Your Biggest Deal Is Stuck on a Security Questionnaire
I help startups pass enterprise security reviews—with or without SOC 2. Former NSA. Two-time CISO. Security without the theater.
You don't need to wait 9 months for SOC 2 certification. Enterprise Deal Prep gets you through the security review now, while you build toward full certification on your timeline.
Frameworks I work with
I build security programs around these standards. Not because they're trendy. Because they work.
What we offer
Virtual CISO Services
Get board-ready security insights without the full-time CISO cost.
You need security leadership but can't afford a full-time CISO. I get it. I help startups and SMBs build security programs that investors trust and auditors respect. No overcomplicated bloat. Just what actually matters.
SOC 2 Compliance
Close enterprise deals. Pass audits. Stop losing revenue.
Every enterprise customer asks 'Do you have SOC 2?' Enterprise deal prep, controls documentation, Drata setup, and audit support. Fixed pricing. Get certified in 6-9 months without the Big 4 price tag.
Post-Incident Advisory
Recently experienced a breach or major security incident? We can help.
The incident is contained. Now what? Root cause analysis, stakeholder communication, regulatory guidance, and strategic security program improvements. Get expert advice to learn from what happened and prevent it from happening again.
Practical Security Consulting
Right-sized security your team will actually use.
Not sure where to start? I help you figure out what actually matters. Risk assessments. Security strategy. Vendor reviews. Incident response. Advice that matches your reality. Not some vendor's sales pitch.
Compliance Advisory
Pass audits on the first try—without losing your mind.
SOC 2. PCI. NIST. The alphabet soup of compliance doesn't have to be painful. I help you figure out what you actually need to do. Not what some consultant wants to sell you. Get compliant. Stay sane. Keep shipping.
Community Bank Security
Pass regulatory exams without the enterprise overhead.
You're not a money center bank. FFIEC exam prep, GLBA compliance, vendor risk management—built for community banks and credit unions. Practical controls that examiners want to see.
Security Training & Awareness
Your team will actually remember what they learned.
Security training that doesn't put people to sleep. Custom programs for your team, executive briefings, tabletop exercises, and phishing simulations. Real scenarios. Practical takeaways. Training people will actually use.
Speaking & Keynotes
Engage your audience with stories that stick.
Conference keynotes, panel discussions, and industry talks. Real-world security stories from 20+ years in cybersecurity. No vendor pitches. No death by PowerPoint. Just insights your audience will remember.
Why work with me?
I've done this before. At scale. In environments where getting it wrong isn't an option.
NSA Background
I started my career at the NSA. That's where I learned that security isn't about checking boxes. It's about understanding threats and building defenses that actually work.
Fintech & Banking
CISO at MoneyGram (global payments/fintech) and Simmons Bank. I know what auditors and regulators expect, and how to build programs that pass without the panic.
Compliance That Works
SOC 2, PCI DSS, FFIEC, HIPAA, and beyond. I've been through them all. I build programs that satisfy auditors and actually protect your business. Not one or the other. Both.
Regulatory Exams
FFIEC, state examiners, OCC. Been there.
Vendor Risk
Third-party risk programs that actually work.
Board Reporting
Explaining cyber risk without the jargon.
Want to talk about what you're dealing with? No pitch. Just a conversation.
Let's TalkFree Resources
Practical security tools and guides. No fluff. Just what you need to get started.
Startup Security Kit
Essential security controls checklist, incident response template, and the "Oh Sh!t Playbook" for startups getting SOC 2 ready.
Community Bank Security Kit
Five essential CIS controls for banks, guidance for when you may need outside help, and ready-to-use CIS template.
Virtual CISO FAQ
Everything you need to know about Virtual CISO services: pricing, qualifications, when to hire, and how it works. 15 common questions answered.
Security that makes sense for how you actually work.
Vaughn Cyber Group was founded by Lora Vaughn, a former NSA analyst and two-time CISO with 20+ years of enterprise experience. Our firm bridges the gap between technical security and executive business risk.
With CISO roles at MoneyGram (global payments/fintech) and Simmons Bank, I bring a deep understanding of the security and compliance challenges facing startups, SMBs, and financial institutions. I know what works and what's just theater. Here's what I don't do: Fear-mongering. Selling you stuff you don't need. Making security so complicated you ignore it.
Here's what I do: Give you straight answers. Build security programs that fit your business. Help startups, SMBs, and community banks get secure without going broke or losing their minds.
Security without the theater. That's the whole deal.
Mission
Make security actually useful. No bloat. No theater. Just what works.
Vision
Prove that good security doesn't have to be complicated, expensive, or painful.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to common questions about SOC 2, Virtual CISO services, and working together.