AI-Native vCISO · SOC 2 · ISO 27001 · ISO 42001 · CMMC
Turn Cybersecurity & AI into a Value Driver with our vCISO Services
Virtual CISO & AI Governance for your SaaS Business
The Intelligent Choice for Your Cybersecurity & AI Strategy
Responsible Cybersecurity & AI for your SaaS Business
Fortune 500-level Cybersecurity & AI Governance for SaaS companies, startups, SMBs and private equity portfolios — at a fraction of the cost of a full-time CISO hire.
Cybersecurity, AI Governance & Compliance Programs in one place
IRM Consulting & Advisory is a boutique cybersecurity consulting firm providing Virtual CISO (vCISO) Services for SaaS companies, startups, SMBs and private equity firms. The firm provides leadership and builds and runs Cybersecurity, AI Governance, Risk & Compliance Programs.
We specialize in transforming growing businesses into cyber-resilient organizations. We help growing businesses protect their Portfolio's, Products & Services, Customer Data, and Intellectual Property by delivering tailored Cybersecurity Leadership, Strategies, Managed Services and Solutions.
IRM Consulting & Advisory empowers SaaS companies, startups, SMBs and private equity portfolios to thrive securely in a digital world, through unparalleled Cybersecurity & AI Governance Leadership for Value-Creation, Investor & Enterprise-ready assessments and Program implementation at a fraction of the cost of a full-time CISO hire.
We help your business comply, achieve and sustain industry standards and certifications such as NIST, SOC2, ISO27001/2, ISO42001, CMMC, NIST AI100, ISO TR 24027 and compliance with Data Protection and AI Regulations.
Cybersecurity & AI Governance is now a buying and sales criterion, not an afterthought. Our clients come to us because growth is being blocked by Cybersecurity & Compliance Gaps, Inefficeint Processes, and the need to use Generative & Agentic AI for Productivity & Efficiency.
Enterprise Deals Are Stalling
You can't turn around security questionnaires fast enough and deals are dying in the queue.
Certifications Are Blocking Growth
SOC 2, ISO 27001, ISO 42001, NIST, CMMC/CPCSC, or HIPAA/PIPEDA is required to sell and you don't know where to start.
Cyber-Insurance Premiums Are Rising
Underwriters want evidence of a mature program before they'll offer reasonable rates.
AI Is Outpacing Your Governance
You're shipping AI features without NIST AI RMF, ISO 42001 or EU AI Act alignment and the risk is accumulating.
You Can't Hire a Full-time CISO
The talent pool is thin, the salary is prohibitive, and attrition is high. A full-time CISO hire isn't the answer.
Boards & Investors Are Asking Questions about Cyber & AI Security
And you don't have confident, board-ready answers to evidence your Cyber & AI Governance posture.
Private Equity Portfolio Companies
PE Operating Partners want consistent, evidenced cyber programs across the whole portfolio, but lack the bandwidth and expertise to assess 15-40 companies.
Third-Party Risk Is a Blind Spot
Your vendors and supply chain expose you to undue risks and breaches you can't see, your have contractual obligations to your customers.
You're Not Ready for a Cyber Incident
No tested incident response plan means a breach turns into a crisis resulting in reputational damage, financial loss, regulatory scrutiny/fines.
Scale your Business with SOC2, ISO27001, ISO42001, CMMC Certification and more with AI Governance & Regulatory Compliance
IRM Consulting & Advisory's Trusted Advisors partner with you to achieve industry-standard security certifications — including SOC 2, ISO 27001, ISO 42001 and CMMC — for value creation, competitive advantage and to build customer trust.
Who We Serve
IRM Consulting & Advisory delivers vCISO services tailored to the specific security, compliance, and governance needs of five distinct client profiles.
Startups (Pre-seed to Series B)
Close enterprise deals, pass security reviews, and raise your next round without a $300K CISO hire. Ideal for founders preparing for SOC 2 Type I/II or ISO 27001.
Small & Medium Businesses
Mature cybersecurity & AI governance, vendor risk, and incident response delivered as a managed service so you stay focused on your business.
SaaS Companies
B2B and multi-tenant platforms pursuing SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, or HIPAA to win upmarket customers and shorten sales cycles.
Regulated Businesses
Healthcare, financial services, legal, and government-adjacent firms facing HIPAA, PCI-DSS, CMMC, PIPEDA, OSFI, and data-residency obligations.
Private Equity & Portfolio Companies
Cybersecurity due diligence at acquisition, 100-day security plans, and standardized security programs across the portfolio to protect EBITDA and exit multiples.
Services We Offer
We offer services to help your business defend and protect against Cybersecurity & AI Concerns, Threats and Challenges
vCISO
Virtual CISO Services
Build and Run your Cybersecurity, Risk and Compliance Programs with our AI-Native Virtual (vCISO) Strategic Leadership.
Proactively identify and evaluate potential Security Threats and Vulnerabilities during Product Design, understand the impact of Threats and apply appropriate security controls and solutions.
Protect your Cloud environments against misconfiguration, vulnerabilities, and malicious attacks. Implement security best practices to secure your Information & Technology Assets in the Cloud.
Develop and maintain an AI Data Governance Framework with our Virtual CISO Services to protect the Privacy and Data Security of your customer and organization information.
Our consultative approach is simple, yet highly effective for small businesses. We have a simple five (5) step process towards guiding your business to achieving the information security posture and maturity level that is aligned to your business goals, objectives and risk appetite.
IRM helped our business achieve SOC2 Type II readiness in 90 days → 40% faster than industry average at 40% lower than the market cost!
Anna Clarkson
★★★★★
"Expert Cybersecurity Advice"
We were able to quickly win new business with the excellent Risk Assessments and Cybersecurity Solutions that provided assurance to our clients.
David Kennedy
★★★★★
"We Rely On Their Trusted Advisors"
Our Cybersecurity concerns and requirements are always addressed with the right solutions. We have seen an improvement in the maturity of our security controls.
Mike Robertson
★★★★★
"The right Virtual CISO Services for Small Business"
After months of searching for cost-effective vCISO Services, we turned to IRM Consulting & Advisory and we are very pleased with quality and professional services provided. Definitely the right choice for any small business.
William Trullet
★★★★★
"Excellent Cybersecurity Program Management"
The best Cybersecurity Consulting firm that is passionate about helping small businesses manage their cybersecurity program. Highly recommended for any small business looking for help with cybersecurity.
Jennifer Bartlett
★★★★★
"Excellent Cybersecurity Consulting Services for our business"
We reduced our cyber-insurance premiums with help from their skilled cybersecurity trusted advisors. Using their vCISO Services, we had a competitive advantage to win new customers and gain trust in existing customers and third-parties.
Stephanie Johnson
★★★★★
"The Right Services For Our Business"
IRM helped our business achieve SOC2 Type II readiness in 90 days → 40% faster than industry average at 40% lower than the market cost!
Anna Clarkson
★★★★★
"Expert Cybersecurity Advice"
We were able to quickly win new business with the excellent Risk Assessments and Cybersecurity Solutions that provided assurance to our clients.
David Kennedy
★★★★★
"We Rely On Their Trusted Advisors"
Our Cybersecurity concerns and requirements are always addressed with the right solutions. We have seen an improvement in the maturity of our security controls.
Mike Robertson
★★★★★
"The right Virtual CISO Services for Small Business"
After months of searching for cost-effective vCISO Services, we turned to IRM Consulting & Advisory and we are very pleased with quality and professional services provided. Definitely the right choice for any small business.
William Trullet
★★★★★
"Excellent Cybersecurity Program Management"
The best Cybersecurity Consulting firm that is passionate about helping small businesses manage their cybersecurity program. Highly recommended for any small business looking for help with cybersecurity.
Jennifer Bartlett
★★★★★
"Excellent Cybersecurity Consulting Services for our business"
We reduced our cyber-insurance premiums with help from their skilled cybersecurity trusted advisors. Using their vCISO Services, we had a competitive advantage to win new customers and gain trust in existing customers and third-parties.
Stephanie Johnson
Frequently Asked Questions about Virtual CISO (vCISO) Services
A Virtual CISO (vCISO) is a fractional cybersecurity executive who provides the strategic leadership, governance, and compliance oversight of a full-time Chief Information Security Officer on a flexible, on-demand or subscription basis. The role delivers the expertise of a CISO without the salary, benefits, or equity of a full-time hire — ideal for SaaS companies, startups, and SMBs.
No. Virtual CISOs are not full-time employees. A vCISO is engaged on a pay-as-you-go, subscription, or project basis — always available, and used as needed. IRM Consulting & Advisory right-sizes vCISO services to your specific needs.
A vCISO delivers best-in-class security leadership at a fraction of the cost of a full-time CISO, with engagements designed to reduce cybersecurity costs over time. A vCISO protects your reputation, provides assurance to prospects and clients, helps you win new business faster, embeds into product development, and accelerates time-to-market for business goals.
No. A vCISO is ideal for small businesses, which are most vulnerable to cyberattacks. IRM's vCISO service provides enterprise-grade cybersecurity and AI risk management expertise without a $250K+ full-time CISO salary, and is designed to reduce cost over time as your security posture matures.
Yes. Customer security questionnaires are a key pain point for scaling SaaS companies. A vCISO improves win rates and shortens sales cycles by providing accurate, defensible responses to enterprise security questionnaires.
An AI-Native vCISO covers both traditional cyber risk and the risks of using and developing LLMs, AI tools, applications, and systems. AI Risk Assessments are conducted in line with ISO 42001, NIST AI RMF, and applicable AI regulatory requirements.
A Canada-based vCISO ensures alignment with Canadian regulatory requirements including PIPEDA and provincial privacy laws, and understands the unique threat landscape facing Canadian businesses. IRM Consulting & Advisory, headquartered in Toronto, is recognized as one of Canada's best providers of Virtual and Fractional CISO services for SaaS companies, startups, and SMBs.
A vCISO is an outsourced, fractional security executive engaged part-time, on retainer, or as a consulting service — typically a fraction of the cost of a full-time hire. A full-time CISO is a permanent employee responsible for strategy, program, and team — better suited to larger or highly regulated organizations needing internal teams and enterprise-wide transformation.
Approximately 6 months. An experienced vCISO can prepare your business for SOC 2 Type II or ISO 27001 certification readiness in 6 months at roughly 40% less cost than a full-time hire.
A vCISO service typically includes: (1) Security Strategy Development aligned to business goals; (2) Risk Assessment and Management; (3) Policy and Compliance Management against frameworks such as GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS; (4) Incident Response Planning and testing; (5) Security Awareness and Training; (6) Third-Party Risk Management; (7) Security Program Oversight and reporting; (8) Advisory Role to senior management; (9) Coordination with internal IT and security teams.
A vCISO costs approximately 40% less than a full-time CISO hire while providing best-in-class quality. Beyond cost savings, you gain extensive certified industry expertise, dedicated capacity, and a goal of decreasing cybersecurity costs over time as the program matures.
A vCISO is an outsourced CISO available on-demand, on subscription, or on a project basis. vCISOs build, execute, and improve cybersecurity programs starting with a Threat Risk Assessment, then work with leadership to right-size a security program roadmap aligned with strategic goals — achieving the right security posture and maturity at minimal cost.
A Virtual CISO costs approximately 40% less than a full-time CISO. A vCISO aligns cybersecurity with business strategy and focuses time on quantifying and reducing risk — improving security posture and maturity — rather than on people management.
Yes. A vCISO communicates and translates the value of the cybersecurity program into board-ready reports. Reports are data-driven and translate technical risks into financial and business metrics (KPIs and KRIs), demonstrating trends in cybersecurity posture, maturity, and risk tolerance.
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Our Industry Certifications
Our diverse industry experience and expertise in AI, Cybersecurity & Information Risk Management, Data Governance, Privacy and Data Protection Regulatory Compliance is endorsed by leading educational and industry certifications for the quality, value and cost-effective products and services we deliver to our clients.
