People remain the most exploited attack vector in cybersecurity. Phishing, social engineering, and credential compromise account for the majority of security incidents, and no technical control fully eliminates human error.
Unit53A develops and delivers security awareness training programs to reduce the likelihood of incidents caused by employee behavior. We also provide executive and board-level training to bridge the gap between technical risk and business impact, ensuring decision-makers are equipped to govern security effectively. Beyond awareness training, Unit53A offers certification preparation courses for teams and individuals looking to build internal security capabilities. As part of our partnership with ISACA, we are positioned to deliver structured certification training covering CISA, CISM, and other industry-recognized credentials.
Why Choose Unit53A
The virtual CISO market has grown significantly, and with that growth has come dilution. Many providers offer vCISO services without actual CISO-level experience. Unit53A is different.
Actual CISO Experience, Not Repackaged IT Staff
Second Line of Defense Focus: Risk Management, Not Product Sales
Veteran-Owned with 40+ Industry Certifications
We Build Capacity, Not Dependency
Our greatest measure of success is when clients mature their security programs to the point where they can continue with internal resources. We exist to make a difference, not to create long-term dependency.
Our Engagement Model
Unit53A offers flexible engagement options designed to meet your organization where it is, from targeted standalone assessments to comprehensive ongoing advisory.
vCISO Subscription Services
Ongoing fractional CISO services with dedicated monthly hours for organizations needing consistent security leadership.
Standalone Assessments
Targeted engagements for specific needs such as risk assessments, compliance gap analysis, or policy development.
CISO Advisory Services
For organizations with an existing CISO who need experienced support to augment their security leadership capabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
A virtual CISO (vCISO) is an experienced information security executive who provides part-time or fractional security leadership to organizations. Unlike a full-time CISO hire, a vCISO delivers the same strategic expertise on a flexible basis, making executive-level security guidance accessible to organizations that may not need or be able to afford a dedicated full-time position.
All Unit53A engagements are led by practitioners with actual CISO-level experience, not IT security directors repackaged as vCISOs. We operate exclusively in the second line of defense, focusing on risk management and governance rather than selling security products. This independence ensures objective guidance aligned with your organization's best interests.
Unit53A primarily serves small and mid-sized organizations that recognize the need for experienced security leadership but may not require or have the budget for a full-time CISO. We also support larger organizations that need to augment their existing security team with specialized expertise.
Unit53A has experience aligning security programs with NIST CSF, CMMC, HIPAA, SOC 2, PCI DSS, HITRUST, GDPR, CCPA, and other regulatory frameworks. Whatever standard or regulation your organization needs to comply with, we can assess your current posture and build a path to compliance.
Both options are available. Unit53A offers subscription-based vCISO engagements with dedicated monthly hours, as well as standalone services for organizations that need a targeted assessment, policy review, or specific deliverable without an ongoing commitment. Contact us to discuss which model fits your needs.