Cybersecurity for Community Banks & Credit Unions
You're not a money center bank. You shouldn't need their security budget. Get compliance-ready security that passes exams without the enterprise overhead.
Examiner Coming? Feeling Underprepared?
Community banks and credit unions face the same regulatory scrutiny as big banks, but with a fraction of the staff. Your IT person is also your security person is also your compliance person. And examiners don't care about your headcount.
FFIEC, GLBA, state regulators—they all want documentation, evidence, and controls. You need someone who understands banking security, speaks examiner language, and knows what actually matters versus what's just theater.
I've helped community banks get ready for exams, close findings, and build programs that work within their resource constraints.
How I Help Community Banks
Regulatory Exam Preparation
Get ready for IT exams, cybersecurity assessments, and regulatory reviews. With FFIEC CAT being sunset, examiners are expecting you to adopt frameworks like NIST CSF or CIS Controls. I'll help you transition and document your security program properly.
- Pre-exam readiness assessment
- Framework selection (NIST CSF, CIS 18, or other)
- Gap analysis and documentation prep
- Mock exam walkthroughs
GLBA Compliance
Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act compliance isn't optional. I'll help you build and document an information security program that meets GLBA requirements without over-engineering it for your size.
- Information security program development
- Risk assessment documentation
- Board reporting templates
- Vendor management program
Incident Response Planning
Banks have specific notification requirements—regulators, customers, law enforcement. Your incident response plan needs to account for all of it. I'll help you build one that actually works when you need it.
- Bank-specific incident response plan
- Regulatory notification procedures
- SAR filing guidance
- Tabletop exercises
Recently experienced a breach? Learn about our Post-Incident Advisory services →
Vendor Risk Management
Core processor, online banking, mobile app, ACH, wire transfer—you've got dozens of vendors touching sensitive data. Examiners want to see you're managing that risk properly.
- Vendor risk assessment program
- Due diligence questionnaires
- Contract review for security terms
- Ongoing monitoring procedures
This Is For You If...
- ✓ You're a community bank or credit union
- ✓ You have an exam coming up and gaps to close
- ✓ Your IT/security responsibilities are spread across multiple roles
- ✓ You need someone who understands banking regulations
- ✓ You want practical controls, not enterprise solutions you can't maintain
Frequently Asked Questions
What is FFIEC and why does it matter for community banks?
The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) sets cybersecurity standards for banks. Your examiners use FFIEC guidance to evaluate your security program. With the CAT being sunset, examiners now expect banks to adopt frameworks like NIST CSF or CIS Controls. Non-compliance can result in findings, MRAs, or enforcement actions.
How do I prepare for a bank IT exam?
Start with a gap assessment against the framework your examiner expects (usually NIST CSF or CIS 18). Document your current controls, identify gaps, and create a remediation plan with realistic timelines. Examiners want to see progress and intentionality—not perfection. Mock exam walkthroughs help your team practice responding to examiner questions.
What's the difference between GLBA and FFIEC?
GLBA (Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act) is federal law requiring financial institutions to protect customer data. FFIEC provides the examination framework to assess compliance. Think of GLBA as the "what" (protect customer data) and FFIEC as the "how" (specific controls and documentation examiners look for).
How much does community bank security consulting cost?
Engagement pricing depends on scope and timeline. Exam prep projects typically run 2-4 months. Compare the cost of proactive preparation to the expense of exam findings, remediation under pressure, or enforcement actions. Book a call to discuss your specific situation.
Let's Get Your Bank Exam-Ready
Free 20-minute call. We'll discuss your exam timeline, current gaps, and what it would take to close them.
Not ready to talk yet? Start with the free security kit:
Download the Community Bank Security Kit →