RIA Cybersecurity Market: Competitive Landscape & Trust-Building Playbook

Solanasis Market Entry Intelligence Brief — March 2026

THE HONEST ASSESSMENT: IS THIS CHEAT CODE REAL?

Short answer: Yes, but with caveats.

The SEC Reg S-P deadline (June 3, 2026 for smaller RIAs) is a REAL forcing function. The market gap is REAL — 93% of investment firms had cyber incidents, only 24% use dedicated solutions. But you’re entering a trust-first industry where relationships and credentials matter enormously.

Here’s the full picture — the competitors, the objections, and exactly how to build trust fast.

PART 1: WHO YOU’RE COMPETING AGAINST

TIER 1 — DEDICATED RIA CYBERSECURITY FIRMS (Your Direct Competitors)

These are the firms that have ALREADY built the exact thing you want to build. They live and breathe RIA cybersecurity.

1. Adelia Risk

What they do: Virtual CISO (vCISO) specifically for wealth management and financial services
Founded: ~2018
Team: Small team led by Josh (former senior leader at Royal Bank of Scotland)
Clients: 100+ financial services, healthcare, and manufacturing firms
Key credentials: Listed in the FINRA Compliance Vendor Directory (this is a big deal — more on this below)
Services: Gap analysis, security policies, vulnerability scanning, phishing tests, training, cloud audits (M365/Google), annual risk assessments, quarterly reports, executive briefings
Pricing: Not publicly listed; estimated $3 K -$ 7K/mo for vCISO retainer based on market comparables
Strength: Deep financial services positioning, FINRA directory listing, strong content marketing
Weakness: Generic “cybersecurity” positioning (not specifically about restore testing or operational resilience)
Threat to Solanasis: HIGH — closest model to what you’d build

2. CyberSecureRIA

What they do: Full MSP (Managed Service Provider) + cybersecurity EXCLUSIVELY for RIAs
Founded: 2010 (16 years in market)
Team: Small US-based team in Knoxville, TN; owner, COO, and lead techs known by name
Key credentials: Microsoft, CompTIA, GIAC certified technicians
Services: 24/7 monitoring, firewalls, intrusion detection, secure backups, email encryption, MFA enforcement, SEC compliance, incident response
Pricing: Flat-rate, “projectable” pricing (no public numbers; estimated $150 -$ 300/user/month for full MSP + cyber)
Strength: 16 years of track record, RIA-ONLY focus, full MSP so they own the IT relationship
Weakness: They’re an MSP — they MANAGE IT, they don’t just assess it. Different model than Solanasis.
Threat to Solanasis: MEDIUM — different lane (MSP vs. assessment/advisory), but they own the client relationship

3. Fractional CISO (fractionalciso.com)

What they do: vCISO services with specific RIA cybersecurity assessment offering
Founded: ~2017
Team: Rob Black (founder, CISSP, former enterprise CISO) + team of senior security professionals
Key credentials: CISSP, CISM, multiple team members with enterprise CISO backgrounds
Services: RIA cybersecurity assessments, risk worksheets (free lead magnets), vCISO retainers, compliance programs
Pricing: Assessment estimated $5 K -$ 15K; vCISO retainer estimated $5 K -$ 15K/mo
Strength: Strong personal brand (Rob Black), free tools as lead magnets, credible credentials
Weakness: Not RIA-exclusive; serves multiple verticals
Threat to Solanasis: HIGH — similar assessment-first model with stronger credentials currently

4. RIA Workspace

What they do: IT services + cybersecurity specifically for financial advisors
Founded: Established firm (exact year unclear)
Key credentials: Financial advisor IT specialist positioning
Services: Cybersecurity, IT infrastructure, compliance support
Strength: Strong content marketing (“best companies for RIA cybersecurity” blog posts that rank)
Weakness: Broader IT focus, not exclusively cybersecurity/compliance
Threat to Solanasis: MEDIUM

TIER 2 — RIA COMPLIANCE CONSULTANTS (Adjacent Competitors / Potential Partners)

These firms do COMPLIANCE consulting for RIAs. They don’t do cybersecurity hands-on, but they RECOMMEND cybersecurity vendors. They could be competitors OR your best referral partners.

5. RIA Compliance Consultants (ria-compliance-consultants.com)

What they do: Full SEC compliance program management for RIAs
Founded: 2004 (22 years)
Model: Each client gets a dedicated senior compliance consultant
Services: SEC exam prep, compliance policies, annual reviews, Reg S-P guidance
Threat to Solanasis: LOW (different service) / HIGH OPPORTUNITY (referral partner)
Why they matter: They’re telling RIAs “you need cybersecurity” but they don’t deliver it. You could BE their recommended cybersecurity vendor.

6. ACA Compliance Group

What they do: Regulatory compliance + cybersecurity advisory for RIAs
Founded: 20+ years
Team: Former regulators and compliance experts
Threat to Solanasis: LOW-MEDIUM / PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITY

7. Core Compliance & Legal Services (Core CLS)

What they do: Compliance consulting specifically for investment advisors
Services: Reg S-P compliance guidance, mock exams, policy development
Threat to Solanasis: LOW / PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITY

TIER 3 — GENERAL CYBERSECURITY FIRMS THAT ALSO SERVE RIAs

These are bigger firms that serve financial services among other verticals. They’re not RIA-specific but they compete for the same clients.

8. FRSecure (from your existing competitor list)

Threat level already documented: HIGH
RIA relevance: vCISO services, $4 K -$ 6K+/mo, annual programs $35 K -$ 250K
Key note: They have a stronger brand but are NOT RIA-specific. You could out-niche them.

9. Visory (visory.net)

What they do: Cybersecurity + IT services for wealth management firms
Positioning: “Complete cybersecurity for wealth managers”
Threat to Solanasis: MEDIUM — similar positioning but broader

10. itSynergy

What they do: MSP with RIA cybersecurity specialty
Positioning: “How RIA Cybersecurity Builds Client Trust”
Threat to Solanasis: LOW — MSP model, different lane

11. Omega Systems

What they do: Managed IT + cybersecurity for RIAs
Positioning: Full outsourced IT department for financial services
Threat to Solanasis: LOW — full MSP, not assessment/advisory

TIER 4 — COMPLIANCE SOFTWARE PLATFORMS (Not Competitors — Potential Partners)

These platforms provide the SOFTWARE for compliance but need HUMANS to do the work. This is the Vanta/Drata play but for RIAs specifically.

12. SmartRIA

What they do: RIA compliance management platform
Key note: SOC 2 Type II certified; growing platform
Partnership opportunity: Their users need cybersecurity implementation

13. Comply (formerly NRS)

What they do: Compliance program management platform for RIAs
Partnership opportunity: Same as SmartRIA — their users need you

14. Venminder

What they do: Third-party risk management platform
RIA relevance: Helps RIAs with vendor due diligence (Reg S-P requirement)
Partnership opportunity: They tell RIAs to assess vendors; you could be the assessor

PART 2: THE TRUST GAP — YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE (AND HOW TO CLOSE IT)

The Brutal Truth About Trust in the RIA World

RIAs manage people’s life savings. Their compliance consultant, their cybersecurity vendor, their custodian — these are all relationships built on DEEP trust. Here’s what you’re up against:

What RIA principals look for in a cybersecurity vendor:

Industry-specific expertise — “Do you understand SEC rules, Reg S-P, and how RIA exams work?”
Track record with similar firms — “Who else in my world have you worked with?”
Credentials and certifications — CISSP, CISM, CompTIA Security+, GIAC (these matter in financial services)
Referral from a trusted source — Their compliance consultant, their custodian, their CPA, or another RIA principal
Regulatory directory listings — FINRA Compliance Vendor Directory is the gold standard
SOC 2 compliance — Increasingly expected for vendors serving RIAs
Stable, professional presence — Website, LinkedIn, published content that demonstrates expertise

The Credibility Gap Dmitri Needs to Close

Trust Signal	Adelia Risk (Example Competitor)	Solanasis (Current State)	Gap
Years in market	~8 years	Brand new	LARGE
RIA clients served	100+	0	LARGE
FINRA Vendor Directory	Listed	Not listed	LARGE
Team credentials	CISSP, enterprise CISO background	Self-taught, no formal certs yet	LARGE
Content/thought leadership	Blog, checklists, policy templates	Not started	MEDIUM
Personal brand	Established in financial services	Not established in this vertical	MEDIUM
Free tools/lead magnets	RIA cybersecurity policy checklist	None yet	MEDIUM
Referral network in RIA world	Established	None yet	LARGE
SOC 2 / compliance certs	Likely	No	LARGE (but not needed immediately)

This is NOT a reason to give up. It’s a reason to be STRATEGIC about how you enter. Here’s the playbook:

PART 3: THE TRUST-BUILDING PLAYBOOK — 12 MOVES TO CLOSE THE GAP

MOVE 1: Lead With the Deadline, Not Your Resume

Hormozi principle: “When there’s a burning building, nobody asks the firefighter for their resume.”

The June 3, 2026 Reg S-P deadline IS the burning building. Your outreach doesn’t need to say “I have 20 years of cybersecurity experience.” It needs to say: “Your SEC compliance deadline is 84 days away. Here’s exactly what you need to do.”

Action: Create a “Reg S-P Readiness Checklist” as a free PDF download
Why it works: It demonstrates expertise through utility, not claims
Timeline: This week

MOVE 2: Partner With an RIA Compliance Consultant (THE Smartcuts Play)

This is your single highest-leverage move.

RIA compliance consultants (like RIA Compliance Consultants, ACA Compliance, Core CLS) are telling their clients RIGHT NOW: “You need a cybersecurity program for Reg S-P.” But most of them DON’T DO THE CYBERSECURITY WORK THEMSELVES.

Action: Reach out to 5-10 RIA compliance consultants and position Solanasis as their cybersecurity implementation arm
Pitch: “Your clients need cybersecurity for Reg S-P. You handle the compliance framework, I handle the technical assessment and remediation. I send you a summary report, you incorporate it into the compliance program. Clean handoff.”
Revenue split: You keep 100% of the cybersecurity fee; they get referral credit or a 10-15% fee
Why it works: You’re borrowing THEIR credibility and THEIR client relationships. The compliance consultant has already built the trust. You just need to not mess it up.
Timeline: Start outreach this week

MOVE 3: Get Listed in the FINRA Compliance Vendor Directory

This is the “credibility badge” of the RIA world.

Adelia Risk is listed. If you can get listed, you’re immediately in a different category of legitimacy.

Action: Research FINRA Compliance Vendor Directory application requirements
Requirements likely include: E&O insurance, documented processes, possibly certifications
Timeline: Apply within 30 days; may take 60-90 days to approve
Why it works: RIA compliance consultants and principals CHECK this directory when vetting vendors

MOVE 4: Produce a “State of RIA Cybersecurity” Mini-Report

Hormozi principle: “Authority is created by publishing, not by talking.”

Action: Create a 5-10 page report synthesizing publicly available data on RIA cybersecurity gaps
Include: SEC exam priority analysis, Reg S-P requirements, the “93% incident” stat, common vulnerabilities, a self-assessment checklist
Distribution: LinkedIn articles, email to your network, offer to compliance consultants as a co-branded resource
Why it works: This positions you as someone who STUDIES the RIA cybersecurity landscape, not just someone selling a service
Timeline: Within 2 weeks

MOVE 5: Videos — Yes, But Strategic (Not YouTube Guru Style)

Your question: “Do I need to be producing videos?”

Answer: Yes, but NOT the way you’re probably thinking.

In the RIA world, video serves a specific trust function: it lets people see your face, hear your voice, and assess your competence before they agree to a call. RIA principals are cautious. They Google you before they talk to you.

What works in the RIA world:

Video Type	Purpose	Effort	Impact
2-3 min LinkedIn talking-head videos	”SEC Reg S-P: What You Need to Know”	Low (phone + natural light)	HIGH — shows expertise + personality
5-min “Compliance Minute” series	Weekly micro-content on specific SEC requirements	Medium (light editing)	HIGH — builds authority over time
Recorded webinar/presentation	”Reg S-P Compliance in 10 Days” (30-45 min)	Medium-High	VERY HIGH — serves as sales tool + lead magnet
Podcast guest appearances	Guest on RIA-focused podcasts	Low (just show up)	HIGH — borrowed audience + credibility
Professional promo video	”About Solanasis” sizzle reel	High (production cost)	LOW ROI for where you are now

Recommended approach:

Start with 1-2 LinkedIn talking-head videos per week (2-3 minutes each)
- Film with your phone, natural window light, 35mm-equivalent lens feel (matches your image preferences)
- Topics: “SEC Reg S-P explained in 2 minutes” / “The #1 mistake RIAs make with cybersecurity” / “What a real restore test looks like”
- These are NOT polished productions. They’re a founder talking to camera. Authenticity > production value.
Record one 30-minute webinar that you can use as a sales asset
- Title: “SEC Cybersecurity Compliance for RIAs: What You Need Before June 2026”
- Gate it behind an email signup for lead capture
- Reference it in outreach: “I recorded a free webinar on Reg S-P compliance — want the link?”
Pitch yourself as a guest on RIA-focused podcasts
- Target: Kitces & Carl, RIA Intel, WealthManagement.com, The Advisor Lab
- Topic: “Why 93% of Investment Firms Had a Cyber Incident — And What RIAs Need to Do About It”

What NOT to do:

Don’t create a YouTube channel with daily content. That’s a 12-month play with uncertain ROI.
Don’t invest in expensive video production. RIA principals value substance over polish.
Don’t do “content creator” style — no hooks, no engagement bait, no “you won’t believe what the SEC is doing” thumbnails. That’s off-brand for the wealth world.

MOVE 6: Build Your “SEC Compliance for RIAs” Landing Page

Action: Create a dedicated page on solanasis.com specifically for RIAs
Include: Reg S-P checklist, the deadline, what you do, how it works, one testimonial (even if it’s from a beta client)
Why it works: When an RIA Googles “SEC cybersecurity compliance for RIAs” or checks you out after a referral, this page does the trust-building for you
Timeline: Within 2 weeks

MOVE 7: Offer 2-3 Free “Reg S-P Readiness Assessments” to Build Case Studies

Different from discounting. This is STRATEGIC pro-bono work.

Action: Identify 2-3 RIAs in your network (or through compliance consultant referrals) and offer a free 2-hour readiness assessment
Scope: NOT the full ORB. Just a 2-hour call + a 1-page gap summary
Deliverable: “Here are the 5 things you need to address before June 3rd”
Ask in return: Permission to reference them (anonymized) as a case study, and 2 referrals to other RIA principals
Why it works: This is Hormozi’s “increase the offer, don’t decrease the price” applied to trust-building. You’re not discounting. You’re giving a specific, high-value free sample that naturally leads to paid work.
Timeline: First 2 weeks

MOVE 8: Attend (and Speak at) RIA Industry Events in Colorado

Target events:
- FPA (Financial Planning Association) of Colorado events
- Colorado NAPFA (National Association of Personal Financial Advisors) chapter
- Boulder/Denver CFA Society events
- Local RIA networking groups and compliance roundtables
Talk topic: “SEC Cybersecurity in 2026: What Every RIA Principal Needs to Know”
Why it works: In-person presence builds trust 10x faster than digital content in this industry
Timeline: Research events this week; start attending within 30 days

MOVE 9: Fast-Track a Credential

The uncomfortable truth: In financial services, credentials matter. Period.

Fastest path: CompTIA Security+ (you already mentioned planning this)
- Study time: 4-8 weeks with focused effort
- Cost: ~$400 exam fee
- Why it matters: It’s the baseline “this person knows security” credential. Not the strongest, but it removes the “no certifications” objection.
Next-level: CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional)
- Requires 5 years of experience (you have this via your IT background)
- Study time: 3-6 months
- THIS is the credential that opens doors in financial services
Immediate move: Feature your contractors’ certifications prominently
- “Our team holds CompTIA Security+, CISSP, and GIAC certifications”
- This is the “borrow credibility” play you’ve already identified

MOVE 10: Align Your LinkedIn Profile for the RIA World

Current positioning: Operational resilience for SMBs/nonprofits (broad)
Needed positioning: Something that signals “I understand the RIA world”
Suggested headline update: Include language like “Helping RIAs meet SEC cybersecurity requirements” or “Operational Resilience for Financial Services | SEC Compliance”
Content shift: At least 40% of your LinkedIn posts should reference SEC compliance, RIA challenges, and financial services cybersecurity
Why it works: When an RIA principal checks your LinkedIn (and they WILL), they need to see someone who speaks their language

MOVE 11: Build a Referral Circle of RIA-Adjacent Professionals

Target 10 people in each category (Dream 30):
1. RIA compliance consultants (they recommend cybersecurity vendors)
2. CPAs/tax advisors serving HNW clients (they see the security gaps)
3. E&O insurance brokers for financial services (they know who needs help)
Approach: “I help RIAs meet their SEC cybersecurity requirements. When your clients ask about Reg S-P compliance, I’d love to be someone you can refer them to. Can I buy you coffee and show you what we do?”
Why it works: This is the “multiplier node” strategy from your Cyclical GTM playbook, applied specifically to the RIA ecosystem

MOVE 12: Create a Free “Reg S-P Compliance Toolkit” as Your Lead Magnet

Include:
- Reg S-P compliance checklist (1-page)
- Incident response plan template (3-5 pages)
- Vendor oversight assessment template (2 pages)
- Written Information Security Policies (WISP) outline
Distribution: Gated download on your website; reference in all outreach
Why it works: Adelia Risk does this with their “RIA Cybersecurity Policy Checklist.” Fractional CISO does this with their “RIA Cybersecurity Risk Worksheet.” These free tools are the #1 lead generation tactic in this space.

PART 4: OBJECTION HANDLING — RIA-SPECIFIC

Objection 1: “You’re brand new. Why should I trust you with our firm’s security?”

Counter: “Fair question. Here’s what I’d say: every one of those established firms was new once, and none of them had a regulatory deadline creating urgency like we have right now. What I bring is 23 years of hands-on IT experience, a team with [contractor certifications], and a fixed-fee, fixed-scope assessment that delivers results in 10 business days. But the real proof is in the work — which is why I’m offering a no-risk readiness assessment. If what I show you doesn’t demonstrate expertise, you’ll know in the first hour.”

Hormozi reframe: “I’m not asking you to trust me with your life savings. I’m asking you to let me show you, in 10 days, whether your backups actually restore and whether your policies meet Reg S-P. If they do, great — you have documented proof for your next SEC exam. If they don’t, you’ll be glad you found out now instead of during an exam.”

Objection 2: “We already have an IT vendor / MSP.”

Counter: “That’s great — and we work alongside MSPs, not against them. Your MSP manages your day-to-day IT. We do something different: an independent assessment that verifies what’s working, identifies gaps, and produces audit-ready documentation for the SEC. Think of it like getting a home inspection even though you have a contractor. They’re complementary, not competing.”

Objection 3: “Our compliance consultant handles cybersecurity.”

Counter: “Compliance consultants are excellent at the regulatory framework — policies, procedures, exam prep. What they typically don’t do is the technical verification: actually testing your backup restoration, scanning your M365 configuration, or verifying your incident response plan works in practice. That’s where we come in. In fact, several compliance consultants refer clients to us specifically for this technical layer.”

Objection 4: “We’re a small firm, we’re not a target.”

Counter: “Actually, 43% of cyberattacks target businesses under 50 employees. And the SEC doesn’t care about your size when it comes to Reg S-P — every registered advisor has the same compliance requirements. A $200 M A U M f i r m g e t se x amin e d j u s tl ik e a$ 2B firm. The June 3rd deadline applies to you.”

Objection 5: “How much does this cost?” (sticker shock)

Counter: “The assessment is $5, 000 -$ 7,500 for a firm your size — that’s a fixed fee for a 10-day engagement. For context, the average cost of a data breach for an SMB is $140,000, and SEC enforcement actions for compliance failures can be significantly more. You’re spending less than 1% of your AUM revenue to protect 100% of your client data and your compliance standing.”

Objection 6: “Can’t we just use [compliance software platform] for this?”

Counter: “Compliance platforms like SmartRIA or Comply are excellent for managing your compliance program — documenting policies, tracking tasks, managing workflows. But they don’t do the technical work: they don’t test your backups, scan your email security, or verify your incident response actually works. The platform tells you WHAT to do. We actually DO it and prove it worked.”

Objection 7: “I need to talk to my compliance consultant first.”

Counter: “Absolutely — and I’d encourage that. In fact, I’m happy to speak with them directly if that would be helpful. Many compliance consultants welcome having a dedicated cybersecurity partner to handle the technical side of Reg S-P. Would it be useful if I sent you a one-pager you could forward to them?”

PART 5: COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES SOLANASIS ACTUALLY HAS

Despite the trust gap, you have some real advantages that the established players don’t:

1. The Restore Test Differentiator

None of the RIA-specific competitors emphasize real restore testing.

Adelia Risk does gap analysis, policies, scanning, phishing tests. CyberSecureRIA does monitoring, firewalls, backups. Fractional CISO does assessments and risk worksheets. But NOBODY is leading with: “We actually restore your data to prove your backups work.”

This is HUGE in the RIA context because:

SEC Reg S-P requires “secure disposal and recovery” capabilities
Most RIAs have never actually tested a restore
A documented restore test is a powerful audit artifact for SEC exams
It’s tangible proof, not a checkbox

2. Fixed-Fee, Fixed-Scope, Fixed-Timeline

Most vCISO firms sell open-ended retainers.

RIAs are used to paying monthly retainers for compliance consulting, but they’re also skeptical of open-ended consulting fees. Your 10-day, fixed-fee ORB is a LOW-RISK entry point. They know exactly what they’re paying, what they’re getting, and when it’ll be done.

3. The “Broader Than Cybersecurity” Suite

You do security + DR + CRM + integrations + AI.

The established RIA cybersecurity firms do security and compliance. Period. You can do their initial cybersecurity assessment AND THEN help with CRM optimization, data migration, systems integration — services that RIAs also need but that pure cybersecurity firms don’t offer. This creates stickiness and upsell paths that your competitors can’t match.

4. Colorado / Boulder Impact Investing Community

No competitor specifically targets the impact-aligned RIA segment.

There’s a meaningful population of ESG-focused and impact-aligned RIAs in Boulder/Denver. These firms are values-driven, which aligns with your Conscious Business philosophy. Leading with “operational resilience for impact-aligned wealth management” is a niche within a niche that NOBODY owns.

5. Speed and Hunger

Established firms are comfortable. You’re not.

Adelia Risk has 100 clients. They’re not staying up at night trying to land the next one. You are. That hunger translates to faster response times, more personalized attention, and a willingness to go above and beyond that larger firms won’t match.

PART 6: 90-DAY ENTRY PLAN — IF YOU GO ALL-IN ON RIAs

WEEK 1-2: Foundation

Create Reg S-P Readiness Checklist (free PDF lead magnet)
Create Reg S-P Compliance Toolkit (incident response template + WISP outline)
Update LinkedIn headline to include RIA/SEC language
Research FINRA Compliance Vendor Directory requirements
Identify 10 RIA compliance consultants in Colorado for partnership outreach
Identify 10 CPAs serving HNW clients in Boulder/Denver
Record first 2-3 min LinkedIn video: “SEC Reg S-P: What RIAs Need to Know Before June”

WEEK 3-4: Outreach Launch

Reach out to 10 RIA compliance consultants with partnership pitch
Reach out to 10 CPAs with referral partnership pitch
Post 3-4 LinkedIn articles/videos on RIA cybersecurity
Offer 2-3 free “Reg S-P Readiness Assessments” through your network
Start building RIA-specific landing page on solanasis.com
Research and register for upcoming FPA/NAPFA Colorado events

MONTH 2: Traction

Deliver first free readiness assessments; collect case study material
Follow up with compliance consultant partnerships
Publish “State of RIA Cybersecurity” mini-report
Record 30-minute webinar for lead generation
Apply for FINRA Compliance Vendor Directory (if requirements are met)
Attend first RIA/financial planning industry event
Pitch 3-5 RIA-focused podcasts for guest appearances
Begin CompTIA Security+ study (if not already started)

MONTH 3: Conversion

Convert free assessments into paid ORB engagements
Deliver first paid RIA ORB with SEC-mapped deliverables
Build and publish first anonymized case study
Deepen compliance consultant partnerships (are they referring?)
Evaluate: Is the RIA channel working? Adjust or double down.
Start cold outreach to RIAs with <$1.5B AUM approaching June deadline

PART 7: THE MATH — CAN YOU GET THERE?

Scenario: Land 3 RIA Clients in 90 Days

Metric	Value
Free readiness assessments offered	5-8
Conversion to paid ORB	30-40%
Paid ORBs delivered	2-3
Average ORB price (RIA S/M tier)	$6, 000 -$ 8,000
Revenue from ORBs	$12, 000 -$ 24,000
Conversion to retainer (6-month horizon)	30-50%
Retainer revenue (per month)	$2, 500 -$ 5,000 each
12-month retainer revenue (1-2 clients)	$30, 000 -$ 120,000

Year 1 Projection (If RIA Vertical Works):

Quarter	ORB Revenue	Retainer Revenue	Total
Q1 (Months 1-3)	$12 K -$ 24K	$0	$12 K -$ 24K
Q2 (Months 4-6)	$18 K -$ 36K	$5 K -$ 15K	$23 K -$ 51K
Q3 (Months 7-9)	$24 K -$ 48K	$15 K -$ 45K	$39 K -$ 93K
Q4 (Months 10-12)	$18 K -$ 36K	$30 K -$ 75K	$48 K -$ 111K
Year 1 Total	$72 K -$ 144K	$50 K -$ 135K	$122 K -$ 279K

Effective Hourly Rate Check:

ORB at $7, 500/ 20 h o u rso f w or k =$ 375/hr ✅ (above $250 floor)
Retainer at $4, 000/ m o / 10 h o u rso f w or k =$ 400/hr ✅ (above $250 floor)

THE BOTTOM LINE

Is the RIA play real?

Yes. The regulatory deadline, the market gap, and the affordability math all check out.

What’s the biggest risk?

The trust gap. You’re entering a trust-first industry with zero RIA clients and no formal cybersecurity certifications. Every move in the first 90 days needs to close this gap.

What’s the smartest path?

Partner with RIA compliance consultants. They already have the trust. They already have the clients. They need exactly what you do. This is the Smartcuts lateral ladder — skip the 2-year brand-building slog by attaching to someone who’s already built it.

Do you need videos?

Yes, but lightweight. 2-3 minute LinkedIn talking-head videos, one recorded webinar, and podcast guest appearances. NOT a YouTube channel or expensive production. The wealth world values substance and steady presence over flashy content.

Can you compete with Adelia Risk and Fractional CISO?

Not head-to-head on day 1. But you can out-niche them (impact-aligned RIAs in Colorado), out-differentiate them (restore testing), and out-hustle them (speed + hunger + personalized service). And the SEC deadline means there are MORE RIAs needing help than the current providers can serve.

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