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When Cyber Insurance Isn’t Enough: Why Proactive Cyber Governance Is Critical

Posted on by David McLaughlin
Cyber insurance is often thought of as a safety net, but recent headlines are proving that it doesn’t always catch organizations when they fall. Insurers are increasingly denying multimillion-dollar claims when even basic cybersecurity controls aren’t in place.
Take, for example, a recent case in Hamilton, Ontario. After a major cyberattack, the city faced millions in recovery costs when its insurance provider refused to cover the damages. The denial wasn’t about fine print or legal maneuvering—it came down to something as fundamental as gaps in login security that should have been addressed long before the incident occurred.
Unfortunately, stories like this are no longer rare. They highlight a growing reality: insurance companies aren’t simply cutting checks after a breach. They’re requiring proof that organizations are proactively managing risk. Multi-factor authentication, vulnerability assessments, incident response plans, and governance structures are no longer optional—they’re prerequisites for coverage. Without them, insurance can be reduced or denied outright, leaving organizations to shoulder catastrophic costs on their own.

How CAG Helps You Stay Covered and Compliant

That’s where Columbia Advisory Group (CAG) comes in. Our Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) services are built to bridge the gap between insurer expectations and organizational readiness.
Through our Cybersecurity Assessment and Advisory Services, we help organizations uncover vulnerabilities before insurers—or attackers—do. We align clients with leading frameworks such as NIST, SOC 2, HIPAA, and ISO 27001, and deliver clear, actionable steps to strengthen defenses. The goal isn’t to overcomplicate security; it’s to make it achievable, cost-effective, and tailored to your business.
For organizations that need strategic leadership but can’t justify the cost of a full-time executive, our virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) service provides a powerful alternative. A vCISO brings deep expertise to your team without the full-time expense—helping to design governance programs, oversee compliance, and ensure you remain both secure and audit-ready year after year.

Confidence Comes from Being Prepared

Proactive protection is the real safety net. By putting the right controls and governance in place, organizations not only strengthen resilience against cyberattacks but also ensure they meet insurer requirements when it matters most. Compared to the financial devastation of a denied claim or prolonged recovery effort, investing in assessments, advisory services, or vCISO leadership is a small price to pay.
At Columbia Advisory Group, we believe that strong cybersecurity doesn’t have to break the budget. It just has to be smart, strategic, and forward-looking. With the right partner, you can face the future with confidence—knowing you’re protected not just from attackers, but also from the hidden financial risks that come when insurance safety nets fail.
Contact an expert today learn how CAG can help protect your business:
https://columbiaadvisory.com/contact

Stay Compliant with GLBA Without Breaking Your Budget

Posted on by David McLaughlin

GLBA Compliance Made Simple for Higher Education

In recent years, higher education institutions have found themselves under increasing scrutiny when it comes to protecting sensitive financial data. The Gramm–Leach–Bliley Act (GLBA) Safeguards Rule—aimed initially at financial institutions—now applies to colleges and universities that process student financial aid information.
And the stakes are getting higher. The U.S. Department of Education has tightened enforcement and is actively reviewing institutions’ compliance during audits. The risks of falling short are serious: loss of Title IV funding, reputational damage, costly remediation, and possible legal implications.

The Challenge: Compliance on a Limited Budget

While compliance is critical, many higher ed institutions face a difficult reality—limited budgets and stretched IT/security teams. GLBA compliance requires a combination of governance, technical safeguards, training, and vendor oversight. Doing all of that in-house, from scratch, can quickly overwhelm resources.

The Columbia Advisory Group Approach

At Columbia Advisory Group (CAG), we’ve helped colleges and universities across the country navigate GLBA requirements efficiently and affordably. Our Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) services are tailored to the unique needs of higher education, helping institutions:
  • Identify gaps in their current GLBA Safeguards Program
  • Implement practical controls that satisfy regulatory requirements
  • Leverage cost-effective solutions that fit budget constraints
  • Reduce audit risk through ongoing compliance monitoring and reporting
We focus on scalable, results-driven solutions—never one-size-fits-all checklists. Our team understands the academic environment and works closely with leadership, IT teams, and compliance officers to deliver security that works in the real world.

Why It Matters Now

GLBA enforcement isn’t slowing down. In fact, with recent updates to the Safeguards Rule, institutions must now demonstrate ongoing compliance—not just point-in-time readiness. The sooner you address any gaps, the lower your risk of penalties, data breaches, and operational disruptions.

Partner with a Trusted Compliance Ally

With CAG, you’re not just buying compliance—you’re gaining a partner who brings deep regulatory expertise and a proven track record of helping higher ed institutions stay secure and compliant without draining budgets.
Take the first step today.
Contact us to discuss how CAG can help your institution meet GLBA obligations, protect sensitive data, and avoid costly penalties—while keeping costs under control.
https://columbiaadvisory.com/contact

When Budgets Tighten – Your IT Strategy Matters More Than Ever

Posted on by David McLaughlin
Across the higher education and public sectors, a familiar challenge is re-emerging—tightening budgets and rising pressure to reduce IT spend without compromising user experience or core capabilities.
At CAG, our senior team has helped over 100 organizations—from Fortune 500 companies to community colleges and large universities—tackle these challenges head-on. Many higher ed and public institutions are facing meaningful budget reductions for the first time in years. Some have time to plan, others have to move quickly.
One often overlooked opportunity? Making better use of the talent institutions already have. Rather than filling roles with new hires, we help assess whether existing team members have the capabilities to take on those responsibilities—saving money and empowering staff at the same time.

Your Institution Isn’t Generic. Neither Is Our Approach.

IT is central to everything from student services and classroom delivery to administration and research. Cutting spend too aggressively—or in the wrong areas—can lead to operational bottlenecks, user frustration, and security risks. But doing nothing isn’t an option either. Leaders are being asked to find savings—and fast.
That’s why our approach always starts with a conversation. No two institutions face the same challenges, and no template can capture the nuance of your environment. Our recommendations are grounded in industry benchmarks but tailored to your structure, goals, and priorities.
Whether you’re looking to consolidate technology platforms, avoid unnecessary hires by better leveraging internal talent, or reinvest savings into mission-critical areas, our team works directly with yours to define and deliver cost strategies that make sense in your world.

What Makes Our Approach Work?

  • Tailored Assessments: No cookie-cutter templates. We assess your IT environment against both best practices and your internal goals.
  • Real Benchmarks: Our insights come from real-world data across higher ed, public sector, and commercial clients.
  • Operational Focus: We don’t just identify savings, we help you redirect those savings to improve the capabilities that matter most.
  • People Optimization: We evaluate internal staff capabilities to see where roles can be filled or expanded without the need for external hires.
  • Minimal Disruption: Our methods are designed to reduce costs with as little impact to users, services, and uptime as possible.

You Don’t Have to Guess Where to Cut — Let’s Talk

Too often, IT leaders are left to guess which levers to pull. But with the right approach, you can cut costs without cutting capability and come out of a tightening cycle with an IT operation that’s not just leaner, but stronger.
If you’re facing budget pressure or preparing for difficult decisions, you don’t have to go it alone. Let’s set up a conversation with one of our senior experts. We’ll walk you through a custom-tailored assessment designed around your environment—and your goals.
Connect with us today to get started: https://columbiaadvisory.com/contact

Interim CIO Services: Enhancing IT Leadership and Continuity in Higher Education

Posted on by David McLaughlin
In higher education, the role of the Chief Information Officer (CIO) is foundational to the success of the institution’s technological infrastructure, aligning IT with academic, operational, and student services. When a CIO position becomes vacant—whether due to retirement, departure, or a transitional phase—ensuring continuity and stability in IT operations is paramount. Columbia Advisory Group (CAG) offers interim CIO services to bridge these critical gaps, providing not just leadership but also strategic direction that keeps IT on course and aligned with institutional goals.

Why Interim CIO Services Are Critical for Higher Education

Columbia Advisory Group has built a reputation for providing Interim CIO services to a diverse array of higher education institutions. Our interim leadership provides institutional resilience during times of change.

IT Leadership and Strategic Continuity

Leadership transitions, particularly in IT, present a unique set of challenges. The departure or retirement of a CIO can create a leadership vacuum that jeopardizes the continuity of critical IT operations. At CAG, our Interim CIOs step into the role with a clear mandate: to maintain momentum, deliver results, and drive strategic initiatives. What differentiates us is that while we assign an Interim CIO to your institution, our clients also gain access to the full breadth of CAG’s senior leadership team, whose collective CIO expertise provides immediate backup and strategic support when needed.

Holistic IT Strategy and Leadership

An Interim CIO from CAG brings a broad strategic perspective, enabling institutions to navigate complex IT challenges while positioning the organization for long-term success. From overseeing the IT budget to managing vendor interactions, our Interim CIOs ensure that every facet of your IT operation is aligned with the institution’s overarching goals. They also facilitate critical communication between senior leadership and department heads, keeping all stakeholders engaged and informed.
Our Interim CIOs also oversee the management of IT performance metrics and capital expenditures, ensuring that investments are aligned with both current needs and future objectives. Furthermore, they evaluate and execute milestones within the IT roadmap, ensuring that strategic initiatives remain on track. With CAG’s Interim CIOs, you gain a partner who helps you define a path forward while maintaining operational excellence during times of leadership change.

Tailored IT Leadership at Every Level

CAG understands that institutions may require leadership not just at the CIO level but across various IT management tiers. Whether your needs call for interim leadership at the Director or Manager level, CAG provides flexible, scalable solutions. Our Interim CIO service is designed to offer support that is tailored to your institution’s specific needs, ensuring that all levels of IT leadership are addressed and that the department remains functional, efficient, and aligned with institutional priorities.

Facilitating Collaboration and Communication Across the Institution

Effective leadership in IT is not just about managing systems—it’s about managing people and processes. An Interim CIO from CAG excels in facilitating communication across your institution, ensuring that both senior leadership and department leaders remain aligned on IT priorities. Our CIOs also run IT steering committee meetings, providing the forum for strategic discussions and decision-making. By managing IT staff and coordinating cross-departmental collaboration, our Interim CIOs ensure that IT issues are addressed proactively and that IT performance continues to support the broader goals of the institution.

Conclusion

Columbia Advisory Group’s Interim CIO services go beyond just filling a temporary gap—they are about providing your institution with the strategic leadership and operational continuity needed to thrive during times of transition. With our Interim CIOs, your institution benefits from seasoned leadership backed by the collective knowledge of CAG’s senior management team. We ensure that your IT department continues to function at a high level while also guiding the institution toward long-term strategic goals.
Our Interim CIO service provides not only the expertise needed to maintain IT excellence but also the strategic vision required to drive your institution forward. Contact us today to learn how we can help you navigate your leadership transition and ensure the continued success of your IT strategy. To learn more, visit columbiaadvisory.com/contact