CISOnow
SOC 2 Readiness Partner
Location: Ashburn, VA, US
Key Facts
- Pricing:
- Custom quote
- Platforms:
- Thoropass
- Best For:
- SMB, Mid-Market
- Industries:
- SaaS, Technology, Financial Services, +1 more
CISOnow is based in Ashburn, VA. They work with SMBs and mid-market companies. They primarily serve clients in SaaS, Technology, and Financial Services.
CISOnow is a leading provider of virtual CISO advisory services and managed security services, offering gap assessments, compliance support for SOC 1, SOC 2, PCI, HITRUST, HIPAA, GDPR, and CCPA, and a proprietary C3 Cybersecurity Assessment.
Service Type
SOC 2 Readiness and Gap Analysis
Industries Served
Company Size Focus
Pricing
Custom quote
Compliance Platforms
CISOnow commonly works with clients using Thoropass.
Trust Signals
- Thoropass partner
- US-based
Who CISOnow May Be a Fit For
Based on CISOnow's experience and focus areas, these buyer profiles are likely a strong fit. Confirm details directly with the firm before making a decision.
- Companies in SaaS, Technology, Financial Services, Healthcare looking for a firm with sector-specific experience.
- SMB and Mid-Market organizations that want a firm experienced with companies at their stage and budget level.
- Teams using Thoropass who want a firm already familiar with their compliance tooling.
What to Evaluate Before Engaging This Readiness Partner
Before engaging a SOC 2 readiness partner, evaluate the following to make sure the firm is the right fit. A strong readiness engagement sets the foundation for a smoother formal audit.
Credentials and Standing
Verify the firm's SOC 2 experience, relevant certifications, and client references. Readiness partners do not need a CPA license, but deep SOC 2 expertise is essential.
Scope and Deliverables
Clarify what the engagement includes: gap analysis, control design guidance, remediation support, and documentation templates. Understand where the readiness engagement ends and the formal audit begins.
Timeline and Availability
Ask for a written timeline from kickoff through audit readiness. Understand how the readiness timeline coordinates with your planned audit start date.
Pricing Transparency
Ask whether fees are fixed or billed hourly, what triggers additional charges, and whether the quote includes all phases of the engagement.
Read more: How to choose the right SOC 2 firm · SOC 2 audit cost guide
Questions to Ask CISOnow
Use these practical questions during an introductory call to evaluate fit, scope, and working style.
- How many SOC 2 readiness engagements does your team complete per year?
- What is your experience preparing SaaS companies for SOC 2?
- How do you work with clients using Thoropass?
- Is pricing fixed-fee or time-and-materials?
- What is the expected timeline from kickoff to audit readiness?
- Do you have audit firm partners you recommend once we are ready?
- Who will be my day-to-day point of contact?
- Can you share a sample engagement letter or deliverable?
See all recommended questions: Questions to ask your SOC 2 partner →
About CISOnow and SOC 2 Readiness
- What industries does CISOnow have SOC 2 experience in?
- CISOnow serves clients in SaaS, Technology, Financial Services, and Healthcare. Working with a readiness partner that understands your industry helps ensure the right controls are in place before your formal audit begins.
- What size companies does CISOnow work with?
- CISOnow works with SMB and mid-market companies. A readiness partner matched to your company stage will better understand your control environment and offer pricing that fits your budget.
- Does CISOnow work with compliance platforms like Thoropass?
- Yes. CISOnow has experience with clients using Thoropass. A readiness partner familiar with your platform can help you map controls to evidence more efficiently and reduce friction when the formal audit begins.
- Where is CISOnow located?
- CISOnow is headquartered in Ashburn, VA. SOC 2 engagements are typically conducted remotely, so industry experience and platform familiarity matter more than physical location, though overlapping time zones can make coordination easier.
- How do I know if CISOnow is the right SOC 2 readiness partner for my company?
- Start by comparing CISOnow's industry experience, platform support, and pricing against at least three other readiness partners. Ask each firm for references from companies similar to yours in size and sector. Review their track record of helping companies achieve clean SOC 2 reports. Finally, verify that their proposed timeline aligns with your compliance deadline.
- What makes CISOnow different from other SOC 2 readiness firms?
- CISOnow specializes in SaaS and Technology companies and integrates with Thoropass, giving them a narrower focus than most general-practice readiness consultants. That specialization typically translates to more relevant control recommendations and faster preparation.
- Is CISOnow a good fit for first-time SOC 2 preparation?
- CISOnow works with SMB, Mid-market companies, which suggests familiarity with organizations at various stages of SOC 2 maturity. If this is your first time, ask about their gap analysis process, how they help design controls, and what deliverables you will receive at the end of the engagement.
- How does CISOnow's pricing compare to other SOC 2 readiness firms?
- CISOnow's listed pricing is Custom quote. SOC 2 readiness costs vary based on scope, company size, and how much hands-on help you need fixing gaps. Request line-item proposals from multiple firms to make an informed comparison.
CISOnow vs Other SOC 2 Readiness Firms
This table shows how CISOnow stacks up against other SOC 2 auditors across pricing, audit timeline, industry specialization, and platform compatibility.
| Firm | Industries | Company Sizes | Platforms | Pricing | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thoropass | SaaS, Technology, Financial Services | Seed, SMB, Mid-market | Thoropass | Custom quote | Varies |
| A-LIGN | SaaS, Technology, Financial Services | SMB, Mid-market, Enterprise | Drata, Hyperproof, Secureframe, Vanta | Custom quote | 6-8 weeks |
| Compass IT Compliance | SaaS, Technology, Financial Services | SMB, Mid-market | Not listed | Custom quote | Varies |
| Lazarus Alliance | SaaS, Technology, Financial Services | Seed, SMB, Mid-market, Enterprise | Not listed | Custom quote | Varies |
| Smith + Howard | SaaS, Technology, Financial Services | SMB, Mid-market, Enterprise | Not listed | Custom quote | Varies |
Best SOC 2 Readiness Partner for SaaS
SaaS companies
CISOnow audits saas companies and is familiar with the compliance requirements and risk areas common in this sector.
Technology companies
CISOnow audits technology companies and is familiar with the compliance requirements and risk areas common in this sector.
Financial Services companies
CISOnow audits financial services companies and is familiar with the compliance requirements and risk areas common in this sector.
SMB organizations
Experienced working with smb companies, with scoping and pricing appropriate for that company stage.
Mid-Market organizations
Experienced working with mid-market companies, with scoping and pricing appropriate for that company stage.
Thoropass users
CISOnow is familiar with Thoropass's evidence collection, automated testing, and audit-ready workflows.
How Much Does CISOnow Charge for SOC 2 Readiness?
SOC 2 audit pricing depends on engagement scope, audit type, and firm. Here is what we know about CISOnow's pricing and the factors that affect cost.
Factors that affect SOC 2 audit cost
Audit type
Type I audits (point-in-time) are generally less expensive than Type II audits (operating effectiveness over 3 to 12 months).
Company size and complexity
Larger companies with more systems, employees, and data flows require broader audit scope and more evidence collection.
Industry and regulatory overlaps
Industries with additional frameworks (HIPAA, PCI DSS, FedRAMP) often require expanded scoping and cross-mapping.
Readiness assessment
Some firms bundle a readiness gap analysis; others charge separately. A readiness phase can reduce surprises during fieldwork.
Compliance platform usage
Using platforms like Drata, Vanta, or Secureframe can reduce evidence collection time, which may lower auditor fees.
Timeline urgency
Fast-track or expedited audits often carry premium pricing due to scheduling and resource allocation constraints.
For a detailed breakdown: How much does a SOC 2 audit cost?
SOC 2 Firms Similar to CISOnow
Thoropass
New York, NY
Thoropass (formerly Laika) is an integrated compliance management platform and certified audit firm offering SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, HITRUST, and PCI DSS with in-house auditors.
A-LIGN
Tampa, FL
A-LIGN is a technology-enabled cybersecurity compliance firm and the number one global issuer of SOC 2 reports, having completed over 16,000 audits since its founding in 2009.
Compass IT Compliance
North Providence, RI
Compass IT Compliance provides SOC examination, IT audit, and cybersecurity compliance services to organizations across the United States.
Lazarus Alliance
Scottsdale, AZ
Lazarus Alliance is a licensed CPA firm and cybersecurity audit specialist providing SOC 1, SOC 2, and SOC 3 examinations, along with FedRAMP, CMMC, and HIPAA compliance services.
Smith + Howard
Atlanta, GA
Smith + Howard is a CPA and advisory firm providing SOC reporting, IT audit, and risk advisory services with a focus on middle-market companies.
Windham Brannon
Atlanta, GA
Windham Brannon is a full-service CPA firm founded in 1957, offering SOC 1, SOC 2, SOC 2+, and SOC 3 examinations along with SOC readiness assessments through its Risk Advisory practice.
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