Erik from Secure Systems 
Cloud Security Checklist: Essential Controls for Every Organization Bottom Line Up Front This cloud security checklist gives you 15 essential controls to implement across AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud Platform. Following this guide takes 2-4 weeks for a startup with basic cloud infrastructure, or 4-8 weeks for a mid-market company with complex multi-cloud deployments. You’ll … Read more
Google Cloud Security Best Practices for Enterprise Workloads Bottom Line Up Front GCP security best practices form the foundation of a robust cloud security posture that protects your workloads, data, and infrastructure from threats while meeting compliance requirements. Whether you’re migrating existing applications or building cloud-native systems, implementing comprehensive security controls in Google Cloud Platform … Read more
Software Supply Chain Security: Protecting Against Dependency Attacks Modern applications are built on foundations of third-party dependencies, open source libraries, and external APIs. While this accelerates development, it also creates a massive attack surface that extends far beyond your own code. Software supply chain security protects your applications by identifying, assessing, and monitoring risks in … Read more
Best EDR Tools: Endpoint Detection and Response Platform Comparison Bottom Line Up Front EDR tools are your security program’s frontline defense against advanced threats that signature-based antivirus misses. If you’re managing more than 20 endpoints, handling sensitive data, or pursuing SOC 2 certification, you’ve outgrown basic endpoint protection. EDR platforms provide the behavioral monitoring, threat … Read more
GDPR Data Processing Agreement: Template and Requirements Bottom Line Up Front: A GDPR data processing agreement (DPA) is a legally binding contract required between data controllers and data processors under European privacy law. If you’re reading this, either an EU customer demanded one before signing your contract, your legal team flagged GDPR requirements for your … Read more
Penetration Testing Methodology: PTES, OWASP, and OSSTMM Compared Bottom Line Up Front This guide helps you select, implement, and document a penetration testing methodology that satisfies compliance requirements while delivering actionable security findings. You’ll compare the three leading frameworks — PTES, OWASP Testing Guide, and OSSTMM — then build a methodology that works for your … Read more
Security Architecture: Designing Resilient Information Systems Bottom Line Up Front A security architecture framework provides the blueprint for designing, implementing, and maintaining information systems that protect your organization’s critical assets while meeting compliance requirements. Rather than treating security as an afterthought, a well-designed security architecture embeds protection throughout your technical stack using defense in depth … Read more
SOX IT General Controls: ITGC Requirements and Testing You’re reading this because your organization needs to comply with Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX), and someone told you that your IT systems are now part of financial reporting compliance. SOX IT general controls (ITGC) requirements extend far beyond finance — they cover every system that touches financial data, from … Read more
Building a Vendor Risk Management Program from Scratch Bottom Line Up Front This guide walks you through building a vendor risk management program that satisfies SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, and other compliance frameworks. You’ll create vendor assessment workflows, risk rating methodologies, and ongoing monitoring processes that scale from 10 vendors to 500+. Most organizations … Read more
CMMC Levels Explained: Understanding the Three Maturity Levels If your organization works with the Department of Defense or wants to compete for DOD contracts, you’ve probably heard that CMMC compliance is now mandatory. The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification isn’t just another checkbox exercise — it’s a comprehensive framework with three distinct maturity levels that directly … Read more
