoring adherence to the latest standards. Doing this manually can be overwhelming and time-consuming, often leading to delays, gaps, or last-minute scrambles before audits.

Tip: Automate

Platforms like Cynomi simplify this process by automatically updating regulatory mappings as frameworks evolve. As soon as changes occur, the platform updates all related tasks and plans – so service providers always stay aligned without the need for manual tracking or intervention.

Design Your NIST-Based Security Strategy with Cynomi

Designing and managing a NIST-based security strategy for your clients doesn’t have to be complex or resource-intensive. Cynomi’s AI-driven vCISO platform helps service providers address the biggest challenges of working with NIST – turning standards into action, continuously managing tasks, and keeping up with constant change.

Cynomi streamlines the entire process, enabling you to build scalable, repeatable security programs rooted in NIST best practices. Here’s how:

Automatic translation of NIST frameworks into actionable tasks: Understand exactly what needs to be done – no manual interpretation required.
Cross-mapping of tasks across multiple frameworks: Complete a task once and apply it to all relevant frameworks (e.g., NIST CSF, HIPAA, PCI, and more).
Recurring and prioritized task and plan management: Support continuous improvement with recurring tasks and structured progress tracking. Organize tasks into short-, mid-, and long-term plans to build a realistic, phased security roadmap.
Built-in “Recommended Solution” guidance: Get cost-effective, category-based recommendations for each task, helping you make smart decisions without overspending on unnecessary tools.
Automated updates with evolving standards: Stay aligned with the latest changes to NIST and other frameworks without manually tracking or updating anything.

With Cynomi, service providers can turn NIST into a living, adaptable strategy – reducing complexity, increasing efficiency, and proving value to clients through measurable progress.

Ready to simplify your NIST journey?
Learn how Cynomi can help you streamline your clients’ compliance journey. Book a demo today.

5 Risk Management Challenges MSPs Face – And How to Overcome Them

Amie Schwedock Publication date: 24 March, 2025

vCISO Community

5 Risk Management Challenges MSPs Face - And How to Overcome Them

Risk management is not just a task, it’s the foundation for effective cyber security. In order to assess and manage risk, service providers need to determine the likelihood of threats, evaluate the business impact of those threats, and assess risk tolerance across different business functions. Once risks are identified, they must also develop and implement effective risk treatment and mitigation strategies that align with the client’s overall security goals.

The problem is that getting all of this right takes months when done manually. Risk assessments require collecting data from multiple sources, analyzing security gaps, prioritizing them based on the risks they pose to the business, and creating actionable remediation plans. Without an efficient process in place, security teams end up spending more time gathering information than actually mitigating risks.

In this blog, we’ll examine the five biggest challenges service providers face in risk management and offer a more efficient, effective way to overcome them.

Challenge 1: Manual risk assessments take months

The first step in risk management is identifying the risks, but that’s easier said than done. Traditional risk assessments are slow, labor-intensive, and inconsistent, making it difficult to provide clients with a timely and accurate risk picture.

One of the biggest challenges is that risk isn’t just about vulnerabilities, it spans compliance gaps, operational risks, and financial impact, each requiring a different data point and perspective. Alongside this, many service providers rely on spreadsheets and disconnected tools, leading to weeks (or even months) of back-and-forth just to complete an initial assessment.

Even after risks are identified, prioritization becomes another hurdle. Figuring out which risks matter most and how to allocate resources can be overwhelming. The result? Delays in security improvements, frustrated clients, and lost revenue opportunities.

Change 2: There is no clear roadmap for remediation

Even after risks are identified, the next challenge is deciding what to do about them. Creating a structured, prioritized, and actionable risk treatment plan is often where service providers struggle the most.

A key issue is that risk treatment must align with business objectives, but many security professionals don’t get the opportunity to have meaningful conversations about how each risk impacts the organization financially and operationally. Clients want clear, digestible risk treatment plans, but the entire process, from assessment to prioritization to remediation and recommendations, can be overly complex or too vague.

A related challenge is the speed of implementation. Mitigation strategies often take too long to execute, leaving organizations vulnerable while security teams work through manual processes. Without a structured approach, risks remain unresolved for months, leaving businesses exposed and service providers struggling to demonstrate progress.

Challenge 3: It’s difficult to prove the value of risk management to clients

One of the biggest challenges for service providers is proving the value of risk management to clients. Many organizations don’t fully understand cybersecurity risks, and they often don’t see the ROI of these services unless it’s clearly articulated in business terms.

Clients want business outcomes, not technical jargon. Yet, too often, risk assessments are too technical, failing to connect cybersecurity risks to real-world business impact. Alongside this, a lack of clear reporting makes it hard to justify budgets. If a client doesn’t see tangible results, they may hesitate to invest further in security services.

Risk must be translated into financial and operational risk to bridge the gap, from discussing vulnerabilities to demonstrating how risks affect revenue, productivity, and compliance. Without clear and actionable reporting, risk management remains an invisible function, making it difficult to grow a business.

Challenge 4: Keeping up with compliance

Risk management and compliance go hand in hand. But keeping up with compliance frameworks like ISO 27001, NIST CSF, SOC 2, and GDPR adds another layer of complexity.

Each of these standards and every client has a different set of requirements and compliance needs. Risk assessments must be tailored to align with relevant frameworks, but doing this manually is time-consuming and inconsistent. Without an efficient process, security teams can struggle to stay up to date with consistently changing regulations.

Meanwhile, clients expect security and compliance to be unified, and a disjointed approach leads to gaps in service and lost revenue opportunities. Without a streamlined way to map risk assessments to compliance requirements, service providers risk falling behind and missing critical regulatory obligations.

Challenge 5: Cybersecurity talent is in short supply

Cybersecurity professionals are in high demand but in short supply, and risk management expertise is especially difficult to find. For many MSSPs and MSPs, hiring a full-time risk analyst is not feasible. Skilled security professionals are expensive and hard to find, making it difficult for service providers to scale their offerings without increasing costs. At the same time, junior security staff struggle with complex risk assessments, as effective risk management requires deep expertise that many smaller security teams don’t have.

Scaling risk management without increasing headcount is another major challenge. Most MSSPs and MSPs need a way to deliver CISO-level risk management at scale, but without the right tools, they face resource constraints that limit efficiency and growth. Manual risk assessments remain bottlenecked by human limitations, preventing MSSPs and MSPs from growing their services effectively.

A Smarter Approach for Risk Management

Risk management doesn’t have to be a manual, slow, and overwhelming process. While the traditional approach takes months, new technology can change that. With the right tools, cyber security professionals can accelerate risk assessments, standardize treatment plans, and clearly communicate risk to clients—all without adding overhead.

A more efficient risk management approach should:

Automate risk assessments to replace time-consuming manual data collection.
Provide multi-layered risk insights that consider likelihood, impact, and business tolerance—all in one place.
Create structured, actionable treatment plans that help clients mitigate risk faster.
Deliver clear, business-focused reports that translate risk into financial and operational terms.
Align with compliance frameworks while going beyond checklists to proactively reduce security risks.

Technologies like Cynomi’s AI-driven vCISO platform help MSSPs and MSPs solve these challenges by streamlining and automating every step of the risk management process – from risk assessments to remediation planning and reporting.

Screenshots of the Cynomi Risk Management Dashboard detailed risk heatmap and risk register offering a clear snapshot of risks ranked by severity and likelihood.

With Cynomi, what once took months can now be completed in days. Using a quick client onboarding questionnaire, the platform automatically identifies and prioritizes risks specific to each client, generating a comprehensive risk register with no manual effort. Built on expert CISO insights, the Cynomi risk register suggests the most relevant risks based on each client’s unique profile and generates a detailed heat map, offering a clear snapshot of risks ranked by severity and likelihood.

The risk register also provides a structured view of all identified risks, with associated tasks seamlessly mapped to enable automated remediation workflows, reducing manual effort and saving time. Service providers can customize risk tolerances and align security efforts with each client’s business goals.

As a central cybersecurity hub, Cynomi delivers an out-of-the-box yet customizable risk management framework, streamlining processes, eliminating bottlenecks, and improving efficiency across the platform.

For MSSPs and MSPs looking to turn risk management from a burden into a competitive advantage, the right technology can streamline processes, enhance efficiency, and prove value to clients.

Looking to streamline your risk management process and focus on what matters most? Book a demo to discover how Cynomi’s AI-powered platform simplifies risk management, saves time, and delivers insights that resonate with your clients.

A Day in the Life of an MSP Leader: Challenges, Priorities, and Growth Strategies

Rotem Shemesh Publication date: 13 March, 2025

vCISO Community

A Day in the Life of an MSP Leader: Challenges, Priorities, and Growth Strategies

Managed Service Providers (MSPs) are the backbone of IT operations, ensuring seamless system performance, robust security, and reliable end-user support.

But what does a day in the life of an MSP executive really look like?

To find out, we sat down with Tim Coach—an industry veteran, experienced MSP leader, and Chief Evangelist at Cynomi—who shared his insights on the key priorities, challenges, and opportunities shaping the MSP landscape today.

A Typical Day for an MSP Leader: Controlled Chaos and Constant Prioritization

According to Tim, a day in the life of an MSP is a mix of structured processes and unpredictable challenges—what he calls “controlled chaos.”

Morning: Immediate firefighting

The day starts the moment their feet hit the ground—often before, as they check their phones first thing for urgent issues. If a critical problem arises overnight, they may start working on it before even leaving their homes. On a bad day, phones, emails, and tickets are already piling up, demanding immediate attention.

Daily Operations: Balancing technical, sales, and strategy

MSPs generally focus on three key areas:

1. Help Desk & Technical Support

“The help desk is the heart and soul of an MSP,” says Tim. “It’s anything from a password reset to an entire company losing access to the internet.”

MSPs must ensure that client environments are running smoothly. The help desk is the front line, handling everything from minor software issues to network outages that can cripple an entire company. This team is essential to keeping businesses operational.

2. Sales & Business Growth

“You’re constantly looking at your pipeline,” Tim explains. “Where are the new opportunities? What can we cross-sell or upsell to existing clients?”

Beyond fixing IT problems, MSPs must focus on pipeline development, expanding their client base, and selling additional services.

3. Business Strategy & Efficiency

“Who are the top five clients submitting the most tickets? Who’s using the most time? That’s where MSPs lose money,” says Tim. “If you’re spending hours every week fixing a client’s printer, it might be cheaper to just buy them a new one.”

MSP executives spend time analyzing ticket trends, monitoring contracts, and identifying inefficiencies that impact profitability. By analyzing ticket trends, MSPs can cut inefficiencies and improve profitability.

Ultimately, MSPs must balance immediate client needs with long-term strategic growth—a constant challenge in an unpredictable industry.

Prioritization & Crisis Management

On bad days, MSPs focus on the biggest fires:

Major IT outages: If an entire company is affected, resolving the issue takes top priority. However, even a single user’s problem—like a payroll system failure on payday—can escalate into a crisis.
Zero-Day security threats: MSPs must react swiftly to emerging cybersecurity threats, often before clients even realize the risk.

A typical day for an MSP is about constant decision-making—balancing technical issues, client needs, and business growth. The best MSPs don’t just react to problems; they proactively manage their operations and prioritize client relationships to maintain stability in an unpredictable environment.

The Goals of an MSP: Standardization, Growth, and Efficiency

The endgame for an MSP isn’t just survival—it’s profitability, efficiency, and scale.

To achieve that, Tim highlights these primary objectives:

Standardization – The more MSPs standardize services, the more efficient they become. Offering the same tech stack across clients reduces complexity and increases profit margins.
Scalability – The only way to scale profitably is by optimizing operations—from ticketing systems to client communication.
Client relationship management – Service providers must adopt a proactive approach (rather than just reacting to issues) to foster stronger client retention and prevent churn. Tim says,“clients don’t care about the tech you use—they care that their business runs. If you’re not checking in regularly, you’re at risk of losing them.”
New revenue streams – MSPs must constantly look for new services to offer—whether cybersecurity, compliance, or specialized consulting. “An MSP that isn’t looking for new services is falling behind, says Tim. Security, compliance, and cloud services are massive opportunities.”

The Biggest Challenges MSPs Face

MSPs operate in a high-pressure environment, and poor planning can quickly turn small problems into major business risks. Tim outlines the top challenges:

Not specializing: Offering too many customized services for different industries or clients can make operations inefficient. Tim shares, “when an MSP serves too many industries—one medical client, one legal client, one manufacturing client—efficiency drops. The MSPs that make money are the ones that specialize.”
Marketing & sales gaps: Most MSPs don’t invest enough in marketing and sales, which hampers growth.
Underpricing & overdelivering – MSPs often undercharge for services while overcommitting resources. The worst thing you can do is price yourself too low and burn out your team.
Labor shortages: There’s not enough technical talent in the industry, forcing MSPs to do more with fewer resources.

Tim stresses that MSPs must continually refine processes to overcome these challenges—otherwise, inefficiencies will erode profits.

How MSPs Prioritize Client Needs

“Everything comes down to efficiency,” Tim explains. “If your help desk spends too much time on one client, you need to look for root issues and address those, increase contract to standard billing rates, or let them go.”

With multiple clients demanding attention simultaneously, MSPs must carefully triage issues. According to Tim, mature MSPs prioritize based on standardization and urgency:

Business impact: A payroll system going down on payday is more urgent than a single employee’s computer issue.
Contract value & SLAs: Higher-paying clients or those with stricter SLAs may get priority.
Recurring problems: Chronic issues consuming too many resources may require a deeper fix, such as upgrading outdated hardware.

Tim also points out that poor client communication can make any issue worse. If a client doesn’t hear from their MSP, they assume nothing is happening. Regular updates—especially during outages—build trust.

Revenue Growth Strategies

To stay competitive and profitable, MSPs must continually seek new revenue opportunities. Tim suggests a few proven strategies:

Add security & compliance services: Clients need cybersecurity expertise—offering security assessments, compliance management, or vCISO services can significantly boost revenue. According to Tim, “If you’re not offering security, you’re missing out. Compliance is a huge revenue driver – according to Calnalys, compliance services will grow by 28% for MSPs this year”
Upsell & cross-sell: Reviewing client contracts regularly opens opportunities for additional services, like cloud migrations or managed security.
Bundle services for efficiency: Offering standardized packages rather than custom solutions helps streamline service delivery.
Invest in automation: The more manual tasks MSPs can automate, the more they can scale without increasing labor costs. According to Tim, a platform, like Cynomi, is a game-changer for MSPs looking to streamline security and compliance services. By automating security assessments and compliance tracking, MSPs free up senior resources, scale security offerings, and create new revenue streams without increasing operational burden.

Tim warns that stagnant MSPs get left behind. “If you’re not actively looking for new revenue streams, you’re already losing money.”

Final Thoughts: The Future of MSPs

Tim believes the future of MSPs lies in smarter automation, security-first services, and business efficiency. The days of just fixing IT problems are over—successful MSPs position themselves as strategic partners, not just vendors.

“If you’re an MSP and you’re not prioritizing security, efficiency, and growth, you’re in trouble,” Tim says. “The MSPs that thrive will be the ones that standardize, automate, and evolve.”

As the industry evolves, MSPs must stay ahead of client needs and market trends—because in IT, the only constant is change.

The Power of Specialization: Why Focusing Your vCISO Practice on Niche Industries is a Game-Changer

Amie Schwedock Publication date: 10 March, 2025

vCISO Community

The Power of Specialization: Why Focusing Your vCISO Practice on Niche Industries is a Game-Changer

If you are reading this blog you know that the world of virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) services is growing and getting crowded. It’s easy to think that offering your expertise across multiple industries is the best way to grow your practice. It makes sense; more industries mean more clients, right? Well, does it really?

The reality is that trying to be everything to everyone can dilute your value and make it harder to stand out. Trust me—I learned this the hard way.

During the first two years of our practice, we struggled to generate leads. We were all over the place, trying to work with multiple industries (while not knowing how to message them), and in many cases, we didn’t even fully understand how some business models worked. We wasted a lot of time trying to figure it out.

I spent several years working in law firms and attended their annual legal technology conferences. In 2023, I attended one of these conferences again, and everything changed. Thanks to a combination of having a solid network in the legal space, a deep understanding of how law firms operate, and knowing how to talk to legal tech professionals and attorneys, I had real, meaningful conversations. Several of those conversations turned into qualified leads, and a good number of those leads became actual projects and long-term clients.

That experience taught me one simple truth: specialization works!

Let’s break down why focusing your vCISO practice on a specific niche could be the smartest business decision you’ll ever make.

1. Deep Industry Expertise Creates Value

When you stick to a niche, you gain the kind of knowledge that sets you apart. You’re not just another cybersecurity consultant—you become The Expert in that industry’s unique challenges, risks, and compliance requirements.

But here’s the kicker: it’s not just about technical know-how. A huge part of being a successful vCISO is connecting with other executives and key stakeholders—CIOs, CFOs, managing partners—on their terms. Every industry has its own language, priorities, and way of communicating. Knowing what matters most to these leaders helps you position security as a business enabler, not just an IT issue.

Curious about the results?

Faster problem-solving
Meaningful, business-aligned solutions
Stronger client relationships and deeper trust
Longer relationships

2. You’ll Stand Out from the Crowd

Let’s be honest—there’s no shortage of cybersecurity consultants. But when you brand yourself as the go-to vCISO for, say, law firms or insurance companies, you immediately differentiate yourself. You’re no longer competing with the masses.

Your messaging becomes clearer, your marketing dollars go further, and your expertise attracts clients who are specifically looking for what you offer. After all, clients don’t want someone who “gets cybersecurity”—they want someone who “gets them.”

3. Premium Pricing? Yes, Please!

Specialists get paid more—it’s that simple. When you focus on a specific industry, you’re not just selling your time or service; you’re selling a deep understanding that’s hard to replicate.

For example, one of our niches is the insurance industry. Insurance companies usually have big application development teams who are constantly working on customizations of their platforms to deliver value to policyholders, underwriters, and independent agents. Knowing how to build a Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) program without stressing the engineering team or adding unnecessary hurdles will make you a lot of friends—and even better, the full support of the executive leadership team.

That kind of insider knowledge isn’t something you can learn on the fly. It’s what makes a specialized vCISO so valuable—and worth every penny.

4. Efficient Operations = Faster Growth

The beauty of specialization is that your processes become repeatable and scalable. Understanding the client’s Enterprise Architecture enables the creation of industry-specific frameworks, templates, and playbooks to improve efficiency and consistency.

Need to onboard a new client? Done in half the time.
Building out policies? Already have a set tailored for that industry.
Risk assessments? You know exactly what to look for.
Deliver executive reports and presentations? You know what they care about.

This efficiency means you can serve more clients without sacrificing quality—and without running yourself ragged.

5. Better Client Outcomes = Happier Clients

Knowing an industry well means proactively guiding clients to better decisions, not just reacting to problems. You understand how their business works, how they make money, what their concerns are, their inherited risk, emerging industry threats, and ultimately, how cybersecurity can help them grow—not just stay compliant.

In another example, last year, we helped a $1B insurance company improve their PCI-DSS compliance from 45% to 91% in about eight months. We created both strategic and tactical plans to drive improvement across several critical areas, ultimately helping them meet the requirements for a successful SAQ A attestation. After presenting this data to the company’s CEO, he requested periodic updates for the rest of the executive team.

That’s the kind of result that builds trust and long-term partnerships. And when your clients see real progress, they stick with you for the long haul.

6. Your Reputation Travels Faster Than You Think

Here’s the cool part about being a specialist—your name starts popping up everywhere. You’ll find yourself invited to speak at industry conferences, joining panels, and meeting decision-makers in all the right places.

Even better? Executives frequently communicate through Slack channels, collaboration calls, and other venues to exchange ideas. When CIOs, CTOs, and managing partners share stories, one of their favorite questions is, “Who’s helping you with this problem?” If your name comes up enough times, referrals start coming in.

Picture this: Becoming the vCISO everyone recommends because you’ve earned their trust and respect. That’s the power of niche focus.

Is focusing your vCISO Practice speaking to you?

Specialization isn’t limiting—it’s liberating. It sets you up as an expert, opens new doors, and ultimately makes your practice more profitable and sustainable. When you choose your niche, you’re not just another vCISO—you’re The vCISO for that industry.

One of my mentors once advised me to master one skill before moving on to the next. With time, I became a very strong routing, switching and voice engineer. Then, I became a strong cybersecurity and cloud professional. These specialization led to leadership rolls and I became a solid leader. Fast forward to the CA2Security era, by using my experience as a CTO and CISO at law firms and insurance carriers, I decided to focus our practice on these areas, and it is now yielding results.

So the question you need to answer is, what niche will you dominate?

The CISO’s CMMC Compliance Checklist

Amie Schwedock Publication date: 7 March, 2025

Compliance

Few take cybersecurity as seriously as the United States Department of Defense (DoD), especially in 2025. While most organizations are exposed to various cyber threats, state-sponsored attackers target the suppliers and providers in the American defense supply chain.

For cybersecurity service providers, this presents both a challenge and an opportunity. This fact is especially true considering the DoD’s hefty annual budget, which has grown from $700 billion to $850 billion in the past three years. That’s a lot of income for thousands of contractors and subcontractors who will need to align their cybersecurity strategies with the DoD’s requirements —a standard known as the CMMC. The optimal way to achieve compliance is using a CMMC compliance checklist.

What is CMMC, and what should MSPs and MSSPs know about it?

The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is a formal certification that applies to all US Department of Defense (DoD) contractors and subcontractors in the defense supply chain. These vendors are referred to as the defense industrial base (DIB), including private sector institutions, partners, vendors, contractors, subcontractors, and individuals that access and handle Federal Contract Information (FCI) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).

The CMMC model aids stakeholders in assessing the compliance of the IT systems of service providers (DIB) with relevant cybersecurity standards and best practices. While most organizations have some kind of cybersecurity policy that adheres to data privacy regulations and cybersecurity industry standards, the CMMC requires contractors (and the service providers in their supply chain) to re-classify the defense contract data they store or process according to the CMMC standard.

The rule for CMMC 2.0 compliance (CFR 32) will come into effect on October 1st, 2026, for all MSPs, MSSPs, and all other contractors in the DoD supply chain. While this seems like a distant deadline, CISOS must begin the certification process sooner rather than later to ensure they can implement all the necessary cybersecurity controls and policies to comply with CMMC.

Source

CMMC Compliance Levels

The CMMC is a tiered model, with each level including different requirements according to the type of sensitive information the subcontractor handles. Complying with different maturity levels also costs different amounts of money and affects the length and complexity of the certification process.

Level 1: Basic Safeguarding of FCI

The most basic level of CMMC applies to organizations that only handle Federal Contract Information (FCI) and is aligned with the 15 cybersecurity requirements in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.204-21.

This level entails meeting foundational cybersecurity practices like strong passwords, access management policies, etc. Companies looking to comply with CMMC Level 1 will be required to perform annual self-assessments for compliance verification.

Level 2: Broad Protection of CUI

The second level of the CMMC applies to organizations that handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and involves meeting the 110 security controls outlined in NIST SP 800-171.

CMMC Level 2 compliance demands more robust and advanced cybersecurity policies. It focuses on enhancing cybersecurity practices like incident response planning, secure software development practices, and automatic data encryption.

Depending on the type of information processed, transmitted, or stored on the contractor or subcontractor information systems, compliance with this level of the CMMC may require the company to undergo a third-party assessment every three years by accredited CMMC Third Party Assessment Organizations (C3PAOs). Organizations may sometimes be allowed to submit a self-assessment instead, depending on their contract.

Source

Level 3: Higher-Level Protection of CUI Against Advanced Persistent Threats

The highest CMMC level is designed for corporations that handle CUI and are at risk of being targeted by Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs), which include state-sponsored attackers targeting critical defense supply channels.

To comply with CMMC Level 3, organizations first achieve a full Level 2 status. Then, you can add 24 additional and enhanced security controls from NIST SP 800-172. This process usually means integrating advanced tactics to strengthen cybersecurity postures, such as monitoring, pen testing, and others.

Organizations seeking Level 3 CMMC compliance must undergo these assessments every three years by the Defense Contract Management Agency’s Defense Industrial Base Cybersecurity Assessment Center (DIBCAC). This requirement is different from the Level 2 triennial assessments, which C3PAOs carry out.

Your Link in The Supply Chain: The CMMC Compliance Mandate for MSPs and MSSPs

MSPs and MSSPs that provide digital services to the DIB become parts of the defense supply chain themselves the moment they handle CUI or FCI. If your clients are looking to comply with CMMC, your business must comply with the same (or higher) level of CMMC compliance.

That said, the CMMC compliance mandate also presents a lucrative opportunity for MSPs and MSSPs that can invest in accreditation as CMMC Registered Practitioner (RP) or Registered Provider Organization (RPO). With a relatively low entry cost (circa $5,500/year), achieving one of the higher levels of compliance for MSSPs, or even becoming C3PAOs, can open a wealth of new business opportunities.

The Essential CMMC Compliance Checklist for CISOs

As per CMMC’s program rule, all businesses in the defense industrial base should take expedited action to gauge their compliance with existing security requirements and their preparedness to comply with CMMC assessments.

The essential CMMC compliance checklist we’ve prepared for CISOs and service providers is the basis for evaluating compliance preparedness with CMMC 2.0 Level 1. Based on the FAR 52.204-21 standard and the DoD CMMC assessment guide, the checklist addresses 15 requirements under six domains. It can be used in the mandatory annual self-assessment and executive affirmation.

It is worth noting that, unlike Levels 2 and 3, CMMC 2.0 Level 1 compliance demands meeting all 15 requirements and does not offer the option to include roadmaps or plans to implement the necessary security controls. The requirements allow organizations and their MSPs/MSSPs plenty of flexibility in implementing the controls.

Without further ado, let’s dive into the checklist.

Access Control (AC)

The first domain of the CMMC cybersecurity compliance framework deals with who gets access to company information systems. It broadly defines what organizations should do to meet the criteria in three checklist items.

Limit information system access to authorized users, processes acting on behalf of authorized users, or devices (including other information systems).
Verify and control/limit connections to and use of external information systems.
Control information posted or processed on publicly accessible information systems.

To meet the requirements, an organization can employ an Identity Access Management (IAM) system to manage all the users, processes, and devices that are allowed access to company systems. Ideally, the organization will implement a role-based access control (RBAC) scheme for all its systems, with least privilege principles enforced throughout the account lifetime.

Identification and Authentication (IA)

The second domain of the framework is tightly related to the first and focuses on ensuring that users, processes, and devices are identified and authenticated to access company information systems.

Identify information system users, processes acting on behalf of users, or devices.
Authenticate (or verify) the identities of those users, processes, or devices as a prerequisite to allowing access to information systems.

A best practice is to deploy IAM systems or centralized authentication services to ensure accounts are managed securely and are only accessible to their authorized users.

Media Protection (MP)

The media protection requirement means organizations must destroy or otherwise purge FCI from any kind of data storage media (from papers to servers) before reuse or disposal.

Sanitize or destroy information system media containing Federal Contract Information before disposal or release for reuse.

Physical Protection (PE)

The next domain pertains to unauthorized individuals’ physical access to organizational information systems. It outlines the actions businesses should take to minimize the risk of unauthorized access to FCI records.

Limit authorized individuals’ physical access to information systems, equipment, and the respective operating environments.
Escort visitors and monitor visitor activity; maintain audit logs of physical access; and control and manage physical access devices.

Source

System and Communications Protection (SC)

This domain directs CISOs to implement communication monitoring, logging, and separation of networks and system components, whether physically or virtually, to limit potential attackers’ lateral movement.

Monitor, control, and protect communications (i.e., information transmitted or received by information systems) at the external and key internal boundaries of the information systems.
Implement subnetworks for publicly accessible system components that are physically or logically separated from internal networks.

System and Information Integrity (SI)

Last but not least is the domain of integrity and prevention. The four requirements in this domain demand that organizations take proactive steps to ensure their information systems are safe from malicious code and potential system flaws.

Identify, report, and correct information and information system flaws in a timely manner.
Protect against malicious code at appropriate locations within information systems.
Update malicious code protection mechanisms when new releases are available.
Perform periodic scans of the information system and real-time scans of files from external sources as files are downloaded, opened, or executed.

Streamline CMMC Compliance With Cynomi’s vCISO Platform

The CMMC certification required for contractors and subcontractors in the American defense sector is necessary for anyone involved in the DoD supply chain. Our checklist includes items for the foundational level of the certification. Higher certification levels are much more costly (circa $100,000, excluding any additional investments needed to meet the standard requirements) and more complicated to conduct.

Regardless of the CMMC compliance process’s level or scope, Cynomi’s vCISO platform automates the painstakingly long stages of information gathering and streamlines CMMC compliance assessments at scale. Cynomi automates compliance assessments for multiple frameworks and delivers automatically generated tailored policies and strategic remediation plans.

MSPs/MSSPs can use Cynomi to eliminate the planning hassle and stand out in the competitive market without needing to develop in-house expertise or scale existing resources.

To learn more about Cynomi, request a demo today.

Redefining Service Provider Growth with Cynomi

David Primor Publication date: 4 March, 2025

Company News

At Cynomi, we are driven by a bold vision: to empower service providers with the most innovative and effective technology to scale their businesses, enhance their offerings, and deliver top-tier cybersecurity services. Today, I am thrilled to introduce a groundbreaking new capability that is unlike anything else in the market—the Solution Showcase.

This isn’t just another feature. Cynomi is the only technology in the ecosystem that enables service providers to easily match their offerings with customer needs, ensuring the right services reach the right clients at the right time. By intelligently aligning products and services with client needs, Solution Showcase acts as a matchmaking tool that helps service providers optimize their portfolios, gain trust and strengthen client relationships.

A True Game-Changer for Service Providers

The introduction of Solution Showcase is a reflection of our unwavering commitment to helping service providers succeed. For years, cybersecurity service providers have faced a critical challenge: bridging the gap between their services and their clients’ unique security needs. Identifying the right offerings for each client has often been time-consuming and inefficient, leaving revenue opportunities untapped.

With Solution Showcase, we are solving this challenge head-on. For the first time, service providers can proactively match their solutions with client needs, uncovering new opportunities for engagement, value delivery, and growth. This capability not only enhances service visibility but also makes the process of upselling and cross-selling more effective.

Built for Growth, Designed for Success

Cynomi has always prioritized the needs of service providers, and Solution Showcase is a testament to that dedication. By harnessing artificial intelligence behind the scenes, we analyze all offered solutions and seamlessly align them with clients’ open tasks. With this capability, we are giving service providers the tools to:

Match their offerings directly to client needs on a timely manner with unmatched precision.
Turn cybersecurity assessments into business growth opportunities by identifying security gaps.
Increase efficiency and revenue through better service alignment and visibility.

More than just technology, this is a strategy for success. We understand that cybersecurity isn’t just about deploying more technologies — it’s about ongoing management, customer trust, business expansion and long-term sustainability. Cynomi’s mission is to enable every organization to achieve CISO-level cybersecurity. Solution Showcase is another step in making that a reality.

I see service providers as Cynomi’s true partners in our mission to empower businesses with CISO-level security. That’s why we work tirelessly to make it easier for them to provide each of their clients with the optimal security solutions—seamlessly, efficiently, and at scale. Solution Showcase is another step in that direction, providing the tools and insights to enhance their reach and strengthen the security posture of the businesses they protect.

Our Commitment to Innovation

As we continue to evolve, our commitment remains steadfast: to invest in features that empower our partners to scale, differentiate, and lead in the cybersecurity space. We listen to our partners, understand their challenges, and develop technology that drives measurable business impact.

The Solution Showcase is just the beginning. We are excited to continue delivering innovations that redefine what’s possible for service providers. As we roll out new capabilities, our focus will always be on helping you grow smarter, scale faster, and win more business.

I invite you to explore this new module and experience firsthand how Cynomi is transforming cybersecurity service delivery. Let’s matchmake the perfect security solutions for your clients and shape the future of cybersecurity—together.