Reference page
How the Advisory Works
This page explains the advisory operating model: the four pillars (selectable domains) and the pulse (a sequential cadence over time). It’s designed for orientation—not for selling.
The Model at a Glance
Four Pillars (non-sequential)
Pillars represent the advisory domains you can choose to engage. They are not steps, stages, or a maturity ladder. Clients can start with the pillar that matches their current risk and business reality.
Pulse (sequential)
Pulse is the only sequential element. It describes how the engagement deepens over time: establish a baseline, focus improvements, harden what matters, and maintain resilience.
The Four Pillars (Selectable, Not a Sequence)
Clarity
Regulatory and operational clarity for what applies, what matters, and why.
- Map likely obligations (laws, frameworks, contractual duties) to your actual operations.
- Translate requirements into plain-language risk and practical decision points.
- Identify exposure areas and what must be verified vs. what can be deprioritized.
Scope domain — not a required step in a sequence.
Stability
Security hygiene guidance that reduces day-to-day fragility and preventable failures.
- Prioritize high-leverage controls that reduce common SMB risk pathways.
- Clarify what “good enough” looks like for your context—without over-engineering.
- Align simple practices (accounts, devices, backups, updates) to the risks you actually face.
Scope domain — not a required step in a sequence.
Vendor / SaaS Risk
Risk visibility and decision support across the vendors you rely on to operate.
- Identify vendor dependency hotspots (email, storage, payroll, EHR/CRM, payment, etc.).
- Evaluate vendor risk signals and contract/assurance posture at a practical level.
- Reduce concentration risk and clarify “what breaks the business” if a vendor fails.
Scope domain — not a required step in a sequence.
Resilience & Continuity
Continuity thinking and recovery readiness for when reality does what it does.
- Define critical operations and the minimum viable service level during disruption.
- Clarify recovery priorities (people, process, systems) and realistic fallback paths.
- Strengthen the organization’s ability to absorb shocks without improvising blindly.
Scope domain — not a required step in a sequence.
Rule: Pillars describe scope, not timeline
If you see a numbered list on this page, it refers to Pulse only. Pillars are intentionally presented as a set.
Pulse (Sequential, Depth-Oriented)
Pulse describes the engagement cadence over time. It does not publish internal scoring, thresholds, or proprietary decision rules. The intent is simple: build clarity first, reduce fragility next, and sustain resilience without unnecessary complexity.
- 1
Pulse 1 — Baseline
Establish a credible baseline: what exists today, what matters, and what’s missing.
- Confirm scope and constraints (business reality, not theory).
- Surface priority risks and obligations worth addressing first.
- Create a decision-ready view of next steps—without boiling the ocean.
Public overview only — internal evaluation logic is not published.
- 2
Pulse 2 — Focus
Move from awareness to focused action: reduce the biggest avoidable risk first.
- Narrow to a small set of high-leverage improvements tied to real exposure.
- Reduce fragility in core systems and operational workflows.
- Document what changed and what remains open (so the work stays trackable).
Public overview only — internal evaluation logic is not published.
- 3
Pulse 3 — Hardening
Strengthen the posture where it counts: consistency, verification, and fewer blind spots.
- Increase confidence through verification and repeatable checks (not vibes).
- Address persistent gaps that repeatedly create operational or regulatory risk.
- Improve resilience against common failure modes and routine incidents.
Public overview only — internal evaluation logic is not published.
- 4
Pulse 4 — Resilience Loop
Sustain readiness over time: periodic review, drift control, and continuity maturity.
- Re-check assumptions as the business changes (vendors, tools, staff, data, scope).
- Prevent slow degradation through periodic review and targeted refresh.
- Keep continuity and recovery thinking practical and current.
Public overview only — internal evaluation logic is not published.
How Pillars and Pulse Work Together
Scope vs. Time
Pillars define what domain is being advised on. Pulse describes how deep the work goes over time. These are different axes.
Different depth per pillar
A business can be at different pulse levels across different pillars. For example, vendor risk may need deep attention while continuity work remains baseline-level.
Advisory posture
The goal is the next sensible step, not a performative “maturity journey.” We bias toward pragmatic risk reduction and business continuity.
Engagement Lifecycle (Before → During → After)
Before
Orientation and fit
- Initial orientation: goals, constraints, and what “success” means operationally.
- Scope confirmation: systems, vendors, data, and operational dependencies.
- Boundary confirmation: advisory-only, vendor-neutral, no implementation takeover.
During
Assessment → analysis → guidance
- Evidence-informed review to understand posture and exposure in context.
- Structured analysis: what matters, what doesn’t, and what changes risk fastest.
- Clear guidance: decisions, priorities, and verification points.
After
Findings and continuity of ownership
- Findings delivered in plain language with prioritized next steps.
- Optional follow-on pulses as needed (depth increases over time).
- Execution remains with the client and their chosen providers.
Important: No public timelines or pricing
This page intentionally avoids publishing schedules, timelines, or pricing. Those depend on business scope, risk, and constraints and are discussed directly.
What This Is / What This Is Not
This advisory is
- Evidence-informed assessment and decision support.
- Vendor-neutral guidance aligned to your operational reality.
- Clarity on obligations, risks, and what to verify.
- Pragmatic prioritization designed for small organizations.
This advisory is not
- Managed IT or a replacement for your IT/MSP.
- Tool resale, affiliate commissions, or vendor lock-in.
- Hands-on implementation ownership of your environment.
- 24/7 monitoring or incident response retainer by default.