Cybersecurity, Technology, and IT Leadership Expertise

Working with Brian and the 501CISO team has finally given us the perfect partner to help steer our security program across the organization. Brian's approach is to offer reasonable strategic direction that fits within the frame of what's important now, next, later to security program development. I appreciate how he has embedded with our technical teams while working with us to help set up our quarterly OKRs. It's never about selling the flavor of the day platform or tool. It's about delivering guided, thoughtful advice, and mythologies. We have built quick trust across the teams, and we've been able to see measurable improvements to our security posture . For organizations in our space, 501CISO brings exactly the type of security partnership we've needed all along.

Security today is full of noise; lots of tools, promises, and fear messaging. What sets Brian and 501CISO apart is their ability to cut through that noise. Brian is an outstanding partner for AVIXA, helping to clearly define our real risks, and building a roadmap we can execute together. His collaborative approach with our team, and his strong focus on the human side of security, has made our program both effective and sustainable.

Brian is that rare CIO that not only offers a superior technology skill set but also a great business mind. We could always count on Brian to build and maintain a successful IT operation but the additional value he added in driving innovation, in challenging the status quo and being a change agent was icing on the cake. Brian is also a data “geek” and understands the power and impact that data driven insights can have on an organization. Brian was also constantly scanning the horizon for what was to come next which is immensely valuable in today’s world.

Brian’s title at Experient was CIO and he was that and much more. He was a true business partner focusing on driving client solutions and company growth. Brian was recognized by our clients and the industry as being creative and solutions driven and grounded with a business approach to addressing opportunities. Brian and his team continually developed best in class technology products for the meeting, event and tradeshow industry including eventXL and eventBit. Brian is a change agent and would be a welcome addition to any organization looking for a technology leader.

Brian is a trusted technology resource for the live event industry. He carries with him a well-earned reputation of integrity and intelligence that has proved invaluable over the many years working with him. Whether it was leveraging thoughtful leadership while volunteering on association boards or sifting through difficult integration issues with our mutual clients, Brian maintained a clear head and focused on solutions. He will be an excellent addition to any company.

I was fortunate to work closely with Brian as partners for 7 years. Over that time, I came to know Brian as a true IT professional with a broad range of knowledge and understanding. His ability to listen to his customer and problem solve are what makes him such a great partner. Brian is an outstanding business leader with excellent communication skills and has an ability to take complex technology concepts and explain them to non-IT professionals. His passion for technology and customer satisfaction makes him standout as a CIO.

Brian does an excellent job getting things done, often time with limited resources. He is adept at translating business requirements into technology development through asking questions and understanding the business issue that needs to be resolved. His balanced approach and calm demeanor make him an excellent addition to any management team.

Brian has consistently provided phenomenal operational leadership to me, my team and our Association. Beyond operational leadership, Brian continues to provide impactful and innovative THOUGHT leadership and has always brought a nuanced strategic thinking to the table. His efforts have continually helped me think through some of the more challenging aspects of technology within the Association space and shaped my approach on how to extend its impact into solving real-life business problems. He is one of the industry’s leaders and I very much look forward to working with him further in future.

Brian helped my team understand that he was here to do things ‘with them’ and ‘for them’… not ‘to them’. Brian continues to collaborate effectively with both technical team and operational leaders to move the needle.

I could not be more pleased or impressed with Brian Scott as a fractional, CIO executive. In my opinion, there is no better way for smaller businesses to have the benefit of world-class support, and Brian has been phenomenal to work with on all areas of IT.

Brian was a difference maker for us. His experience and technology acumen allowed us to make smarter decisions, faster. As a leader, we never have the full gamete of information at our disposal when making strategic decisions. I valued Brian’s demeanor and mindset when approaching challenges to always cut through the noise to focus on what really matters when moving our business and our technology forward.

Brian came to our organization to provide fractional CIO coverage and he blended seamlessly into our team – both the IT department and our organizational leadership. He effectively identifies the key organizational needs and finds efficient ways to meet those needs through technology. Our collaboration was so effective that we’ve chosen to continue working with him even after I returned from leave. I value his calm demeanor and ability to work well with everyone.

"James McHugh, NCCAOM's Dir of IT, has a lot of strategic and operational projects on his plate, so he called on 501CISO to help support their cybersecurity program. “As a small organization with limited resources, we found the cyber risk assessment service from 501CISO to be incredibly beneficial. Their focus on small staff associations meant that the service was exactly what we needed - comprehensive, yet affordable. The level of detail in their assessment was on point, providing us with insights into our vulnerabilities and practical steps to improve our security. The value of this service cannot be overstated, it has been crucial in enhancing our cybersecurity measures. We value the expertise and tailored support provided by the 501CISO team."

"Dale McCrory, past VP of IT for Prison Fellowship, was kind enough to provide the following testimonial regarding 501CISO. It's an honor to work with the PF team!
“Selecting 501CISO's fractional CISO service was a game-changer for our company's cyber protection strategy. We've been thoroughly impressed with the high caliber of expertise and the customized care their professionals bring to the table. They've become an integral part of our team, zeroing in on and addressing the pressing issues presented by today's constantly evolving cyber threats. The strategic guidance and all-encompassing support from 501CISO have been key in enhancing our security defenses and effectively protecting our digital assets."

I was very pleased to be able to present to NELA's membership at a recent conference. They were kind to provide the following testimonial: “Brian’s session, ‘Cybersecurity Questions You Should Be Asking,’ was exactly what our members needed—clear, practical, and empowering. He made a complex topic accessible and gave our business leaders the confidence to take a more active role in protecting their organizations."

501CISO counts IAIABC as another valued customer. Brianna Schumann, Community Services Manager, provided the following quote: "The 501CISO assessment process was very organized and easy to navigate. As a small staff, it helped surface cybersecurity gaps we hadn’t previously considered and gave us a clear, manageable path for improvement without overwhelming us. It was an incredibly insightful, valuable assessment for our Association with benefits not only for us, but also for our members."

Laura Brumsey, Senior Vice President of CGA, was kind enough to offer the following testimonial to 501CISO Cybersecurity Services: "As a small association without in-house IT staff, we needed a cybersecurity partner who could guide us through a complex review in a clear, actionable way. 501CISO delivered exactly that—identifying and prioritizing risks, presenting findings in terms our non-technical staff could easily understand, and collaborating seamlessly with our existing IT partners. Their services were not only thorough and insightful, but also affordable, making them an invaluable resource for strengthening our security posture."

Lakisha Barclay, Executive Director and CEO of ACS, Rubber Division, has a lot of responsibilities and projects on her plate, so she called on 501CISO to help support their cybersecurity program.
“Working with 501CISO to assess our cybersecurity risks was an eye-opening experience. Their Small Staff Association service was perfectly tailored to our needs. The team at 501CISO provided us with a comprehensive yet understandable assessment, which was both thorough and cost-effective. The detailed report and actionable recommendations have been instrumental in guiding our cybersecurity decisions. Thanks to 501CISO, we are now much better equipped to safeguard our organization against cyber threats.

Lou Centrella, Sr. Dir of IT at ISSA speaks about his experience with ClearTone Consulting and 501CISO. I'll let him do the talking! “Choosing 501CISO has been one of the best decisions for our cybersecurity needs, as their level of expertise and attention has exceeded our expectations. They have integrated within our team to provide focus, attention, and guidance to the critical challenges from today’s ever-changing cyber threats. The strategic leadership and comprehensive support offered by 501CISO have been instrumental in strengthening cyber-protections for our people, our data, and ISSA’s brand reputation.

Security today is full of noise; lots of tools, promises, and fear messaging. What sets Brian and 501CISO apart is their ability to cut through that noise. Brian is an outstanding partner for AVIXA, helping to clearly define our real risks, and building a roadmap we can execute together. His collaborative approach with our team, and his strong focus on the human side of security, has made our program both effective and sustainable.