Partner with experienced cybersecurity leaders who understand Fort Lauderdale’s business challenges. Our vCISO services provide strategic guidance, compliance expertise, and executive-level protection to keep your organization secure and resilient.
Strategic Cybersecurity Guidance for South Florida Businesses
Fort Lauderdale businesses face evolving cybersecurity threats and increasingly complex compliance requirements, but hiring a full-time Chief Information Security Officer isn’t always practical. Heights Consulting Group delivers executive-level virtual CISO (vCISO) services Fort Lauderdale can rely on, providing strategic leadership, risk governance, and board-ready reporting without the overhead of a full-time hire.
We serve mid-market companies in South Florida in the financial services, legal, healthcare, and professional services sectors. Through proven frameworks and hands-on leadership, we help organizations reduce risk, meet compliance obligations, and align cybersecurity with business objectives.
Why Fort Lauderdale Organizations Choose Heights Consulting Group for vCISO Services
Trusted Cyber Leadership
Executive-Level Expertise for South Florida’s Financial Hub
Our vCISO team has 30+ years of experience advising Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and healthcare organizations. We understand Fort Lauderdale’s financial landscape and turn cybersecurity from a technical burden into a business advantage.
Risk Visibility
Board-Level Risk Visibility
We bridge the gap between technical teams and executive decision-makers. Our vCISO services include executive briefings, board reporting, and strategic planning that position cybersecurity as a driver of trust and growth.
Compliance Knowledge
Industry-Specific Compliance Knowledge
We specialize in the regulatory frameworks that matter most to Fort Lauderdale businesses: NIST Cybersecurity Framework, HIPAA, PCI DSS, SOX, CMMC, and SOC 2. Our compliance success rate is 100%—we help you achieve and maintain regulatory readiness with confidence.
White-Glove Service
White-Glove Service and Direct Access
Unlike large consulting firms, you work directly with senior cybersecurity experts—no layers of account managers. We deliver personalized, strategic guidance tailored to your unique business needs and risk profile.
Industries We Serve in Fort Lauderdale
Financial
Financial Services
We help Fort Lauderdale’s wealth management firms, investment advisors, private equity firms, and financial institutions stay compliant and secure. Our vCISO services ensure protection of client data while meeting SOX, PCI DSS, and state-specific cybersecurity regulations such as NYDFS for New York operations.
Legal & Professional
Legal and Professional Services
Law firms and professional services organizations throughout South Florida trust us to protect confidential client information and meet ethical obligations for data security. We implement robust controls that enable secure collaboration while maintaining compliance.
Recruiting Firms
Staffing and Recruiting Firms
Recruiting and staffing companies handle sensitive candidate and client data that requires enterprise-grade protection. Our vCISO services help staffing firms close security gaps, pass client security reviews, and win new enterprise contracts.
Life Sciences
Healthcare and Life Sciences
Fort Lauderdale’s healthcare providers, medical practices, and life sciences companies rely on our HIPAA expertise and healthcare-specific security frameworks. We help organizations protect patient data, meet HITECH Act requirements, and prepare for OCR audits.
Yachting Services
Maritime and Yachting Services
Fort Lauderdale’s maritime industry handles high-value transactions and sensitive client information. We help yacht brokerages, marine services, and maritime businesses implement cybersecurity controls that protect financial data and maintain client trust.
What Our Fort Lauderdale vCISO Services Include
Strategic Security Leadership
- Cybersecurity strategy development aligned with business objectives
- Risk governance frameworks and risk tolerance definition
- Security roadmap creation with prioritized initiatives
- Executive and board-level reporting and communication
Compliance and Regulatory Readiness
- Gap assessments for NIST, HIPAA, PCI DSS, SOX, CMMC, SOC 2
- Policy and procedure development
- Audit preparation and support
- Ongoing compliance monitoring and management
Risk Assessment and Management
- Comprehensive risk assessments and threat modeling
- Vulnerability identification and remediation planning
- Third-party vendor risk management
- Incident response planning and tabletop exercises
Security Program Development
- Security control implementation and optimization
- Identity and access management strategy
- Cloud security architecture and governance
- Security awareness training and culture building
Measurable Results for Fort Lauderdale Organizations
Financial Services Firm
Reduced audit preparation time by 40% and achieved SOC 2 Type II certification within six months. Implemented multi-factor authentication, closed critical vulnerabilities, and established board-level risk visibility, enabling new enterprise client acquisitions.
Legal Recruiting Firm
Passed client security reviews with zero exceptions after implementing a vCISO-led security program. Improved risk management processes and enabled new contracts with Fortune 500 legal departments.
Wealth Management Firm
Reduced phishing click rates by 70% and completed 100% security awareness training within six months. Executive leadership gained confidence in data protection capabilities and regulatory compliance readiness.
Why Fort Lauderdale Businesses Need vCISO Services Now
- Strategic Risk Governance
- Cost-Effective Expertise
Executive Cybersecurity Leadership
Fort Lauderdale’s business community is experiencing significant growth across financial services, legal, maritime, and professional services sectors. As companies scale, cybersecurity risks multiply, and cybercriminals increasingly target mid-market organizations lacking enterprise-grade security programs.
Ransomware attacks, business email compromise, and data breaches are rising across all industries. At the same time, regulatory requirements are becoming more complex and enforcement is intensifying. Insurance carriers require stronger cybersecurity controls, and clients demand proof of security maturity.
Mid-market companies need executive-level cybersecurity leadership but often can’t justify the $200,000+ annual cost of a full-time CISO. Our vCISO services deliver the same strategic guidance, risk governance, and compliance expertise at a fraction of the cost—with the flexibility to scale as your business grows.
Whether preparing for an audit, responding to a client security questionnaire, or building a comprehensive security program from the ground up, our vCISO services provide the leadership and expertise you need to succeed.
Get Started
Get Started with vCISO Services in Fort Lauderdale
Heights Consulting Group serves Fort Lauderdale businesses from our Orlando headquarters, with plans to expand into South Florida in 2025. We’re currently accepting new vCISO engagements for organizations seeking strategic cybersecurity leadership. Schedule a consultation to discuss your cybersecurity challenges and learn how our vCISO services can help your organization reduce risk, meet compliance requirements, and align security with business objectives.
- vCISO Retainer Pricing: $8,500–$12,500 per month
- Typical Engagement: 3-month initial term, often extending to 12+ months for ongoing strategic oversight
About Us
About Heights Consulting Group
Heights Consulting Group is a cybersecurity and IT strategy advisory firm based in Orlando. We provide executive-level guidance for mid-market organizations, helping them reduce risk, meet compliance, and align technology with business goals. Founded by Dr. Daniel Glauber, our strategy-first, executive-led approach delivers enterprise-grade security leadership without the cost of a full-time CISO. We serve clients in financial, legal, healthcare, and other regulated industries across Florida and nationwide.
How Our vCISO Engagement Works
Discovery and Assessment (30 Days)
We begin with a comprehensive assessment of your security posture, business objectives, compliance requirements, and risk tolerance. This includes stakeholder interviews, technical reviews, and gap analysis against relevant frameworks.
Strategy & Roadmap Development (60 Days)
We develop a strategic security roadmap based on our findings with prioritized initiatives, resource requirements, and success metrics. We present our recommendations to executive leadership and the board with clear business justification for each investment.
Implementation and Oversight (90+ Days)
We provide ongoing strategic leadership as you implement security improvements. This includes vendor selection guidance, project oversight, policy development, compliance management, and regular executive reporting. Most clients continue with long-term vCISO retainers for sustained strategic guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
A virtual CISO provides the same strategic leadership, risk governance, and compliance expertise as a full-time CISO—but on a part-time or retainer basis. This gives you executive-level guidance without a full-time hire’s $200,000+ annual salary, benefits, and overhead.
This varies based on your needs, but typical engagements include 2-4 days per month of strategic guidance, plus ongoing availability for urgent matters. We tailor our involvement to match your organization’s size, complexity, and risk profile.
Yes. Our vCISO services include comprehensive compliance support for NIST, HIPAA, PCI DSS, SOX, CMMC, SOC 2, and other frameworks. We guide you through gap assessments, remediation, policy development, and audit preparation.
We specialize in financial services, legal and professional services, healthcare and life sciences, staffing and recruiting, maritime and yachting services, and other mid-market organizations with complex compliance requirements and sensitive data protection needs.
Yes. We serve clients across Florida and nationally, with offices in Orlando and Cleveland. We’re expanding into Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, and Los Angeles within the next 12-18 months.
We provide on-site meetings in Fort Lauderdale as needed and maintain regular communication through virtual meetings, phone, and email. Our team is responsive and accessible, ensuring Fort Lauderdale clients receive the same white-glove service as our Orlando-based clients.
Common Security Gaps We Address in Fort Lauderdale Organizations
When we conduct initial risk assessments for South Florida businesses, we consistently identify these critical vulnerabilities. Our vCISO services address these gaps through strategic planning, prioritized remediation, and ongoing oversight that strengthen your security posture over time.
Weak Identity and Access Management
Excessive administrative privileges, lack of multi-factor authentication, and poor offboarding processes
Shadow IT and SaaS Sprawl
Unmanaged cloud applications and services that bypass security controls
Incomplete Backup & Recovery
Untested backup solutions that fail when organizations need them most
Unpatched and Misconfigured Systems
Outdated software and misconfigurations that create easy entry points for attackers
Insufficient Endpoint Protection
Inadequate monitoring and detection capabilities on laptops, desktops, and mobile devices
Lack of Security Awareness
Employees who fall victim to phishing attacks and social engineering due to insufficient training