Frequently asked questions
Answers to common questions about how Cyberneza works with SaaS companies and growing businesses.
Who do you typically work with?
Most of our clients are SaaS and technology companies between “just getting their first security customer questions” and preparing for their first or second formal audit. That includes seed and Series A startups as well as small, established software businesses.
Do you only work with companies that use Vanta?
No. We're not a Vanta shop or a Drata shop — we're vendor-agnostic, and an official partner for both Vanta and Drata. We do deep implementation work across either platform, support ControlMap and other tools, or run an audit-ready program with no GRC platform at all. The approach is the same either way: understand your risks, map them to the right controls, and recommend the tool that fits you — not the one that pays us.
What kinds of problems do you help solve?
Common engagements include SOC 2 and ISO 27001 readiness, answering security questionnaires, building a realistic control set, implementing policies that people will actually follow, and making sure tools like Vanta are tuned to how your team really operates.
How do you usually work with clients?
Engagements are typically short, focused projects with clear outcomes: for example, “SOC 2 readiness plan and implementation support” or “Vanta configuration and clean-up.” We keep meetings lightweight and use async communication wherever possible so your team can stay focused on shipping product.
Can you work directly with our auditor?
Yes. We can help you select an audit firm if you don’t have one, and we can partner with your chosen auditor to clarify requirements, respond to questions, and make sure evidence is presented in a way that aligns with how your environment is built.
How long does it take to get audit-ready?
Most teams reach SOC 2 audit-ready in 2–4 months and ISO 27001 in 3–5 months. We’ll walk through your current state on a short call and give you a realistic timeline for your situation.
Do you sign NDAs and security addenda?
Yes. Security engagements often involve sensitive details about your infrastructure and customers. We routinely work under mutual NDAs and can review client security addenda as part of the engagement.
How is pricing structured?
Pricing is typically fixed-fee for a clearly defined scope, so you know up front what you’re investing and what you will get in return. For larger engagements we often start with a paid gap analysis to scope the work precisely before proposing the full project. During the scoping call we’ll align on outcomes, timeline, and level of involvement before presenting a proposal.
Do you support CMMC or federal compliance work?
Yes. Cyberneza is a Veteran-Owned Small Business registered in SAM.gov (UEI T97XZHE7C5D5, CAGE 1AVJ5) and supports defense contractors and federal-adjacent SaaS companies preparing for CMMC, NIST SP 800-171, and related requirements. We get you ready and coordinate with your selected C3PAO when appropriate; we do not perform CMMC assessments or issue certifications. CMMC engagements are usually scoped milestone-by-milestone, because the right next step depends heavily on your existing posture. See our CMMC & NIST 800-171 readiness and federal practice pages for details.
Do you perform audits or issue certifications?
No. Cyberneza provides readiness, implementation, advisory, and coordination — we help you prepare for audits, assessments, and enterprise security reviews. The audit or certification itself is always performed by an independent party: a CPA firm for SOC 2, an accredited certification body for ISO 27001, and an authorized C3PAO for CMMC. We coordinate with them and support those conversations, but we don't audit, certify, or guarantee an outcome.
How do you work with our existing auditor, MSP, IT provider, or GRC tool?
We slot in around what you already have. We can work with your chosen auditor or C3PAO, translate control requirements into work your MSP or IT provider can execute, and configure or clean up the GRC platform you've already bought — Vanta, Drata, or another. See how our partner network works.
Do you help with ISO/IEC 42001?
Yes. Cyberneza provides ISO/IEC 42001 readiness and implementation support for organizations building, using, or governing AI systems. ISO 42001 often builds on the same management-system discipline used in ISO 27001, with additional focus on AI governance, AI risk, roles, policies, controls, and evidence workflows. We help you prepare; independent accredited certification bodies perform certification audits and make certification decisions. See our ISO/IEC 42001 readiness overview.
What does a first conversation look like?
A short, informal call to understand your product, customers, where security and compliance are creating friction, and what deadlines you’re facing. From there we can propose one or two practical options and you can decide if it makes sense to move forward.
Where is Cyberneza located?
Cyberneza is headquartered in Orlando, Florida, United States, and primarily works with clients across U.S. time zones.
Who founded Cyberneza?
Cyberneza was founded in 2025 by Larry S. Downard Jr., a cybersecurity architect with 29+ years of experience and CISSP, CRISC, CCSK, and CCZT credentials. See the About page for full background.
Still have questions?
The fastest way to get answers specific to your situation is a free 30-minute call — we'll walk through where you stand and what your next step should be. No obligation.