Cybersecurity for Financial Services

Regulatory readiness and security program development for banks, credit unions, RIAs, accounting firms, and insurance agencies.

Why financial services

Financial services has more cybersecurity regulation than any other industry. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act Safeguards Rule (recently updated, with new requirements that took effect in 2023). The FFIEC Cybersecurity Assessment Tool. SEC cybersecurity disclosure rules for public companies and registered investment advisers. State banking regulations. NYDFS Part 500 for any firm with New York exposure. The FTC Safeguards Rule for financial institutions outside traditional banking. Texas Insurance Code Chapter 601 for insurance licensees.

For a bank, credit union, or RIA, regulatory examination is the forcing function. Examiners ask increasingly sophisticated security questions and the answers have to be documented, not aspirational.

What VALO brings

Our principal has worked inside major banking institutions as a senior network security engineer. The regulatory environment, the examination cadence, the controls expected by FFIEC and SEC examiners — these aren't theoretical to us. We have operated under them.

Common engagements

GLBA Safeguards Rule program development

Written information security program (WISP) development, qualified individual designation, risk assessment, and the eight specific safeguards required under the updated rule.

FFIEC readiness for community banks and credit unions

Cybersecurity Assessment Tool completion, IT examination preparation, third-party risk management program development.

RIA cybersecurity readiness

SEC examination preparation, written cybersecurity policies, vendor due diligence, and incident response planning aligned to SEC expectations for investment advisers.

NYDFS Part 500 compliance

For Texas firms with New York-domiciled clients or business activities triggering NYDFS jurisdiction.

Insurance Data Security Model Law readiness

Texas Department of Insurance cybersecurity program requirements for insurance licensees.

Client cybersecurity due diligence response

Many financial services firms now face cybersecurity questionnaires from their institutional clients. We respond on your behalf or coach your team through the response.

Who VALO serves in financial services

Community banks. Credit unions. Registered investment advisers. Independent broker-dealers. Accounting and tax firms. Wealth management firms. Insurance agencies and managing general agents. Title companies. Mortgage brokers and lenders.

Generally between 25 and 500 employees, regulated under at least one of the frameworks above.

Who VALO doesn't serve

Tier 1 money center banks and large insurance carriers. They have full internal security teams and operate at a scale where our engagement model doesn't fit.

Case studies

Case studies coming soon — pending client permission to publish.

Schedule a financial services security conversation.

We'll discuss your regulatory obligations, examination history, and what a security program built for your firm would look like.

Schedule a conversation