Cybersecurity for technology & SaaS companies
IRAP certification, Essential Eight compliance, and cloud security advisory for Australian SaaS and technology organisations serving government and defence. Meet compliance requirements while scaling fast.
The realities of tech company compliance
SaaS and technology companies face unique compliance pressures that traditional frameworks don't address well.
Cloud architectures don't map neatly
Traditional frameworks like Essential Eight were built for on-premise environments. Your cloud-native infrastructure, microservices, containerisation, and API-driven architecture need a different approach to demonstrate compliance credibly.
Speed vs. compliance complexity
You move fast with CI/CD pipelines and continuous deployment. Compliance frameworks feel like bureaucratic friction. Balancing rapid iteration with security governance and audit readiness is a daily tension.
Dual compliance complexity across markets
Your Australian customers demand Essential Eight and IRAP readiness. Your US defence contracts require CMMC. Building dual compliance is expensive and confusing — you're not sure how the frameworks interact or which controls satisfy both.
Your engineering team isn't a security team
Your developers and DevOps engineers focus on shipping features and scaling infrastructure. Security governance, compliance documentation, and audit preparation fall through cracks. You need external expertise, not internal friction.
How we help tech companies
We speak your language. Cloud-native, API-driven, infrastructure-as-code. Compliance that actually works with your delivery model, not against it.
CMMC Readiness Advisory
Dual AU/US compliance alignment for organisations selling into both markets without duplicate effort.
Essential Eight Assessment
Cloud-native E8 maturity assessment that respects your technology stack and operating model.
IRAP Assessment
ASD-aligned assurance for cloud systems handling classified government data.
Penetration Testing
Independent security testing to identify vulnerabilities in your infrastructure and APIs.
Cyber Risk Advisory
Board-level risk reporting and governance frameworks tailored to SaaS operating models.
vCISO / Ongoing Advisory
Embedded security leadership scaled to your growth — without the full-time CISO cost.
We understand your world
Technology companies need advisers who speak cloud, respect speed, and bridge compliance without creating bottlenecks.
Cloud-native security expertise
We understand Kubernetes, containerisation, serverless architectures, managed services, and infrastructure-as-code. We don't try to force traditional on-premise frameworks onto your cloud stack.
Bridge AU and US compliance
We map Essential Eight, ISM, and IRAP requirements against CMMC so you're not building parallel compliance programs. One security architecture, dual-certified across markets.
Practical, not checkbox
We don't believe security means slowing down. Compliance works alongside CI/CD pipelines, not against them. We respect your deployment velocity and help you meet requirements without bottlenecks.
Scale with you
Whether you're a 20-person startup or a scaling SaaS company, our advisory grows with you. From initial assessment through to ongoing CISO-level governance, we adapt to your maturity.
The numbers that matter
Tech companies ask us these
Does Essential Eight apply to cloud-native architectures?
Yes, but with important caveats. Essential Eight was designed for traditional IT environments. Cloud platforms introduce shared responsibility models, managed services, and distributed architectures that don't map directly to E8 controls. The controls still apply — you just need to understand which controls you own, which your cloud provider owns, and how to demonstrate compliance in a cloud context. That's where expertise makes the difference.
What is IRAP and do we need it?
IRAP (Information Security Registered Assessors Program) is ASD's assurance program for systems that handle or process classified government information. If you're providing cloud services, SaaS platforms, or infrastructure to Australian government agencies — particularly ones handling OFFICIAL or higher classified data — IRAP certification is typically a must-have. Even if your current contracts don't explicitly require it, having IRAP-ready systems positions you for growth into government markets.
Can we achieve CMMC compliance without starting from scratch?
Absolutely. CMMC and Essential Eight have substantial control overlap. If you've already achieved E8 ML2, you have a strong foundation. Our dual-compliance approach maps your existing controls against CMMC requirements and identifies the gaps. In many cases, closing the gaps is faster and cheaper than building parallel programs. We'll give you a realistic assessment of effort required.
How do we balance security governance with shipping fast?
Compliance and velocity aren't mutually exclusive. The key is building security into your delivery pipeline rather than bolting it on afterward. This means shifting security left — integrating controls into infrastructure-as-code, CI/CD pipelines, and development workflows. We help you design compliance that works with your deployment model, not against it. Your engineers ship faster; your governance stays tight.
How long does IRAP assessment take?
Preparation typically takes 2 to 4 months depending on your current maturity and cloud platform complexity. The formal IRAP assessment itself (conducted by an accredited assessor like our Nick Kelly) adds a few weeks. Once certified, you receive a 3-year IRAP certification valid across government agencies. We handle readiness preparation; the formal assessment is independent and conducted by ASD-accredited assessors.