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Is a major corporate client or prospective buyer blocking your B2B sales contract until you show proof of compliance? Don't let rigid frameworks stall your time-to-revenue. As a certified ISO 27001 Lead Auditor and credentialed PCI Professional (PCIP) with a professional background deep inside institutional banking operations, I bridge the gap between abstract security regulations and your business growth. I specialize in streamlining audit readiness, minimizing compliance scope, and helping fast-growing startups unblock stalled revenue lines to win enterprise contracts. By moving past generic compliance checklists, I focus on practical, business-oriented recommendations that align your security posture with corporate governance standards. Specialized GRC Services: ISO 27001:2022 Implementation & Gap Analysis PCI DSS Scope Reduction & SAQ Guidance NIST CSF Security Risk Assessments Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM) & Vendor Reviews Enterprise Security Questionnaire Responses Fractional vCISO Advisory Client Deliverables Include: Executive Summary & Maturity Board Presentations Detailed Gap Assessment Matrix (Excel Frameworks) Corporate Risk Register & Statement of Applicability (SoA) Prioritized Technical Remediation Roadmaps Customized Security Policies & Standards Documentation Whether you need to pass an immediate ISO 27001 audit, resolve an urgent payment processor compliance notice, or hand off complex customer security questionnaires so your sales team can focus on closing deals, I provide the strategic oversight you need. Ready to unblock your pipeline? Click the "Book a Consultation" button on the right to schedule a focused 30-minute alignment session to review your current framework requirements and outline your remediation timeline.

I help organizations achieve audit-ready compliance across SOC 2, ISO 27001, NIST SP 800-171, HIPAA, and other security frameworks, with a structured, practical, and results-driven approach. As a Cybersecurity & GRC Consultant, I specialize in designing and implementing complete compliance programs from the ground up, including control mapping, policy development, risk assessments, and audit preparation. I don’t just deliver documentation, I ensure your controls are properly implemented, your evidence is aligned, and your environment is ready to withstand real audits. Recently, I led a full NIST SP 800-171 compliance engagement, developing the SSP and POA&M, supporting control implementation, and bringing the organization to an SPRS score of 110. My expertise covers: • SOC 2 (Type I & II readiness) • ISO 27001 implementation & documentation • NIST SP 800-171 / CMMC compliance • HIPAA security rule alignment • Risk assessments and control frameworks • Policy and procedure development • Audit readiness and evidence preparation What sets my approach apart: • Framework-agnostic methodology (I adapt to your compliance needs) • Practical, implementation-focused guidance (not just theory) • Clear, structured, and audit-ready deliverables If you need to build, fix, or scale your compliance program, I can help you get there efficiently and correctly.

I help startups, small businesses, and growing organizations strengthen IT controls, reduce security risks, and prepare confidently for audits without unnecessary complexity or wasted effort. I bring hands-on experience performing IT risk assessments, control testing, and security reviews across enterprise and regulated environments. My approach is practical and business-focused, not theoretical, ensuring recommendations are realistic, actionable, and aligned with your organization’s size and risk profile. What I Can Help You With ✅ IT General Controls (ITGC) Review & Testing Access controls (user provisioning, terminations, privileged access) Change management controls IT operations & backup controls ✅ SOC / CSAE 3416 / SOX Readiness Support Pre-audit gap assessments Control documentation and walkthroughs Evidence preparation and remediation guidance ✅ IT Risk & Security Assessments Identification of key IT risks Control design and operating effectiveness reviews Risk-based recommendations aligned with business objectives ✅ Vendor & Third-Party IT Risk Reviews Security and control assessments for vendors and service providers Documentation review and risk reporting

With an MBA in Finance and over 10 years of professional experience, I have developed expertise in Risk Management, Fraud Investigation, Project Management, Internal Audit, Compliance Testing, Corporate Banking, and Operations. I have successfully led teams and provided strategic direction to achieve organizational objectives. My experience includes proficiency in utilizing various tools and programming languages such as SQL, Big Data Hadoop, Hive, VBA, Tableau, Advanced Excel, and several Business Intelligence (BI) tools. Additionally, I am a certified Trifacta Wrangler professional, having achieved a score of 94% on the certification exam.

As a Chartered IT Professional, I bring over 15 years of global experience delivering strategic advisory and implementation services across cybersecurity, GRC, and digital transformation. I hold certifications including EC-Council C|CISO, CISSA, ISO 27001 Lead Implementer & Auditor, and Google Cybersecurity Certificate, complemented by advanced credentials in identity management, privacy, and data protection. My track record spans management roles with global firms like KPMG and Grant Thornton, and project delivery for clients such as HouseCall MD, Syntervision, Loggi, and DNX VC. I specialize in ISO 27001, SOC 2, C5, ENS, HDS, NIS2, NIST, FedRAMP and cloud security frameworks, delivering actionable insights and compliance solutions that improve resilience, reduce risk, and drive operational excellence. In addition to my technical acumen, I have served as Head of Product Design and Senior Consultant on initiatives totaling over $1M in budget, successfully aligning cybersecurity with product strategy and user-centric design. I have led cross-functional teams through Agile and Scrum methodologies to build secure, scalable solutions that solve complex customer pain points. My deep consulting background includes strategic market research, data analytics, investment due diligence, and process improvement across sectors such as healthcare, life sciences, TMT, logistics, and public sector projects funded by ADB, WHO, and UNESCO. I bring a unique blend of strategic consulting expertise and hands-on technical project execution, making me a reliable partner for clients seeking impactful, results-driven solutions in compliance, digital transformation, and operational excellence. Key Achievements: ✅ Successfully led 8 companies through the SOC 2 Type 2 attestation process, meeting stringent requirements and passing all audits in the first attempt. This achievement significantly enhanced their reputation for data privacy and security. ✅ Guided 4 clients through the rigorous process of achieving ISO 27001 and NIS2 Directive Certificate, ensuring that all security controls and management processes were robust, auditable, and internationally recognized. ✅ Guided 2 clients through HDS and C5 certifications, ensuring that their security posture was aligned with the requirements of both compliance frameworks. ✅ Reduced the costs of IT infrastructure maintenance by 5% for 3 consulted clients ✅ Analyzed business conditions, market/industry trends, competitive influences and demographic factors to identify opportunities of business growth for 5 consulted clients ✅ Created advanced analytics for both internal and marketing use using Tableau, SQL and other BI tools for 4 consulted clients ✅ Managed $400 million donor funded projects as PMO and Project Lead ✅ Performed business process re-engineering for 3 consulted clients ✅ Consulted as lead revenue data analyst on a team responsible for collecting $60M receivables ✅ Repeatedly delivered cost reductions through the implementation of Lean principles, improved scheduling via resource loads and volume analysis ✅ Evaluated and increased operational effectiveness of organizations through the implementation of Continuous Improvement methods and Training/Coaching programs ✅ Identified opportunities within the client organization for improving productivity and operational efficiencies by installing a system by which the client can measure and realize improvement ✅ Analyzed existing processes and applied methodologies to eliminate wasted resources and time for 3 consulted clients

With over 20 years of cross-functional experience, I bridge the gap between complex technical security requirements and high-level business objectives. I don’t just help you "pass the audit" - I build scalable, resilient frameworks that streamline operations and foster trust with your enterprise clients. ​My expertise lies in navigating the intricate requirements of SOC-2 (Type 1 & 2), ISO 27001, and HIPAA, specifically for high-growth SaaS, Healthcare, and IT Manufacturing firms. Whether you are expanding across North America or the Middle East, I ensure your infrastructure is secure, compliant, and optimized for growth. ​Core Competencies: - ​ISMS & Compliance: End-to-end implementation of SOC-2, ISO 27001, and HIPAA. ​- Business Process Engineering: Developing SOPs that eliminate bottlenecks and improve accountability. ​- Project Leadership: Managing ERP implementations, 3PL network establishment, and IT network design. ​- Global Expansion: Strategic consulting for organizations scaling in United States, Canada or Middle Eastern markets. ​- Stakeholder Training: Empowering teams through process assessment and continuous improvement coaching. **My Testimonials: Alex C. "Fahad is a powerhouse within our organization, an incredibly supportive collaborator who is always ready to lend a hand to multiple teams throughout the world. And for a long time has been a totally indispensable subject matter expert when it comes to all things IELTS- and technology-related. He is known as "the Guru" on multiple continents for good reason!" Taha I. "Fahad displays commendable loyalty towards his work. He is effective and quick in tasks allocated. Through my experience with him he has shown a high level of integrity in dealing with his clients and candidates. Truly a very important resource for any company." Faisal R. "Passionate, time management, leadership are some of the dominant qualities of Muhammad Fahad. I really had a great opportunity of working with a professional like you and had the opportunity to work with you and share experience. I would recommend you for any organization who would like to progress in Logistics, Procurement, administration and human resource. A True Team player."