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CIS Framework man helping save people

Why Smart Firms Build Toward Cybersecurity Standards—Before They Have To

August 06, 20253 min read

Let’s talk about compliance.
Not the binders. Not the technical jargon. Not the fire drills.

Let’s talk about the bigger picture—running a professional firm that’s efficient, protected, and ready for whatever comes next.

Whether you're in accounting, legal, or healthcare, regulations are tightening fast. Cyber insurers are asking tougher questions. Clients want proof of security. And compliance frameworks like HIPAA, GLBA, and CMMC are starting to show up on checklists and contracts.

But here’s the good news:
You don’t need to wait for a mandate to start doing the right things.

In fact, the smartest firms are already getting ahead—by aligning with proven cybersecurity frameworks like:

  • CIS Controls v8.1

  • NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) 2.0

These aren’t just for giant enterprises. They’re built to help your kind of firm—especially if you work with sensitive client data and don’t have a full-time IT department.


Why It Pays to Start Now

Getting ahead of compliance doesn’t just reduce risk—it makes life easier for everyone.

When you follow a standard like CIS or NIST, you gain:

More resilient systems – Stronger controls, fewer surprises
Clearer priorities – No more guesswork around what “good security” looks like
Faster response – If something goes wrong, your playbook’s already written
Audit readiness – Clients, insurers, and regulators get what they need—without scrambling

And here’s a stat worth knowing:

Completing CIS 8.1 Level 2 gets you more than 50% of the way to CMMC Level 2.

Even if you're not required to meet CMMC, it shows how starting with a practical framework today sets you up for future needs—without starting from scratch.


Meet CIS Framework Man (a.k.a. Big Water Tech)

Now, we get it—frameworks sound like something your IT person should handle. But if you’re the owner or managing partner, you’re the one signing off on risk.

That’s where we come in.

You could think of us as your CIS Framework Man—just without the cape.

🦸‍♂️ We help firms like yours align to smart, scalable cybersecurity practices
💬 We speak business, not buzzwords
📋 We map controls to real operations—not ideal-world theory
⚙️ And we make it manageable—one step at a time

We’re not here to sell you a bunch of tech. We’re here to give you control over your risk, your compliance posture, and your long-term IT strategy.


Who This Is For

You don’t need a CIO or a compliance officer to start this.
If you check any of these boxes, it’s time to move:

  • You manage sensitive client data

  • You’re renewing cyber liability insurance

  • You’ve had a close call (or an actual scare)

  • Your clients are asking security questions you’re not sure how to answer

Sound familiar? You’re not alone.

We work with firms just like yours—10 to 50 people, 1 to 5 locations, often with a trusted in-house IT resource but no strategic IT lead.

That’s where Big Water Tech fills the gap.


Start Small. Stay Ahead.

You don’t need to overhaul everything tomorrow. But starting with the right framework now saves time, stress, and money down the road.

Let us help you map it out.
No cape required.


Ready to build your foundation?

Let’s talk about where you are—and where you want to go.
We’ll help you keep it simple and move with confidence.

#Compliance#CIS81#BigWaterTech#SmarterBusiness#KeepITSimple
John Lowery is the CEO of BigWater Technologies, where he leads with a passion for innovation and excellence in delivering advanced IT solutions. With over two decades of experience in the tech industry, John specializes in strategic planning, operational efficiency, and driving customer success.

John Lowery

John Lowery is the CEO of BigWater Technologies, where he leads with a passion for innovation and excellence in delivering advanced IT solutions. With over two decades of experience in the tech industry, John specializes in strategic planning, operational efficiency, and driving customer success.

Back to Blog

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Featured Posts

CIS Framework man helping save people

Why Smart Firms Build Toward Cybersecurity Standards—Before They Have To

August 06, 20253 min read

Let’s talk about compliance.
Not the binders. Not the technical jargon. Not the fire drills.

Let’s talk about the bigger picture—running a professional firm that’s efficient, protected, and ready for whatever comes next.

Whether you're in accounting, legal, or healthcare, regulations are tightening fast. Cyber insurers are asking tougher questions. Clients want proof of security. And compliance frameworks like HIPAA, GLBA, and CMMC are starting to show up on checklists and contracts.

But here’s the good news:
You don’t need to wait for a mandate to start doing the right things.

In fact, the smartest firms are already getting ahead—by aligning with proven cybersecurity frameworks like:

  • CIS Controls v8.1

  • NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) 2.0

These aren’t just for giant enterprises. They’re built to help your kind of firm—especially if you work with sensitive client data and don’t have a full-time IT department.


Why It Pays to Start Now

Getting ahead of compliance doesn’t just reduce risk—it makes life easier for everyone.

When you follow a standard like CIS or NIST, you gain:

More resilient systems – Stronger controls, fewer surprises
Clearer priorities – No more guesswork around what “good security” looks like
Faster response – If something goes wrong, your playbook’s already written
Audit readiness – Clients, insurers, and regulators get what they need—without scrambling

And here’s a stat worth knowing:

Completing CIS 8.1 Level 2 gets you more than 50% of the way to CMMC Level 2.

Even if you're not required to meet CMMC, it shows how starting with a practical framework today sets you up for future needs—without starting from scratch.


Meet CIS Framework Man (a.k.a. Big Water Tech)

Now, we get it—frameworks sound like something your IT person should handle. But if you’re the owner or managing partner, you’re the one signing off on risk.

That’s where we come in.

You could think of us as your CIS Framework Man—just without the cape.

🦸‍♂️ We help firms like yours align to smart, scalable cybersecurity practices
💬 We speak business, not buzzwords
📋 We map controls to real operations—not ideal-world theory
⚙️ And we make it manageable—one step at a time

We’re not here to sell you a bunch of tech. We’re here to give you control over your risk, your compliance posture, and your long-term IT strategy.


Who This Is For

You don’t need a CIO or a compliance officer to start this.
If you check any of these boxes, it’s time to move:

  • You manage sensitive client data

  • You’re renewing cyber liability insurance

  • You’ve had a close call (or an actual scare)

  • Your clients are asking security questions you’re not sure how to answer

Sound familiar? You’re not alone.

We work with firms just like yours—10 to 50 people, 1 to 5 locations, often with a trusted in-house IT resource but no strategic IT lead.

That’s where Big Water Tech fills the gap.


Start Small. Stay Ahead.

You don’t need to overhaul everything tomorrow. But starting with the right framework now saves time, stress, and money down the road.

Let us help you map it out.
No cape required.


Ready to build your foundation?

Let’s talk about where you are—and where you want to go.
We’ll help you keep it simple and move with confidence.

#Compliance#CIS81#BigWaterTech#SmarterBusiness#KeepITSimple
John Lowery is the CEO of BigWater Technologies, where he leads with a passion for innovation and excellence in delivering advanced IT solutions. With over two decades of experience in the tech industry, John specializes in strategic planning, operational efficiency, and driving customer success.

John Lowery

John Lowery is the CEO of BigWater Technologies, where he leads with a passion for innovation and excellence in delivering advanced IT solutions. With over two decades of experience in the tech industry, John specializes in strategic planning, operational efficiency, and driving customer success.

Back to Blog

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