About Us
Our Story
Triumvirate Cybersecurity was born from a simple realization: small and midsize defense contractors deserve better than intimidating jargon and one-size-fits-all compliance approaches.
Founded in 2024 by David Sutherin—who led one of the first 50 organizations through a successful CMMC Joint Surveillance Voluntary Assessment—we've literally sat in the same seat where you're sitting now. We know what it's like to stare at 110 NIST controls and wonder where to start. We understand the pressure of balancing compliance deadlines with daily operations, and we've experienced the frustration of deciphering regulatory language that seems designed to confuse.
We strive to be the partner we we'd have liked to have: knowledgeable but approachable, thorough but practical, and genuinely invested in your success rather than just checking boxes (or cashing checks).
We're particularly passionate about serving small businesses—the backbone of the defense industrial base. Large prime contractors have entire compliance departments, but small manufacturers and service providers have to tackle these requirements with limited staff and tighter budgets. That's exactly who we're built to support.
Based in Dayton, Ohio, we serve clients by addressing their unique needs and operations—whether you're a machine shop in Beavercreek, a software developer in Cincinnati, or a manufacturer with cross-border operations, we're here to make compliance achievable and help you focus on what you do best.
Our Approach
Education Over Intimidation
Some consultants use fear as a sales tactic. We prefer helping you genuinely understand what you're implementing and why it matters. When you understand the "why" behind requirements, compliance becomes less about checking boxes and more about building real security. We post to our blog explaining concepts in plain English, we regularly partner with local organizations to host education sessions, and we're always happy to answer questions. No one likes being told to do something "because I said so," so we frame compliance requirements within the bigger picture.
Collaboration, Not Dictation
You know your business better than anyone. We know cybersecurity frameworks. Effective solutions emerge when we combine our knowledge with your expertise. We take the time to understand your organization, ask questions, and involve your team throughout the process. No two organizations are identical, so we tailor solutions to your reality rather than forcing your reality to fit a template.
Practical Solutions for Real Constraints
Navigating limitations is a continuous exercise when running a business: limited time, limited budget, limited technical resources. Most small contractors don't have dedicated IT departments. We design recommendations around these constraints—prioritizing impactful controls first, identifying cost-effective solutions, and ensuring implementations don't grind operations to a halt. We're transparent about costs, timelines, and trade-offs so you can make informed decisions that are best for your business.
Multiple Paths to the Same Destination
There's rarely only one "right" way to meet a compliance requirement. NIST SP 800-171 defines what you need to achieve, but offers flexibility in how you get there. We present options, explain trade-offs, and support whatever approach makes the most sense for your situation—balancing effectiveness, cost, operational impact, and organizational culture.
Beyond the Certificate
CMMC certification isn't the finish line—it's a milestone on a continuous journey. Our goal isn't for you to scrape by with a house of cards that falls apart after your assessment. We help you build sustainable processes: documentation that stays current, controls that work in practice, and a security-conscious culture that persists day-to-day. That's why we offer ongoing maintenance services and stay available even after projects conclude.
You're Not Alone in This
The challenges you're facing are shared by thousands of small businesses across the defense industrial base. Through our workshops, blog content, and client relationships, we're building a community of mutual support—connecting businesses facing similar challenges and proving that compliance is achievable even without enterprise-level resources.
When you work with Triumvirate Cybersecurity, you're not just getting consultants—you're getting partners who genuinely care about your success, advocates who want to see small businesses thrive in the DIB, and educators who believe that with the right support, any organization can meet these requirements.
Let's tackle this together. Because when small businesses succeed, our entire defense industrial base—and our national security—becomes stronger.
Our Leadership Team
David Sutherin
Founder & Cyber Compliance Wizard
With a B.S. in Computer Science and an M.B.A in Cybersecurity, David has both the technical and entrepreneurial background to foster customer success. After serving as the IT security and compliance lead for one of the first organizations to pass a CMMC JSV assessment, he launched Triumvirate Cybersecurity to provide his unique perspective to companies seeking enhanced security & certification. With experience across frameworks including NIST SP 800-171, ISO 27001, PCI-DSS, GDPR, and HITRUST, along with certification as a CISSP and CyberAB RPA, customers can be confident they're receiving expert guidance on his watch.
Alex is a multi-faceted professional who has worked across organizations both small and large. From operations management at small mom-and-pop shops to accounting at a Fortune 50 company, her diverse experience brings invaluable context and insight to Triumvirate Cybersecurity’s operations. Over the last several years, she has immersed herself in cybersecurity and the CMMC framework to learn about the new and exciting topics impacting businesses, including gaining certification as a CyberAB Registered Practitioner (RP). As the organization’s self-proclaimed “Chief People Wrangler,” she ensures all stakeholders understand their responsibilities and serves as translator when David gets too far into the weeds.
Alexandra Wood
Co-Founder, People Wrangler, & Professional Personality Hire