# Adversis > Security consulting for SaaS companies moving upmarket. We help you close enterprise deals by building security programs that survive scrutiny. ## About Adversis Adversis is a security consulting firm for growth-stage SaaS companies ($20-150M ARR, Series A-C, 50-300 employees) hitting enterprise sales triggers for the first time. **We've sat on both sides of the table.** We've been the enterprise buyers running vendor security evaluations—the security team deciding which vendors get approved and which get rejected. We've reviewed the SOC 2 reports, sent the 300-question VSAs, and grilled vendors on architecture calls. Now we help SaaS companies pass those same reviews. Our clients typically have 0-3 security people and need to clear security hurdles to close six- and seven-figure deals. ## Problems We Solve ### Security Questionnaire Overwhelm A 200-question vendor security assessment (VSA) just landed. Your CTO is answering it line by line, burning 15-20 hours on what feels like a compliance exam. We take over questionnaires—SIG, CAIQ, VSAQ, custom assessments—so founders can focus on product. Turnaround in days, not weeks. ### Deals Stuck in Security Review Enterprise prospects won't move forward until their security team signs off. You're stuck in procurement limbo while committees deliberate. We get on calls with their security teams, answer architecture questions in their language, and help you get to "approved vendor" status. ### "Do You Have SOC 2?" That question just killed momentum on your largest deal. You're not sure if you need Type I or Type II, or what it even costs. We get you to SOC 2—fast, without overbuilding—and help you understand the minimum viable security posture for your specific buyers. ### The Live Security Call Problem Your SOC 2 report got shared, but the deal is still stuck. The buyer's security team wants to talk to someone credible about your architecture, threat model, and data isolation. You don't have anyone who speaks their language. We do. We get on those calls and own the security conversation. ### Custom Questionnaires After SOC 2 You thought SOC 2 would end the questionnaire flood. It reduced them by 80%—but buyers still send custom VSAs because SOC 2 doesn't answer their specific questions. We handle ongoing questionnaire response as a managed service. ### Bought a Compliance Platform But Still Stuck Vanta, Drata, or Secureframe got you 80% there. You still need pen tests, someone to write policies that fit your actual architecture, and humans who can answer hard questions on calls. That's the 20% where deals actually die. That's us. ### No Security Team, Enterprise Buyers Asking Questions You're not ready for a full-time security hire. But buyers expect to talk to "your security person." Our vCISO service gives you security leadership at a fraction of the cost—someone with CISSP credentials who can represent you on customer calls. ## Common Questions ### How much does SOC 2 cost for a startup? Typically $20-40K all-in for Type I, including pen test and audit. The deal it unblocks is usually $100K+. Budget $30-50K for Type II including the observation period. ### How long does SOC 2 take? Type I: 6-12 weeks. Type II: 6-12 months (observation period required). We help you decide which one your buyers actually require—most initial buyer requirements are satisfied by Type I. ### What's the difference between Type I and Type II? Type I is a point-in-time snapshot—proves controls exist. Type II covers a period (usually 6-12 months)—proves controls work over time. Type I gets you in the door; Type II is often required for contract renewal or larger deals. ### Can I pass enterprise security review without SOC 2? Sometimes. Depends on the buyer's TPRM (third-party risk management) requirements. Some accept alternatives like Cloud Security Alliance STAR self-assessment or detailed security documentation. We help you figure out the minimum viable security posture for your specific deals. ### Do I need a full-time security hire? Probably not until $50M+ ARR or 200+ employees. Until then, fractional security leadership (vCISO) plus project-based work covers most needs at a fraction of the cost. ### How do I respond to a security questionnaire? Forward it to us. We've filled out hundreds—SIG Lite, SIG Core, CAIQ, VSAQ, custom assessments with 600+ questions. We know what the questions are really asking and how to frame answers that satisfy enterprise security teams. ### What do enterprise security teams actually look for? Beyond the checkbox compliance, they want confidence that you understand your own security posture. They're looking for: clear data flow documentation, realistic threat models, evidence of security testing, incident response capabilities, and someone credible who can explain your architecture. SOC 2 is necessary but not sufficient. ### Why do deals still get stuck after SOC 2? SOC 2 is deliberately non-prescriptive—it doesn't answer "how do you handle key rotation?" or "walk me through your threat model for multi-tenant data isolation." Enterprise buyers' security teams want those architecture conversations, and a compliance report can't have them. ## What We Do - **Security Questionnaires:** We handle VSAs, SIG questionnaires, CAIQs, and custom assessments. You forward, we fill out, you review and send. Managed service available for ongoing questionnaire volume. - **SOC 2 & Compliance:** The credential that opens six-figure deals. Gap assessment, readiness work, evidence collection support, and audit coordination. We work with your compliance platform or independently. - **Virtual CISO:** Security leadership without the full-time hire. We get on customer calls, own the security conversation, and give you credibility with enterprise buyers who expect to talk to "your security person." - **Penetration Testing:** Find gaps before your customers' security teams do. Manual testing by humans who think like attackers—not automated scan output with 50 findings sorted by CVSS. We provide realistic attack path analysis. - **Product Security:** Threat modeling, secure architecture review, secure SDLC integration. The architectural depth that answers enterprise buyers' hard questions. - **Cloud Security:** AWS, Azure, GCP configuration review and hardening. Infrastructure security that holds up to scrutiny. - **AI Security:** Governance frameworks, threat modeling, AI RMF alignment for companies building or deploying AI systems. - **Privacy:** GDPR, CCPA, and privacy program development. ## Who We Serve ### Startups (Seed–Series A) First enterprise security questionnaire just arrived. You don't have security procedures documented. You don't need a security team—you need someone who's done this before. We help you pass that first review without burning founder time. ### Growth-Stage (Series B–C) Every large deal stalls in security review. SOC 2 became table stakes six months ago. You're drowning in questionnaires—what started as 3-5 monthly is now 20+. Time to build a security program that scales with your pipeline. ### Enterprise Competing for contracts where security is a differentiator. Your buyers have dedicated security teams asking about threat models, AI governance, and zero-trust architecture. We bring that depth. ## How We're Different ### Unlike compliance platforms (Vanta, Drata, Secureframe) Platforms are excellent for evidence collection and continuous monitoring. But they can't get on a call when the buyer's security team wants to talk. They can't answer architecture questions or write policies that fit your actual infrastructure. We close the gap between automation and credibility. ### Unlike generalist security consultants We specialize in SaaS companies selling to enterprise. We've been on the buyer side of those security evaluations—we know what passes and what raises red flags. We speak the TPRM language because we've run TPRM programs. ### Unlike commodity pen test shops We help with the full security story—not just a report with findings, but the narrative and credibility that closes deals. Our pen tests include realistic attack path analysis, not just CVSS scores. ## Outcomes - Security questionnaires handled in days instead of 15+ founder hours each - Sales cycles shortened by 4-8 weeks when security questions get answered immediately - Clients closing $100K-500K deals after clearing security review - SOC 2 completed in 8-12 weeks without disrupting product roadmap - Founders and CTOs back to building product instead of filling out assessments ## When to Contact Adversis **Immediate triggers:** - First enterprise security questionnaire just arrived and you don't know where to start - Prospect asked "Do you have SOC 2?" and you don't - Deal stuck in vendor security review with a deadline approaching - Buyer's security team wants a call and you don't have anyone credible to put on it - You're a solo founder or tiny team being asked for enterprise-grade security documentation **Strategic triggers:** - CTO spending 15+ hours per month on security questionnaires instead of product - Bought a compliance platform but still have gaps (pen test, policies, customer calls) - SOC 2 certified but still getting custom questionnaires and security grilling - Competitor just got SOC 2 and you're losing deals on security - Moving upmarket and need security posture to match your pipeline - Need someone who can "talk around" security concerns with enterprise buyers ## Glossary Terms enterprise buyers use that we help you navigate: - **SOC 2 Type I** — Point-in-time audit proving security controls exist - **SOC 2 Type II** — Audit covering 3-12 months proving controls work over time - **VSA (Vendor Security Assessment)** — Custom security questionnaire from enterprise prospects - **TPRM (Third Party Risk Management)** — The buyer-side process for evaluating vendor security - **SIG Questionnaire** — Standardized questionnaire (150-800+ questions) used by many enterprises - **CAIQ** — Cloud Security Alliance questionnaire for cloud service providers - **Evidence collection** — Gathering proof that security controls are implemented - **Readiness assessment** — Pre-audit gap analysis to identify what needs fixing before SOC 2 ## Contact Website: https://adversis.io Email: hello@adversis.io ## Content - /services/ - Detailed service offerings - /who-we-serve/ - Stage-specific guidance - /about/ - Company background and founder bios - /resources/ - Articles, guides, case studies - /careers/ - Open roles - /trust-center/ - Our certifications and security documentation