You need a CISO but can’t justify the salary.
A full-time CISO costs $250K-$400K+. You need that level of thinking without the executive headcount.
Cybersecurity Compliance
vCISO-Led Security for Companies Managing Multiple Frameworks
vCISO-led cybersecurity compliance for companies managing multiple frameworks, enterprise customers, and board-level security expectations.
- 20 Hours vCISO Monthly
- Multi-Framework Compliance
- Veteran-Owned & VOSB Certified
Managed Cybersecurity & Compliance
ASCEND:
Strategic Security Leadership, Managed for You
Strategic Security Leadership, Managed for You
You’ve outgrown single-framework compliance. Your customers expect more. Your board is asking questions. And you need someone who can lead – not just check boxes.
ASCEND is TrustedCISO’s managed cybersecurity program for companies that need real security leadership. You stay focused on growth.
Your Framework Options
- GDPR
- SOC 2 Type I & Type II
- ISO 27001
- HIPAA
- PCI DSS
- CMMC
- FedRAMP & GovRAMP
- Multi-framework programs
Everything You Get
- 20 hours of hands-on vCISO monthly
- Multi-framework compliance management
- CISO advisory or full program leadership
- Secure-by-design architecture consulting
- Cloud and infrastructure security assessments
- Vendor risk management program
- Incident response planning and testing
- Security questionnaire and executive reporting support
- Roadmap to cyber resilience
- Advanced CNAPP+ tool for cloud monitoring*
- Vulnerability scanning for cloud
- US-based compliance team – no offshore handoffs
Optional Add-Ons
- Penetration testing
- Internal audit
- Backup solution
- Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR)
- SIEM 24×7 SOC
- DNS whitelisting/blacklisting
- Zero Trust implementation
- Vulnerability scanning (on-premise)
- Advanced vendor management tool
Timeline
Multi-year engagement
Pricing
Starts at $4,500/month (flexes based on services)
*Includes 20 hours vCISO per month. One cloud account license included.
Who We Serve
Built for Companies That Need a CISO
You’re past the “just get us certified” phase. Now you need a security program that scales with you.
If any of these sound familiar, ASCEND was built for you:
Ideal Company Profile:
- 50-500+ employees
- $10M-$100M+ in revenue
- Multiple compliance frameworks required
- Enterprise customers with strict security requirements
- No full-time CISO on staff
Why Clients Choose TrustedCISO for Sustained Compliance
Strategic Leadership – Not Just Compliance Support
ASCEND isn’t a help desk. You get a vCISO who builds your security roadmap, presents to your board, and makes sure your program actually matures – not just passes audits.
One Expert Who Knows Your Business
You work directly with our founder – a 30-year cybersecurity veteran and former CISO at enterprise organizations. No rotating consultants. No re-explaining your architecture every quarter.
Multi-Framework Expertise Under One Roof
SOC 2, ISO 27001, CMMC, FedRAMP, HIPAA – we manage them together. Unified controls. Coordinated audits. Less duplication. Less chaos.
70% Lower Than a Full-Time CISO
A senior CISO costs $250K-$400K+ in salary and benefits. ASCEND gives you 20 hours of that expertise monthly starting at $4,500 – without the executive overhead.
We Scale With You
ASCEND flexes based on what you need. More hours during audit season. Architecture support during product launches. Incident response when something breaks. One partner for all of it.
Veteran-Owned. Certified VOSB/WOSB/EDWOSB
Discipline, integrity, and follow-through in every engagement. These certifications also open doors if you’re pursuing federal contracts.
Testimonials
“They Care About Their Client's Success…”
Great experience working with TrustedCISO. Debra is an information security expert. Her advice has been essential to improving our information system’s security posture.
Dave
TrustedCISO provides exceptional cybersecurity services. From vCISO services to comprehensive risk assessments, audit readiness, and cloud security, TrustedCISO has the expertise to help you reach your cybersecurity goals. What truly sets them apart is their personalized approach. Unlike larger firms that offer cookie-cutter solutions, TrustedCISO takes the time to understand your unique business needs, tailoring their strategies to ensure the best outcomes.
As a veteran-owned business, TrustedCISO embodies the discipline, integrity, and dedication you’d expect, and it shows in every aspect of their work. Their commitment to excellence is evident, not just in their technical capabilities but also in how they prioritize building strong relationships with their clients.
Another standout feature is their affordability. TrustedCISO has managed to make top-tier cybersecurity accessible to small and medium businesses without compromising on quality. At the same time, they are fully capable of addressing the complex needs of large enterprises. This versatility and value make them an ideal partner for businesses of all sizes.
Whether you’re looking for a trusted advisor to help navigate compliance challenges, strengthen your cloud security posture, or develop a robust risk management framework, TrustedCISO is the team to call. I highly recommend them to anyone seeking dependable and effective cybersecurity services!
Lekeshia
TrustedCISO is an exceptional partner for all things cybersecurity. Their team is highly knowledgeable, professional, and committed to delivering tailored solutions that meet specific business needs. From conducting thorough risk assessments to providing actionable recommendations, they excel at helping organizations strengthen their security posture.
What sets TrustedCISO apart is its focus on building trust and clear communication throughout the engagement. They care about their client’s success and go above and beyond to address every concern. I highly recommend TrustedCISO to any business looking to enhance its cybersecurity with a trusted and experienced team.
Shivani Sharma
Resources
Industry Insight from the Experts
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between ASCEND and hiring a full-time CISO?
A full-time CISO costs $250K-$400K+ in salary and benefits. ASCEND gives you 20 hours of senior security leadership monthly starting at $4,500 – without the recruiting, onboarding, or executive overhead. You get the strategic thinking without the full-time commitment.
What's included in the 20 hours of monthly vCISO support?
Everything a CISO would handle – multi-framework compliance management, security roadmap development, board and executive reporting, vendor risk oversight, incident response planning, architecture reviews, and security questionnaire support. We prioritize based on your biggest risks and business needs each month.
Can you manage multiple compliance frameworks at once?
Yes. That’s what ASCEND is built for. SOC 2 plus ISO. CMMC on top of HIPAA. We unify controls across frameworks, coordinate audit timelines, and eliminate duplicate work.
Do you present to our board or investors?
Yes. We prepare executive-level security reports and can present directly to your board, investors, or leadership team. You get clear risk metrics and roadmap updates – not jargon-filled slide decks.
What if we need more than 20 hours in a month?
ASCEND flexes based on what you need. Audit season, product launches, incident response – we scale up when it matters and adjust accordingly. We’ll always communicate before exceeding your baseline.
Can I use ASCEND if I'm not yet certified in any framework?
Yes, but LAUNCH might be a better starting point if you’re pursuing your first certification. ASCEND is built for companies managing ongoing compliance across multiple frameworks or needing strategic security leadership beyond audit prep.
What's the difference between SUSTAIN and ASCEND?
SUSTAIN is 10 hours of GRC support to maintain one framework. ASCEND is 20 hours of vCISO leadership covering multi-framework compliance, security strategy, vendor risk, incident response, and executive reporting. SUSTAIN keeps you compliant. ASCEND builds a security program.
Do you help with vendor risk management?
Yes. We build and manage your vendor risk program – assessing third-party security, tracking vendor questionnaires, and making sure your supply chain doesn’t become your weakest link.
What about incident response?
We develop your incident response plan, test it, and make sure your team knows what to do when something breaks. If an incident happens, we help you respond and manage communication.
How is pricing structured?
ASCEND starts at $4,500/month and flexes based on services. Multi-year engagement. No hourly billing surprises. We scope it during your discovery call so you know exactly what you’re getting.
What if we eventually hire a full-time CISO?
Great – that means you’ve grown. We’ll help transition the program to your new hire and can stay on in a reduced capacity if needed. No lock-in. No ego.