What to Expect From a Free Security Consult With Keith Systems

How the consult works

You book a time or call (805) 800-8163. The consult is a phone call or video chat of about 30 minutes with Jacob Keith, the person who would do any follow-up work.

The free offer is a conversation. It does not include examining your systems.

What to prepare

You do not need to prepare anything formal. These help if you have them handy:

• The reason you reached out: a customer questionnaire, an insurance renewal, a contract clause, a recent scare or general concern.
• A rough count of employees, computers and locations.
• Whether you use Microsoft 365, Google Workspace or something else for email.
• Who handles your IT today: an outside provider, a staff member or the owner.
• Any security documents you were asked to complete. You can describe them; you do not need to send them.

Please do not send passwords, account details or sensitive files before or during the call.

What Jacob asks

Questions are practical and non-technical where possible:

• What does your business do, and what data would hurt most if lost or exposed?
• How do staff sign in to email and key systems? Is multi-factor authentication in use?
• How are backups handled, and has anyone tested restoring them?
• Do guests, staff devices and connected devices like printers, smart TVs and thermostats share one network?
• Do you have contracts that mention NIST SP 800-171, CMMC, HIPAA or similar requirements?
• If something went wrong tomorrow, who would you call first?

There are no wrong answers. "I don't know" is useful information.

What you receive

After the call, you get a plain-language list of next steps by email. It focuses on the few things that seem most worth your attention, based on what you described. Some items may be things your staff or current IT provider can handle without Keith Systems.

If paid help makes sense, Jacob will say which service fits, such as a security assessment, network security or CMMC readiness.

What it isn't

It's a conversation, not a scan, formal report or compliance determination. Legal questions go to your attorney, and Keith Systems doesn't sell equipment.

No pressure

The consult is free and carries no obligation. You will not get a countdown offer or repeated follow-up calls. If Keith Systems is not the right fit, for example if you need a larger team, Jacob will tell you.

Paid work: scope and fee in writing first

If you decide to move forward, the work is scoped in writing before anything begins. The scope states what is included, what is excluded, what you will receive and the fee. Nothing starts until you agree. Any testing requires separate written authorization from the owner.

Privacy of what you share

What you tell Jacob is used only to advise you. It is not sold or shared. If you would like a nondisclosure agreement before discussing details, ask, and that can be arranged before the call.

Want to know how to judge any security provider, including this one? Read how to vet a security vendor.