Verolara › Security and AI governance support for private equity portfolio companies
Security and AI governance support for private equity portfolio companies
Portfolio companies are asked the same questions by customers, lenders, insurers, and eventual buyers: how do you secure data, and how do you govern AI? We help management teams answer with evidence, without adding a full-time executive.
Where we help
- Fractional CISO or BISO leadership for portfolio companies without a dedicated security executive
- SOC 2 and ISO/IEC 27001 readiness ahead of customer demands, so security reviews stop slowing down sales
- AI governance readiness against ISO/IEC 42001 and the NIST AI RMF, so portfolio companies can answer questions about how AI is used and controlled
- Vendor and provider evaluation, RFI/RFP development, and third-party risk review for critical technology and service providers
- Security program roadmaps sized to the hold period, with named owners and a defined hand-off
How we work
Engagements are fixed in scope and written down before work begins, with a stated end state and hand-off date. We work alongside the portfolio company’s team, build the program with them, and transfer the skills so the program keeps running after we leave. We work with one portfolio company or across several, coordinated through the firm’s operating team where that helps.
Scope and limits
Verolara provides advisory services. SOC 2 and similar attestations are performed by a licensed CPA firm; ISO certification is issued by an accredited certification body. Verolara does not perform those examinations or issue those reports.
Why third-party risk gets attention
Verizon’s 2026 Data Breach Investigations Report found breaches involving a third party up 60% in a year. That is why customers and investors increasingly ask portfolio companies about the security of their vendors as well as their own controls.
Frequently asked questions
What is a fractional CISO?
A fractional CISO is a senior security leader who works with your organization part-time instead of as a full-time hire. Engagements range from a few hours a month to a fuller retainer, and every engagement has a stated end state and hand-off plan so your team can run the program afterward.
What is the difference between SOC 2 readiness and a SOC 2 report?
Readiness is the preparation: scoping, closing control gaps, and building evidence. The SOC 2 report is issued by a licensed CPA firm after its examination. Verolara provides implementation advisory only and does not perform the examination or issue the report. Readiness work does not guarantee a particular examination result. The AICPA describes SOC engagements as services that CPAs provide.
Do you work with private equity firms and their portfolio companies?
Yes. We support portfolio companies with fractional security leadership, SOC 2 and ISO readiness, vendor selection, and AI governance, scoped to the hold period. See our private equity overview.
Where are you based, and who do you serve?
Verolara is based in Lake Oswego, Oregon (Portland metro). We work with organizations of every size and stage, hybrid in the Portland metro area and remotely worldwide, including enterprises, private equity portfolio companies, prime contractors, and public sector agencies.