Diagnose
Your Associate runs a comprehensive cyber security assessment to establish a clear baseline using rethinQ's proprietary intake questionnaires and maturity scorecards.
Cyber Security Services Division
Protect proactively. Not just reactively.
The complete client onboarding and consulting framework for the rethinQ Cyber Security Services Division — vendor-neutral, evidence-led, and measured before anything is recommended.
Who we are
Not a firm. Not an agency. A curated collective.
rethinQ Solutions is a collective of elite, independent contractors who assemble under the rethinQ banner when the problem demands it — and dissolve when the work is done. No permanent payroll. No overhead-driven recommendations. No standing army waiting for a war.
We serve clients facing challenges that don't fit neatly into the service catalogues of established vendors. Our value isn't just what we deliver — it's the vantage point we bring. We assess before we advise. We measure before we build.
Growth
Revenue acceleration, pipeline generation, digital presence, vendor coordination
Technology
AI integration, cloud strategy, digital transformation, systems architecture
Security
Cyber and physical risk, compliance, incident response, property profiling
People
Psychometric-informed talent, corporate therapy, leadership, culture design
Your rethinQ Associate
A trusted advisor who works for you — not the vendors.
Every rethinQ Associate is a hands-on strategist with real-world execution experience. They embed with your team, learn your business inside and out, and take full ownership of sourcing, negotiating, and overseeing every vendor relationship on your behalf — across cyber security and beyond.
The challenge
Cybersecurity firms, compliance consultants, MSSPs, and insurance brokers are all pitching risk. Nobody is assessing your full digital exposure across infrastructure, data, compliance, and human factors — and nobody is coordinating the response.
The rethinQ approach
Your rethinQ Associate evaluates your complete cyber risk posture across infrastructure, data, compliance, incident response, and security culture — then sources and manages the right partners across every dimension. One advisor for your entire cyber security strategy.
1
2
Source & align
Instead of disconnected vendors, your Associate builds a unified cyber security strategy, sources the right specialists, and coordinates delivery across the full stack.
3
Measure & sustain
Ongoing oversight with clear KPIs, sprint reviews, and quarterly reassessments. Your Associate holds every vendor accountable to measurable outcomes.
Built-in accountability
One advisor. One strategy. One point of trust.
Full vendor accountability. No more siloed agencies working at cross-purposes.
Cyber Security Services Division
Vendor-neutral by design. Evidence over product.
The Cyber Security Services Division helps clients identify, assess, and mitigate risks to their digital assets, communications, and online footprint. Our recommendations are grounded in evidence and best practices, not tied to any specific product or platform.
From network architecture to endpoint protection, from compliance frameworks to incident response, this division addresses the threats that exist in the digital landscape. For organizations seeking complete coverage, it is designed to operate alongside our Physical Security Division as part of a unified security strategy.
| Service area | What we deliver | Key outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| Cyber risk assessment & strategy | Threat landscape analysis, risk quantification, security posture evaluation, cyber risk register, executive risk reporting, security roadmap | Clear understanding of risk exposure, prioritized mitigation plan, board-ready reporting |
| Network & infrastructure security | Network architecture review, firewall and perimeter assessment, segmentation strategy, cloud security review, vulnerability scanning, pen testing coordination | Hardened perimeter, reduced attack surface, remediated vulnerabilities, secure cloud configurations |
| Data protection & privacy | Data classification, encryption strategy, DLP guidance, privacy impact assessments, data governance policies, cross-border data flow analysis | Protected sensitive data, regulatory compliance (PIPEDA, GDPR, HIPAA), reduced breach risk |
| Compliance & regulatory alignment | Gap analysis (SOC 2, ISO 27001, NIST CSF, PCI DSS, CIS Controls), audit prep, policy development, control mapping, evidence collection | Compliance readiness, reduced audit findings, documented control environment |
| Incident response & business continuity | IR plan development, tabletop exercises, playbook creation, BCP, DR assessment, crisis communication frameworks | Tested response capabilities, reduced mean time to respond, organizational resilience |
| Security awareness & culture | Awareness program design, phishing simulations, executive briefings, security champion programs, human risk assessment | Reduced human-factor risk, security-conscious culture, measurable behaviour change |
Client onboarding framework
Five phases. Nothing prescribed before it's measured.
Every Cyber Security engagement follows a structured five-phase onboarding process. Your rethinQ Associate guides you through each phase, ensuring deep understanding of your business before any recommendations are made.
01Week 1
Discovery & intake
Objective: Understand the client's current cyber security posture, organizational context, threat landscape, and regulatory requirements.
- Conduct a 90-minute Executive Discovery Session with senior leadership, IT/security leadership, and key stakeholders
- Distribute and collect the rethinQ Cyber Security Intake Questionnaire covering digital assets, infrastructure, compliance, IR readiness, and security culture
- Gather access to network diagrams, security policies, incident logs, vulnerability scan results, and compliance certifications
- Map the security decision-making structure and identify budget owners and operational stakeholders
- Conduct preliminary review of system architecture, cloud configuration, and identity management
Deliverable
Completed Cyber Security Profile & Discovery Summary Report
02Weeks 2–3
Current state assessment
Objective: Perform a comprehensive audit across all cyber security functions to establish a maturity baseline and identify critical gaps.
| Assessment area | What we evaluate | Scoring |
|---|---|---|
| Risk management & strategy | Cyber risk register, threat intelligence, risk quantification, executive reporting, security strategy alignment | 1–5 maturity score (NIST CSF) |
| Network & infrastructure | Architecture, segmentation, firewall config, cloud posture, vulnerability management, endpoint protection, EDR/XDR | 1–5 maturity score |
| Data protection & privacy | Data classification, encryption, DLP, privacy compliance, data governance, backup integrity | 1–5 maturity score |
| Compliance & controls | Framework alignment (SOC 2, ISO 27001, NIST, PCI), control effectiveness, audit readiness, third-party risk | 1–5 maturity score |
| Incident response & resilience | IR plan testing, playbook maturity, communication protocols, MTTR, backup and recovery, BCP | 1–5 maturity score |
| Security culture & awareness | Awareness program, phishing resilience, security champions, policy awareness, executive tone from the top | 1–5 maturity score |
Deliverable
rethinQ Cyber Security Maturity Scorecard — scored across all six dimensions with identified gaps and opportunities.
03Week 4
Gap analysis & service matching
Objective: Translate assessment findings into a prioritized action plan, mapping gaps to specific rethinQ Cyber Security services and vendor partners.
- Generate the Cyber Security Gap Matrix: current state vs. target state for each assessment dimension
- Prioritize gaps using a Risk-Impact framework — critical/immediate, high/short-term, medium/strategic, low/long-term — factoring threat likelihood, business impact, and regulatory exposure
- Match each gap to one or more rethinQ Cyber Security services with timelines, resource requirements, and dependencies
- Identify and shortlist vendor partners — MSSPs, pen testers, compliance auditors, EDR providers — with your Associate managing all sourcing and oversight
- Develop a phased Cyber Security Roadmap with milestones, quick wins, and long-term hardening initiatives
- Define KPIs and prepare preliminary investment estimates including insource vs. outsource recommendations
Service matching decision logic
| If assessment reveals… | Primary service match | Supporting services |
|---|---|---|
| No risk register, ad hoc decisions, no executive reporting, misaligned spend | Cyber risk assessment & strategy | Compliance & regulatory, Security culture |
| Unpatched systems, flat network, poor cloud config, weak endpoint protection | Network & infrastructure security | Risk assessment, Incident response |
| Unclassified data, weak encryption, no DLP, privacy gaps, poor backups | Data protection & privacy | Compliance & regulatory, Network security |
| Failed audits, no framework alignment, weak policy documentation | Compliance & regulatory alignment | Data protection, Risk assessment |
| No IR plan, untested backups, slow detection, no communication protocol | Incident response & business continuity | Network security, Risk assessment |
| High phishing click rates, no awareness program, weak reporting culture | Security awareness & culture | Risk assessment, Data protection |
Deliverable
Cyber Security Strategy Roadmap with prioritized recommendations, vendor shortlist, investment estimates, and projected outcomes.
04Week 5
Strategy presentation & alignment
Objective: Present findings and recommendations to leadership, align on priorities, and finalize engagement scope.
- Deliver a formal Cyber Security Strategy Presentation with visual scorecards, risk heat maps, gap analysis, and the recommended roadmap
- Facilitate a collaborative risk prioritization workshop to align leadership on sequencing, acceptable risk thresholds, and budget allocation
- Refine engagement scope based on client feedback, budget constraints, internal capacity, regulatory timelines, and risk appetite
- Define the Statement of Work including timelines, milestones, vendor assignments, governance structure, and escalation procedures
- Establish communication cadence — weekly stand-ups, bi-weekly sprint reviews, monthly executive security briefings, quarterly reviews
Deliverable
Signed Statement of Work, finalized project plan, risk mitigation priorities, and assigned rethinQ Associate and security team.
05Week 6+
Engagement kickoff & execution
Objective: Transition from assessment into active execution with clear ownership, vendor oversight, sprint cycles, and iterative delivery.
- Your rethinQ Associate assumes ownership of all vendor relationships and active service engagements
- Launch the first 30-day sprint with defined objectives, security controls to implement, and measurable targets
- Deploy security dashboards and KPI tracking tied to the Cyber Security Maturity Scorecard baseline
- Execute prioritized remediation: policy development, control implementation, tooling deployment, and awareness training
- Conduct weekly operational stand-ups and bi-weekly sprint reviews with the client's security lead
- Deliver a 30-day Progress Report with security posture improvements, risk reduction metrics, and recommended adjustments
Deliverables
Active service delivery, security documentation, KPI dashboards, 30/60/90-day progress reports, quarterly security reviews.
Onboarding timeline
Six weeks from first conversation to active delivery.
| Timeline | Phase | Key output | Client commitment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Discovery & intake | Cyber Security Profile & Discovery Summary | 4–6 hours + access provisioning |
| Weeks 2–3 | Current state assessment | Cyber Security Maturity Scorecard | System access + team availability |
| Week 4 | Gap analysis & service matching | Cyber Security Strategy Roadmap | 2–3 hours |
| Week 5 | Strategy presentation & alignment | Signed SOW & project plan | 2–4 hours |
| Week 6+ | Engagement kickoff & execution | Active delivery + dashboards | Ongoing weekly stand-ups |
What your Associate manages
From penetration testing to SOC 2 prep to incident response.
Your rethinQ Associate coordinates your full cyber security program. No more gaps between vendors. One strategy, one advisor, complete digital coverage.
- 01Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) and SOC vendors
- 02Penetration testing firms and red team engagements
- 03Compliance auditors and assessment firms (SOC 2, ISO, NIST)
- 04EDR/XDR vendors, SIEM platforms, and security tooling
- 05Cyber insurance brokers and incident response retainers
- 06Security awareness platforms and phishing simulation providers
Maturity scorecard
Every dimension scored on the same 1–5 scale.
This scoring guide ensures consistency across assessments and provides clear benchmarks for client communication.
1Ad Hoc
No formal cyber security strategy or documented processes. Activities are reactive and inconsistent. Significant unmanaged risk and missed opportunities.
2Emerging
Basic activities exist but lack structure, consistency, or measurement. Some awareness of gaps but no clear plan to address them.
3Defined
Formal processes exist and are documented. Core metrics are tracked. Strategy in place but execution is inconsistent or under-resourced.
4Managed
Strategy is well-executed and data-driven. Processes are optimized with regular iteration. Performance meets or exceeds industry benchmarks.
5Optimized
Industry-leading performance. Continuous innovation, advanced automation, and predictive capabilities. The function is a competitive differentiator.
Engagement models
Scoped to your budget, timeline, and capacity.
Every model includes an embedded rethinQ Associate as the single point of accountability.
| Model | Best for | Structure | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diagnostic only | Independent assessment before committing to execution — ideal for board reporting, M&A, or organizational health checks | Phases 1–3: Discovery, Assessment, and Gap Analysis with full Scorecard and Roadmap | 4–5 weeks |
| Project-based | Targeted engagements with defined scope and deliverables | Full onboarding (Phases 1–5) scoped to specific service areas with fixed deliverables | 2–6 months |
| Retainer / managed services | Ongoing program management with continuous oversight, periodic reassessments, and strategic support | Full onboarding followed by recurring monthly services with a dedicated rethinQ Associate | 6–12 months (renewable) |
| Fractional CISO | Senior leadership without the full-time commitment | Part-time executive placement (10–20 hrs/week) to own and drive strategy | 6+ months |
Start the conversation
Ready to rethinQ your cyber security strategy?
Every great engagement begins with a structured conversation. Reach out to start your Discovery phase.
[email protected] · 1-855-rethinQ (738-4467) · rethinq.ca
Confidential — rethinQ Solutions
[email protected] | 1-855-rethinQ (738-4467)
Stay curious & rethinQ your potential.
© rethinQ Solutions
