Cloud Security Labs
Cloud Security Labs is a San Francisco-based boutique security advisory firm founded by Ayman Elsawah, offering fractional CISO services and proprietary TERA risk assessments to high-growth B2B SaaS companies, with additional clients in Healthcare/MedTech and Education. The single-principal practice delivers remote security leadership, governance, architecture, and compliance advisory.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2023
- HeadquartersSan Francisco, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Cloud Security Labs does
Cloud Security Labs is a boutique security advisory firm based in San Francisco, founded by Ayman Elsawah, that provides fractional Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) services and structured risk assessments primarily to high-growth, cloud-first B2B SaaS companies, with additional exposure to Healthcare/MedTech and Education/Learning verticals. The firm operates with 1-10 employees and delivers two core offerings: a recurring Fractional CISO engagement providing strategic security leadership, governance and risk management, security architecture, incident response, and compliance support (SOC 2, ISO, PCI), delivered directly via Slack, Zoom, and phone; and a project-based Technical Enterprise Risk Assessment (TERA), an interview-based proprietary methodology that produces risk heat maps, security maturity benchmarks, vulnerability trend analysis, architectural diagrams, and prioritized remediation roadmaps.
The underlying technology is a cloud-native security architecture orientation centered on AWS environments, Identity and Access Management (IAM), and DevSecOps practices, combined with the proprietary TERA assessment methodology that bridges business process risk and technical security analysis. All service delivery is performed directly by the principal consultant, with no channel partners, resellers, or marketplace presence. The business model is split between subscription/recurring revenue from fractional CISO retainers and one-time professional services revenue from TERA engagements, with quote-based, non-publicly disclosed pricing originating from a Calendly-driven discovery call.
Customer acquisition is sales-led and consultative, supported by a thought leadership engine that includes the 'Last Week as a VCISO' podcast, a YouTube channel, an active personal brand on Twitter/X (@coffeewithayman) and LinkedIn, a Security Cafe Slack community, and website content marketing. The firm has no disclosed institutional funding, operates as an independent founder-owned practice, and has not announced any partnerships, acquisitions, or third-party integrations.
Cloud Security Labs firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Cloud Security Labs
- Website
- https://cloudsecuritylabs.io
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2023
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Cloud Security Labs is a San Francisco-based boutique security advisory firm founded by Ayman Elsawah, offering fractional CISO services and proprietary TERA risk assessments to high-growth B2B SaaS companies, with additional clients in Healthcare/MedTech and Education. The single-principal practice delivers remote security leadership, governance, architecture, and compliance advisory.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Cloud Security Labs industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Cybersecurity Advisory Services
- NAICS
- Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Cloud Security & Compliance Services (BPAEACAG)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Cloud Security Services (Posture Mgmt, Workload Protection) (BPAKAHAK)
Keywords
Where Cloud Security Labs is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Francisco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Cloud Security Labs business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Operations
Revenue model
- Fractional CISO Services: Ongoing security leadership and advisory services provided to SaaS companies on a recurring basis. Services include governance and risk management, security architecture, incident response, and alignment of security practices with business goals. Delivered through direct engagement via Slack, Zoom, Phone, providing ongoing strategic guidance.
- Technical Enterprise Risk Assessment (TERA): One-time comprehensive risk assessment engagement delivering detailed reporting including risk heat maps, security maturity benchmarking, vulnerability analysis, and actionable remediation roadmap. Serves as foundation for creating data-driven security roadmaps with clear ROI.
- Advisory and Consulting Services: Additional security services including IT Security, Sales Enablement, Zero Trust implementation, Infrastructure security, DevSecOps, and Compliance consulting (SOC 2, ISO, PCI). Provided as part of fractional CISO engagement or standalone projects.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels7 records
Cloud Security Labs product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Cloud Security Labs is a boutique cybersecurity advisory firm that delivers fractional CISO services and its proprietary Technical Enterprise Risk Assessment (TERA) to high-growth SaaS companies. The firm combines strategic security leadership (governance, risk management, security architecture, incident response) with deep technical expertise in AWS, IAM, and DevSecOps to help clients move beyond checkbox compliance toward real security effectiveness.
Product overview
Cloud Security Labs is a boutique security consulting firm offering two core services. The primary offering is its Fractional CISO for Late Stage SaaS — a senior security leadership engagement delivered remotely, giving high-growth SaaS companies access to CISO-level expertise in governance, risk, architecture, and incident response without the cost of a full-time hire. This is complemented by the Technical Enterprise Risk Assessment (TERA), a structured, interview-driven assessment that maps an organization's complete risk landscape across both business processes and technical security posture, culminating in prioritized remediation roadmaps. Together these services form a security program from assessment through execution.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Fractional CISO for Late Stage SaaS
- Technical Enterprise Risk Assessment (TERA)
Quantifiable outcome
- Organizations report dramatic security posture improvements within six months of implementing TERA recommendations
Companies that use Cloud Security Labs
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Cloud Security Labs technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Cloud Security Labs partnerships and signals
Strategic signalRecent moves4 records
Expansion highlights3 records
Cloud Security Labs competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- CISO Global: Cybersecurity services provider offering fractional CISO, managed security, and risk advisory across multiple verticals. Public company competing in the same vCISO category with broader geographic reach and team depth.
- Coalfire: Cybersecurity advisory firm specializing in compliance (SOC 2, ISO 27001, FedRAMP, HITRUST) and risk assessment services. Comparable in delivering structured assessments and advisory, though heavier on audit/compliance than fractional CISO.
- Kudelski Security: Cybersecurity services firm combining managed security, consulting, and advisory for cloud and enterprise environments. Overlaps with Cloud Security Labs in cloud security architecture and DevSecOps advisory engagements.
- A-LIGN: Cybersecurity compliance and audit firm offering SOC 2, ISO, PCI, and HITRUST assessments plus advisory services. Comparable buyer profile (SaaS and growth-stage companies) with stronger brand and broader service portfolio.
- NCC Group: Global cybersecurity consulting and advisory firm offering risk assessment, cloud security, and managed security services. Larger incumbent competing for cloud security advisory engagements with SaaS and enterprise buyers.
- Optiv: Large cybersecurity solutions integrator and advisory firm offering vCISO, managed security, and consulting across cloud security, IAM, and GRC. Broader portfolio than Cloud Security Labs but competes for the same fractional CISO and cloud security advisory budgets.
- Schellman: Top-tier cybersecurity compliance and audit firm offering SOC 2, ISO 27001, PCI, and adjacent advisory services. Competes for the same SaaS buyer budgets around compliance-driven security work, with broader delivery capacity than a boutique.
Direct peers
- Pivot Point Security: Boutique cybersecurity consulting firm offering vCISO, risk assessment, and compliance advisory services to SaaS and mid-market clients. Most direct comparable in terms of service mix (fractional CISO + structured assessment) and target buyer profile.
- Tiro Security: Fractional/virtual CISO and security advisory firm serving startups and SaaS companies. Direct competitor in the vCISO-as-a-service category with similar GTM via founder-led content and relationship-driven sales.
Emerging players
- Apptega: GRC and cybersecurity management platform aimed at MSSPs and fractional CISOs to automate compliance, risk, and assessment workflows. Adjacent rather than directly competing; represents a tooling alternative that could partially substitute for boutique advisory engagements.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat2 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
Cloud Security Labs social profiles
Digital presenceCloud Security Labs financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Cloud Security Labs leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Cloud Security Labs funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Cloud Security Labs 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 Cloud Security Labs
What does Cloud Security Labs do?
Cloud Security Labs is a boutique cybersecurity advisory firm that delivers fractional CISO services and its proprietary Technical Enterprise Risk Assessment (TERA) to high-growth SaaS companies. The firm combines strategic security leadership (governance, risk management, security architecture, incident response) with deep technical expertise in AWS, IAM, and DevSecOps to help clients move beyond checkbox compliance toward real security effectiveness.
Is Cloud Security Labs a public or private company?
Cloud Security Labs is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Cloud Security Labs founded?
Cloud Security Labs was founded in 2023. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Cloud Security Labs based?
Cloud Security Labs is headquartered in San Francisco, United States, in the North America region.
How does Cloud Security Labs make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Fractional CISO Services are the primary driver. The others are technical Enterprise Risk Assessment (TERA) and advisory and Consulting Services.
Who are Cloud Security Labs's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are CISO Global, Coalfire, Kudelski Security, A-LIGN, NCC Group, Optiv and Schellman. Direct peers are Pivot Point Security and Tiro Security. Apptega is listed as an emerging player.
Does Cloud Security Labs have an API?
No public API is recorded for Cloud Security Labs.
What industry is Cloud Security Labs in?
Cloud Security Labs's product category is Cybersecurity Advisory Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAEACAG, Cloud Security & Compliance Services, with a secondary code of BPAKAHAK, Cloud Security Services (Posture Mgmt, Workload Protection). Its NAICS code is 54151 and its SIC code is 7370.