Governance, Risk, & Compliance

Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) is essential for businesses to operate securely and efficiently in today’s complex landscape. Effective governance provides strong leadership and accountability, risk management identifies and mitigates potential threats, and compliance ensures alignment with legal and regulatory standards. Together, GRC protects your organization’s reputation, minimizes financial and operational risks, and fosters sustainable growth by aligning with ethical and regulatory expectations. At Core Five Security, we deliver tailored GRC solutions, including point-in-time assessments, to meet your organization’s unique needs and ensure long-term success.

Compliance assessments are critical in cybersecurity as they ensure an organization adheres to industry standards, legal regulations, and best practices. These assessments help identify vulnerabilities, gaps in security measures, and potential risks that could lead to data breaches or non-compliance penalties. Regularly conducting compliance assessments not only protects sensitive information but also strengthens overall security posture, builds customer trust, and safeguards the organization from legal liabilities. Core Five Security can help you select, and measure adherence to, a framework that will help you drive towards your Complaince needs as a business.


At Core Five Security, we understand the importance of identifying the key risks specific to your organization and aligning risk assessments to your unique business needs. Whether you need a one-time risk assessment or a comprehensive risk management program, we’re here to help. Our team can also review your existing risk framework and provide actionable recommendations to strengthen your security posture, ensuring your organization is well-equipped to handle evolving threats.


Need more than a comprehensive risk assessment? Core Five Security can assist in creating cutting-edge risk registers that systematically identify, assess, and prioritize potential risks that could impact operations, security, and overall business success. A risk register helps organizations stay proactive by providing a clear overview of vulnerabilities, assigning responsibility for risk mitigation, and tracking the status of ongoing efforts.


As the saying goes, “If you lie with dogs, you might get fleas,” underscoring the importance of holding third-party business partners accountable for their security practices. If you’re unsure how to manage third-party risk, we can help. Whether you need a customized risk management program tailored to your environment or full support in running the program, Core Five Security has you covered.


Incident Response & Managed Services

Every organization faces incidents that need follow-up and remediation. But how do you know if you’re handling them effectively? Success isn’t measured by the number of incidents, but by how well you respond to them. Take control of your incident response capabilities with Core Five Security, and let us help you build a comprehensive Incident Response Plan.

In today’s world, it’s not a question of if but when an organization will face a security breach. Without a plan in place, not only will it cost time to recover, but it will also cause more loss of revenue for your business. At Core Five Security, we ensure your incident response plan is tailored to meet your organization’s specific needs, so you’re always prepared to act quickly and effectively.


Mike Tyson famously said “ Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth”. We can conduct a tabletop exercise to help you determine your preparedness for the incident that is your “punch in the mouth”. A tabletop exercise is a simulated walkthrough designed to ensure your organization’s processes are being properly followed. It also serves as a valuable tool for identifying gaps in your incident response plan and raising awareness among your operational team, the business, and leadership, helping to improve overall preparedness.


Core Five Security collaborates with a wide network of MSSPs, Incident Response Firms, and other providers to support your incident response program. Based on your specific requirements, we can help you identify the ideal MSSP to meet your organization’s needs.


Assessments

Assessments are critical for understanding the strengths and weaknesses of your business. They provide a clear snapshot of your current state, helping you identify vulnerabilities, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement. Regular assessments ensure that your business stays compliant with industry standards, adapts to changing regulations, and remains resilient against evolving threats.

Assessing your organization’s maturity is essential for both IT and Security teams, as it gives business leaders a clear picture of how developed their programs are. At Core Five Security, we offer basic NIST CSF 2.0 maturity assessments to evaluate your organization’s strengths and areas for growth. If you prefer to align the maturity assessment with a specific framework for a more comprehensive view, we’re here to provide that support as well

This assessment reviews the implementation, effectiveness, and adequacy of various security controls, such as access management, encryption, firewalls, and incident response procedures. The goal is to ensure that these controls align with industry standards, regulatory requirements, and the organization’s specific security needs. By identifying gaps or weaknesses, a Cybersecurity Controls Assessment helps strengthen an organization’s security posture and mitigates risks to its digital assets and infrastructure.


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In today’s landscape, organizations depend on a wide range of cybersecurity technologies to safeguard their valuable assets from constantly evolving threats. But is your current technology stack up to the task? What tools could strengthen your overall cybersecurity resilience? At Core Five Security, we can help you assess your needs, identify the right solutions, and, in many cases, assist you in purchasing and managing the technologies that will best protect your organization.


Does your cybersecurity program align to the needs of your business? Let Core Five Security help provide a clear understanding of how well your organization’s cybersecurity efforts align with your overall business goals and risk environment. This assessment helps identify gaps, inefficiencies, or misalignments in current security practices, ensuring that resources are being used effectively and that the organization is adequately protected against evolving threats. It also supports compliance with industry standards and regulations, minimizing legal and financial risks. Ultimately, this assessment enables organizations to develop a more strategic, proactive, and resilient approach to cybersecurity, enhancing their ability to defend against attacks while supporting business continuity and growth.


While strategy plays a crucial role in driving business success, a strong organizational culture is the true foundation. Shaping culture begins with understanding its core elements—attitudes, behaviors, communication, norms, and the factors that influence how people think and act. Culture is deeply ingrained and cannot be transformed overnight, but through careful assessment, leaders can identify the underlying challenges. This insight provides a solid starting point for fostering meaningful change and tracking progress over time, ensuring that the culture evolves in alignment with business goals.


Threat & Vulnerability Management

Threat and vulnerability management are key pillars of any robust cybersecurity strategy. Threats refer to potential attackers—like cybercriminals or nation-states—who aim to exploit weaknesses in your systems. By identifying and addressing these weaknesses, you can take proactive steps to defend your organization from cyberattacks. At Core Five Security, we provide comprehensive vulnerability management services to help you detect, prioritize, and mitigate risks, ensuring your systems remain secure.

Are you seeking an assessment to identify and address weaknesses in its systems before cybercriminals can exploit them? By conducting a vulnerability assessment, businesses gain a clear understanding of their security posture, uncovering potential risks across their network, applications, and infrastructure. This proactive approach helps prioritize and fix vulnerabilities, reducing the likelihood of data breaches, financial loss, and reputational damage. 


Do you need a vulnerability management program to continuously identify, prioritize, and remediate security weaknesses before they can be exploited? Cyber threats are constantly evolving, and new vulnerabilities can emerge at any time. A structured vulnerability management program helps ensure that these risks are regularly assessed and addressed, reducing the likelihood of data breaches or cyberattacks. It also ensures compliance with regulatory standards, enhances the company’s overall security posture, and fosters a proactive approach to cybersecurity, safeguarding critical assets and business continuity.


A penetration test (pen test) offers a more in-depth approach than a vulnerability assessment by not only identifying potential weaknesses but also actively exploiting them to gauge their impact on the system. By simulating real-world attack scenarios, pen tests reveal how well defenses can withstand breaches, providing valuable insights into exploitable vulnerabilities. This enables organizations to strengthen their security controls, prioritize necessary fixes, and enhance protection against actual cyber threats.


Security Program Development

Businesses thrive in an interconnected world that offers unlimited opportunities. However, with great opportunities come great risks. That's where a robust security program becomes your most valuable asset. Building a comprehensive security program isn't just about protecting your data; it's about fostering a culture of trust, unlocking untapped potential, and gaining a competitive edge in the market. We do not list every type of program we can develop for your organization, but below are a few examples of the types of programs we can help you develop. Feel free to reach out to us for more information.

In the absence of a dedicated Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), navigating the complex world of cybersecurity can be daunting. That's where our Fractional CISO Service comes in—a game-changer that brings the expertise of a seasoned cybersecurity expert to your organization. With our Fractional CISO Service, you gain access to critical insights, education for senior management, and a clear roadmap for a fortified cybersecurity strategy.


Our cyber risk management service is designed to help organizations identify, assess, and mitigate the risks posed by cyber threats. We provide a comprehensive approach to managing cybersecurity risks, offering detailed assessments, tailored strategies, and proactive solutions to safeguard your critical assets. By partnering with Core Five Security, your organization can strengthen its defenses, ensure compliance, and build resilience against evolving cyber threats, minimizing potential disruptions to your business.


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Policies, Procedures, and Guidelines

At Core Five Security, we recognize that Policies, Procedures, Standards, and Guidelines (PPSG) are vital to an organization’s cybersecurity efforts because they provide a structured framework for protecting sensitive information and managing security risks. Crafting comprehensive and effective PPSG requires expertise, experience, and a meticulous approach. If you find it challenging to develop these critical elements for your organization, our seasoned professionals are here to help.


Training

Cybersecurity awareness training is vital for small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs), which have fewer resources and weaker security than larger companies, making them prime targets for cyberattacks. Employees are often the first line of defense, and without proper training, they may fall victim to phishing or malware. A breach is far more likely to put an SMB out of business than a large corporation. Training reduces the risk of attacks, protects sensitive data, ensures compliance, and builds a security-focused culture essential for survival.

At Core Five Security, we understand that a well-informed and alert workforce is essential to strong cybersecurity. That’s why we offer tailored, state-of-the-art training programs that equip your employees to become proactive cybersecurity advocates.


Cybersecurity can be overwhelming, filled with technical terms and complexities that aren’t always easy to grasp. While a CEO doesn’t need to be an expert, having a solid understanding of key cybersecurity concepts is essential. This knowledge allows executives to make informed decisions, evaluate risks, and strengthen their organization’s security posture. Cybersecurity education equips business leaders to align security strategies with overall business objectives and ensures they can protect the company from evolving threats. Ultimately, it empowers them to lead proactive, resilient security initiatives.


Cybersecurity is a complicated field, often filled with technical jargon that can be difficult to navigate. While the board of directors doesn’t need to get into the finer details, high-level cybersecurity training is essential. It helps them understand their responsibilities and know what to look for from the executive leading cybersecurity efforts. By educating the board, they can offer informed oversight, ask critical questions, and make strategic decisions that align with the company’s business goals, ultimately protecting the organization’s long-term success.