securitysearch.io : Your trusted partner for cybersecurity hiring across the CMMC ecosystem and Private Equity Cyber M&A.
OUR
STORY
At SecuritySearch.io, we specialize in cybersecurity hiring across two mission-critical markets: the CMMC ecosystem and private equity Cyber M&A.
We support C3PAOs, RPOs, federal contractors, and the broader defense industrial base with certified CMMC talent - including CCPs, CCAs, cleared engineers, and compliance professionals.
In parallel, we partner with private equity firms and Cyber M&A advisory teams to deliver top-tier cybersecurity leaders across the deal lifecycle — from due diligence and transaction support to post-close value creation.
With 12+ years of experience in Information Security recruitment, we understand the high-stakes nature of cyber risk across both national defense and commercial investment landscapes. Our mission is to help our clients secure elite talent to mitigate risk, ensure compliance, and drive resilient growth.
July 2025 Edition v3.0
Download: CMMC Talent Insight Report
We have just released our latest CMMC Talent Insight Report (July 2025) — a market snapshot built from 24 months of hiring data, certification trends, and verified updates across the CMMC ecosystem.
Here’s a quick snapshot of what’s inside:
• New C3PAO authorizations and verified CCA leadership moves
• Seniority breakdowns across CCP, CCA, and Lead CCA talent pools
• Federal contractor hiring trends — 23 new internal roles tracked in June
• Salary benchmarks and tenure data across consultant through C-level
• Strategic recommendations to reduce time-to-fill and certification delays
Whether you're scaling internally or building assessment capability, this report helps you hire smarter, move faster — and stay ahead of the market.
OUR
BRANDS
OUR
VALUE
Empowering organizations across the AI security ecosystem, from start-ups and scale-ups to large enterprises, with tailored talent solutions to secure digital assets and build resilient AI-focused security teams for long-term success.
Deep Market & Domain Expertise
With 13+ years of cybersecurity hiring experience — including credentials in AI Security (AIS247) — we understand the nuance of CMMC compliance, NIST frameworks, and private equity M&A cyber risk. From GenAI threats to supply chain security, we translate complex frameworks like NIST, FedRAMP, MITRE, and OWASP into talent strategies that deliver results across both federal and commercial sectors.
Transparent, Real-Time Process
Our live client portal gives you full transparency into every search. Whether you're building a CMMC-compliant security team or hiring across a value creation program, you’ll have access to vetted candidate profiles, executive summaries, and real-time updates. Every shortlist, rejection, and feedback loop is tracked - keeping your process structured, informed, and auditable.
Proven Talent, Delivered Fast
From CCAs and cleared engineers to portfolio CISOs and red team leads, we deliver critical talent fast - within 48 hours of search kickoff. Our market-mapped networks and precision-matching tools allow us to reduce time-to-hire, even for high-clearance or post-close integration roles, while maintaining quality and strategic fit.
Strategic Partnerships & Scalable Delivery
We support clients from both sides of the cyber talent spectrum, helping C3PAOs, RPOs, and defense contractors scale CMMC-aligned teams, while enabling PE firms and their PortCos to embed security across the deal lifecycle. From interim leadership to scalable delivery models, we’re built for trusted, long-term partnerships in regulated and high-growth environments.
OUR
SOLUTIONS
Interim Search
Fractional Security Bench
Solution Plug-ins
Permanent Search
Find long-term talent to build and strengthen your security team. Our tailored approach focuses on helping you retain candidates with the expertise and cultural fit needed to build sustainable teams, ensuring future growth and maximizing value in an ever-changing market.
Quickly access experienced cybersecurity professionals for short-term or project-based needs. Whether bridging leadership gaps or managing critical initiatives, our interim search delivers flexible talent solutions to keep your operations secure and on track.
Ideal for CMMC-certified firms, federal contractors, and private equity-backed companies seeking expert security leadership on a flexible basis.
Our curated network of experienced CISOs provides strategic guidance, compliance oversight, and hands-on support during critical phases — including M&A, CMMC readiness, or post-breach recovery. Whether you need interim leadership or targeted advisory, we deliver trusted, on-demand expertise to elevate your security posture and program maturity.
Team Builds: Rapidly scale your security team with the right talent.
Security Talent Advisory:
Strategic guidance to optimize your cybersecurity hiring process.
Talent As A Service (TaaS): On-demand, fractional access to a specialized search partner on a fixed-cost basis. Acting as an extension of your leadership team.
FOUNDER
Luke Pulsford
Luke is the founder of SecuritySearch.io, a specialist search firm focused on high-impact cybersecurity hiring across two mission-critical markets: the CMMC and federal compliance ecosystem, and the private equity Cyber M&A space. With over a decade of experience, Luke has supported clients ranging from early-stage start-ups and security scale-ups to PE/VC-backed ventures, FTSE 100 giants, Fortune 500 enterprises, and national security organizations.
Luke began his recruitment career in 2013, entering the defense and national security sector during a pivotal era shaped by the rise of SIEM, cloud infrastructure, and big data adoption. He worked closely with SC and DV-cleared professionals across the UK and Europe, supporting hiring for the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD), NATO, and Tier 1 defense contractors operating in high-security environments. Over time, he developed deep expertise in both cleared federal hiring and commercial security leadership, placing critical roles aligned with CMMC compliance, FedRAMP, NIST, and emerging mandates around Zero Trust and supply chain resilience.
In 2018, Luke made his first Cyber M&A placement for a global strategy firm, followed by a landmark AI Security & Emerging Risk hire in 2019 — placing a Head of Digital & Emerging Risk (AI) for a leading UK asset manager.
These milestone placements fueled his passion for the intersection of cybersecurity, innovation, and M&A risk.
In 2023, Luke launched SecuritySearch.io to meet growing demand for cyber talent in two critical areas:
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The CMMC/federal ecosystem, supporting C3PAOs, RPOs, and defense contractors;
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and The private equity Cyber M&A market, serving investors, value creation teams, and portfolio companies.
That same year, he founded AISecuritySearch.io, a sister brand dedicated to the fast-evolving landscape of AI security talent and AI governance.
Luke prides himself on staying at the cutting edge of cybersecurity innovation — whether navigating emerging technology risks or evolving regulatory landscapes.
A committed lifelong learner, he is currently pursuing an Executive Diploma in AI Leadership, as well as certifications in AI security and VC/PE market dynamics to deepen his cross-sector expertise.
But Luke’s connection to technology runs deeper than his career. From a young age, he was captivated by emerging tech, inspired by stories from his late grandfather, John Pulsford - a computing pioneer in the 1950s and 60s. John led integration and deployment teams at LEO Computers (Lyons Electronic Office) - creators of the world’s first commercial business computer, later known as ICL (International Computers Limited). That legacy of systems thinking, engineering rigor, and responsible innovation helped shape Luke’s mission today: to connect elite talent with the organizations shaping the future of cybersecurity and technology.
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2
Private Equity
Our clients within the M&A ecosystem
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Early-Stage, PE/VC-backed Startups
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Scale-ups to Late-Stage Ventures
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Internal M&A Security Teams
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Cyber M&A Advisory, Transaction Execution Services
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Value Creation and Private Equity (including their PortCos)
Completed Searches
🔸Cyber M&A & PE
☑️ Security Search partner for a Private Equity Portfolio
☑️ CISO - PE-Backed, Cloud Provider
☑️ Deputy CISO - PE-Backed, Cloud Software
☑️ Director of IT and Cyber M&A - Transaction Execution Services
☑️ Head of Cyber M&A - Advisory
☑️ Cyber M&A Executive - Strategy
☑️ Fractional CISO - PE Firm
☑️ Cyber M&A Architect - Internal M&A Team
🔸Start-ups & Scale-ups, PortCos
☑️ Head of Information Security - Seed Stage
☑️ Director, Information Security - Series B, FinTech
☑️ Director, IT & Cyber Risk (2LoD) - Pre-IPO FinTech
OUR CLIENT
PORTFOLIO
Our clients within the CMMC ecosystem and Defence
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C3PAO
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RPO
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Advisory Firms
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Federal Contractors / DIB
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Defence Contractors
Completed Searches
🔸CMMC / Federal
☑️ CMMC Assessment Consultant - CCA - RPO
☑️ CMMC Advisory Lead - Lead CCA - RPO
☑️ CMMC Team Build - CCAs - C3PAO
☑️ Head of Federal Advisory - RPO
☑️ CMMC/GRC Consultant (internal)- Federal Contractor
🔸Defence
☑️ Head of Federal Adviosry
☑️ Chief Security Architect
☑️ Retained Security Search partner for a Defence Contractor
CMMC Ecosystem
OUR
VISION & DNA
At Securitysearch.io, we believe cybersecurity is central to protecting value during growth and M&A.
As the threat landscape continues to grow, securing the right talent in cyber risk, compliance, and resilience is crucial for long-term success. Our mission is to deliver top-tier talent solutions that help organizations stay ahead in securing and protecting digital assets.
PARTNER
We partner with private equity firms, portfolio companies, and federal contractors to understand their unique cybersecurity challenges — from M&A diligence and secure integration to CMMC readiness and regulatory compliance. Our talent network enables clients to secure experienced professionals who mitigate risk, drive value, and strengthen resilience across both commercial and federal environments.
RETAIN
We help clients build and retain high-performing cybersecurity teams, whether scaling CMMC-compliant programs or strengthening portfolio company security postures. Our long-term approach ensures sustainable growth, regulatory alignment, and maximum value creation in an evolving ecosystem.
INVEST
We reinvest a portion of our profits back into the Security, CMMC, and M&A ecosystems, supporting global industry chapters, thought leadership initiatives, and strategic events. From sponsoring research in AI security and CMMC readiness to backing executive education in private equity and cyber risk, our investments enhance our domain expertise and deliver sharper insights to the clients we serve.
CONTACT US
Looking for innovative cybersecurity and enterprise security talent solutions? Our network is built on exceptional cybersecurity professionals and tailored advisory services. Share your most pressing hiring challenges, and our team will connect you with the right candidates or advisory talent to secure your business and drive success.
GET IN TOUCH
New Broad Street House,
35 New Broad Street,
London, England, EC2M 1NH
+1 332 877 3992