Intelligence in vCISO

Do MSPs need CMMC Level 2 certification? The answer depends on how the MSP interacts with CUI. This article breaks down when MSPs are in scope, what types of access trigger compliance, and how organizations can address CMMC risk early.

CMMC 2.0 assessments are more than a one-time audit. Learn how often assessments are required, POA&M rules, SPRS issues, and how to stay compliant.

Confused about how CMMC levels are determined for DoD contracts? Learn more about the CMMC Model, Level 2 requirements, and how NIST SP 800-171 revisions impact your certification path.

2025 was a defining year for cybersecurity, and this article brings together the insights that mattered most. Inside, you’ll find Echelon’s top reports and articles covering real-world threats, defensive gaps, compliance shifts, and lessons learned across industries. It’s a guided entry point into the stories and strategies worth revisiting as you plan what comes next.

CMMC 2.0 requirements are officially rolling out, and defense contractors must act now to stay contract-eligible. This first section of our CMMC FAQs breaks down key timelines, costs, assessments, and official DoD resources, giving you clear, authoritative guidance to prepare for compliance with confidence.

CMMC 2.0 introduces new requirements for defense contractors. This guide explains what it is, the differences from CMMC 1.0, and step-by-step strategies for planning, assessing, and preparing for certification.

Preparing for CMMC 2.0 certification isn’t just about checking boxes it’s about timing and strategy. Learn how Gap Assessments and Pre-Audit Assessments work together to uncover weaknesses, validate controls, and ensure your organization is truly audit-ready.

Protect your business 24/7 without adding headcount or burning out your team. Learn how MDR, SOC-as-a-Service, and co-managed SIEM deliver always-on threat detection while keeping costs and complexity under control.

CISOs and IT leaders face growing pressure to prove cyber risk maturity. This guide breaks down six actionable steps to build a scalable, compliant, and board-ready risk management program.

A critical Microsoft 365 misconfiguration is enabling untraceable internal phishing. Learn how Echelon’s experts uncovered the issue and how to fix it fast.

IT and security teams are stretched thin, juggling daily operations, compliance, and cyber threats. Learn how managed cybersecurity support helps reduce burnout, streamline audits, and shift from reactive firefighting to proactive protection.

Financial institutions face growing cyber risks and complex regulations like FFIEC, GLBA, and NYDFS. Echelon’s experts explain how banks, asset managers, and fintechs can stay compliant while building stronger cyber resilience.

FedRAMP 20x is here. Learn what’s changing, who it impacts, and the steps you should take now to prepare for faster, automated compliance.

Prepare for Q4 with a strong business continuity plan. Learn how to manage seasonal risks, prevent costly downtime, and build resilience into the new year.

On June 20, 2025, Governor Greg Abbott signed the Texas Cybersecurity Safe Harbor Law (SB 2610). This law takes effect on September 1, 2025, and brings major changes for small and mid-sized Texas businesses that handle sensitive personal information.If your organization has fewer than 250 employees, this law could protect you from punitive damages after a data breach—but only if you maintain a documented, compliant cybersecurity program.

Discover how to develop a business continuity plan with this 10-step guide designed to help mid-sized organizations minimize downtime and recover quickly. Learn clear, actionable strategies to boost resilience and protect operations through effective business continuity planning.

The FFIEC Cybersecurity Assessment Tool (CAT) is being sunset, leaving financial institutions in need of new ways to assess cybersecurity risks. Learn why it's being phased out, the top alternative frameworks to adopt, and how to ensure a smooth transition while maintaining compliance and security readiness. 

Curious about SOC 2 Type 2? This FAQ guide answers common questions about the audit process, Trust Services Criteria, preparation tips, and how compliance can boost business credibility. 

Learn how to effectively manage third-party cyber risk with proven strategies and tools. Build trust, reduce exposure, and meet compliance requirements. 

Compare ISO 27001 vs SOC 2 Type 2 audits in this detailed guide. Learn key differences in scope, timelines, frameworks, and compliance use cases to choose the right standard for your organization.

This article outlines the major 2024 updates to the ISA/IEC 62443 standards, focusing on changes to governance, supply chain security, monitoring practices, and workforce training. It highlights how Echelon’s Risk and Audit Assessment services can help organizations in manufacturing and the defense industrial base understand and implement these updates effectively. 

Discover how the Detroit Pistons partnered with Echelon Risk + Cyber to build a resilient cybersecurity framework. Download the case study to learn how strategic testing, governance, and expert insights reduced critical risks and boosted compliance readiness.

Learn the essentials of PCI DSS compliance, including penetration testing, quarterly vulnerability scanning, and the role of QSAs and SAQs. Stay ahead of cyber threats and ensure secure payment transactions. Contact Echelon Risk + Cyber to streamline your compliance strategy. 

Montauk Renewables reduced critical vulnerabilities by 90% with Echelon’s vCISO and Security Team as a Service. Through a structured 12-month cybersecurity roadmap, we helped Montauk enhance IT-OT security, meet SEC compliance, and shift from reactive firefighting to strategic cybersecurity execution. Download the full case study to see how we transformed their security posture. 

Discover how sophisticated social engineering attacks are leveraging legitimate Microsoft tools and services to deploy ransomware. Learn about recent phishing campaigns, Microsoft Teams vishing and effective cybersecurity measures to protect your organization. 

Discover how Echelon's vCISO services can help high-growth software startups overcome cybersecurity challenges. Build scalable strategies to protect customer data, meet compliance, and stay ahead of threats without slowing innovation. Learn more today! 

We’re excited to share the 5 most-read articles of the year. These articles stand out for their relevance, depth, and impact on the ongoing cybersecurity dialogue. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting to dive into the world of cybersecurity, these pieces offer valuable perspectives on the challenges and solutions facing today’s digital landscape.

Earlier this year, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced $200 million worth of cybersecurity grants will be distributed to eligible K-12 schools as part of the Cybersecurity Pilot Program. So, what are the biggest cyber risks to schools, and how can schools mitigate them in the most cost-efficient way?

Explore the crucial differences between compliance and security in this insightful roundtable with Echelon’s Paul Interval and A-LIGN’s Blaise Wabo. Learn how to move beyond checkboxes, address risks, and implement forward-thinking strategies to protect your organization.

In today's interconnected world, Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM) is essential for safeguarding your organization against cyber threats introduced by external partners. This guide explores the critical aspects of TPRM, providing a framework for identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks associated with third-party relationships. 

Discover expert strategies from Echelon to enhance your organization's cybersecurity during Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Learn about training enhancements, cyber exercise benefits, internal testing, and building a culture of awareness to strengthen cyber defenses. 

Written by Echelon’s Cybersecurity Associate, John Hurd, our guide, "Maximizing Cybersecurity with vCISO-Led Security Teams" dives deep into the potential pitfalls and offers strategic insights to help you safeguard your organization.

The idea that cybersecurity compliance is a financial obstacle is a dangerous misconception. Having robust cybersecurity compliance is more than just checking the box on compliance. It is a strategic investment that can create significant returns for any organization, but for the investment to be successful, they must commit time and resources to it. Organizations that view compliance as an opportunity rather than just a box they must check, will have a competitive advantage against competitors. Customers are more likely to trust and engage with businesses that prioritize their data and privacy. Trust can then lead to increased customer acquisition and retention for any organization.  

Is your organization's Vendor Risk Management strategy robust enough? This article explores the critical role of CISOs in assessing new vendors and monitoring existing ones to safeguard against data breaches and potential disruptions. Stay ahead in the evolving landscape of third-party threats and enhance your cybersecurity posture.

Discover 7 essential steps for CISOs to bolster cybersecurity during the holiday season. Learn how to recognize and prepare for heightened cyber threats, including data-backed insights and attack-specific playbooks.

Small to mid-sized businesses often wonder whether to hire a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). This article examines the factors for SMBs to consider when deciding to hire a full-time or fractional CISO.

When it comes to cybersecurity, all organizations share a similar risk – the possibility of human error. When it comes to educating your people about cyber, one size does NOT fit all. Here are six strategies to mature your information security awareness and training program.

We can think about an amusement park’s rider height and restriction requirements as a useful way to describe risk tolerances when onboarding new vendors or increasing scopes of work to existing ones.

Upon returning home from Scottsdale, AZ for the PA Bankers Convention of 2022, I had some time to reflect on my three key takeaways from my time spent amongst leaders in the great banking industry of Pennsylvania.

The Lapsus$ attacks have helped companies realize that third-party vendors can be the 'weakest link' within their own organizations. This article summarizes what companies can learn (and do) to protect data.

Most current third-party risk management (TPRM) programs are external-facing. But what if the greatest threat to your organization wasn’t external?

The year 2021 brought about some serious cyber challenges. This article summarizes key takeaways from CrowdStrike's Global Threat Landscape report, provides a breakdown of the five 2021 themes, and gives our take on seven recommendations that resonate most with us.

In January 2021, the Federal Reserve Banks implemented the Security and Resiliency Assurance Program outlining new compliance requirements for banks that use FedLine® by the end of 2022. This article outlines everything you need to know about this new program.

Role Based Access Control (RBAC) has become the holy grail of access management. What does RBAC stand for? Here are a few tips on how to strategically approach your RBAC adoption journey.

Lawmakers have argued about mandatory cyber incident reporting for years, but it has never gained the traction needed to become widespread law. For those in the banking industry, this is all about to change.

As 2021 winds down, we take a peek into the future of cybersecurity for 2022. Will our predictions come true?

As technology advances at an unprecedented pace, many businesses are aggressively accelerating adoption to maintain a competitive advantage. But there’s a big risk for those who don’t keep cybersecurity top of mind.