Practical, no-nonsense guidance on PCI, ISO 27001, GDPR, penetration testing, and building an audit-ready security posture.
How to choose an ISO 27001 consultant: genuine 2022 experience, ISO 27001 compliance readiness, gap analyses, risk assessment, audit support, and a maintainable system.
Atika Arif · Jun 6, 2026
Choose a SOC 2 consultant with genuine SOC 2 compliance specialism, the right Trust Services Criteria, auditor relationships, and a real readiness assessment path.
Atika Arif · Jun 4, 2026
PCI compliance cost depends on your merchant level and how you handle cardholder data: validation, scanning, penetration testing, remediation, and ongoing effort. How to budget and reduce the cost of PCI compliance.
Atika Arif · Jun 3, 2026
ISO 27001 certification cost has three parts: the certification body fee plus surveillance, ISMS implementation, and internal time. What drives each, how to reduce costs, and how to budget.
Atika Arif · May 31, 2026
SOC 2 audit cost explained: the CPA auditor fee plus readiness work. What drives each, the key factors that move the number for Type 1 and Type 2 audits, and how to keep compliance costs down.
Atika Arif · May 30, 2026
PCI DSS Level 1 is the highest merchant compliance level, validated by an annual QSA-led Report on Compliance plus quarterly ASV scans and penetration testing at least annually and after significant changes. What it takes to meet Level 1 requirements.
Atika Arif · May 27, 2026
A SOC 2 readiness assessment scopes criteria, assesses security controls, identifies gaps, and produces a remediation plan before the audit. What to expect and why it saves money.
Atika Arif · May 26, 2026
The ISO 27001 certification process step by step: scope, gap analyses, risk assessment, Statement of Applicability, controls, internal audit, the two-stage certification audit, and surveillance.
Atika Arif · May 24, 2026
PCI DSS SAQ types explained: SAQ A, A-EP, B, B-IP, C, C-VT, P2PE, and D. How to complete the right Self-Assessment Questionnaire based on how you take payments, and how to qualify for a simpler one.
Atika Arif · May 23, 2026
SOC 2 compliance for SaaS: Trust Services Criteria, cloud security controls auditors look at, and how to achieve SOC 2 with Type 1 then Type 2. A practical guide.
Atika Arif · May 20, 2026
When a startup needs SOC 2 compliance, why Type 1 usually comes first, what security controls readiness takes, and how to get compliant without derailing the roadmap.
Atika Arif · May 18, 2026
An Approved Scanning Vendor (ASV) is a PCI SSC-approved organisation that performs the external vulnerability scanning PCI DSS requires, at least quarterly. What a PCI ASV is, why you need one, and how ASV scans work.
Atika Arif · May 15, 2026
