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Cybersecurity Compliance Services

Cybersecurity compliance consulting services assess IT infrastructure, applications and networks to identify threats, remediate gaps and reduce business disruption.

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Cybersecurity Compliance Services Built for Regulatory Scrutiny

Regulatory and audit expectations for penetration testing and vulnerability management go beyond completing the work. They require results that are accurate, defensible and clearly tied to risk.

Cherry Bekaert's Cybersecurity Compliance Services focus on executing structured assessments that identify real, actionable vulnerabilities and control gaps — not theoretical noise that drives unnecessary effort and cost. We align testing directly to regulatory requirements and industry standards, ensuring findings are relevant, supportable and ready for review.

The result is a clear understanding of your risk exposure and a compliance posture that holds up under scrutiny without over-investing in work that doesn’t move the needle.

Benefits of Using Cybersecurity Compliance Services

  • Audit & Regulatory Readiness

    Be prepared for scrutiny with structured documentation, traceability, and ongoing support, so reviews move faster with fewer questions and no surprises.

  • Risk Prioritization & Cost Discipline

    Focus time and resources on high-impact issues, eliminating over-testing and low-value findings that drive cost without improving outcomes. 

  • Regulatory Confidence

    Meet penetration testing and vulnerability assessment requirements with clear, defensible reporting that stands up to regulator and auditor scrutiny. 

  • Decision-ready Insight

    Translate technical findings into clear, business-aligned risk signals so leadership can make informed, timely decisions. 

  • Threat Mitigation

    Identify and remediate validated, exploitable vulnerabilities before they can be leveraged — focusing on real risk, not theoretical findings. 

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Our Cybersecurity Compliance Offerings 

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Compliance Penetration Testing Services

Our advisors conduct targeted penetration testing to simulate real world attack paths against in scope environments. We analyze results, validate exploitability, and synthesize executive level and technical insights that clearly communicate risk, impact and priority.

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Compliance Vulnerability Assessment Services

We perform vulnerability testing using approved tooling combined with analyst review to validate findings, eliminate false positives and prioritize remediation based on real risk, not just automated scores.

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The Cherry Bekaert Difference: A Structured Compliance Testing Process

Our Cybersecurity Compliance consultants follow a structured process designed to reduce audit friction and produce defensible results. We begin by confirming scope and applicable requirements, then execute targeted testing, validate findings and document results in a format auditors and regulators can review with confidence.

Throughout the process, we focus on clarity, traceability and relevance. Findings are reviewed for accuracy, prioritized by real risk and aligned to remediation needs so your team can respond efficiently without being overwhelmed by low-value issues.

Get Audit-Ready Guidance From Cybersecurity Risk Consultants

Get clarity on the testing and evidence your auditors will expect. We’ll help you right size scope, align to requirements, and stay on track with confidence.

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Cybersecurity Compliance Testing, Designed for Real-world Risk

Our compliance testing methodology aligns technical rigor with regulatory precision — demonstrating penetration testing and vulnerability assessments that produce evidence and withstand audit scrutiny while providing actionable insights to strengthen your security posture. We do this through the following approach:

  • Verify Technical Scope: Testing is targeted to the specific systems, networks and applications in scope
  • Confirm Regulatory Scope: Align testing objectives to applicable regulatory frameworks, audit requirements and control expectations
  • Perform Fieldwork: Execute testing using proven tools and techniques with continuous validation to eliminate noise and focus on true risk
  • Validate Results: Review findings with your team to confirm accuracy, context and eliminate false positives
  • Issue Report: Deliver a structured report mapped directly to regulatory frameworks and audit expectations
  • Align Timing for Next Cycle: Coordinate the next testing window to support ongoing compliance readiness

The result is a defensible report that satisfies your regulators and gives your team a clear path to remediation.

Regulatory Requirements for Cybersecurity Compliance Testing and Assessments

  • PCI DSS 4.0

    • Requires annual internal and external penetration testing, plus testing after significant changes. 
    • Mandates ongoing vulnerability scanning, including quarterly external ASV scans. 
    • Why it matters: Non-compliance can result in fines, loss of card processing privileges, and increased scrutiny from payment brands — making rigorous, well-documented testing essential. 

  • HIPAA Security Rule

    • Requires regular technical evaluations and risk assessments to protect ePHI. 
    • While not prescriptive on penetration testing, it is widely expected in practice. 
    • Why it matters: Demonstrating continuous vulnerability management helps avoid costly breaches, regulatory penalties and reputational damage tied to patient data exposure. 

  • GLBA Safeguards Rule

    • Requires financial institutions to regularly test and monitor the effectiveness of security controls. 
    • Includes vulnerability assessments and penetration testing as part of a broader risk management program. 
    • Why it matters: Regulators expect proof that safeguards are working — not just documented — making ongoing testing critical to avoid enforcement actions. 

  • SOX IT General Controls (ITGCs)

    • Indirectly requires strong security and change management controls supporting financial reporting. 
    • Vulnerability management and testing help validate control effectiveness. 
    • Why it matters: Weak or untested controls can lead to audit findings, material weaknesses and increased scrutiny over financial reporting integrity. 

  • FFIEC Cybersecurity Assessment & IT Handbook

    • Requires independent, risk-based testing of controls, including penetration testing.
    • Emphasizes testing tied to critical systems and evolving threats. 
    • Why it matters: Financial regulators expect evidence that an organization’s highest-risk systems are actively tested and protected — not just assumed secure. 

  • FedRAMP

    • Requires continuous vulnerability scanning (often monthly or more frequently).
    • Mandates annual penetration testing aligned to NIST guidance and system risk level. 
    • Requires independent, repeatable testing with strong documentation .
    • Why it matters: Without consistent, defensible testing, organizations risk losing or failing to achieve authorization to operate (ATO) in the federal marketplace. 

  • NIST SP 800-53

    • Includes controls requiring ongoing vulnerability scanning and penetration testing (e.g., RA-5, CA-8).
    • Widely adopted across federal agencies, contractors, and regulated industries.
    • Why it matters: Aligning to NIST strengthens an organization’s overall security posture and is often a prerequisite for doing business with government and enterprise organizations. 

  • CMMC 2.0

    • Requires regular vulnerability scanning and timely remediation. 
    • Higher maturity levels require more advanced testing and validation of controls. 
    • Why it matters: Contractors must meet these requirements to win and retain Department of Defense contracts — making testing a direct business enabler. 

  • ISO/IEC 27001

    • Requires periodic vulnerability assessments and risk-based security testing. 
    • Penetration testing is expected in higher-risk environments. 
    • Why it matters: Demonstrating a repeatable, risk-based testing approach supports certification and builds trust with customers, partners and global stakeholders. 

  • NYDFS Cybersecurity Regulation (23 NYCRR 500)

    • Requires annual penetration testing and bi-annual vulnerability assessments. 
    • One of the most explicit regulatory mandates for testing frequency. 
    • Why it matters: Non-compliance can lead to significant fines and public enforcement actions, particularly for financial services organizations operating in New York. 

  • GDPR

    • Requires organizations to implement “appropriate technical measures” to protect personal data. 
    • Not prescriptive, but regulators expect regular testing and validation of controls. 
    • Why it matters: Proactive testing demonstrates due diligence and can reduce the risk of severe financial penalties tied to data breaches and non-compliance.

Cherry Bekaert Can Guide You Forward

Cherry Bekaert delivers cybersecurity compliance services designed to help organizations identify and remediate exploitable vulnerabilities, meet regulatory requirements, and reduce business risk. Our approach integrates penetration testing, vulnerability management, and compliance alignment so risks are clearly understood and effectively addressed.

We improve visibility into your cybersecurity posture across both leadership and technical teams, enabling more informed decision-making and stronger alignment on remediation priorities. By focusing on high-impact risks and eliminating low-value findings, we help you optimize resources, control cost, and strengthen your overall security and compliance position with reporting that stands up under audit and regulatory scrutiny.

Our Professionals

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Kurt Manske headshot

Kurt Manske

Cybersecurity Leader

Partner, Cherry Bekaert Advisory LLC

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Steven J. Ursillo, Jr.

Cybersecurity

Partner, Cherry Bekaert LLP
Partner, Cherry Bekaert Advisory LLC

Cybersecurity Compliance FAQs

Cybersecurity compliance services evaluate whether an organization’s security controls align with regulatory requirements and industry standards, helping identify gaps and prepare for audits.

Cybersecurity compliance consulting focuses on strategy, readiness and alignment to frameworks, while testing validates whether controls are operating effectively through activities like vulnerability assessments and penetration testing.

Most organizations perform cybersecurity compliance testing annually or in alignment with audit cycles, but higher-risk environments may require more frequent assessments.

Common cybersecurity compliance frameworks include NIST, ISO 27001, HITRUST, SOC 2, PCI DSS and CMMC, depending on your industry and regulatory requirements.

Cybersecurity compliance consultants provide documented evidence, validated findings and remediation guidance that align with auditor expectations, helping streamline the audit process and reduce risk of non-compliance.

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