How PMC Transformed Security into Competitive Advantage

When Pyramid Model Consortium acquired a custom-built data platform to expand their educational intervention services, they inherited more than just software—they inherited a barrier to growth.

PMC's Pyramid Information Data System (PIDS) helps thousands of educators, coaches, and state agencies make data-driven decisions about early childhood behavioral interventions. Their tools—from the Teaching Pyramid Observation Tool to Behavior Incident Report Systems—process sensitive student behavioral data across entire state education systems. But post-acquisition, PMC discovered a gap.

"We acquired a custom-built application without comprehensive documentation or insight into the security architecture that supported it," explains PMC's leadership team. "Our concern was not just about potential technical weaknesses, but about the inability to provide our customers and partners with verifiable assurances that their data was being handled in a secure and compliant manner."

The Real Cost of Undocumented Security

For an organization trusted by state education departments to handle behavioral intervention data for vulnerable children, security isn't just IT—it's part of the mission. Three immediate impacts emerged:

• Stalled Expansion - Large deals sat in procurement limbo for months awaiting security documentation
• Extended Sales Cycles - What typically closed in 90 days stretched to 180+ days as prospects' security teams asked questions PMC couldn't answer
• Market Limitations - State contracts remained off-limits without compliance verification

The acquisition that was meant to accelerate growth had become an anchor.

A Security Modernization Journey

"We anticipated a standard penetration test—but what we received went far beyond that. Noah and the Adversis team became trusted advisors, bridging a critical knowledge gap in our organization. Their hands-on guidance through CIS v8 and GDPR alignment was instrumental. What would have taken us years to accomplish internally was achieved in months through their structured, transparent, and supportive approach. The engagement wasn't just tactical—it was transformational."

Over four months, PMC, Adversis, and its technology partners systematically addressed every gap:

• Conducted comprehensive web application penetration testing across PIDS modules
• Worked directly with PMC's software vendor to implement secure coding practices and remediate vulnerabilities
• Mapped undocumented systems against CIS v8 controls
• Validated GDPR compliance for international education partners
• Laid groundwork for SOC 2 readiness for enterprise contracts
• Created security documentation that accelerates rather than impedes sales

The technical assessment revealed opportunities beyond just finding vulnerabilities. Adversis collaborated with PMC's development team and vendors to strengthen authentication mechanisms, implement improved API security controls, and establish ongoing application security practices that prevented issues from recurring.

"There was no resistance—only readiness. Our team understood the importance of evolving our security capabilities and was fully committed to the process. Adversis supported that momentum by delivering clear guidance, adapting to our timelines, and respecting our organizational context."

Measurable Business Impact

"Before partnering with Adversis, we lacked the internal capacity to fully evaluate or validate our system's security controls. Today, we can confidently state that our custom application aligns with industry best practices and cybersecurity frameworks. That transformation has positioned us to respond to RFPs and compliance requests with evidence-based documentation."

The results speak to both risk reduction and revenue acceleration.

• Unlocked Revenue -Stalled deals closed sooner
• Sales Velocity - Security reviews that took months now complete in days or weeks
• Competitive Differentiation - First behavioral intervention platform in their market with validated cyber compliance alignment

"Compliance maturity has been a game changer. With validated alignment to CIS Controls and GDPR principles, we're now equipped to meet the stringent security expectations of state agencies and national partners. These capabilities have unlocked new contracts and long-term engagements we would have been ineligible for previously."

Beyond Compliance and Building Trust

For PMC, the transformation meant more than checking boxes. When educational institutions entrust you with behavioral data about their most vulnerable students, security becomes inseparable from mission.

"More importantly, we now have the internal confidence and external proof that our platform protects the integrity, privacy, and safety of the data it manages."

Today, PMC's security posture actively supports their mission to improve educational outcomes. State leadership teams can confidently deploy PIDS knowing it meets the same standards they expect from their own systems. Early intervention programs can focus on helping children rather than worrying about data protection.

The Path Forward

PMC's journey from undocumented acquisition to security-mature organization offers lessons for any growing company inheriting technical debt.

• Security gaps compound - What starts as missing documentation becomes lost revenue
• Evolution is possible - With the right partner, years of work compresses into months
• Security enables mission - Proper controls don't just reduce risk, they accelerate growth

"Their flexibility helped us remain agile and responsive to the diverse needs of our customers while strengthening our security foundation."

For organizations facing similar challenges, whether through acquisition, rapid growth, or market evolution, PMC's experience demonstrates that security transformation isn't just possible, it's profitable.

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