Compliance Is Your Responsibility. Managing It Doesn't Have to Be Your Full-Time Job.
Cyber Protect LLC's Compliance-as-a-Service program gives Michigan law firms, medical practices, and CPA accounting firms the gap analysis, documentation, compliance tracking, and ongoing guidance they need to meet their legal obligations - without the complexity of managing it alone.Problem
You Already Know Compliance Is Required. The Hard Part Is Staying Compliant.
If you run a law firm, medical practice, or accounting firm in Michigan, compliance is not a choice. HIPAA requires healthcare providers to protect patient health information and document how they do it. The FTC Safeguards Rule requires accounting firms and tax professionals to maintain a written information security program. ABA guidance requires attorneys to competently manage cybersecurity risks affecting client confidentiality.
The frameworks are clear. The penalties for non-compliance are real. And yet, for most small and mid-sized professional firms, staying on top of these requirements is a genuine operational challenge.
Compliance frameworks change. Regulations get updated. Staff turns over. New software gets added. Vendors change. And in the middle of running a busy practice, the compliance program that was current eighteen months ago quietly becomes outdated - until a regulator, an auditor, or a breach makes that gap visible.
The Five Compliance Gaps We See Most Often in Michigan Professional Firms
- Outdated or missing written security plans - policies that were created once and never updated as the business evolved.
- No compliance tracking system - obligations managed informally, in someone's head, or scattered across email threads and sticky notes.
- Compliance drift - a program that started strong but has fallen out of alignment as the business changed and no formal review process exists.
- No documentation of compliance activity - nothing to show an auditor, a regulator, or a client that you take your obligations seriously.
- Unreviewed vendor relationships - third-party software and service providers that have never been assessed for compliance alignment.
None of these gaps reflect bad intentions. They reflect the reality of running a professional firm where compliance is one of many competing priorities. Our Compliance-as-a-Service program is built to close every one of them.
Compliance-as-a-Service?
Compliance Support That Works the Way You Work
Compliance-as-a-Service is not a managed security program. It is not outsourced leadership. It is structured, ongoing support that helps you meet the compliance obligations you are already responsible for - with better tools, better documentation, and an experienced team to guide you along the way.
You navigate your compliance journey. We make sure you have everything you need to get there.
Your firm is responsible for its compliance posture. A regulator does not want to hear that your vendor handled it - they want to see that you understood your obligations and that you took documented, ongoing action to meet them. That is exactly what our program helps you demonstrate.
Compliance-as-a-Service vs. vCISO Services: Understanding the Difference
Both services support your cybersecurity and compliance posture. The key difference is in who leads the program.
Compliance-as-a-Service |
vCISO Services |
|
| Who leads? | Your firm leads. We support and guide. | Cyber Protect leads as your security executive. |
| What we provide | Tools, documentation, tracking, checklists, and advisory guidance. | Full security strategy, risk management, policy ownership, and executive reporting. |
| Best for | Firms that want to own their compliance and need structure to manage it. | Firms that need an outsourced security leader to run their program end to end. |
| Scope | Compliance framework management. | Compliance + cybersecurity strategy + incident response + vendor risk + more. |
| Engagement model | Monthly retainer. | Monthly retainer or per-project engagement. |
| Advisory guidance | Included - basic guidance to help you make informed decisions. | Full executive-level guidance and decision-making. |
Not sure which is right for your firm? Start with our free Cybersecurity and IT Risk Assessment and we will recommend the path that fits your needs and your budget.
Five Core Deliverables - Every Month, Every Client
Every Compliance-as-a-Service retainer includes the same five foundational components, customized to your industry, your firm's size, and the specific compliance frameworks that apply to your business.
| 1 |
Compliance Gap Analysis and Posture Assessment We start every engagement with a thorough assessment of where your firm stands today relative to its applicable compliance frameworks. We review your current policies, procedures, documentation, and practices against the specific requirements of HIPAA, the FTC Safeguards Rule, IRS Publication 4557, or relevant ABA guidance - and produce a clear, prioritized gap report that shows exactly what is in place, what is missing, and what needs to change. This assessment becomes the foundation for everything that follows - and it is repeated annually to catch drift and account for regulatory updates. |
| 2 |
Compliance Documentation - Policies, Procedures, and Written Plans We work with you to develop the written documentation your compliance framework requires. For accounting firms, that means a Written Information Security Plan (WISP) aligned to IRS 4557 and FTC Safeguards Rule requirements. For medical practices, it means the administrative policies, workforce procedures, and risk analysis documentation required by the HIPAA Security Rule. For law firms, it means the written security policies that demonstrate competent management of client data under ABA guidance. These are not generic templates pulled from the internet. We build them around how your firm actually operates - and we update them as your business or the regulatory environment changes. |
| 3 |
Ongoing Compliance Tracking Dashboard One of the most common compliance failures is not the absence of good intentions - it is the absence of a system. We give you access to an ongoing compliance tracking platform where you can see your compliance status across all applicable requirements at a glance. The dashboard tracks your obligations, your progress, outstanding action items, and documentation status - giving you a real-time view of your compliance posture and a clear record to show auditors, regulators, or clients who ask. |
| 4 |
Framework-Specific Checklists and Guided Templates Compliance frameworks are dense. Translating regulatory language into concrete action items takes expertise that most professional firms do not have in-house. We provide framework-specific checklists and structured templates that break each requirement into clear, actionable steps - and we walk you through completing them. Your team does the work. We make sure you know exactly what that work should be. |
| 5 |
Annual Compliance Review and Drift Assessment Compliance is not a one-time project. Regulations evolve, your business changes, new staff join, new software gets deployed, and vendor relationships shift. Our annual review puts your compliance program through a full reassessment - comparing your current posture against your previous assessment, flagging any new obligations or gaps introduced over the past year, and updating your documentation, policies, and tracking dashboard accordingly. This annual touchpoint ensures your compliance program stays current and defensible - year after year. |
Basic Advisory Guidance - Included in Every Retainer
Throughout your engagement, you will have access to basic advisory guidance from our team. When a compliance question comes up - a new vendor agreement, a regulatory update, a staff change that affects your procedures - you can bring it to us. We will help you understand your options and what the right step looks like within your compliance framework. We do not make those decisions for you, but we make sure you have the information you need to make them confidently.
Built for the Compliance Obligations of Your Industry
The compliance landscape is different for every type of professional firm. The frameworks that apply to a law firm are not the same as those governing a medical practice or an accounting firm. Our Compliance-as-a-Service program is structured around the specific requirements of your industry - not a generic checklist applied uniformly across all clients.
Law Firms and Legal Practices
Applicable Standards: ABA Model Rules 1.1 (Competence) and 1.6 (Confidentiality) | State Bar Cybersecurity Guidance | NIST Cybersecurity Framework
The ABA Model Rules do not include a checklist of specific technical controls - but they do hold attorneys to a standard of competence that increasingly includes cybersecurity. Rule 1.1 requires lawyers to keep abreast of changes in the law and its practice, including the benefits and risks associated with relevant technology. Rule 1.6 requires reasonable measures to prevent the unauthorized disclosure of client information.
Multiple state bar associations have issued formal guidance on cybersecurity obligations, and some have issued ethics opinions holding that a failure to implement reasonable security measures may constitute a violation of professional conduct rules. That means a breach affecting client data is not just a business problem - it is potentially a bar matter.
Our Compliance-as-a-Service program for law firms gives you the structured framework, the written policies, and the ongoing documentation to demonstrate that you are meeting your professional obligations - and to show that documented, reasonable security practices were in place if you ever need to.
What your compliance program will include:
• Gap assessment measured against ABA cybersecurity guidance and applicable state bar ethics opinions
• Written data security policies governing client data handling, access control, and acceptable use
• Documented procedures for remote access, device security, and third-party service providers
• Ongoing compliance dashboard tracking your security posture and policy currency
• Annual review and update cycle aligned to bar guidance changes and firm growth
• Documentation demonstrating ongoing competence and reasonable security measures
Medical Practices and Healthcare Organizations
Applicable Frameworks: HIPAA Security Rule | HIPAA Privacy Rule | HIPAA Breach Notification Rule | HITECH Act
The HIPAA Security Rule requires covered entities and their business associates to implement administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to protect electronic protected health information (ePHI). It also requires a documented risk analysis, written policies and procedures, workforce training, and ongoing review of security practices. These are not aspirational standards - they are enforceable federal requirements with penalties that range from $100 to $50,000 per violation, per year of non-compliance.
For small and mid-sized medical practices, the challenge is not understanding that HIPAA applies - it is having the system, the documentation, and the ongoing process to demonstrate continuous compliance. Most practices complete a risk assessment once and consider it done. Regulators and auditors do not see it that way.
Our Compliance-as-a-Service program for medical practices builds and maintains a living HIPAA compliance program - one with current documentation, ongoing tracking, and an annual review cycle that keeps you prepared for an audit or inquiry at any point in the year.
What your compliance program will include:
• HIPAA Security Rule gap analysis and risk assessment aligned to HHS requirements
• Written HIPAA security policies and workforce procedures
• Business Associate Agreement (BAA) tracking and vendor documentation
• Compliance tracking dashboard covering administrative, physical, and technical safeguards
• Breach notification procedure documentation aligned to HIPAA and HITECH requirements
• Annual HIPAA risk analysis refresh and policy update cycle
CPA and Accounting Firms and Tax Professionals
Applicable Frameworks: FTC Safeguards Rule | IRS Publication 4557 | Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA)
The FTC Safeguards Rule - strengthened significantly in recent years - requires financial institutions, including accounting firms and tax preparers that receive consumer financial data, to develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive information security program. That program must be written, risk-based, and regularly reviewed. IRS Publication 4557 further requires tax professionals to protect sensitive taxpayer data and maintain a Written Information Security Plan (WISP).
The IRS has been clear: a WISP is not optional. The FTC has been equally clear: the Safeguards Rule applies to firms of all sizes. The obligation does not scale down because your firm has ten employees instead of ten thousand.
Our Compliance-as-a-Service program for accounting firms and tax professionals gives you a complete, documented compliance program - built around the specific requirements of FTC Safeguards, IRS 4557, and GLBA - with ongoing tracking to keep it current through every tax season and every regulatory update.
What your compliance program will include:
• Written Information Security Plan (WISP) development per IRS 4557 and FTC Safeguards Rule requirements
• FTC Safeguards Rule gap assessment covering all required program elements
• Designated information security coordinator support and documentation
• GLBA-aligned policies covering data classification, retention, and third-party oversight
• Ongoing compliance dashboard tracking your WISP status, vendor reviews, and program obligations
• Annual risk assessment and WISP update cycle to keep your program IRS and FTC current
Why Cyber Protect LLC
Why Michigan Firms Choose Cyber Protect LLC for Compliance Management
Compliance support is only valuable if the firm delivering it understands your industry, your obligations, and your business. Here is what makes working with Cyber Protect LLC different.
We Know the Frameworks That Govern Your Practice.
We are not generalists who looked up HIPAA last week. We work in HIPAA, FTC Safeguards, IRS 4557, and ABA cybersecurity guidance every day, for clients who face these same obligations in the same industries across Southeast Michigan.
We Build Programs Around Your Firm, Not a Generic Template.
Your WISP should reflect how your firm actually handles client data - not a standard document with your name filled in. Every deliverable we produce is customized to your firm's size, structure, technology environment, and specific compliance obligations.
You Stay in Control.
Compliance-as-a-Service is designed for firms that want to own their compliance program and need structured support to manage it well. We give you the tools, the documentation, and the guidance - but your firm makes the decisions and maintains the accountability that regulators expect.
Your Compliance Program Is Always Current.
We Are Local and We Are Reachable.
We are based in Warren, Michigan, and we serve businesses across Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb Counties. When you have a compliance question, you reach a person who knows your program, knows your industry, and is not going to put you on hold for forty minutes.
Your Dashboard Is Audit-Ready, Always.
The worst time to build a compliance record is during an audit or regulatory inquiry. Our ongoing tracking dashboard gives you a documented, organized compliance history that you can present with confidence at any point - not just during the weeks leading up to a review.
TESTIMONIALS
What Michigan Businesses Say About Working With Cyber Protect LLC
The team at Cyber Protect took a comprehensive approach from the very start. Our systems have never run more smoothly, and we finally feel confident that our clients' information is protected the way it should be.
We had a domain blacklisting incident that could have been a disaster for our business. Cyber Protect stepped in, handled everything, and put safeguards in place so it could never happen again. Now I have real peace of mind.
How It Works
Simple Onboarding. Structured Ongoing Support.
|
Step 1 Free Compliance Risk Assessment |
We start with a no-cost Cybersecurity and IT Risk Assessment. In one conversation, we identify your applicable compliance frameworks, your current gaps, and the scope of what a Compliance-as-a-Service engagement would cover for your specific firm. No pressure, no obligation. |
|
Step 2 Gap Analysis and Program Design |
We conduct your initial compliance gap analysis - assessing your current posture against the frameworks that apply to your industry and producing a prioritized report. From there, we design your compliance program structure, including your tracking dashboard setup, your documentation library, and your framework-specific checklists. |
|
Step 3 Documentation and Dashboard Launch |
We build your written policies, procedures, and required plans - your WISP, your HIPAA security policies, your data handling procedures - and we set up your compliance tracking dashboard. Your team begins working through the framework-specific checklists with our guidance, building a documented compliance record from day one. |
|
Step 4 Ongoing Tracking and Annual Review |
Month after month, your compliance program stays active, documented, and current. Your dashboard reflects your real-time posture. Basic advisory guidance keeps your questions answered. And every year, your program goes through a full review - updated for regulatory changes, business growth, and any new obligations that have emerged. |
Pricing
One Simple Engagement. One Monthly Retainer.
Compliance is not a one-time project. It is an ongoing obligation. That is why Compliance-as-a-Service is offered exclusively as a monthly retainer - giving you continuous tracking, documentation support, and advisory guidance without gaps in your program.
Monthly Retainer - What Is Included
A flat monthly retainer scoped to your firm's size, industry, and applicable compliance frameworks. Every retainer includes:
- Initial compliance gap analysis and posture assessment
- Compliance documentation development (WISP, HIPAA policies, data security procedures)
- Ongoing compliance tracking dashboard - always current, always accessible
- Framework-specific checklists and guided templates
- Annual compliance review and drift assessment
- Basic advisory guidance for compliance questions as they arise
Retainer pricing varies based on firm size and the number of applicable compliance frameworks. To get an accurate scope and pricing for your firm, start with our free Compliance Risk Assessment.
Call (888) 531-5099 to discuss your project
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Compliance-as-a-Service and how does it work?
Compliance-as-a-Service is an ongoing monthly program that helps your firm track, manage, and document its compliance obligations under frameworks like HIPAA, the FTC Safeguards Rule, and IRS Publication 4557. Cyber Protect LLC provides the gap analysis, written documentation, tracking dashboard, checklists, and advisory guidance. Your firm leads its own compliance program - we give you the structure, tools, and support to manage it effectively.
How is Compliance-as-a-Service different from vCISO services?
The core difference is in who leads the program. With our vCISO services, Cyber Protect LLC acts as your security executive - leading your cybersecurity strategy, managing risk, overseeing compliance, and making security decisions on your behalf. With Compliance-as-a-Service, your firm retains that leadership role. We provide the framework, documentation, tracking system, and advisory guidance to help you meet your own compliance obligations - but your team navigates and owns the program.
Is my accounting firm or tax practice required to have a Written Information Security Plan?
Yes. The IRS requires tax professionals to maintain a Written Information Security Plan (WISP) to protect sensitive taxpayer data. The FTC Safeguards Rule additionally requires accounting firms that access consumer financial data to implement a comprehensive written information security program. Our Compliance-as-a-Service program develops, documents, and maintains both for you as part of your monthly retainer.
What compliance frameworks do you cover for medical practices?
For medical practices and healthcare organizations, we build compliance programs aligned to the HIPAA Security Rule, HIPAA Privacy Rule, HIPAA Breach Notification Rule, and the HITECH Act. This includes the required risk analysis, written policies and procedures, workforce procedure documentation, Business Associate Agreement tracking, and the annual review cycle that keeps your program current and audit-ready.
What are law firms' cybersecurity compliance obligations?
The ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct - particularly Rules 1.1 (Competence) and 1.6 (Confidentiality) - require attorneys to understand and manage cybersecurity risks related to client data. Multiple state bar associations have issued formal guidance on these obligations, and some have concluded that failing to implement reasonable security measures may constitute a professional conduct violation. Our program gives law firms written policies, ongoing documentation, and a tracked compliance record that demonstrates competence and reasonable security practices.
What is included in the compliance tracking dashboard?
Your compliance dashboard gives you a real-time view of your compliance posture across all applicable frameworks. It tracks your compliance obligations, your progress against each requirement, outstanding action items, documentation status, and your annual review timeline. It serves as both an operational management tool and an auditable record of your ongoing compliance activity - giving you something concrete to show a regulator, an auditor, or a client who asks about your security practices.
How often is the compliance program reviewed and updated?
Your compliance program includes an annual comprehensive review that reassesses your posture against current regulatory requirements, identifies any drift introduced by business changes or regulatory updates, and refreshes your documentation and tracking dashboard accordingly. Between annual reviews, our advisory guidance is available to address questions that arise during the year - such as a new vendor relationship, a staff change, or a regulatory update that affects your obligations.
Why is Compliance-as-a-Service offered only as a monthly retainer?
Compliance is not a project - it is an ongoing legal obligation. A written security plan developed once and never revisited creates a false sense of security and a real compliance exposure. The monthly retainer model ensures your compliance program stays current, your documentation remains accurate, and your tracking dashboard reflects your actual posture at all times. One-time compliance projects may check a box today but leave you exposed the moment something in your business or the regulatory landscape changes.
Does Cyber Protect LLC serve firms outside of Warren, Michigan?
Yes. Our primary service area covers Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb Counties - including Warren, Sterling Heights, Troy, Royal Oak, Detroit, Southfield, and surrounding communities. We serve firms throughout Southeast Michigan and can accommodate remote compliance engagements for clients across the state.
How do we get started with Compliance-as-a-Service?
The first step is our free Cybersecurity and IT Risk Assessment. We review your applicable compliance frameworks, identify your current gaps, and give you a clear picture of what your compliance program needs to look like - at no cost and with no obligation. Schedule your assessment at cyberprotectllc.com or call us at (888) 531-5099.
Your Compliance Obligations Are Not Going Away. Let's Build the Program That Meets Them.
HIPAA, the FTC Safeguards Rule, IRS Publication 4557, and ABA cybersecurity guidance all carry real stakes - regulatory penalties, professional consequences, and the trust of the clients who depend on you. Cyber Protect LLC gives you the structure, the documentation, and the ongoing tracking to meet those obligations with confidence.
You lead your compliance program. We make sure you have everything you need to run it well.
📞 Call now: (586) 500-9300
