Layer8 Consulting
Layer8 Consulting is a founder-owned, Westminster, Maryland–based IT security and network infrastructure consulting firm (founded 2002) serving Mid-Atlantic commercial, defense contractor, and government clients with Fortinet-based security, SD-WAN, ZTNA, MSSP, cloud migration, and IT staffing services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2002
- HeadquartersWestminster, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Layer8 Consulting does
Layer8 Consulting is a privately held, founder-owned IT security and network infrastructure consulting firm headquartered in Westminster, Maryland. Founded in 2002 by Elden Quesinberry and operated with 1-10 employees, the firm serves a mix of commercial enterprises, defense contractors, and government entities — primarily across the Mid-Atlantic region, with supplemental nationwide 'Smart Hands' field support via a Tech Americas USA partnership. Its technical portfolio centers on Fortinet Security Fabric (FortiGate firewalls, SD-WAN, ZTNA, SASE), AWS and Azure cloud migrations, MSSP offerings, network and security assessments, business continuity/disaster recovery, and compliance work across NIST 800-171, CMMC, PCI, HIPAA, and HITRUST frameworks.
The firm monetizes through four discrete streams: project-based professional services and consulting engagements, monthly recurring managed security subscriptions (entry-tier MSSP plans starting at $169/month per source), hardware resale via authorized partnerships with Fortinet, Cisco, HPE Aruba (Gold), Juniper, APC (Select), and Dell, and a relatively newer IT staffing/recruiting arm offering temp-to-perm and direct-hire placements. Go-to-market is consultative direct sales augmented by referral incentives, an active cybersecurity blog authored by leadership, and the regional 'Beers With Engineers' networking series held across Towson, Gaithersburg, King of Prussia, and Philadelphia. Operational tempo is anchored by a senior technical bench averaging 35+ years of IT experience per consultant and a customer return rate above 90%.
Layer8 holds no external funding, has no parent company or subsidiaries, and reports revenue, ownership structure, and exact headcount as non-public. Vendor-authorized same-day quotes for IT security products and direct sales motion differentiate it against larger national resellers (SHI, CDW) referenced in the company's marketing copy.
Layer8 Consulting firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Layer8 Consulting
- Legal name
- Layer8 Consulting, Incorporated
- Website
- https://l8c.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2002
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Layer8 Consulting is a founder-owned, Westminster, Maryland–based IT security and network infrastructure consulting firm (founded 2002) serving Mid-Atlantic commercial, defense contractor, and government clients with Fortinet-based security, SD-WAN, ZTNA, MSSP, cloud migration, and IT staffing services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Layer8 Consulting industry classification
Industry- Product category
- IT Security & Network Infrastructure Consulting
- NAICS
- Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169), Custom Computer Programming Services (541511)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370), Services-Engineering Services (8711), Services-Help Supply Services (7363)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Network Security Managed Services (Firewall/IDS/IPS/SASE) (BPAEADAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Telecommunications & Network Engineering Consulting (BPAHAIAH), Data Security & Privacy Managed Services (DLP/Encryption) (BPAEADAL)
Keywords
Where Layer8 Consulting is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Westminster
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Layer8 Consulting business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Professional IT Security & Network Consulting Services: Consulting services including network design, implementation, security assessments, compliance services, project management, and disaster recovery planning. Revenue is generated through project-based engagements, retainer arrangements, and staff augmentation/recruiting services.
- Managed Security Services (MSSP): Monthly recurring managed security services providing 24/7 monitoring, alerting, and device management. Plans start at $169 per month with custom plans available.
- IT Security & Network Product Resale: Resale of firewalls, switches, wireless access points, and other network/security products from vendor partners (Fortinet, Cisco, Aruba, Juniper, etc.). Provides product ordering, licensing, and configuration services alongside product sales.
- IT Staffing & Recruiting: Temporary-to-permanent hiring, staff augmentation, and direct hire recruiting services for IT and cybersecurity positions. Offers temp-to-perm arrangements with no conversion fee after the term period.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Managed Security Services - Entry Level |
| Subscription | Monthly | Managed Security Services - Custom Plans |
| Other | Multi-year contract | IT Security Products and Services |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Staff Augmentation - Flexible Terms |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Layer8 Consulting product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Layer8 Consulting provides IT security and network infrastructure consulting services to commercial enterprises, defense contractors, and government entities across the Mid-Atlantic United States. The firm designs, implements, and manages enterprise firewalls, SD-WAN, Zero Trust Network Access, managed security services (MSSP), cloud migrations (AWS/Azure), and IT compliance programs, while also reselling Fortinet, Cisco, Aruba, and Juniper products and offering IT staffing and recruiting services. Founded in 2002, Layer8 is staffed by senior consultants with over 35 years of IT experience each, and its MSSP offering starts at $169 per month.
Product overview
Layer8 Consulting is a managed services and IT consulting firm that provides a comprehensive portfolio of IT security and network infrastructure services alongside product resale. The core offerings include IT Security Solutions (firewalls, ZTNA, MSSP, security assessments), IT Infrastructure Solutions (network design, cloud migrations, data center services), and Network & Security Products (primarily Fortinet FortiGate firewalls, plus Cisco, Aruba, and Juniper switching and wireless). The company supplements these with IT staffing, business continuity/DR planning, IT compliance, and project management services. The main technology partnerships are with Fortinet (security fabric), Cisco, Aruba (HPE), and Juniper Networks, with cloud capabilities spanning AWS and Azure migrations. The MSSP offering provides 24/7 monitoring starting at $169/month.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- IT Security Solutions
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 90% of first-time clients request return engagements
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Layer8 Consulting
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments8 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Layer8 Consulting technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
AI capability2 records
Feature4 records
Layer8 Consulting partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.
- FortinetcoreAuthorized Fortinet partner with multiple specializations including SD-WAN Specialization. Holds Expert Level certifications including FCP, FCSS, FCA, and FCF in Cybersecurity. Provides FortiGate firewalls, FortiSwitches, FortiAPs, and Fortinet Security Fabric solutions. FortiGate was named a Leader in the 2022 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Network Firewalls.
- CiscocoreRegistered Cisco partner providing enterprise networking solutions including switches, routers, and interfaces. Cisco offers networking, security, collaboration, and cloud management technologies.
- HPE Aruba NetworkingcoreGold level Aruba partner holding Aruba Certified Switching Professional and Aruba Certified Switching Associate certifications. Provides switches, access points, and wireless controllers for enterprise networking.
- Juniper NetworkssecondaryNational provider partner for IT networking, cloud, and SaaS solutions.
- AWScoreCloud computing service provider partner for AWS deployments and migration services. Layer8 provides AWS Direct Connect planning and AWS cloud security migration services.
- AzurecoreMicrosoft cloud computing platform partner providing Azure deployments, migration services, and Azure Express Route planning. Layer8 offers Azure security posture reviews and cloud migration guidance.
- APC (Schneider Electric)secondaryAPC Select level certification holder providing office solutions including UPS systems, surge protection, data racks, and HVAC solutions for distributed IT and edge computing environments.
- TierPointsecondaryNational provider of data center services and colocation.
- Recovery PointsecondaryNational provider of disaster recovery and business continuity planning solutions.
- Paessler (PRTG)secondaryGlobal provider of network monitoring services specializing in IT, OT, and IoT devices.
- DellsecondaryGlobal OEM specializing in networking solutions including switches, routers, and interfaces.
- Eaton (Tripp Lite)secondaryGlobal power management company selling Tripp Lite products including UPS systems and surge protection.
- CoasttecsecondaryNational APC-certified service center for Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS).
- SystcomsecondaryNational provider of network cabling, audio-visual systems, and telecommunication services. Long-standing partnership for low-voltage cabling and data rack design projects.
- AtlantechsecondaryNational provider of fiber solutions, VoIP services, and data center solutions in the Mid-Atlantic region.
- iGlasssecondaryProvider of network monitoring services for servers, websites, applications, and broadband networks.
- Stratum SecuritysecondarySpecialized pro-services company offering applications testing, applications code security assessments, and security code developer training.
- ClearTone ConsultingsecondaryPro-services organization offering fractional CISO and CTO services.
- GoldPhishsecondaryWeb-based cybersecurity awareness training platform helping organizations educate employees on security threats.
- Cornerstone Professional GroupsecondaryBusiness and technology services provider facilitating organizational success through repeatable and measurable business services.
- Tech Americas USAsecondaryNationwide field support services partner providing 'Smart Hands' services including rack & stack, break/fix, and telco deployments across U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Layer8 Consulting competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Pivot Point Security: Specialized cybersecurity consulting firm offering information security assessments, compliance, and managed security services to mid-market clients, comparable in size and service mix to Layer8.
- Dataprise: Mid-Atlantic-based managed services and cybersecurity provider offering 24/7 monitoring, network security, and cloud services to mid-market and enterprise clients across similar verticals.
- Ntiva: Mid-Atlantic-headquartered managed IT and cybersecurity services provider serving SMB and mid-market clients with similar portfolio including managed security, cloud services, and IT consulting.
- Cybersheath: Managed security services provider focused on defense industrial base and CMMC compliance, directly overlapping with Layer8's defense contractor customer segment and compliance service offerings.
- Charter Technology Solutions: Mid-Atlantic-based managed IT services and security firm of similar size, offering comparable services including managed security, cloud, and IT consulting to commercial and government clients in the same region.
Broad incumbents
- Optiv: Large national security solutions integrator and MSSP offering comprehensive cybersecurity services including managed security, advisory, and integration across enterprise and mid-market segments.
- CDW: National value-added reseller and technology solutions provider competing directly with Layer8 on product resale and professional services for IT security and networking products, as Layer8's website explicitly references CDW.
- SHI International: Major national IT solutions and services provider competing with Layer8 on product resale and integration services for security and networking products, referenced on Layer8's quote comparison page.
- Thrive: National managed services and cybersecurity provider with broader geographic reach and NextGen firewall specializations, competing for the same mid-market security budget pool as Layer8.
Regional players
- ACE IT Solutions: Mid-Atlantic/New York-based managed IT and security services provider offering similar MSSP, compliance, and network security services to mid-market clients in the same geography as Layer8.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Layer8 Consulting social profiles
Digital presenceLayer8 Consulting compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance10 records
Layer8 Consulting financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Layer8 Consulting leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Layer8 Consulting funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Layer8 Consulting 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 Layer8 Consulting
What does Layer8 Consulting do?
Layer8 Consulting provides IT security and network infrastructure consulting services to commercial enterprises, defense contractors, and government entities across the Mid-Atlantic United States. The firm designs, implements, and manages enterprise firewalls, SD-WAN, Zero Trust Network Access, managed security services (MSSP), cloud migrations (AWS/Azure), and IT compliance programs, while also reselling Fortinet, Cisco, Aruba, and Juniper products and offering IT staffing and recruiting services. Founded in 2002, Layer8 is staffed by senior consultants with over 35 years of IT experience each, and its MSSP offering starts at $169 per month.
Is Layer8 Consulting a public or private company?
Layer8 Consulting is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Layer8 Consulting founded?
Layer8 Consulting was founded in 2002. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Layer8 Consulting based?
Layer8 Consulting is headquartered in Westminster, United States, in the North America region.
How does Layer8 Consulting make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Professional IT Security & Network Consulting Services are the primary driver. The others are managed Security Services (MSSP), IT Security & Network Product Resale and IT Staffing & Recruiting.
Who are Layer8 Consulting's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Pivot Point Security, Dataprise, Ntiva, Cybersheath and Charter Technology Solutions. Broad incumbents are Optiv, CDW, SHI International and Thrive. ACE IT Solutions is listed as a regional player.
Does Layer8 Consulting have an API?
No public API is recorded for Layer8 Consulting.
What industry is Layer8 Consulting in?
Layer8 Consulting's product category is IT Security & Network Infrastructure Consulting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAEADAG, Network Security Managed Services (Firewall/IDS/IPS/SASE), with a secondary code of BPAHAIAH, Telecommunications & Network Engineering Consulting. Its NAICS code is 54151 and its SIC code is 7370.