Driving SOC 2 & NIST Compliance for a Fast-Growing Startup

Challenge

A fast-growing technology startup was rapidly expanding its services and customer base. As part of this growth, the company faced increasing pressure from enterprise clients and regulatory bodies to comply with SOC 2 and NIST cybersecurity standards.

However, the startup lacked an in-house CISO and relied on a small security team with limited compliance experience. Their IT infrastructure was managed by an MSP, which provided IT operations and security tools, but did not offer strategic cybersecurity leadership or compliance expertise. As a result, they struggled with:

• Preparing for SOC 2 certification and aligning with NIST security controls.
• Implementing governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) frameworks to meet industry best practices.
• Developing security policies, access controls, and incident response plans in line with compliance standards.
• Bridging the gap between IT operations and regulatory requirements to ensure a strong security posture.

With enterprise deals at stake, the startup needed a cybersecurity expert to guide them through compliance preparation—but hiring a full-time CISO was not financially viable.

Solution

To address these challenges, the company engaged Cybrella’s vCISO as a Service, providing them with a part-time, on-demand Chief Information Security Officer to lead their compliance journey and long-term security strategy.

Working closely with the in-house security team and MSP, Cybrella’s vCISO:

• Developed a comprehensive security roadmap, aligning with SOC 2 Trust Services Criteria and NIST frameworks.
• Implemented security controls, policies, and risk management strategies to meet audit requirements.
• Led security awareness training, ensuring employees followed best practices for data protection.
• Prepared the startup for a successful SOC 2 audit, guiding them through risk assessments, evidence collection, and audit readiness reviews.
• Coordinated with external auditors, ensuring a seamless audit process with minimal disruptions.
• Enhanced the company’s cybersecurity maturity, integrating long-term security strategies beyond compliance.

Benefits

With Cybrella’s vCISO leadership, the startup successfully passed its SOC 2 audit, ensuring compliance with enterprise security expectations and gaining credibility with investors and clients. Key outcomes included:

• Full SOC 2 and NIST compliance, unlocking new business opportunities.
• Stronger cybersecurity governance, creating long-term resilience against cyber threats.
• Cost-effective security leadership, gaining CISO-level expertise without hiring a full-time executive.
• A scalable security framework, enabling future compliance with ISO 27001 and other industry regulations.
• Ongoing cybersecurity advisory, with Cybrella now an integral part of the company’s security strategy and readiness.

By leveraging Cybrella’s vCISO as a Service, the startup achieved compliance, strengthened its security posture, and gained a trusted security partner to support future growth.