Free Consultation Program – How It Works

We offer a free 30-minute security consultation for small and medium businesses. Here's what that means and what you can expect.

Why We Do This

The Security Gap

Most small businesses know they should "do something about security" but don't know where to start. They face:

• Information overload: Conflicting advice from vendors
• Analysis paralysis: Too many options, unclear priorities
• Budget uncertainty: No idea what security should cost
• Trust issues: Don't know who to trust

Our Solution

A free, no-pressure conversation to help you understand your situation. No sales pitch. No commitment. Just information.

What the Consultation Includes

Before the Call

We'll ask you to fill out a brief questionnaire about:

• Your business type and size
• Current IT setup (high level)
• Any specific concerns
• Compliance requirements (if any)

This helps us prepare for a productive conversation.

During the 30 Minutes

We'll discuss:

1. Your Business Context

   • What you do
   • How technology supports your operations
   • Your regulatory environment

2. Your Concerns

   • What prompted you to reach out
   • Specific incidents or worries
   • Questions you've been unable to answer

3. Current State Overview

   • Basic security measures in place
   • Known gaps or issues
   • Previous assessments or audits

4. Initial Recommendations

   • High-level priorities based on our conversation
   • Resources that might help
   • Whether professional services make sense

After the Call

You'll receive:

• A summary of what we discussed
• 2-3 prioritized recommendations
• Relevant resources (articles, checklists)
• Clear next steps (whether with us or not)

What We Won't Do

No High-Pressure Sales

This isn't a sales call in disguise. We'll give you honest advice even if that advice is "you probably don't need us."

No Technical Deep Dives

30 minutes isn't enough for a real assessment. This is an orientation, not an audit.

No Fear Mongering

We won't try to scare you into buying services. We'll give you accurate information about risks.

No Jargon Overload

We'll speak in plain language about your actual business risks.

Who Should Book a Consultation

Ideal Candidates

You're a good fit if:

• You run a small to medium business (5-500 employees)
• You have questions about your security posture
• You're facing compliance requirements
• You've had a recent security concern
• You want to understand your options

Not the Best Fit

This might not be right if:

• You need immediate incident response (contact us directly)
• You're a large enterprise with existing security teams
• You're looking for free technical work
• You're just shopping for the lowest price

Common Questions We Help Answer

During consultations, we frequently discuss:

Priority Questions

• "What should we focus on first?"
• "How do we know if we've been breached?"
• "What's the minimum we should be doing?"

Compliance Questions

• "What does HIPAA actually require?"
• "Do we need to be SOC 2 compliant?"
• "How do we prepare for a compliance audit?"

Budget Questions

• "How much should we spend on security?"
• "What's the ROI on security investments?"
• "What can we do with limited budget?"

Vendor Questions

• "Should we trust our IT provider for security?"
• "Do we need separate security tools?"
• "How do we evaluate security vendors?"

Real Conversation Examples

Example 1: Medical Practice

Situation: 15-person clinic concerned about HIPAA compliance Discussion: Current controls, risk assessment requirements, insurance Outcome: Recommended starting with risk assessment, provided HIPAA checklist Result: Client engaged us for assessment (but many don't, and that's fine)

Example 2: Law Firm

Situation: Partner received suspicious email, worried about security Discussion: Email security, client data protection, incident response Outcome: Recommended MFA and security awareness training Result: Client implemented recommendations internally, checks in occasionally

Example 3: Tech Startup

Situation: Preparing for enterprise customer requirements Discussion: SOC 2 readiness, security architecture, timeline Outcome: Recommended phased approach to compliance Result: Client decided to wait until post-funding, has a roadmap

How to Book

Step 1: Request

Email us at m1k3@msquarellc.net with:

• Your name and business
• Brief description of what you'd like to discuss
• Preferred times (we're flexible)

Step 2: Questionnaire

We'll send a brief pre-call questionnaire (5-10 minutes to complete).

Step 3: Schedule

We'll confirm a time that works for both of us.

Step 4: Meet

Video call, phone call, or in-person (if local)—your preference.

Step 5: Follow-Up

You'll receive a summary within 48 hours.

What Happens Next (Options)

After the consultation, you might:

Option A: Implement on Your Own

Use the recommendations and resources we provide. Check in with us if questions come up.

Option B: Engage Us for Services

If professional help makes sense, we'll provide a clear proposal with scope and pricing.

Option C: Work With Someone Else

We'll point you toward appropriate resources or providers. No hard feelings.

Option D: Do Nothing (For Now)

Sometimes the right move is waiting. We'll help you understand when you might want to revisit.

Our Commitment

When you book a consultation, we promise:

1. Respect your time — We start and end on schedule
2. Give honest advice — Even if it's not what you want to hear
3. No pressure — You'll never feel pushed toward a sale
4. Follow through — You'll get the summary and resources we promise
5. Be available — Questions after the call? Just email

Ready to Talk?

If you've been wondering about your business's security—or putting off dealing with it—let's have a conversation.

30 minutes. No obligation. Real answers.

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Book your free consultation: m1k3@msquarellc.net