AI Governance · vCISO · Privacy Advisory

You govern
what you
understand.

Axiom Sovereign delivers technology sovereignty leadership to mid-market professional services firms — AI governance, cybersecurity programs, and privacy compliance at a fraction of Big 4 cost.

Our Framework
Technology Sovereignty
AI Governance & Risk Management
NIST AI RMF and EU AI Act compliance programs built for professional services firms.
vCISO Services
Fractional Security Leadership
Board-ready CISO services on a fractional engagement — without the six-figure salary.
Privacy Advisory
Fractional DPO & Privacy Compliance
GDPR, CPRA, and multi-state privacy programs. IAPP triple-certified practitioner.
Emerging Technology
Post-Quantum Cryptography & Space Cyber
Forward-looking expertise in PQC migration and space systems cybersecurity governance.
Technology SovereigntyNIST AI RMFEU AI ActvCISO ServicesGDPR ComplianceSOC 2 ReadinessFractional DPOPost-Quantum CryptographyAI GovernanceCyber Insurance Technology SovereigntyNIST AI RMFEU AI ActvCISO ServicesGDPR ComplianceSOC 2 ReadinessFractional DPOPost-Quantum CryptographyAI GovernanceCyber Insurance
15+
Years GRC Experience
3
Integrated Service Lines
40+
Jurisdictions Covered
Practitioner Background — Organizations & Programs Served

17+ years of GRC delivery across federal agencies, Big 4, and enterprise technology organizations. This is the practitioner you're engaging.

The Challenge

Mid-market firms face enterprise-grade risk
with startup-grade security resources.

72%

of accounting and law firms have employees actively using AI tools — ChatGPT, Copilot, and others — without formal governance policies, approved vendor lists, or data protection controls.

Source: Estimated from industry surveys, 2025
$4.9M

average cost of a data breach in professional services — rising 15% year-over-year. A single AI governance failure, data exposure, or ransomware event can be existential for mid-market firms.

Source: IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report, 2024
$400+/hr

is what Big 4 firms charge for the security and AI governance advisory services that mid-market firms urgently need. Most CPA and law firms with 25–200 employees have no access to this expertise.

Big 4 consulting rates, partner-level advisory
0

full-time CISOs or privacy officers at the average 50-person professional services firm. Security and privacy leadership is absent — creating regulatory exposure, insurance issues, and client trust risk.

Typical mid-market professional services staffing reality
Practice Areas

Three disciplines.
One integrated practice.

01
⚔

Virtual CISO

Strategic cybersecurity leadership backed by hands-on execution. We don't hand you a report and leave — we build and operate your security program, configure controls, write policies, and sit in your board meetings. CISO-level outcomes at 10–15% of a full-time hire.

Security program build & operationPolicy authoring & implementationBoard & executive risk reportingCyber insurance optimizationIncident response plan build & drillVendor risk program implementation
02
🧠

AI Governance

We build your AI governance program from the ground up — not a slide deck, but a functioning system. That means drafting and deploying policies, configuring approved tool lists, implementing data handling controls, and operationalizing the Sovereign AI Framework™ inside your actual environment.

Sovereign AI Framework™ deploymentAI use policy authoring & rolloutVendor risk controls implementationNIST AI RMF operationalizationEU AI Act technical compliance buildStaff AI governance training delivery
03
🔒

Privacy Advisory

Fractional DPO services with real operational ownership. We execute your data mapping, build and manage your ROPA, respond to DSARs, configure privacy controls in your systems, and maintain your compliance posture across GDPR, CPRA, and the expanding US state privacy landscape — not just advise on it.

Fractional DPO designation & operationData mapping & ROPA buildDSAR intake & response executionPrivacy controls configurationCross-border transfer mechanism setupMulti-state privacy program implementation
04
📋

Compliance Framework Implementation

We implement compliance frameworks — hands on keyboard, not hands off. That means configuring your GRC platform, writing your SSPs and POAMs, building evidence libraries, remediating control gaps in your actual environment, and getting you to audit-ready status for NIST CSF 2.0, NIST SP 800-171, SOC 2, and ISO/IEC 27001.

GRC platform configuration & operationSSP, POAM & evidence library buildControl gap remediation executionNIST CSF 2.0 full implementationSOC 2 audit-ready program buildNIST SP 800-171 for CUI environments
05
☁

Cloud Security Architecture

We assess and harden your cloud environment directly — configuring IAM policies, enabling and tuning security services, remediating misconfigurations, and building monitoring and alerting pipelines in AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. You get a secure, documented architecture, not just a list of findings.

IAM policy build & hardeningCloud security service configurationMisconfiguration remediationSecurity monitoring & alerting buildData protection controls implementationCIS Benchmark & CSA CCM alignment
06
⚛

Emerging Technology Security

We execute your post-quantum cryptography migration — inventorying cryptographic assets, identifying harvest-now-decrypt-later exposure, and implementing NIST FIPS 203-205 aligned controls in your actual systems. For space and satellite operators, we build cybersecurity governance programs aligned to emerging space security standards — not theoretical frameworks, but operational programs.

Cryptographic asset inventory & assessmentPQC migration execution (FIPS 203-205)Harvest-now-decrypt-later risk remediationSpace cybersecurity program buildLong-lived data protection implementation

Why Axiom Sovereign outperforms your alternatives.

AI-native security tools scan code layers and flag CVEs. Big 4 firms deliver generic frameworks built for Fortune 500 problems. Neither is built for what mid-market professional services firms actually face.

Axiom Sovereign delivers the intersection of expert regulatory judgment, technology sovereignty strategy, and AI-augmented delivery — at economics designed for your budget.

Big 4 Alternatives
$400–600/hr partner rates
Junior staff deliver, partner supervises
Generic Fortune 500 frameworks
Slow to mobilize (weeks)
No mid-market specialization
Axiom Sovereign
$175–350/hr. Retainers from $3,500/mo
Senior practitioner, every engagement
Vertical-specific frameworks
Mobilize within 5 business days
Built for startups, SMBs, legal & accounting firms, medical groups & practitioners, and NGOs
Technology sovereignty isn't a regulatory concept — it's a strategic imperative. Organizations that cede control of their AI infrastructure to opaque foreign vendors are making geopolitical risk decisions without realizing it.
— Cory Missimore, CISSP, AIGP, CIPP/E, CIPP/US, CIPM
NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0
NIST AI Risk Management Framework
EU AI Act (2026 Enforcement)
GDPR / ePrivacy Directive
NIST SP 800-171 (CUI / CMMC)
ISO/IEC 27001:2022
AICPA SOC 2 Trust Services Criteria
NIST FIPS 203-205 (Post-Quantum)
Engagement Models

Fractional leadership
scaled to your organization.

GOVERNANCE ESSENTIALS
Starter
$3,500 – $5,000/mo
  • Monthly CISO advisory session (2 hrs)
  • AI governance policy package
  • Quarterly risk register review
  • Cyber insurance compliance support
  • Email/Slack advisory access
  • Annual cybersecurity assessment
SOVEREIGN ADVISORY ★ MOST POPULAR
Growth
$6,500 – $9,000/mo
  • Bi-weekly strategic sessions (4 hrs/mo)
  • Full vCISO program + board reporting
  • Complete AI governance framework
  • Privacy compliance program
  • Incident response plan development
  • Vendor risk management program
  • Unlimited advisory access
  • Quarterly compliance reviews
TECHNOLOGY SOVEREIGN
Enterprise
$12,000 – $18,000/mo
  • Weekly executive sessions (8 hrs/mo)
  • Multi-framework compliance program
  • Fractional DPO designation
  • Sovereign AI Framework™ license
  • Staff security awareness training
  • Tabletop incident response exercises
  • Quarterly board-level briefings
  • Government subcontract advisory
Methodology

The Sovereign engagement model:
three phases, one outcome.

Phase 01

Discover & Assess

We begin with a Technology Sovereignty Risk Assessment — mapping your AI vendor dependencies, regulatory exposure, and cybersecurity maturity against industry benchmarks. You receive a scored baseline in two weeks.

Phase 02

Design & Implement

We deploy your governance framework: AI policies, vCISO program, privacy controls, and compliance structures. Board reporting infrastructure is established. Deliverables are client-ready and audit-defensible.

Phase 03

Govern & Optimize

Ongoing retainer engagement maintains your compliance posture. We monitor regulatory changes, support your board, and respond to incidents — serving as your embedded security and governance leadership.

How We Work

AI-augmented consulting.
Expert-led delivery.

Risk Assessment Agent

Automated vulnerability analysis, control scoring, and risk prioritization using client environment data. Produces a scored baseline in hours, not weeks.

Automated questionnaire processingNIST CSF control gap scoringRisk heat map generationBenchmark comparison reporting
Compliance Gap Analysis Agent

Framework mapping and control gap identification across NIST CSF, ISO 27001, SOC 2, and EU AI Act. Automated remediation roadmap generation.

Multi-framework control mappingGap scoring and prioritizationRemediation roadmap draftsRegulatory change monitoring
Security Documentation Agent

Generates policies, risk registers, and compliance documentation from client data. All output is reviewed and validated by the senior practitioner before delivery.

Policy library generationRisk register maintenanceSSP and POAM draftingCompliance evidence packages
Board Reporting Agent

Transforms technical assessment data into board-ready executive reports. Quarterly cybersecurity dashboards, risk posture summaries, and compliance status briefings.

Executive risk summary generationBoard presentation draftingKRI dashboard populationRegulatory status reporting

AI handles the analytical heavy lifting. Expert judgment handles regulatory interpretation, accountability decisions, and client relationships — what AI cannot replace.

Industries Served

Vertical expertise
for the firms that need it most.

🚀 Startups & SMBs

Security and governance programs built to scale with you. From your first cyber insurance application to SOC 2 readiness as you win enterprise clients — we build the infrastructure that lets you grow without security becoming a blocker.

NIST CSFSOC 2CPRACyber InsuranceISO 27001

📊 CPA & Accounting Firms

AI governance for tax and audit AI deployment. AICPA ethics compliance for client data. Cyber insurance optimization. SOC 2 readiness for service organizations.

AICPA ET sec. 1.700IRS Publication 4557SOC 2CPRAGDPR

⚖ Law Firms

Attorney-client privilege + AI risk. State bar ethics compliance. Matter data isolation. AI usage policies that protect privilege while enabling productivity.

ABA Model RulesState Bar EthicsGDPRCPRANIST CSF

🏥 Medical Groups & Practitioners

HIPAA Security Rule implementation, risk analysis, and breach response — executed, not just documented. AI governance for clinical AI tools. Privacy program management for practices navigating the intersection of HIPAA and emerging state health data laws.

HIPAA Security RuleHIPAA Privacy RuleHITECHState Health Data LawsAI in Clinical Settings

🌍 NGOs & International Development

Privacy-by-design for EU-funded programs. Cross-border data flow compliance under GDPR and emerging regulations in Latin America, Africa, and Central Asia.

GDPRLGPD (Brazil)POPIA (South Africa)World Bank DPF

🏛 Government & Defense Primes

Subcontract advisory for Leidos, SAIC, CACI, and Booz Allen. CUI handling under NIST SP 800-171. CMMC preparation. AI governance for federal AI deployments.

NIST SP 800-171CMMC 2.0FedRAMPFISMAEO 14110
Thought Leadership

Perspectives on AI governance,
privacy, and technology sovereignty.

AI Governance
Technology Sovereignty: The AI Governance Risk You're Ignoring

TikTok bans, Huawei restrictions, Schrems II — organizations depend on foreign AI vendors without understanding the geopolitical risk they're accepting. Here's how to assess your exposure.

LinkedIn · Medium · Feb 2026
Read Article
Professional Services AI
How CPA Firms Can Use AI Without Exposing Client Tax Data

72% of accounting firms have staff using AI tools without governance. AICPA confidentiality rules, SSN exposure risks, and a 7-step governance checklist for tax practices.

CPA Practice Advisor · Mar 2026
Read Article
vCISO Economics
The vCISO vs. Full-Time CISO Decision: A CFO's Guide

$250K full-time vs. $4–9K/month fractional. When each model makes sense, what vCISO actually delivers, and the ROI calculation most CFOs haven't seen.

CFO.com · Apr 2026
Read Article
Free Resources

Practical frameworks.
Download and use immediately.

Framework · PDF
Technology Sovereignty Risk Assessment

A scored self-assessment tool that maps your AI vendor dependencies, regulatory exposure, and cybersecurity maturity. Produces a baseline risk score in under 30 minutes.

AI Governance Risk Assessment Vendor Risk
Checklist · PDF
AI Governance Checklist for Professional Services

A 7-step governance checklist covering shadow AI discovery, policy requirements, data handling controls, and AICPA/ABA ethics alignment for CPA firms and law firms.

CPA Firms Law Firms AI Policy
Guide · PDF
vCISO vs. Full-Time CISO: The CFO Decision Guide

A plain-language guide comparing full-time CISO economics ($250K+) against fractional vCISO models — with an ROI calculator, selection criteria, and red flags to watch for.

vCISO ROI CFO Guide
Framework · PDF
HIPAA Security Rule Implementation Checklist

A practical control checklist for medical groups and healthcare practitioners covering all HIPAA Security Rule required and addressable safeguards, with implementation notes.

HIPAA Medical Practices Compliance
Checklist · PDF
Cyber Insurance Readiness Checklist

The 15 controls cyber insurers look for most in mid-market professional services firms — mapped to common carrier questionnaire requirements so you can prepare before renewal.

Cyber Insurance SMB Risk Controls
Guide · PDF
Post-Quantum Cryptography: What to Do Now

A plain-language guide to NIST FIPS 203-205, harvest-now-decrypt-later threats, and a practical 3-phase migration roadmap for organizations with long-lived sensitive data.

Post-Quantum Cryptography NIST FIPS

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About

The practitioner
behind the practice.

Cory Missimore, Founder of Axiom Sovereign
Founder & Principal Advisor

17 years building security programs.
Now building yours.

Cory Missimore founded Axiom Sovereign after nearly two decades of GRC leadership across federal consulting, Big 4, enterprise technology, and industry. He has served DHS, VA, DoD, the Department of Education, and HHS at Booz Allen Hamilton, led security advisory practices at Baker Tilly, and built enterprise technology governance programs at Avanade and NRECA.

The through-line across every engagement: mid-market organizations carry enterprise-grade risk with none of the resources to manage it. Axiom Sovereign exists to close that gap — with hands-on execution, not slide decks.

Every engagement at Axiom Sovereign is delivered by Cory directly. There are no junior analysts, no offshore delivery teams, no bait-and-switch. You get a senior practitioner with 17 years of real-world experience — every call, every deliverable, every time.

CISSP AIGP CIPP/E CIPP/US CIPM George Mason University
17+
Years Experience
5
Certifications
100%
Senior Delivery
$250K+
Full-time CISO cost
$3.5K
Starting monthly retainer
5 days
Time to first deliverable
1 person
Senior practitioner, every time
FAQ

Questions prospects
actually ask.

What's the difference between a vCISO and a security consultant?
A security consultant comes in, does a project, hands you a report, and leaves. A vCISO is ongoing executive leadership — they own your security program, attend your board meetings, respond to incidents, and are accountable for outcomes over time. Axiom Sovereign does both: strategic leadership and hands-on execution.
How quickly can we get started?
Most engagements begin within 5 business days of a signed agreement. The first deliverable — a Technology Sovereignty Risk Assessment baseline — is typically completed within two weeks of kickoff.
Do you work with organizations that have no security program at all?
Yes — and that's the most common starting point. Most clients come to us with no formal program, no policies, and staff using AI tools without governance. We build from the ground up. That's what we're designed to do.
Who actually does the work?
Cory Missimore, directly. There are no junior analysts or subcontractors involved in delivery. Every assessment, policy, report, and advisory session is handled by the same senior practitioner with 17 years of GRC experience across federal and commercial sectors.
Can you help us pass a cyber insurance audit or renewal?
Yes. Cyber insurance optimization is a core part of all vCISO retainers. We help you meet carrier requirements, document controls, respond to security questionnaires, and position your program to reduce premiums and avoid coverage gaps.
We're a small practice — is this overkill for us?
No. The Governance Essentials tier was built specifically for smaller organizations. You get real CISO-level oversight, a policy package, and quarterly risk reviews for $3,500–$5,000/month — less than the cost of a single data breach deductible. The question isn't whether you can afford it, it's whether you can afford not to have it.
What frameworks do you support?
NIST CSF 2.0, NIST AI RMF, NIST SP 800-171, ISO/IEC 27001, SOC 2, HIPAA Security Rule, GDPR, EU AI Act, CPRA, CMMC 2.0, and FedRAMP. We map your environment to whichever frameworks your clients, insurers, or regulators require.
What does "Technology Sovereignty" actually mean?
It means having strategic control over your technology decisions — especially your AI vendor relationships. Organizations that rely on 5–10 opaque technology vendors without understanding the geopolitical, regulatory, or operational risk they carry are making sovereignty decisions without realizing it. We help you understand and manage that risk.

Ready to talk?
Book directly.

No sales team, no runaround. Schedule directly with Cory for a complimentary 30-minute discovery call. We'll assess your situation and tell you honestly whether and how we can help.

📅
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📧
Email Directly
[email protected] · Response within 24 hours
📋
Request Free Assessment
Complete the form below · Includes scored risk baseline

Start with a
free assessment.

Complete the form and we'll reach out within 24 hours to schedule your complimentary Technology Sovereignty Risk Assessment — a scored baseline on your AI governance and cybersecurity posture, no obligation.

✉
[email protected]
📍
Severna Park, Maryland · Serving clients globally
⏱
Typically respond within 24 business hours

Free Assessment Includes

  • Current risk score vs. industry peers
  • Top 3 AI governance & cybersecurity gaps
  • Regulatory exposure summary
  • 90-day quick-win remediation roadmap

Complimentary for qualified organizations. No spam, no obligation.

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