Next Level Secure, LLC was founded by Eric Peterson, a cybersecurity leader with extensive experience helping organizations prevent, respond to, and recover from security incidents. What began as after-hours consulting and advisory work quickly evolved into a dedicated mission: to make a meaningful impact on cybersecurity for businesses and individuals alike.
Eric believes every organization—regardless of size—can strengthen its security posture, reduce risk, and operate with greater confidence in today’s digital landscape.
Through tailored cybersecurity consulting and vCISO services, Next Level Secure helps organizations proactively manage risk, protect sensitive data, and build lasting trust with their customers.
Ready to take the next step? Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.
Quick Bio
Eric holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in IT Security and Assurance and serves as a Director of Information Security in the healthcare industry and as a vCISO for private organizations.
Eric holds a broad range of industry-recognized cybersecurity and IT certifications, including CISSP, CCSP, CRISC, CISM, CISA, CEH, C|HFI, CCP (Certified CMMC Professional), and Associate C|CISO, along with certifications in networking, cloud, and security operations such as CCNA (Cyber Ops, Security), CySA+, Security+, Project+, and A+. He also holds specialized certifications, including Secureworks Taegis XDR Certified Analyst and multiple CIW designations in web development, database design, and JavaScript.
In addition to his professional work, Eric is an active cybersecurity blogger and published author. His books include Screened In: Essential Cyber Safety Habits for Modern Teens, From Bytes to Barriers: Building Cyber Walls for Your Small Business, and Cyber Tips Guide: Navigating the Digital Age Safely. He has also authored numerous cybersecurity articles and technical blog posts, as well as instructional materials on other areas of expertise.
vCISO Services
- Cybersecurity Strategy Development
- Risk Assessment and Management
- Policy and Procedure Development
- Security Awareness Training
- Security Audits and Assessments
- Incident Response Planning
- Vendor Risk Management
- Compliance and Regulatory Support
- Security Technology Recommendations
- Security Awareness Training
- Budgeting and Resource Allocation
- Incident Response Testing
- Security Metrics and Reporting
- Executive and Board Reporting
- Security Governance and Compliance
- Security Incident Investigation
- Cybersecurity Roadmap
- Cybersecurity Training and Workshops
- Security Architecture Review
- Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Planning
- Security Policy Enforcement
- Continuous Improvement
- Interim CISO Services
You may not be sold on outsourcing your critical security needs and strategies to a vCISO consultant, but look at these stats.
- The use of virtual CISO (vCISO) services by companies lacking a full-time CISO is proliferating. Adoption grew over 90% from 2020 to 2021. Read more here.
- 63% of organizations with less than 500 employees do not have a dedicated CISO or cybersecurity leader. This represents a significant gap in security leadership that vCISOs can fill. Read more here.
- The most common reasons companies hire a vCISO are to get expert advice on strategy, compliance, risk assessments, and incident response cost-effectively. A vCISO is seen as a fraction of the cost of a full-time CISO. Read more here.
- 78% of IT leaders report improved cybersecurity after engaging a vCISO, citing benefits like getting an unbiased external perspective on vulnerabilities. Read more here.
- The rise in remote and hybrid work since 2020 has increased the need for outside cybersecurity expertise through vCISOs for companies managing more complex distributed environments. Read more here.