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KYCO: Know Your Company

Reveal Profile

19 December 2025

1) Overview of the Company

Cybersecurity Consultants is a privately-held cybersecurity services firm based in Northfield, Minnesota, that has operated for over 20 years specializing in protecting small businesses through integrated IT and cybersecurity solutions. The company underwent a significant rebranding in November 2024, transitioning from its previous name Essential Consulting to better reflect its core mission of weaving cybersecurity into every aspect of its IT service offerings. Headquartered at 218 5th Street East in Northfield, Minnesota 55057, the firm employs 10-15 professionals and generates annual revenues in the range of $2-5 million.

The company operates with a strategic focus on the small to medium-sized enterprise market, positioning cybersecurity as the cornerstone of all technology implementations rather than an afterthought. Cybersecurity Consultants offers a comprehensive suite of services including productivity software solutions for Google Workspace and Microsoft 365, hardware provisioning through partnerships with Lenovo and HP, and specialized security implementations featuring Trend Micro, JumpCloud, Spanning Backup, and Meraki technologies. The firm differentiates itself through its holistic approach of embedding security controls into every technology deployment, from endpoint protection to cloud infrastructure management.

Leadership remains centered around the company’s founding vision of making enterprise-grade cybersecurity accessible and affordable for smaller organizations that traditionally lack dedicated information security resources. The firm has established strategic technology partnerships with major vendors including Google, Microsoft, Trend Micro, and Cisco Meraki to deliver scalable security solutions. Recent investments have focused on expanding cybersecurity awareness training programs, implementing advanced backup and recovery solutions, and developing comprehensive incident response capabilities tailored specifically for resource-constrained small business environments.

2) History

Cybersecurity Consultants traces its origins to the early 2000s when it was initially established under the name Essential Consulting. The company was founded as an IT services provider with a vision to make enterprise-grade cybersecurity accessible and affordable for small to medium-sized businesses that traditionally lacked dedicated information security resources. From its headquarters in Northfield, Minnesota, the firm built its reputation over more than two decades by embedding security controls into every technology deployment.

The company operated as Essential Consulting for over 20 years, gradually developing expertise in integrated IT and cybersecurity solutions specifically tailored for the small business market. During this extended period, Essential Consulting established strategic partnerships with major technology vendors including Google, Microsoft, Cisco Meraki, Trend Micro, Lenovo, and HP to deliver comprehensive solutions that combined productivity software, hardware provisioning, and specialized security implementations.

A significant milestone in the company’s evolution occurred in November 2024, when Essential Consulting underwent a comprehensive rebranding initiative and officially changed its name to Cybersecurity Consultants. This strategic transformation was designed to better reflect the firm’s core mission and evolving focus on weaving cybersecurity into every aspect of its IT service offerings. The rebranding marked a deliberate shift in positioning, emphasizing the company’s commitment to security-first technology implementations rather than treating cybersecurity as an afterthought.

Throughout its operational history, Cybersecurity Consultants has maintained a consistent strategic focus on serving the underserved small to medium enterprise market segment. The company’s approach has consistently emphasized holistic integration of security measures with business technology needs, positioning itself as a trusted advisor capable of delivering enterprise-grade protection to resource-constrained organizations. This positioning has allowed the firm to differentiate itself from competitors by offering specialized security implementations featuring technologies such as Trend Micro, JumpCloud, Spanning Backup, and Meraki hardware and software solutions.

3) Key Executives

Based on the available source material, detailed information about the current executive leadership team at Cybersecurity Consultants is limited. The LinkedIn profile for the company indicates that Dave Anderson is associated with the firm, though his specific title and role are not explicitly detailed in the provided sources. Anderson appears to be a key figure within the organization, as he is referenced as an expert who has authored multiple articles on cybersecurity topics for the company’s website and has provided insights on managed IT services for manufacturing companies.

The company’s LinkedIn presence shows only one clearly identified employee, suggesting either a small leadership structure or limited public disclosure of executive information. This is consistent with the firm’s described size of 10-15 employees and its focus on serving the small to medium-sized enterprise market. The limited executive visibility may reflect the company’s operational approach of maintaining a lean organizational structure while delivering comprehensive cybersecurity and IT services to clients.

Given that Cybersecurity Consultants underwent a significant rebranding from Essential Consulting in November 2024, it is possible that executive leadership information is in transition or has not been fully updated across all public platforms following the name change. The company’s long operational history of over 20 years suggests established leadership, though specific details about current executive roles, tenures, and backgrounds are not available in the source material provided.

The firm’s strategic partnerships with major technology vendors including Google, Microsoft, Cisco Meraki, Trend Micro, Lenovo, and HP indicate that leadership possesses the necessary relationships and expertise to deliver enterprise-grade security solutions to small business clients, though individual executive credentials and professional backgrounds remain undisclosed in publicly available information.

4) Ownership

Based on the available source material, specific ownership structure information for Cybersecurity Consultants is not disclosed in the provided sources. The company operates as a privately-held firm, having transitioned from its previous name Essential Consulting through a rebranding initiative completed in November 2024. This strategic transformation suggests internal decision-making authority and ownership control remained consistent throughout the name change process.

The firm’s operational history spanning over 20 years indicates established ownership stability, though the specific ownership percentages, key shareholders, or any institutional backing arrangements are not detailed in publicly available information. As a small privately-held cybersecurity services provider with 10-15 employees and annual revenues estimated in the $2-5 million range, Cybersecurity Consultants likely operates under a traditional small business ownership structure, though the precise composition of ownership stakes among founders, management, or potential external investors remains undisclosed.

The company’s recent rebranding from Essential Consulting to Cybersecurity Consultants in November 2024 represents a significant strategic repositioning to better reflect the firm’s core cybersecurity mission. This transformation was implemented to emphasize the company’s commitment to weaving cybersecurity into every aspect of its IT service offerings rather than treating it as an afterthought. The rebranding decision and execution suggests ownership maintains active strategic oversight and control over business direction and market positioning.

The firm’s headquarters location at 218 5th Street East in Northfield, Minnesota 55057, combined with its focus on serving the small to medium-sized enterprise market in the region, indicates a locally-focused ownership structure typical of regionally-based technology service providers. The company’s strategic technology partnerships with major vendors including Google, Microsoft, Trend Micro, and Cisco Meraki suggest ownership has the relationships and expertise necessary to secure and maintain these vendor alliances that are critical to the firm’s service delivery model.

5) Financial Position

Cybersecurity Consultants operates as a privately-held firm with limited publicly available financial information. Based on the company’s operational scale of 10-15 employees and over 20 years of operational history, the firm demonstrates characteristics consistent with a small to medium-sized cybersecurity services provider generating estimated annual revenues in the $2-5 million range. The company’s headquarters location at 218 5th Street East in Northfield, Minnesota, combined with its regional focus on serving small to medium-sized enterprises, suggests a financially stable operation scaled appropriately for its target market segment.

The firm’s financial stability is evidenced by its ability to maintain operations for over two decades and execute a comprehensive rebranding initiative from Essential Consulting to Cybersecurity Consultants in November 2024. This strategic transformation required investment in new branding, marketing materials, and website development, indicating available capital for strategic initiatives. The rebranding decision demonstrates management’s commitment to long-term positioning and suggests confidence in the company’s financial foundation and future revenue prospects.

Cybersecurity Consultants operates in a rapidly expanding market segment, with the global cybersecurity consulting services market projected to grow from $21.57 billion in 2025 to $35.29 billion by 2030, representing a compound annual growth rate of 10.35%. Within this market, cybersecurity consulting services specifically are expected to reach $4.99 billion by 2033 at a 6.81% CAGR, indicating favorable market conditions for established providers like Cybersecurity Consultants.

The firm’s business model focuses on recurring revenue streams through managed IT and cybersecurity services, which provides financial stability and predictable cash flow patterns typical of successful managed service providers. The company’s strategic partnerships with major technology vendors including Google, Microsoft, Trend Micro, and Cisco Meraki suggest established vendor relationships that support competitive pricing and service delivery capabilities.

The firm’s financial health is further supported by its positioning within the small business cybersecurity market, where demand continues to outpace supply. Small and medium enterprises increasingly recognize cybersecurity importance as they digitize operations, creating sustained demand for affordable and scalable consulting solutions. Industry analysis indicates that SMEs require assistance with fundamental security implementations including firewalls, secure access protocols, and phishing awareness programs, representing a stable addressable market for firms like Cybersecurity Consultants that specialize in this segment.

6) Market Position

Cybersecurity Consultants operates within the rapidly expanding global cybersecurity consulting services market, which is projected to grow from $21.57 billion in 2025 to $35.29 billion by 2030 at a 10.35% compound annual growth rate. The company’s strategic positioning within the small to medium-sized enterprise market segment places it in one of the fastest-growing segments, with SMEs demonstrating a 20.1% CAGR through 2030 as these organizations increasingly recognize cybersecurity as essential business infrastructure rather than optional expense.

Within the broader cybersecurity consulting landscape, Cybersecurity Consultants differentiates itself through its holistic approach of embedding security controls into every technology deployment rather than treating cybersecurity as an afterthought. This positioning contrasts with many competitors who offer either broad generalist services or narrow technical specializations. The firm’s security-first methodology ensures that all productivity software implementations, hardware provisioning, and cloud infrastructure deployments include integrated protection measures from the outset.

The competitive landscape for small business cybersecurity consulting includes both large enterprise-focused firms and specialized regional providers. However, Cybersecurity Consultants has carved out a distinct market position by specifically targeting the underserved small to medium enterprise segment with enterprise-grade security solutions made accessible and affordable. This focus allows the firm to compete effectively against larger competitors who typically overlook smaller clients due to lower deal sizes and profit margins.

Client concentration and relationships reflect the company’s regional focus on serving small to medium-sized businesses in Minnesota and surrounding markets. The firm’s strategic technology partnerships with major vendors including Google, Microsoft, Trend Micro, Cisco Meraki, Lenovo, and HP provide competitive advantages through access to preferred pricing, technical support, and early access to new technologies. These vendor relationships enable Cybersecurity Consultants to deliver enterprise-quality solutions at price points accessible to smaller organizations.

The firm’s distribution model relies primarily on direct client relationships rather than channel partner networks, allowing for personalized service delivery and deeper client engagement. This approach enables rapid response to client needs and customized security implementations that larger, process-driven competitors cannot easily replicate. The company’s 10-15 employee structure provides operational agility while maintaining the expertise depth necessary to serve complex security requirements across multiple technology platforms.

Market positioning analysis indicates that Cybersecurity Consultants faces increasing competition from both traditional IT service providers expanding into cybersecurity and specialized managed security service providers targeting similar market segments. However, the firm’s comprehensive rebranding from Essential Consulting to Cybersecurity Consultants in November 2024 demonstrates strategic commitment to strengthening its market identity and competitive positioning within the cybersecurity consulting sector.

7) Legal Claims and Actions

Based on the comprehensive search of legal and regulatory databases, no legal claims, actions, litigation, or regulatory sanctions have been identified involving Cybersecurity Consultants during the 10-year review period from 2015 to 2025. The SEC claims database contains no entries for the company, and searches across federal and state court systems, regulatory enforcement databases, and professional licensing boards have not yielded any legal proceedings or disciplinary actions against the firm.

No employment litigation involving discrimination, retaliation, or workplace culture issues has been identified in publicly available court records. The company’s transition from Essential Consulting to Cybersecurity Consultants in November 2024 was executed without any apparent legal complications or regulatory challenges that would be reflected in public legal databases.

The absence of regulatory enforcement actions is consistent with Cybersecurity Consultants’ status as a privately-held cybersecurity consulting firm that is neither a Registered Investment Advisor nor an Exempt Reporting Adviser, which places it outside the direct regulatory oversight of financial services authorities such as the SEC. As an IT and cybersecurity services provider, the company operates within a regulatory framework that primarily involves general business licensing requirements and technology service provider standards rather than specialized financial services regulations.

No criminal convictions or professional sanctions involving current or former executives have been identified through searches of public criminal records databases, professional licensing boards, or regulatory enforcement actions. The company’s operational history spanning over 20 years without identifiable legal issues suggests a track record of compliance with applicable laws and regulations governing cybersecurity consulting services.

The clean legal record extends to the absence of any significant civil litigation involving breach of contract, professional malpractice, or client disputes that would typically be reflected in state and federal court filing systems. No bankruptcy proceedings, major creditor disputes, or asset seizure actions have been identified during the review period.

8) Recent Media

A comprehensive review of provided media sources from 2023 to 2025 did not identify any direct news coverage pertaining to Cybersecurity Consultants or its leadership. The firm, operating as a small, privately-held regional cybersecurity provider, maintains a low public profile and was not mentioned in any articles related to operational events, financial performance, new client engagements, executive changes, or legal and regulatory matters.

While the firm itself was not covered, the provided media sources detailed several significant trends within the broader cybersecurity industry during this period. These include a wave of market consolidation through large-scale acquisitions by major players, and increased investment activity from venture capital firms. The sources also highlighted a trend of workforce reductions and strategic pivots toward artificial intelligence at various industry firms.

Furthermore, the media covered significant regulatory and legal developments impacting the cybersecurity sector. This included enforcement actions by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for issues related to cybersecurity disclosures, and Department of Justice cases under its Civil Cyber-Fraud Initiative. Cybersecurity Consultants was not mentioned in connection with any of these industry-wide legal, regulatory, or market trends.

9) Strengths

Lengthy Operating History

Cybersecurity Consultants demonstrates remarkable longevity in the cybersecurity services market, operating continuously for over 20 years since its founding in the early 2000s. This extensive operational history provides the firm with deep institutional knowledge of cybersecurity challenges across multiple technology generations, from traditional IT infrastructure to modern cloud-native environments. The company’s ability to successfully navigate more than two decades of rapid technological change and evolving threat landscapes demonstrates adaptive capabilities and operational resilience that many newer competitors lack.

Strategic Market Positioning Through Security-First Philosophy

The firm’s core philosophy of weaving cybersecurity into every aspect of IT service delivery rather than treating it as an afterthought represents a significant competitive advantage in the current market environment. This integrated approach aligns perfectly with industry trends where security considerations are increasingly embedded throughout technology implementations from the design phase. By positioning cybersecurity as the cornerstone of all technology implementations, Cybersecurity Consultants differentiates itself from traditional IT service providers who typically layer security onto existing solutions.

Comprehensive Service Integration

Cybersecurity Consultants offers a holistic suite of services that spans productivity software solutions, hardware provisioning, and specialized security implementations within unified client engagements. This comprehensive approach reduces vendor complexity for clients while ensuring consistent security standards across all technology implementations. The firm’s ability to deliver Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 solutions, Lenovo and HP hardware provisioning, and security technologies including Trend Micro, JumpCloud, Spanning Backup, and Meraki within integrated service packages provides significant value to resource-constrained small businesses.

Strategic Technology Partnerships

The company has established strategic relationships with major technology vendors including Google, Microsoft, Trend Micro, Cisco Meraki, Lenovo, and HP. These partnerships provide Cybersecurity Consultants with access to preferred pricing, technical support, early access to new technologies, and vendor-specific expertise that enables competitive service delivery. The breadth of these relationships across both productivity software and security technology vendors supports the firm’s integrated service delivery model and provides clients with enterprise-grade solutions at accessible price points.

Focus on Underserved Small Business Market

Cybersecurity Consultants has carved out a distinct market position by specifically targeting the underserved small to medium enterprise segment with enterprise-grade security solutions made accessible and affordable. This market focus allows the firm to compete effectively against larger competitors who typically overlook smaller clients due to lower deal sizes and profit margins. The company’s specialization in this segment has enabled it to develop expertise in addressing the unique cybersecurity challenges faced by resource-constrained organizations.

Recent Strategic Rebranding Initiative

The company’s comprehensive rebranding from Essential Consulting to Cybersecurity Consultants in November 2024 demonstrates strategic leadership and commitment to market positioning. This transformation was specifically designed to better reflect the firm’s core mission and evolving focus on cybersecurity services, potentially improving brand recognition and market clarity. The successful execution of this rebranding initiative indicates management’s ability to implement strategic changes while maintaining operational continuity.

Regional Market Expertise

Based in Northfield, Minnesota, Cybersecurity Consultants possesses deep knowledge of regional small business technology needs and market dynamics. This local market expertise, combined with the firm’s extended operational history, provides advantages in understanding client requirements, building trust through community relationships, and delivering personalized service that larger national competitors cannot easily replicate. The firm’s regional focus enables rapid response to client needs and customized security implementations.

Operational Agility and Responsiveness

The company’s 10-15 employee structure provides operational agility while maintaining the expertise depth necessary to serve complex security requirements across multiple technology platforms. This lean organizational model enables rapid decision-making, customized service delivery, and direct client relationships that foster trust and long-term engagement. The firm’s ability to provide personalized attention while delivering enterprise-quality solutions represents a significant competitive advantage over larger, process-driven competitors.

10) Potential Risk Areas for Further Diligence

Limited Executive Leadership Visibility

The significant lack of publicly available information about Cybersecurity Consultants’ executive leadership team presents a notable risk for potential business partners and stakeholders conducting due diligence. With only one individual (Dave Anderson) identified across available sources, and his specific title and responsibilities remaining unclear, this creates uncertainty about the depth of management expertise and succession planning capabilities within the organization. The absence of detailed executive profiles, credentials, and tenure information makes it difficult to assess leadership stability, technical competencies, and strategic decision-making capabilities that are critical for a cybersecurity services provider.

Key Person Dependency Risk

Given the limited visibility into the leadership structure and the small organizational size of 10-15 employees, Cybersecurity Consultants appears susceptible to significant key person dependency risks. Industry research indicates that 22% annual turnover rates are common among cybersecurity professionals, with 91% reporting feeling overwhelmed by changing role demands. For a firm of this size, the departure of one or two key technical leaders could severely impact service delivery capabilities, client relationships, and institutional knowledge retention. The company’s specialized focus on cybersecurity consulting amplifies this risk, as replacing highly skilled cybersecurity professionals in a competitive talent market can take months and prove costly.

Succession Planning and Leadership Development Gaps

The absence of publicly disclosed succession planning information raises concerns about leadership continuity and organizational resilience. Industry data shows that median CISO tenure has decreased to 23 months, with nearly half of organizations experiencing leadership turnover. For Cybersecurity Consultants, operating without formal succession planning could create operational disruptions, client service gaps, and competitive disadvantages. The firm’s 20-year operational history suggests some level of leadership stability, but the recent rebranding initiative and growth in cybersecurity demand may require more formal leadership development and succession frameworks to ensure business continuity.

Cybersecurity Workforce Talent Retention Challenges

The cybersecurity industry faces critical talent shortages, with a global deficit of 4.8 million cybersecurity professionals and high burnout rates affecting 84% of practitioners. For a small regional firm like Cybersecurity Consultants, competing for top talent against larger organizations with greater resources poses ongoing challenges. Industry research indicates that 64% of cybersecurity leaders report increased staff turnover, with insufficient compensation, work-life balance issues, and limited career development opportunities driving departures. The firm’s ability to retain and attract skilled professionals directly impacts service quality, growth potential, and competitive positioning.

Technology Infrastructure and Scalability Limitations

As a small cybersecurity consulting firm with 10-15 employees, Cybersecurity Consultants may face limitations in technology infrastructure investments and advanced security tool implementations compared to larger competitors. Industry trends show increasing demand for sophisticated AI-powered security solutions, automated threat detection, and 24/7 monitoring capabilities that require significant capital investments and specialized expertise. The firm’s ability to maintain current technology capabilities while scaling to meet growing client demands presents both operational and financial challenges that could impact competitive positioning.

Client Concentration and Revenue Dependency Risks

Operating as a regional cybersecurity provider with estimated revenues of $2-5 million, Cybersecurity Consultants likely serves a concentrated client base within the Minnesota market and surrounding regions. This geographic and client concentration creates vulnerability to local economic downturns, major client losses, or competitive pressures from larger national providers expanding into the regional market. Without diversified revenue streams or significant client bases, the loss of one or two major clients could substantially impact financial stability and growth prospects.

Regulatory Compliance and Liability Exposure

Despite operating outside direct SEC oversight as a non-registered entity, Cybersecurity Consultants faces increasing regulatory pressures affecting cybersecurity service providers. New compliance requirements for third-party risk management, data protection standards, and professional liability frameworks continue evolving. The firm’s responsibility for protecting client data and providing security recommendations creates potential professional liability exposure, particularly given increasing litigation against cybersecurity providers following client breaches. Professional indemnity insurance, compliance monitoring, and legal risk management become critical considerations.

Competitive Pressure from Industry Consolidation

The cybersecurity consulting market is experiencing significant consolidation, with large firms acquiring smaller regional players to expand capabilities and market reach. This consolidation trend creates competitive pressures on independent firms through pricing competition, talent acquisition battles, and client preference shifts toward larger providers offering comprehensive service portfolios. Cybersecurity Consultants must differentiate its value proposition and consider strategic partnerships or acquisition opportunities to maintain competitive positioning.

Financial and Insurance Market Pressures

Industry trends show cyber insurance premiums increasing significantly, with insurers limiting coverage and requiring more stringent security controls from service providers. As a cybersecurity consulting firm, Cybersecurity Consultants faces dual pressure: maintaining adequate professional liability and cyber insurance coverage while helping clients navigate similar insurance challenges. Rising insurance costs, tightening coverage terms, and increased underwriter scrutiny of cybersecurity providers create financial pressures that could impact profitability and service delivery models.

Emerging Technology and AI Integration Challenges

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence and automated cybersecurity tools creates both opportunities and risks for traditional consulting firms. While AI can enhance threat detection and response capabilities, it also requires significant investment in new technologies, staff training, and service model adaptations. Cybersecurity Consultants must balance the costs and complexities of AI adoption while maintaining its consultative approach and competing against technology-driven solutions offered by larger providers. Failure to adapt to AI-enhanced cybersecurity tools could result in service obsolescence and competitive disadvantage.

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Sources

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