Security consulting firms CyberUnited and LIFARS form joint venture
By Loren Blinde
May 5, 2015
CyberUnited, a San Diego, CA-based cybersecurity intelligence consulting firm providing enterprise IT security consulting services and solutions, and LIFARS, a digital forensics and cybersecurity incident response firm, announced May 4 that the two companies have formed a security consulting joint venture CyberUnited LIFARS that will disrupt the traditional “prepare and recover” model used by traditional security consultants after a security incident. Instead the new entity will also utilize continuous monitoring through new products and services that will enable organizations to reduce their chances of being attacked, while also providing remediation techniques in the event that an attack is successful. The venture also provides an elite military-style cybersecurity breach preparedness training.
LIFARS was just named one of the hottest and most innovative cybersecurity companies to watch in 2015 according to Cybersecurity Ventures, well ahead of Symantec and Trustwave on their Cybersecurity 500 list. The firm was ranked 101st in the nation and 2nd among firms in New York.
“Proactive preparation has become much more important recently, but most firms aren’t prepared to provide this type of service,” commented Darin Andersen, Founder and CEO of CyberUnited. “While you can’t prevent attacks completely, our products and services can reduce the chance of these attacks significantly. While we provide all the services of a traditional firm, we go beyond those solutions.”
“LIFARS’ hands on digital forensic investigations, data breach incident response, web application security testing, digital risk assessment, and academic research, coupled with CyberUnited’s highly skilled strategic cybersecurity consultants and products will provide a full range of cybersecurity services and business intelligence,” commented Ondrej Krehel, Founder and CTO of LIFARS.
“There is a need to move beyond traditional consulting services for security advisory firms,” commented Mark Rasch of Securitycurrent. “The combination of products and services designed to be proactive rather than passive, are just beginning to overtake existing consulting services that help audit and establish corporate policies; recommend traditional passive security products; and typical forensic remediation.”
The new entity will also enhance the products, services, markets, and geographic reach of the companies. CyberUnited has been focused on general commercial, technology, and governments markets. They recently hired Mike Coomes of the U.S. Department of Defense, for example. LIFARS has significant experience and expertise in the financial services, medical, and software engineering industries. Current engagements are with international medium to large corporations.
“In addition to our focus on food, oil and gas industries, we see insurance companies and law firms pushing for more proactive cybersecurity solutions,” Andersen concluded.
Source: LIFARS
