RealCISO vs. Apthenal

RealCISO is a compliance intelligence platform for two audiences: MSPs and MSSPs managing security across multiple clients, and enterprise teams running compliance in-house. It gives MSPs, MSSPs, consultants, and in-house security teams a single place to run compliance assessments, manage risk, track remediation, and demonstrate security posture to boards and auditors — without the spreadsheet chaos. Built on NIST CSF and mapped to 30+ frameworks including SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, and CMMC, RealCISO turns assessment data into action. Over 3,000 security providers use it to deliver vCISO services at scale. Founded by Brian Haugli — former DoD, former VP & CSO at The Hanover Insurance Group, and co-author of the NIST CSF book published by Wiley — RealCISO was built by practitioners who ran these programs manually and knew there had to be a better way.

Apthenal presents unique insights into risk for those looking to acquire, assess, or sell companies and their subsidiaries. The firm supports clients throughout the entire lifecycle of these transactions, managing the technological implications, integration processes, and strategies for either incorporating or removing these entities from your investment strategy. Recognizing that each role within an organization comes with its own set of challenges—including targeted phishing attacks, data management complexities, and distinct platform training needs—Apthenal tailors its training programs accordingly. By offering specialized training that addresses the specific hurdles faced by various business units, the company ensures that all employees are well-prepared to thrive in their respective roles. Moreover, this alignment of training with the overall goals of the organization significantly boosts workforce readiness in an ever-evolving business environment. Consequently, Apthenal not only contributes to individual growth but also fosters a more resilient and adaptable organizational culture.