✓ Independent • Advisory-Only • No System Access Required

Cybersecurity Advisory for Professional Firms

Stop guessing at cyber risk. Get an independent, leadership-level second opinion on your security posture - without installing software or disrupting operations.

Advisory Scope & Approach

Business-First Clarity I translate technical cyber risk into business impact. You’ll understand which risks materially affect your firm - and which do not - so decisions can be made with confidence.


Independent Advisory This is a fixed-scope governance and risk review. I provide an independent second opinion and practical next steps that your existing IT provider can implement.


Zero Operational Friction No system access, no software, no screen sharing. This is a non-intrusive advisory process designed for busy professional firms.

Important: This is an advisory-only review. It is not a technical audit, penetration test, MSP service, or compliance certification. I do not access systems, install tools, or perform remediation.
Request an Independent Review How It Works

No tools to install. No screen sharing. Just clear, leadership-ready reporting.

Cyber Risk Review Services for Professional Practices

Decision Accountability

  • Risk ownership and decision accountability (who decides what)
  • High-level review of existing policies related to data handling and access
  • Documentation gaps that increase liability and uncertainty
  • Executive-ready recommendations (no technical overload)

Critical Exposure Areas

  • Email and identity risk (phishing, fraud, account compromise)
  • Incident readiness (roles, escalation, response planning)
  • Backup and recovery readiness (governance-level)
  • AI data-handling risk (“Shadow AI” governance)

Liability Reduction

  • Clear record of independent review (point-in-time)
  • Highlights where insurer expectations are commonly missed
  • Non-technical summary suitable for broker conversations
  • Does not certify compliance or guarantee coverage

Executive Report & Priorities

  • Overall risk posture + section ratings
  • Top risks ranked by likelihood and business impact
  • Risk guidance (accept / mitigate / transfer / avoid)
  • Top three priority actions (focused, practical)
  • Designed to support leadership decision-making and document due diligence.
Important: Is your staff putting client data into ChatGPT? I help you set the guardrails before a leak happens.

Cybersecurity Advisory for Accounting, Insurance, and Professional Firms

This review is designed for small and medium sized professional firms that handle sensitive client data.

  • Accounting and bookkeeping firms (client PII, tax, payroll, financial data)
  • Insurance brokers and agencies (client records, policy documents, claims data)
  • Other professional practices (legal, advisory, regulated services)

What You Receive

  • Governance & risk questionnaire (Yes/No/Not Sure)
  • 30-minute clarification call (phone preferred; Zoom optional)
  • Executive report PDF with risk ratings and narrative
  • Risk heat-map style prioritization (likelihood vs. impact)
  • Top 3 priority actions that your IT provider can implement

Fixed scope. Designed to be efficient for busy firms.

Our 5-Step Cybersecurity Advisory Process

Step 1: Intake Questionnaire Complete a short governance assessment covering data handling, access, and risk ownership.

Step 2: Analysis The Deep Dive - I analyze your responses against industry benchmarks.

Step 3: Clarification Call The Call - A brief call to fill in the gaps.

Step 4: Roadmap Delivery The Roadmap - You receive your Executive Report and Top 3 Priorities.

Step 5: Follow-Up Call A follow-up call to review/discuss findings (optional but recommended).

Typical delivery timeline: 7 business days from payment and completed questionnaire.

FAQ

How much time will this take from my team?
Minimal. The questionnaire takes about 20 minutes, and our clarification call is a hard-capped 30 minutes. An optional follow-up call is available to review/discuss findings (recommended).

Is this a compliance audit?
No. This is governance and risk advisory. It supports due diligence but does not certify compliance or guarantee security.

Do you need access to our systems?
No. The review is designed to be non-intrusive and does not require screen sharing, system access or software installation.

Will you fix issues?
I do not perform remediation. Your IT provider/MSP can implement changes. My role is independent clarity and prioritization.

Request an Independent Review

Advisory-only cybersecurity governance & risk review for professional firms.

Phone: (506) 710-0909
Email: advisory@waynehayes.ca

Pricing

All engagements are fixed-scope and advisory-only. There are no hourly fees.

Standard Annual/Governance Review

  • Governance & risk questionnaire
  • Independent risk analysis
  • 30-minute clarification call
  • Executive report (PDF)
  • Risk prioritization and top three recommended actions

Fee: $2,500

First Time Risk Assessment

  • Identical scope and deliverables as the standard review
  • Offered to a limited number of first-time engagements in 2026.
  • Intended for initial, standalone engagements
  • Not eligible for repeat or annual renewals

Fee: $1,500

Scope clarity: This is not a technical audit, penetration test, insurance policy or compliance certification.
The Independence Guarantee: I do not sell hardware, I do not offer MSP services, and I do not accept referral fees from vendors. My only product is unbiased advice.


By focusing strictly on governance and risk - and eliminating technical on-site overhead - I provide executive-level insight at a fraction of the cost of a traditional technical audit.

Payment is due prior to questionnaire delivery. Typical turnaround is 7 business days from completed intake.

Fees are in CAD for Canadian clients and USD for international engagements.

About

Wayne Hayes, cybersecurity governance and risk advisor for accounting and insurance firms

I operate an independent cybersecurity governance and risk advisory practice focused on helping small and medium sized professional firms understand, prioritize, and manage cyber risk at the leadership level.

For over 25 years, I've watched the gap between technical IT and business leadership widen. My mission is to close that gap for professional firms.

My work is deliberately advisory-only. I do not sell software, provide managed services, or access internal systems. This independence ensures clear, unbiased assessments that support executive decision-making without disrupting day-to-day operations.

I work primarily with accounting firms, insurance brokers, and other professional practices that handle sensitive client data and who want an independent view of their cyber risk posture-without undergoing a technical audit or compliance exercise.

My background combines hands-on technical knowledge with a governance-focused mindset. I hold multiple industry-recognized cybersecurity certifications, including:

  • CompTIA Security+ – Core security principles and risk fundamentals
  • CompTIA CySA+ – Threat analysis and risk-based assessment
  • EC-Council CEH – Understanding adversary techniques and attack paths
  • (ISC)² SSCP – Operational security and access control foundations

These credentials inform my analysis, but the value I provide is executive clarity - understanding which cyber risks matter, who owns them, and what actions should be taken.

This service supports due diligence and risk awareness. It does not certify compliance, guarantee security, or replace technical testing.

Connect with me on LinkedIn