Rule4
Speciality: Application and API Penetration Testing
Rule4 is a private IT services and consulting company specializing in cybersecurity and emerging technology advisory; offers penetration testing services including application and API pentests; 13 employees with 17.6% YoY growth; $5M-$25M revenue; founded 2018; headquartered in Boulder, Colorado.
CISSP Certification Overview
Origin
The Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) was created by the International Information System Security Certification Consortium, commonly known as (ISC)², in 1994. The certification was developed in response to the growing need for a standardized, vendor-neutral credential that could validate the expertise of information security professionals. (ISC)² designed the CISSP to establish a common body of knowledge for the cybersecurity field and provide a benchmark for measuring professional competence in information security.
Industry Value
The CISSP is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious and recognized certifications in cybersecurity, often required or preferred for senior-level security positions. Its value stems from its comprehensive coverage of eight security domains, including security operations, asset security, and security architecture, which demonstrates a candidate's broad expertise across the entire security landscape. The certification is accredited to ISO/IEC Standard 17024 and meets U.S. Department of Defense Directive 8570 requirements, making it particularly valuable for government contractors and enterprise organizations. Employers value CISSP-certified professionals because the rigorous examination process and experience requirements (minimum five years) ensure holders possess both theoretical knowledge and practical experience in managing and implementing security programs.
PCI QSA Certification
Origin
The PCI Qualified Security Assessor (QSA) certification was created by the PCI Security Standards Council (PCI SSC), an organization founded in 2006 by major payment card brands including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, and JCB. The certification was established to address the growing need for qualified professionals who could assess merchant and service provider compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). The PCI DSS itself was developed in 2004 to create a unified approach to protecting cardholder data and reducing payment card fraud across the industry.
Industry Value
The PCI QSA certification is highly valued because it represents official authorization to conduct PCI DSS compliance assessments for organizations that handle payment card data. Companies that process, store, or transmit cardholder information are required by payment card brands to validate their PCI DSS compliance, and QSAs are the only professionals authorized to perform these formal assessments for most merchant levels. The certification demonstrates expertise in payment security standards, risk assessment methodologies, and data protection practices, making QSAs essential partners for businesses seeking to maintain compliance, avoid penalties, and protect their customers' sensitive payment information.
CISA Certification Overview
Origin and History
The Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) certification was created by ISACA (Information Systems Audit and Control Association) in 1978. ISACA developed this credential in response to the growing need for standardized expertise in auditing, controlling, and securing information systems. As one of the oldest IT audit and security certifications available, CISA was designed to validate the knowledge and skills of professionals responsible for assessing an organization's IT and business systems vulnerabilities and implementing appropriate controls.
Industry Value and Importance
CISA is highly valued in the industry because it demonstrates a professional's ability to assess risk, implement controls, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. The certification is globally recognized and often required or preferred for roles in IT audit, cybersecurity, risk management, and compliance positions. Many organizations, particularly financial institutions, government agencies, and publicly traded companies, specifically seek CISA-certified professionals to meet internal audit requirements and regulatory obligations. The credential's emphasis on both technical knowledge and practical application makes it particularly relevant for professionals who need to bridge the gap between IT operations and business governance.
ISO 27001: Information Security Management Certification
Origin
ISO 27001 was developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), and was first published in 2005. It evolved from the British Standard BS 7799-2, which was created in the late 1990s. The standard was developed in response to the growing need for organizations to systematically manage and protect sensitive information in an increasingly digital business environment. ISO 27001 has since been revised, with major updates released in 2013 and 2022 to address evolving cybersecurity threats and best practices.
Industry Value and Importance
ISO 27001 is globally recognized as the leading standard for information security management systems (ISMS) and is valued for providing a systematic, risk-based approach to protecting sensitive data. Organizations that achieve ISO 27001 certification demonstrate to clients, partners, and regulators that they have implemented comprehensive security controls and are committed to maintaining confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information. The certification is particularly important for organizations handling sensitive data, as it helps meet regulatory compliance requirements, reduces security incidents, builds customer trust, and often provides a competitive advantage in procurement processes where information security assurance is required.
- Agena Bioscience
- Akerna
- Boulder Community Health
- Boulder County
- Canonical
- Boulder County Clerk and Recorder
- Community Food Share
- City of Lafayette
- CiviCore
- CU Boulder
- CAIC
- Dexcom
- Eagle County
- E-470 Public Highway Authority
- Genesis Research
- Envision Radiology
- FFPI
- Grit Digital Health
- Gloo
- Intecrowd
- Investigations Law Group
- JumpCloud
- Involta
- Jefferson County Government
- Kessler
- KCO
- Kleinfelder
- Manatee
- LiteracyPro Systems
- Nexenta
- Mya
- New Belgium Brewing
- NYC & Company
- NORESCO
- Ombud
- OZ Architecture
- Oxlo
- Rady Childrens Institute of Genomic Medicine
- Rady Childrens
- Plato Biopharma
- Rocky Mountain Public Media
- Rallyday Partners
- Scaled Agile
- SomaLogic
- Semper Augustus
- Streem
- Sovrn
- Splunk
- Telespine