The name says it all — CyberCede means to give your security over to someone you trust.
Executive Security Leadership — Without the Full-Time Price Tag
CyberCede provides Virtual CISO and security advisory services to growing companies navigating compliance, risk, and regulatory pressure.
Security Pressure Is Real. Full-Time CISOs Are Expensive.
Growing organizations face the same security obligations as enterprises — but without enterprise budgets or bench depth.
Regulatory Pressure
HIPAA, PCI DSS, SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001 — auditors, customers, and insurers all want documented security programs. The fines for getting it wrong are not hypothetical.
Board & Investor Scrutiny
Series B+ investors and PE acquirers now conduct security due diligence as standard practice. A weak posture kills deals. A documented program accelerates them.
Breach Risk Is Rising
SMBs are targeted specifically because adversaries know they typically lack mature defenses. A single incident can cost more than years of advisory services.
Talent Shortage
Qualified CISOs command $250K–$400K+ in total comp. Most growing organizations can't justify that headcount — but they still need executive-level security leadership.
Compliance Deadlines Don't Wait
Cyber insurance renewals, customer security questionnaires, audit timelines — these don't pause while you recruit. You need someone who can start immediately.
No Internal Roadmap
Many organizations know they have gaps but don't know where to start. A structured assessment and prioritized roadmap changes that — and makes the board conversation straightforward.
A fractional vCISO gives you executive-level security leadership at a fraction of the cost — with the flexibility your business actually needs.
See Our ServicesSecurity Advisory, Calibrated to Your Stage
From a one-time assessment to full program ownership — engagements designed to meet you where you are.
Security Assessment & Roadmap
Current state assessment against NIST CSF or ISO 27001 frameworks, gap analysis, and a prioritized 12-month security roadmap. The right starting point for any engagement.
- NIST CSF or ISO 27001 gap analysis
- Risk-prioritized findings report
- 12-month security roadmap
- Executive summary for board or leadership
- Optional: vendor and third-party review
Fractional vCISO Retainer
Ongoing CISO-level advisory covering policy governance, vendor reviews, incident response leadership, board and executive reporting, and compliance oversight — on a flexible monthly retainer.
- Policy and procedure governance
- Third-party risk management (TPRM)
- Incident response planning and leadership
- Board / executive security reporting
- Compliance oversight: HIPAA, PCI, SOC 2
- Security awareness program guidance
Full vCISO Engagement
Complete security program ownership — from governance and team oversight to budget management and regulatory readiness. Designed for organizations that need deep, ongoing executive security leadership.
- Full security program ownership
- Security team leadership and oversight
- Security budget planning and management
- Regulatory readiness: ISO 27001, HIPAA, PCI
- M&A security due diligence support
- Cyber insurance program management
Data Engineering & Strategy Advisory
Fractional data leadership for companies building or scaling their data function. Pipeline architecture, data governance, analytics strategy, and team development — available through CyberCede's trusted associate network.
- Data pipeline architecture and design
- Data governance frameworks
- Analytics strategy and toolchain selection
- Fractional Director of Data / Data Engineer
- Available for 1099 engagements
Pricing shown is illustrative. All engagements are subject to scope, written agreement, and mutual fit. "Starting from" and "typical engagements" language reflects common engagement ranges, not fixed or guaranteed pricing.
Built for the Compliance Realities of Your Sector
CyberCede has advised organizations across regulated industries where security programs directly affect licensure, contracts, and patient or customer trust.
Healthcare
Fintech & Financial Services
SaaS & Cloud Companies
EdTech & Education
Professional Services
Manufacturing & OT
Security Leadership Earned Over Four Decades
Kenneth R. Walling Jr. has spent 40 years in information security — a career that began not in a boardroom, but on the flight line. Starting in 1986 with the United States Air Force, Kenneth conducted red team physical security testing and managed COMSEC — encrypted communications systems critical to national security operations. That foundation shaped everything that followed.
In July 1999, he founded CyberCede Corporation, originally providing secure network infrastructure design (Linux-based encrypted VPNs, SSH/SCP architectures, firewall engineering) alongside IT consulting and web development. Over time, CyberCede evolved to focus exclusively on what Kenneth does best: information security governance, risk management, and executive-level advisory. In 2008, CyberCede became a true family business when Kenneth's wife joined — handling operations, bookkeeping, and client communications. That family structure means every client gets personal accountability, not a rotating cast of consultants.
Most recently, Kenneth served as Manager of Information Security at General Assembly (part of LHH / The Adecco Group) — serving as the organization's local GRC authority, second line of defense, Risk Register owner, TPRM program manager, and author of the ISO 27001 policy suite signed by the CEO and five SLT members. He also led GDPR compliance, AI governance frameworks, and incident response.
USAF red team physical security testing and COMSEC management — encrypted communications for national security operations.
Founded CyberCede Corporation. Secure network infrastructure, encrypted VPN design, IT consulting.
CyberCede becomes a family-operated business. Focused practice on information security governance and advisory.
Named contributor, Cloud Security Alliance — "Using AI for Offensive Security" (July 2024).
Completed CLI/ISC2 Cyber Leadership Program (August 2025). Continuing to advise organizations navigating AI governance, compliance, and emerging risk.
Track Record. Credentials. Accountability.
What sets a 25-year-old security firm apart from a consultant who started last year.
Let's Talk About Your Security Program
Whether you're facing an upcoming audit, navigating a CISO vacancy, or just want to understand where the gaps are — we're a straightforward conversation away.
Get in Touch
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