Frequently Asked Questions

Not if you're raising money or pursuing enterprise customers. Investors look for basic security practices (secure development process, vulnerability management, documentation). Enterprise customers won't sign contracts without security questionnaires answered.

The best time to start is before these become blockers. I can help you set up the minimum viable security program so you're ready when these conversations happen.

Yes. I've launched and managed 100kloc bug bounty programs worth over $1M on ImmuneFi. This includes triage, researcher communication, and remediation tracking. You get a program that attracts quality researchers and filters out noise.

A security engineer focuses on implementation. I focus on strategy and leadership. I can help you answer what to build, when, and why. I also handle stakeholder communication (investors, auditors, customers) that engineers shouldn't have to manage.

Think of it as fractional CISO vs. fractional engineer. For most startups under 50 people, you need strategy first and execution second. For busy teams, I can provide implementation, and transfer ownership later.

Most enterprise customers want to see:

• Basic security documentation (policies, incident response plan)
• Vulnerability management process
• Some form of security testing in your development process
• Someone they can talk to about security (that's me)

For fintech specifically, add SOC 2 Type 1 or willingness to pursue it. I can help you build this foundation.

Yes. Traditional fintech needs SOC 2, PCI-DSS, and regulatory compliance. Crypto needs smart contract security, custody controls, and DeFi risk modeling. Many companies span both worlds (crypto payments, tokenized assets, etc.).

I've built security programs for both and understand where the requirements overlap and differ.

I coordinate the audit process, work with external audit firms, and help your team understand and remediate findings. For deep smart contract review, I work with specialized audit firms while ensuring your team learns from the process.

I also help you prepare for audits (documentation, test coverage, known issues list) so you get more value from the engagement.

The earlier security comes into the process, the more speed it enables. I build automated security testing into your CI/CD pipeline so developers get fast feedback. I also prioritize the controls and documentation that investors and customers actually look for, so you're not wasting time on low-impact work.

Security done right is a guardrail, not a roadblock.

Yes. I work with startups across the US and internationally. I can also work from your office.