Signing up for a security assessment can seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be.
Yes, you’ll be handing over the keys to all of your company’s sensitive and proprietary information. However, there is an essential factor that can turn this experience into one you’re anxious about to something you’re excited and confident in — the team behind the IT security risk assessment.
Finding the right cybersecurity company is paramount to having the best experience and getting the most valuable information.
When The KR Group performs a security risk assessment, we take your information’s confidentiality, integrity, and availability seriously. This is predominantly driven by our white hat hacking techniques that test how secure you really are.
We know we have to gain your trust for this information, so we’ll work with you to build a rapport on the front end. We then conclude the process by presenting a comprehensive report to show you every single thing we did while we had access to your IT environment.
Finally, we remove our footprint from your environment like we were never there.
Whether or not you choose The KR Group as your cybersecurity adviser, you deserve this kind of relationship with whomever you work with.
So as you narrow down the list of security companies, we expect you to look at your various options before making a final decision. To help you do this with ease, here is a list of three other security advisers who offer comparable cybersecurity services:
- VDA Labs
- Open Systems Technology (OST)
- Trace 3
These competing security companies are in no particular order, so it’s best to read about each one to understand all of your options better.
VDA Labs
VDA Labs is a specialized security firm with headquarters in Grand Rapids, Michigan. They offer penetration testing, advanced security training, and code security services to organizations across the U.S. 
They were founded by Dr. Jared DeMott, who has a Ph.D. from Michigan State University and previously served as a vulnerability analyst with the NSA. Dr. Demott’s goal when founding VDA Labs was “providing world-class information security training.”
Their security services come in four forms:
- Their penetration testing and security audits use white hat hacking to assess the strength of your IT network. After the testing, they provide a report on what they did, how they did it, and what you need to do to prevent it from happening from a malicious source.
- Their incident response service provides emergency response when your information has already been compromised. Whether you need urgent assistance to develop a remediation plan or require expertise to help you develop your own procedures, their incident response team is available.
- Their security systems strategy service utilizes their backlog of knowledge on a variety of security systems to help you develop the best strategy for protecting your company.
- Their security awareness training takes a look at how susceptible your employees are to opening your company up to an attack. This training aims to teach your team what techniques attackers use and help them identify potential attacks.
VDA Labs is a great option if you’re looking for a company that focuses on security assessments and has set the industry standard.
Open Systems Technology (OST)
OST has been in Grand Rapids, Michigan since 1997, where their headquarters remain.
In the last couple of decades, they’ve added state-side locations in Minneapolis and Detroit, as well as an international site in London, U.K.
OST’s IT security risk assessment services use the “Montgomery Method,” which was developed by the company’s security practice manager, W. Scott Montgomery.
OST promises to hand over their security results in a 2- to 3-day window.
In their final presentation, they’ll provide an IP vulnerability index, risk reduction recommendations, a password strength grade, and ratings of you compared to your peers.
Along with security services, OST also offers expertise in Internet of Things products, data analytics, delivery management, digital experience, managed services, and more.
If you’re looking for an established security firm with the most years of experience in assessments, OST is the adviser for you.
Trace 3
While Trace3’s headquarters are in Irvine, California, their East Coast corporate office is in Grand Rapids, Michigan. They have 25 locations throughout the U.S., including two more Michigan locations in Ada and Troy. 
Trace 3 is newer to the security services market than VDA Labs and OST; they started their security practice in 2016.
They added security assessments to their existing repertoire of IT services, including expertise in cloud, data intelligence, ITOA, infrastructure, migrations and services for IT configurations, managed IT, and augmented IT.
Trace3’s security practice relies on eight practice areas to improve your security posture:
- They provide a security strategy.
- They identify and access your IT management.
- They manage your security services.
- They assess your offensive security posture.
- They analyze your data and application security.
- They implement endpoint security solutions.
- They protect your network and infrastructure security.
- They identify and implement security operations.
If these eight practice areas are appealing to you and you want an adviser with a fresh point of view when it comes to security, Trace3 can address your security needs.
Who should you pick?
As you decide who will earn you business, you need to consider the services and relationships an IT security company will offer you.
Each of the companies you’ve read about in this article can provide you with a comprehensive overview of your security vulnerabilities and suggest ways to address them.
As you weigh the decision of choosing The KR Group, VDA Labs, OST, or Trace 3, ask yourself the following questions:
- Do you feel confident in the organization’s dedication and expertise in cybersecurity?
- Do you trust the organization to handle your most sensitive data?
- What expertise does the security team have, and does it fit your needs?
- What methods does the consultant use to evaluate your IT environment?
- What does the cybersecurity consultant offer after the assessment to help you resolve uncovered issues?
Ultimately, who you decide to use largely depends on who you think will provide what you need and personal preference.
Whether you choose The KR Group, VDA Labs, OST, or Trace 3, your network security will be better off for investing in a security risk assessment.
For more information about The KR Group’s security services, feel free to reach out to us with your questions.
