Ascend Cyber
Ascend Cyber is a U.S. cybersecurity compliance firm providing CMMC C3PAO assessments, NIST SP 800-171 consulting, and CUI training to Defense Industrial Base contractors and federal government clients.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2022
- HeadquartersTampa, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Ascend Cyber does
Ascend Cyber is a U.S.-based cybersecurity compliance firm specializing in Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) and NIST SP 800-171 services for the Defense Industrial Base. Operating through the legacy Peak InfoSec brand as the 13th authorized C3PAO since 2022, the firm conducts official CMMC Level 2 certification assessments, gap and mock assessments, and Letters of Attestation for defense contractors and subcontractors. President Matthew Titcombe (CCA #17) served on the original Standards Working Group that drafted CMMC Assessment Guides, and the team collectively contributed 4,000+ hours to The Cyber AB ecosystem. Ascend Cyber was legally formed through the October 15, 2025 three-way merger of Peak InfoSec, Fathom Cyber, and Ascend Cyber, with the prior October 1, 2025 acquisition of Lello Group adding ISO management systems consulting capabilities.
Ascend Cyber firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ascend Cyber
- Legal name
- ASCND CYBER LLC
- Website
- https://ascendcyber.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2022
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Ascend Cyber is a U.S. cybersecurity compliance firm providing CMMC C3PAO assessments, NIST SP 800-171 consulting, and CUI training to Defense Industrial Base contractors and federal government clients.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ascend Cyber industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Cybersecurity Compliance Services
- NAICS
- Computer Systems Design and Related Services (5415), Computer Training (611420), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Security Awareness, Training & Compliance Attestation (HDADAIAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Cybersecurity Awareness & Digital Safety Training for Security Personnel (BPAKAOAO), Cybersecurity Technical Skills (Security Engineering, SOC, Pen Testing) (EDABAFAF)
Keywords
Where Ascend Cyber is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tampa
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Ascend Cyber business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- CMMC Certification Assessments: Fee-for-service C3PAO certification assessments for defense contractors seeking CMMC Level 2 certification. Revenue generated per assessment engagement.
- Compliance Consulting Services: Consulting engagements to help organizations prepare for CMMC, ISO, and NIST compliance. Includes gap assessments, remediation planning, and implementation support.
- Training Programs: CMMC Certified Professional (CCP), CMMC Certified Assessor (CCA), CMMC Executive Bootcamp, and CUI training programs offered as instructor-led courses.
- Letter of Attestation Services: Review and attestation services for CMMC Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 annual affirmations.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom professional services pricing |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels3 records
Ascend Cyber product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ascend Cyber provides authorized Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) certification assessments as a Third-Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO), compliance consulting for NIST SP 800-171 and ISO management systems, and instructor-led training programs including CMMC Certified Professional (CCP), CMMC Certified Assessor (CCA), CMMC Executive Bootcamp, and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) courses for Defense Industrial Base contractors and federal agencies.
Product overview
Ascend Cyber is a unified cybersecurity company formed through the merger of Peak InfoSec, Fathom Cyber, and Ascend Cyber (effective October 15, 2025), supplemented by the acquisition of Lello Group (effective October 1, 2025). The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of cybersecurity compliance, assessment, and training services centered on CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) and NIST SP 800-171. The core offerings include CMMC C3PAO certification assessments, compliance consulting, and training programs. The Peak InfoSec brand (the 13th Authorized C3PAO since 2022) provides the assessment and certification backbone, while integrated training offerings cover CUI handling, CMMC professional certifications, and executive education. Additional services include attestation letters, virtual CISO/compliance officer staffing, and ISO management system consulting expanded through the Lello Group acquisition.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- CMMC Certification Assessments Third-Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO) services providing Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Level 2 Mock Assessments and formal Certification Assessments for Defense Industrial Base organizations.
- CMMC and NIST SP 800-171 Consulting Expert guidance on NIST SP 800-171 requirements, CMMC assessments, and cybersecurity frameworks including CMMC, FISMA, ISO, and NIST standards for defense and federal contractors.
- CMMC Training Programs Instructor-led training programs including CMMC Executive Bootcamp, CCP (CMMC Certified Professional) exam prep, and CCA (CMMC Certified Assessor) exam prep courses.
- CUI Training Programs teaching how to identify, safeguard, and disseminate Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) correctly, including CUI Fundamentals and CUI Informed certifications for contractors and state/local government employees.
- Letters of Attestation Compliance attestation services that review CMMC Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 annual affirmations, ensure records are up to date, and issue Letters of Attestation of Compliance.
- Virtual Cyber Compliance Officer On-demand staffing solution providing virtual cyber compliance officer services to support organizations before and during litigation.
- ISO Compliance Services Consulting services for ISO management systems and certification assessments, expanded through the acquisition of Lello Group.
- Subject Matter Expert Services Cybersecurity subject matter experts available to support organizations before and during litigation, including serving as expert witnesses.
Quantifiable outcome
- CMMC Level 2 certifications earned by consulting clients
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Ascend Cyber
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Ascend Cyber technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Ascend Cyber partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- The Cyber ABcoreThe Cyber AB is the governing body for the CMMC Ecosystem. Matthew Titcombe, President of Ascend Cyber, serves on The Cyber AB's C3PAO Advisory Council as Assessment Guidance Committee Member. Ascend Cyber was the 13th authorized C3PAO and has been involved with The Cyber AB since 2019.
- Peak InfoSeccorePeak InfoSec merged with Fathom Cyber and Ascend Cyber effective October 15, 2025, forming a unified cybersecurity company under the Ascend Cyber name. Peak InfoSec brought authorized C3PAO status and extensive CMMC assessment expertise to the combined entity.
- Fathom CybercoreFathom Cyber merged with Peak InfoSec and Ascend Cyber effective October 15, 2025, combining cybersecurity risk, compliance, and defense services expertise into the unified Ascend Cyber entity.
- Lello GroupminorLello Group, a consulting firm specializing in ISO management systems and compliance frameworks, was acquired by Ascend Cyber effective October 1, 2025. The acquisition expanded Ascend Cyber's capabilities in cybersecurity compliance including ISO standards and assessment offerings.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Ascend Cyber competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Optiv Security: Optiv is a large cybersecurity solutions integrator offering advisory, managed security, and compliance services. Broad incumbent with overlapping CMMC and FedRAMP capabilities competing for larger defense contract opportunities.
- BSI (British Standards Institution): BSI is a global standards and certification body offering ISO and cybersecurity compliance services across many industries. Broader incumbent that overlaps with Ascend Cyber's ISO compliance offerings (expanded via Lello Group).
Direct peers
- A-LIGN: A-LIGN is a cybersecurity compliance and certification firm providing SOC 2, ISO 27001, HITRUST, FedRAMP, and CMMC assessments. Comparable to Ascend Cyber in delivering authorized third-party assessments and managed compliance services.
- Schellman Compliance: Schellman is a leading cybersecurity assessment firm offering CMMC, SOC 2, ISO, and PCI services. Closely comparable to Ascend Cyber in the authorized third-party assessment space, serving defense and commercial clients.
- Coalfire: Coalfire is a cybersecurity advisory and assessment firm offering CMMC C3PAO services, FedRAMP, HITRUST, and compliance consulting. Direct peer to Ascend Cyber in CMMC assessments and federal compliance services for defense contractors.
- BAI Infosec: BAI Infosec is a CMMC consulting and assessment firm supporting defense contractors with NIST SP 800-171 implementation and certification. Similar niche positioning to Ascend Cyber in the CMMC/DIB ecosystem.
- Pivot Point Security: Pivot Point Security is a CMMC-focused consulting and C3PAO firm that helps defense contractors achieve CMMC and NIST SP 800-171 compliance. Closely comparable to Ascend Cyber in pure-play CMMC compliance advisory.
- Redspin (a division of Kroll): Redspin is an authorized C3PAO providing CMMC assessments and cybersecurity consulting for defense contractors. As a fellow authorized C3PAO with similar defense-industrial-base focus, it directly competes with Ascend Cyber.
Emerging players
- AOS Cybersecurity: AOS Cybersecurity provides CMMC consulting, NIST SP 800-171 advisory, and managed security services to defense contractors. Emerging peer with similar CMMC focus, though smaller scale than Ascend Cyber.
Others
- Cyber AB: Cyber AB is the authorized CMMC Ecosystem governing body that accredits C3PAOs and CPAs. Not a peer but a critical ecosystem participant and Ascend Cyber's strategic partner through Matthew Titcombe's advisory role.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Ascend Cyber social profiles
Digital presenceAscend Cyber compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Ascend Cyber financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ascend Cyber leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Ascend Cyber subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Ascend Cyber funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ascend Cyber M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A3 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Ascend Cyber
What does Ascend Cyber do?
Ascend Cyber provides authorized Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) certification assessments as a Third-Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO), compliance consulting for NIST SP 800-171 and ISO management systems, and instructor-led training programs including CMMC Certified Professional (CCP), CMMC Certified Assessor (CCA), CMMC Executive Bootcamp, and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) courses for Defense Industrial Base contractors and federal agencies.
Is Ascend Cyber a public or private company?
Ascend Cyber is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Ascend Cyber founded?
Ascend Cyber was founded in 2022. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Ascend Cyber based?
Ascend Cyber is headquartered in Tampa, United States, in the North America region.
How does Ascend Cyber make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. CMMC Certification Assessments are the primary driver. The others are compliance Consulting Services, training Programs and letter of Attestation Services.
Who are Ascend Cyber's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Optiv Security and BSI (British Standards Institution). Direct peers are A-LIGN, Schellman Compliance, Coalfire, BAI Infosec, Pivot Point Security and Redspin (a division of Kroll). AOS Cybersecurity is listed as an emerging player. Cyber AB is listed as an others.
Does Ascend Cyber have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ascend Cyber.
What industry is Ascend Cyber in?
Ascend Cyber's product category is Cybersecurity Compliance Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDADAIAJ, Security Awareness, Training & Compliance Attestation, with a secondary code of BPAKAOAO, Cybersecurity Awareness & Digital Safety Training for Security Personnel. Its NAICS code is 5415.