BD Emerson
BD Emerson is a Richmond, Virginia-based cybersecurity, compliance, audit, and privacy consulting firm founded in 2020 that delivers SOC 2, ISO, CMMC, HIPAA, GDPR, and FedRAMP services to startups, mid-market firms, and selected enterprises across more than a dozen regulated verticals, supplemented by fractional vCISO/vDPO and managed security offerings.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2020
- HeadquartersRichmond, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What BD Emerson does
BD Emerson is a Richmond, Virginia-based cybersecurity, compliance, audit, and privacy consulting firm founded in 2020 by Drew Danner. The company sells professional services across four domains — Cybersecurity, Compliance and Audit, Technology, and Privacy — delivered through more than 40 distinct service lines spanning SOC 2 Type 1 and Type 2 audits, ISO 27001 and ISO 42001 certification, CMMC Levels 1–3 readiness, HIPAA, GDPR, GLBA, FedRAMP, and NIST 800-53/171 compliance, vCISO/vCIO/vCTO/vDPO/vCHRO fractional executive services, managed IT and cloud security, penetration testing, third-party risk management, and M&A technology due diligence. Underlying delivery relies on certified human expertise (CISSP, CIPP, CIPM, CDPSE, AIGP, FIP, PMP, AWS) rather than proprietary technology, augmented by partnerships with compliance automation platforms such as Vanta (BD Emerson is one of the first certified implementation partners), Scrut Automation, VComply, Opsbook, Autharva, Unbound, and CyberUpgrade.
The firm serves more than a dozen verticals including Healthcare, Financial Services, Retail, Education, Technology, Manufacturing, Government, Energy, Legal, Software Development, and Marketing Agencies, with a customer base skewed toward startups and growth-stage SaaS companies alongside selected enterprise engagements (Rubrik, Savant/GE Lighting, Murtha Cullina, FGI Worldwide, Intellinum). Revenue is generated through a blend of project-based compliance engagements, fixed-price CMMC certification packages, recurring managed security services, and subscription-style fractional executive retainers. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. The company is Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business certified, positioning it for federal and defense procurement, and it markets a 'global team' despite operating from a single Richmond, VA headquarters with 11–50 employees. No external funding, ownership structure, or financial disclosures are available.
Distribution is enterprise field sales-led with consultation booking via Calendly, supported by content marketing (extensive SEO-optimized blog), LinkedIn presence, industry events (e.g., Inbound 24), and channel partnerships with GRC tooling vendors. Twenty-plus documented case studies provide social proof, with named testimonials from Boxcore, FGI Worldwide, Gardiant, OneStep GPS, Meridian AI, Civex, Lendmarx, Rubrik, Savant/GE Lighting, Lemba Therapeutics, Intellinum, and Titan Intake.
BD Emerson firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- BD Emerson
- Legal name
- BD Emerson
- Website
- https://bdemerson.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2020
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- BD Emerson is a Richmond, Virginia-based cybersecurity, compliance, audit, and privacy consulting firm founded in 2020 that delivers SOC 2, ISO, CMMC, HIPAA, GDPR, and FedRAMP services to startups, mid-market firms, and selected enterprises across more than a dozen regulated verticals, supplemented by fractional vCISO/vDPO and managed security offerings.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
BD Emerson industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Cybersecurity and Compliance Consulting
- NAICS
- Security Guards and Patrol Services (561612), Investigation, Guard, and Armored Car Services (56161)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Responsible AI, AI Governance & Compliance Services (BPAEAHAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Regulatory Readiness & Audit Automation (e.g., EU AI Act, NIST AI RMF, ISO/IEC 42001) (HDAAAMAE), Backup, Disaster Recovery & Business Continuity (BCDR) Services (BPAEABAH)
Keywords
Where BD Emerson is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Richmond
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
BD Emerson business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others
Revenue model
- Professional Cybersecurity Consulting: BD Emerson generates revenue through professional consulting services in cybersecurity, compliance, technology, and privacy. Services are delivered through engagement-based engagements with clients seeking compliance certifications and security framework implementations.
- Compliance Audit Services: Revenue is generated through SOC 2 Type 1 and Type 2 audit services, HIPAA audits, GDPR audits, and ISO 27001 certification consulting, providing attestation and certification services to clients.
- Managed Security Services: Ongoing managed services including cybersecurity management, real-time security monitoring, network security monitoring, and managed IT/cloud security services delivered on a recurring basis.
- Virtual Executive Services: Revenue from vCISO, vCIO, vCTO, vCHRO, and vDPO services providing fractional executive leadership to organizations seeking strategic guidance without full-time hires.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Fixed-Price CMMC Compliance |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
BD Emerson product offering
Product offeringCore offering
BD Emerson is a cybersecurity, compliance, audit, and technology consulting firm that helps organizations defend critical assets, achieve regulatory certifications (SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, ISO 27001, CMMC, FedRAMP, GLBA, NIST, ISO 42001, EU AI Act), and integrate security and privacy into their operations. Services include cybersecurity consulting, incident response, managed security monitoring, penetration testing, third-party risk management, audit and attestation, virtual executive leadership (vCISO, vCIO, vCTO, vDPO, vCHRO), and Vanta compliance automation implementation.
Product overview
BD Emerson is a cybersecurity, assurance, attestation, technology, and privacy consulting firm that delivers integrated solutions through a portfolio of distinct consulting and audit service lines. Rather than a single unified software product, BD Emerson's offering is organized around four core domains: Cybersecurity Services (including Cybersecurity Consulting, Cybersecurity Compliance, Cyber Incident Response, Cybersecurity Transformation, Cybersecurity Management, Real-time Security Monitoring, Network Security Monitoring, Web App Penetration Testing, Third-Party Risk Management, Cybersecurity for Small Business, and vCISO Services), Compliance and Audit Services (including SOC 2 Compliance Consulting, SOC 2 Type 1 and Type 2 Audits, SOC 2 Compliance Cohort Program, SOC Audit, NIST Compliance Consulting, CMMC Compliance Consulting, HIPAA Compliance and Audit, GDPR Compliance and Audit, GLBA Compliance Consulting, FedRAMP Compliance Consulting, ISO 27001 Compliance Consulting, ISO 42001 Compliance Consulting, EU AI Act Consulting, Vanta Implementation, and Audit Services), Technology Services (including Managed IT Support, Managed Cloud Security, IT Consulting, Fractional CTO, vCTO Services, vCIO Services, Digital Transformation, and Technology Due Diligence), and Privacy Services (including Data Privacy Consulting, vDPO Services, AI Governance Consulting). BD Emerson also offers executive-level fractional leadership through vCHRO Services and Investor Relations Services. The firm serves 12 industry verticals: Healthcare, Financial Services, Retail, Education, Technology, Manufacturing, Government, Energy, Legal (Law Firms), Software Development, Marketing Agencies, and Startups.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Cybersecurity Consulting
Quantifiable outcome
- Dedupely achieved infosec transformation in 60 days and saved over $40K in internal costs
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use BD Emerson
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments13 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
BD Emerson technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature3 records
BD Emerson partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- VantacoreStrategic partnership with Vanta positions BD Emerson uniquely to support organizations committed to upholding rigorous data protection and privacy standards. BD Emerson is one of the first Vanta Certified implementation partners, integrating Vanta's compliance automation technology platform into client operations for seamless compliance management.
- CyberUpgradecoreBD Emerson and CyberUpgrade join forces to deliver top-tier cybersecurity and compliance services, combining expertise to protect businesses with tailored solutions and expert guidance.
- AutharvaminorPartnership offering BD Emerson customers 15% off Autharva's AI-powered identity security platform. Improves access management, automates compliance, and reduces risk with intelligent controls.
- UnboundminorPartnership to tackle AI model risk for businesses, improving AI security, protecting sensitive data, and supporting compliance while enabling safe adoption of generative AI.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
BD Emerson competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Schellman & Co. Schellman is a top-tier cybersecurity assessment firm offering SOC 2, ISO 27001, HITRUST, PCI, and FedRAMP audits. It is one of BD Emerson's closest direct competitors — similar boutique positioning, similar framework depth, similar reliance on credentialed auditors.
- A-LIGN: A-LIGN is a cybersecurity and compliance audit firm delivering SOC 2, ISO 27001, HITRUST, PCI, and penetration testing services with a similar target market of technology and regulated-industry clients. Overlap with BD Emerson is near-total on core audit offerings.
- Coalfire: Coalfire is a cybersecurity advisory and assessment firm spanning FedRAMP, SOC 2, ISO 27001, HITRUST, CMMC, and pen testing. It is a more scaled direct competitor with a deeper federal practice, but operates in the same service categories as BD Emerson.
- Linford & Company: Linford & Company is a boutique CPA firm focused on SOC 1/SOC 2 audits, HITRUST, and cybersecurity assessments for SaaS and tech clients — a small-firm direct peer comparable in size and target customer to BD Emerson.
Broad incumbents
- KPMG (Cyber & GRC practice): KPMG's Risk & Regulatory / Cyber practice delivers SOC 2, ISO 27001, FedRAMP, GDPR, AI governance, and vCISO services as part of a broader advisory portfolio. It is a broad incumbent that competes with BD Emerson primarily on enterprise and federal RFPs.
- Optiv: Optiv is a large cybersecurity solutions provider delivering managed security, advisory, and compliance services across SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, and NIST frameworks — overlapping with BD Emerson's cybersecurity and managed-services lines at larger deal sizes.
- RSM US: RSM's Risk Consulting practice covers SOC audits, ISO 27001, CMMC, HITRUST, cybersecurity advisory, and privacy services for mid-market and enterprise clients — a broad incumbent competing with BD Emerson on mid-market and regulated-industry engagements.
- OneTrust (Tugboat Logic): OneTrust, through Tugboat Logic, offers GRC automation plus a network of partner audit firms for SOC 2 and ISO 27001. It competes with BD Emerson both as a technology platform (vs. Vanta) and as an alternative compliance delivery model.
Emerging players
- Drata: Drata is a compliance automation platform (SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, etc.) that increasingly bundles audit-firm partnerships. While not a direct service competitor to BD Emerson, it shapes buyer expectations and partially substitutes for consultant-led readiness work.
- Secureframe: Secureframe is a compliance automation platform streamlining SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, and PCI readiness. It competes indirectly with BD Emerson by enabling customer self-service and via its own audit-firm network.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
BD Emerson social profiles
Digital presenceBD Emerson compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance14 records
BD Emerson financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
BD Emerson leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
BD Emerson funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
BD Emerson M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about BD Emerson
What does BD Emerson do?
BD Emerson is a cybersecurity, compliance, audit, and technology consulting firm that helps organizations defend critical assets, achieve regulatory certifications (SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, ISO 27001, CMMC, FedRAMP, GLBA, NIST, ISO 42001, EU AI Act), and integrate security and privacy into their operations. Services include cybersecurity consulting, incident response, managed security monitoring, penetration testing, third-party risk management, audit and attestation, virtual executive leadership (vCISO, vCIO, vCTO, vDPO, vCHRO), and Vanta compliance automation implementation.
Is BD Emerson a public or private company?
BD Emerson is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was BD Emerson founded?
BD Emerson was founded in 2020. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is BD Emerson based?
BD Emerson is headquartered in Richmond, United States, in the North America region.
How does BD Emerson make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Professional Cybersecurity Consulting is the primary driver. The others are compliance Audit Services, managed Security Services and virtual Executive Services.
Who are BD Emerson's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Schellman & Co., A-LIGN, Coalfire and Linford & Company. Broad incumbents are KPMG (Cyber & GRC practice), Optiv, RSM US and OneTrust (Tugboat Logic). Emerging players are Drata and Secureframe.
Does BD Emerson have an API?
No public API is recorded for BD Emerson.
What industry is BD Emerson in?
BD Emerson's product category is Cybersecurity and Compliance Consulting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAEAHAJ, Responsible AI, AI Governance & Compliance Services, with a secondary code of HDAAAMAE, Regulatory Readiness & Audit Automation (e.g., EU AI Act, NIST AI RMF, ISO/IEC 42001). Its NAICS code is 561612 and its SIC code is 7370.