Fractional Executives. Engineered to Execute.

Fractional CIO and CISO Leadership for Companies at Inflection Points

Security and technology just became deal-critical. I embed as your fractional CIO or CISO to build what you need, without the $250K-$400K hire.

Proof: 2,000+ clients protected. 8 M&A security integrations. 25+ critical incidents as incident commander.

Get The Operator’s Take Find Your Situation
Rick Passero, Guardantix founder and fractional CIO/CISO

Guardantix is a fractional executive services firm founded by Rick Passero, CISSP, CCSP, SSCP providing fractional CIO and fractional CISO leadership to founder-led and PE-backed companies with $3M-$75M in revenue. Rick has protected 2,000+ clients across healthcare, financial services, and professional services, and served as CISO and CIO of a PE-backed MSP. Guardantix serves companies at inflection points: scaling past founder dependency, preparing for transaction, entering regulated markets, post-acquisition integration, and responding to external pressure.

Which Inflection Point Are You Facing?

Your situation determines everything. Click the one that sounds familiar.

Scaling Past Founder Dependency

You’re the bottleneck. Every security and technology decision waits on you. What worked at $3M is breaking at $10M. The longer you wait, the harder the fix.

This is me – show me more

Preparing for Transaction

Diligence will expose every gap you haven’t fixed. Security and technology gaps kill deals or crater valuations. The clock is already running.

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Entering Enterprise or Regulated Markets

Security questionnaires are blocking deals. SOC 2, HIPAA, or enterprise requirements you’ve never faced are suddenly mandatory. Every lost deal is revenue you can’t get back.

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Post-Acquisition Integration

You’ve acquired. Now you need to unify systems, teams, and processes before the landmines detonate. Complexity compounds daily.

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Responding to External Pressure

Someone is asking questions you can’t answer confidently. Cyber insurance, audit findings, regulatory inquiry, or a recent incident. Someone is already asking questions.

This is me – show me more

“One of the most capable and inspiring security leaders I’ve worked with. Rick brought deep technical expertise, strategic foresight, and a take-charge attitude that elevated every aspect of our security operations. His knowledge of cybersecurity frameworks, risk management, and MSP dynamics is unmatched.”

Juan Bernardo, VP Information Technology, TEG Federal Credit Union

An Operator, Not a Consultant

I run security programs. I don’t just advise on them.

Most fractional executives hand you recommendations and walk away. I embed with your team, build the security infrastructure, run the programs, and own the outcomes. I’ve protected 2,000+ clients, integrated security for 8 acquisitions, and served as incident commander for 25+ critical incidents.

You get someone who’s run these programs, not someone who’s advised on them.

Meet Rick Passero See How I Work
Business professionals reviewing financial reports during strategic planning session

“What has always stood out to me about Rick is his instinct to think several steps ahead. He worries about the things most people don’t even realize they should be thinking about, which is exactly what makes him such an exceptional cybersecurity and IT leader.”

Jay Krupp, SVP Account Management Services, Miva, Inc.

The Guardantix Service Framework

Five offers. One systematic approach to building what you need.

The Operator’s Take

Orient
Free

30-Day Executive Impact

Diagnose
$6,500-$8,500

Embedded Executive

Build
$10,000-$14,000/mo

Strategy Partner

Optimize
$5,000-$7,000/mo

Executive Advisor

Advise
$2,500-$4,000/mo

Explore the Framework See All Services

Industry Fluency, Situation Expertise

I work across industries, unified by the situations that bring clients to me.

MSPs & MSSPs

I held the CIO/CISO seat at a PE-backed MSP. Built a $5M security practice, integrated security for 8 acquisitions. I know what keeps you up at night.

Healthcare Providers & Business Associates

HIPAA compliance, incident response, and security leadership for healthcare providers and business associates navigating regulatory scrutiny and growth.

PE & Portfolio Companies

M&A diligence, portfolio oversight, and post-acquisition integration. I know what PE firms expect from portfolio security because I’ve been on the receiving end of diligence and board scrutiny.

Professional Services

Law firms, CPAs, advisory practices facing client security requirements and compliance pressures. Enterprise sales enablement.

Frequently Asked Questions

$5,000-$14,000 per month is the typical fractional CISO cost, compared to $250K-$400K annually for a full-time hire. Guardantix offers three retainer levels: Executive Advisor ($2,500-$4,000/month), Strategy Partner ($5,000-$7,000/month), and Embedded Executive ($10,000-$14,000/month). Most clients start with a 30-Day Executive Impact diagnostic at $6,500-$8,500.

You likely need a full-time CISO if you have 500+ employees, a dedicated security team, or regulatory requirements mandating a named security officer. You’re a fit for fractional if you’re $3M-$75M revenue, at an inflection point, and need executive leadership without the full-time cost.

Embedded Executive engagements have a 6-month minimum to build and stabilize security programs. Many clients continue 12-18 months, then step down to Strategy Partner or Executive Advisor for ongoing counsel.

The terms are often used interchangeably. At Guardantix, I use “fractional” to emphasize embedded leadership and accountability, not just virtual advisory. A vCISO who only advises isn’t a fractional executive – they’re a consultant.

Consultants typically deliver recommendations and reports, then hand them off for you to implement. An operator embeds with your team, builds the systems, runs the programs, and owns the outcomes.

Yes. I’ve built SOC 2 programs and helped companies pass audits. A fractional CISO can design controls, prepare evidence, manage auditor relationships, and remediate findings.

Rick Passero is the founder and CEO of Guardantix with 20+ years of cybersecurity and technology leadership experience. Most recently, he served as CISO and CIO of a PE-backed managed services provider where he protected 2,000+ clients, integrated security for eight acquisitions, and served as incident commander for 25+ critical security incidents.

Ready to Talk?

The Operator’s Take is a complimentary 20-30 minute conversation. No pitch, no obligation. Just a senior operator’s perspective on whether your structure is aligned with where you’re headed.

Get The Operator’s Take

No contracts. No pitch. No obligation. Just perspective.