Consulting & Advisory
Not a slide deck. Guidance from people who've actually done the work.
CREST-accredited. Built around your scope.
Identify Gaps Before They Become Problems
Secure Ideas provides a variety of cybersecurity consulting services. We offer guidance from active, CREST-accredited penetration testers who understand compliance requirements and real-world threats. We provide practical, jargon-free advice that your team can realistically implement. Companies work with Secure Ideas as trusted advisors. We are not vendors trying to sell you additional services.
Whether you need an external perspective on program strategy, expert opinons on policy review, or a straight answer when you need to make the call, we’re here to support you without adding headcount.
Our consulting services include:
- Compliance audit preparation – PCI DSS, HIPAA, SOC 2, ISO 27001
- Security program assessment – Gap analysis and roadmap development
- Incident response planning – Preparation and tabletop exercises
- Security architecture review – Design evaluation and recommendations
- Risk assessment – Threat modeling and remediation prioritization
- Vendor security evaluation – Third-party risk assessment
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Security Engineer
Software & Saas
InfoSec Advisory Services
Our InfoSec Advisory service extends your internal security team with direct access to penetration testing experts. Using Slack and scheduled video calls, we can provide timely guidance on security concerns, technology decisions, and complex challenges as they arise.
There is a real cybersecurity talent shortage across the industry, and budgets are always tight. Our Advisory and Consulting services provide you with the practical and strategic guidance your team needs without expanding your headcount. We work with you to figure out what you need, and connect you with the resources that fill those needs.
How It Works
Connect with our team through direct Slack or email channels for quick questions and ongoing guidance. When deeper discussion is needed, we transition to video consultations for comprehensive technical exchanges. Most inquiries receive same-day responses, and our advisory service integrates seamlessly with our PETaaS offering for continuous security improvement.
Getting Started
We begin by establishing your preferred communication channel and understanding your current security challenges. During the initial conversation, we identify your specific needs and expectations, then maintain an ongoing dialogue that evolves with your organization’s security needs.
How Teams Use Advisory Services
We have been offering these services for over 16 years. Here are some of the ways our current clients use these services:
1 Credit = Up to 1 Full Day of Expert Work
Purchase credits ahead of time, and arrange testing as you need it. Partnership-based security testing on your schedule. One credit gets you up to one full day of expert work from consultants who understand your business. Engage our team as needed with complete flexibility.
Ongoing advisory services included for no extra charge. No rigid scopes, real-time collaboration, and engagement tailored to your priorities.
Exclusively from Secure Ideas.
Identify Gaps Before They Become Problems
We can tailor our advisory services to meet your needs. These are two of the most popular services we have developed:
PCI DSS QSA Services
Secure Ideas recognizes that PCI Security is an ongoing effort, so we’ve built Practically Secure to make it as straightforward as possible. We start with readiness evaluations to assess your environment against the PCI Data Security Standard, identifying gaps and providing clear guidance before your formal assessment.
When you’re ready, Practically Secure, led by Jeff Man, the “PCI Guy”, handles your PCI security assessments directly, along with self-assessment support and advising on scope, applicability, and controls for your entity. This approach means you go into your assessment prepared, reducing time on-site, minimizing costly findings, and keeping your PCI Security program strong going forward.
Cybersecurity Tabletop Exercises
Test your organization’s incident response readiness by walking them through realistic crisis scenarios in a simulated, roundtable format. This engaging learning experience evaluates how well your team collaborates during a cyber crisis.
Tabletop exercises encourage active participation, identify gaps in your crisis management plan, and enhance your organization’s ability to respond effectively when real incidents occur.
An evaluation of your security program against the PCI Data Security Standard, covering PCI security assessments, self-assessment support, and advising on scope, applicability, and controls. You get direct access to a Qualified Security Assessor who speaks plainly and knows the standard inside and out.
Led by the “PCI Guy” himself – Jeff Man.
Consulting & Advisory
Frequently
Asked
Questions
Have a question that isn’t answered here?
See our full FAQ page.
What Sets Secure Ideas Apart From Other Security Consulting Firms?
Secure Ideas focuses our consulting practices on improving the security industry through education and advice. We want to help you grow your security function. Our goal with each engagement is to leave our clients with not only the answers they need, but tangible and practical techniques and tools they can put into practice until the next time we work with them.
To back that up, Secure Ideas brings over 170 years of combined consultant experience across system administration, network architecture, and application development. Our team has tested everything from government agencies to Fortune 50 companies, with expertise spanning multiple industries including healthcare, financial services, energy, and government. We contribute to open-source security projects, present at major industry conferences, and provide practical, actionable recommendations based on real-world operational experience. Our focus is delivering the best penetration testing experience through expert collaboration and unbiased consultation.
Where do I start with security testing?
The right starting point depends on your security program maturity and requirements. The key is matching the assessment type to your current security posture and objectives.
If you have specific compliance requirements mandating penetration tests or audits, start there.
We recommend that organizations just beginning their security journey start with a gap analysis to identify control deficiencies, followed by vulnerability assessments, and later penetration testing.
Those with existing security programs may benefit most from security assessments, including cooperative reviews of controls and policies, before penetration testing.
How are security findings risk-ranked?
Findings are ranked as Critical, High, Medium, or Low based on consultant expertise and three key factors: potential threats (attacker type and required expertise), likelihood of attack (motivation, complexity, and existing controls), and possible impact on the organization.
We use qualitative assessment rather than complex scoring formulas because those quantitative methodologies still rely on estimations and opinions: Critical-severity findings involve active exploitation requiring immediate attention, while Low-severity findings provide limited risk alone but may contribute to larger attacks when combined with other vulnerabilities.
How can I lower my cyber insurance costs?
Cyber insurance premiums are based on risk profiles that consider factors like industry, data sensitivity, revenue, and security controls. Regular penetration testing and security assessments demonstrate proactive risk management, which can significantly reduce insurance costs. Organizations that conduct regular testing, implement strong security controls, and address vulnerabilities before incidents occur present lower risk profiles to insurers.
Our PETaaS® offering provides continuous testing access and expert consulting to help maintain strong security posture, directly impacting insurance premiums while reducing breach risk.
What is the Secure Ideas engagement process?
Our engagement process follows these stages:
- Scoping – effort estimation via consultation
- Contracting – Master Service Agreement and Statement of Work
- Scheduling -We coordinate schedules with you and our testers, typically plan for six weeks out
- Kick-off call -Occurs two weeks before testing to review scope and logistics
- Execution – testing performed over one to two weeks for most tests
- Draft report delivery – two to five business days post-testing with rigorous internal review
- Finalization – incorporating your feedback over a two-week review period
We also maintain clear communication, and report at defined milestones to ensure smooth collaboration throughout the engagement.
Can we see a sample report from a Penetration Test?
Absolutely. Any reputable penetration testing company should provide sample reports upon request. Reports are your primary deliverable and should include an executive summary, testing narrative, detailed findings with risk ratings, replication steps for verification, and actionable remediation recommendations. Not all reports are created equal, so reviewing samples helps ensure the format and content meet your needs. Most companies will accommodate reasonable modifications to reporting formats.
What is Professionally Evil Testing as a Service (PETaaS®)?
PETaaS® is on-demand pentesting services, which provides you with continuous access to our penetration testing expertise rather than a one-time assessment. This approach offers on-demand or scheduled testing, which integrates with your software development lifecycle, and delivers regular vulnerability analysis with ongoing support. While it may initially appear more expensive than traditional testing, PETaaS® is significantly more cost-effective than hiring full-time security staff and provides proactive, real-time vulnerability identification.
Note: The industry lacks a standard definition for penetration testing as a service, so verify that your provider’s approach aligns with your expectations.
Recognized authority and trusted guidance built on years of uncovering risks for organizations like yours.
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