Next Level Secure helps organizations reduce cyber risk through executive cybersecurity leadership, strategic consulting, vCISO services, incident response guidance, and practical security program development.
Next Level Secure was founded with a simple belief: effective cybersecurity should be practical, measurable, and aligned with business objectives.
What began as independent cybersecurity consulting has grown into a trusted advisory practice focused on helping organizations strengthen security, reduce cyber risk, and build resilient security programs. From executive strategy and governance to incident response and compliance, our approach emphasizes practical recommendations that organizations can implement—not lengthy reports that sit on a shelf.
Whether serving as a virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO), supporting incident response, or helping organizations mature their security programs, our focus remains the same: delivering cybersecurity that supports business success.
Operational Leadership.
- Executive security leadership
- SOC leadership
- Incident response
- vCISO consulting
- Healthcare
- Author
- Educator
Quick Bio
Eric Peterson is a Director of Information Security, cybersecurity author, and executive security advisor with more than 25 years of experience helping organizations prevent, detect, respond to, and recover from cyber threats.
His background spans healthcare, managed security services, consulting, incident response, governance, risk management, security operations, identity and access management, cloud security, and executive leadership. Eric has led and scaled Security Operations Centers (SOCs), coordinated ransomware response efforts, advised organizations as a virtual CISO, and helped organizations strengthen cybersecurity programs using frameworks such as NIST CSF, HITRUST, ISO 27001, CIS Controls, HIPAA, and PCI DSS. Author of a growing library of cybersecurity books covering healthcare, critical infrastructure, AI, cybersecurity leadership, small business security, and consumer cyber awareness.
His approach combines executive strategy with operational experience, helping organizations improve security while supporting business objectives.
Certifications & Education
Eric holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in IT Security and Assurance and maintains more than 20 industry certifications covering cybersecurity leadership, governance, risk management, cloud security, security operations, incident response, networking, and compliance. His credentials include CISSP, CCSP, CRISC, CISM, CISA, Certified CMMC Professional (CCP), Associate C|CISO, Cisco CCNA Security and Cyber Ops, along with numerous technical certifications supporting enterprise security operations and architecture.
Published Books & Research
Eric has authored multiple cybersecurity books, research articles, and technical publications covering healthcare, AI governance, industrial security, ransomware, identity protection, and executive cybersecurity leadership.
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 |  | Coming Soon! Cyber for Fintech | Coming Soon! Cyber for Education | Plans to group these into a Cyber Defense eBook Series |
Why Organizations Work With Us
Executive cybersecurity leadership
✔ Practical, business-focused recommendations
✔ Healthcare and regulated industry expertise
✔ Incident response experience
✔ Security program development
✔ Governance and compliance guidance
✔ Vendor and third-party risk management
✔ Board and executive reporting
vCISO Services
Strategy
- Security roadmaps
- Governance
- Executive reporting
Risk
- Assessments
- Vendor risk
- Compliance
Operations
- Incident response
- Architecture
- Security awareness
Leadership
- Interim CISO
- Board reporting
- Budget planning
Recent Areas of Focus
- Healthcare cybersecurity
- AI governance and security
- Identity and access management
- Security operations maturity
- Regulatory compliance
- Incident response
- Cloud security
- Zero Trust
Whether you need executive cybersecurity leadership, a strategic security assessment, incident response guidance, or an experienced vCISO, Next Level Secure can help.