Free Guide · SHIELD Framework

How small and mid-sized businesses build a complete cybersecurity programme.

A practical, no-pitch guide to Clyvara's six-phase SHIELD methodology — what each phase does, where organizations get stuck, and five questions worth asking before your first risk conversation.
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8 pages · takes 30 seconds · no spam, just the guide
The SHIELD Model

Six phases. One sequence.

Every Clyvara engagement moves through the same six phases, in the same order — mapped to NIST CSF 2.0 and CIS Controls v8.

S
Survey
H
Harden
I
Instruct
E
Enforce
L
Ledger
D
Defend
SSurvey

A full risk assessment against your actual environment — not a generic checklist. You receive a prioritized, RAG-rated risk register.

HHarden

Remediation of the highest-priority findings first — technical controls, access management, and configuration fixes sequenced by actual risk reduction.

IInstruct

Security awareness training built on original research — addressing the human-error root cause directly, not a once-a-year video.

EEnforce

Incident response planning — a documented plan, defined roles, and a practiced response, so you know exactly what to do when something happens.

LLedger

A monthly one-page dashboard that keeps your risk register current between formal reviews, so issues get caught in weeks, not at audit time.

DDefend

The SHIELD Defend Retainer — fractional CISO access and incident-readiness support for a standing partner, not a one-time project.

Why It Matters

The stakes, in three numbers.

43%
of cyberattacks specifically target small and mid-sized businesses
SOURCE: ACCENTURE
95%
of data breaches involve human error — a training and governance failure, not a technology one
SOURCE: IBM
$200K+
is the average cost of a breach for a small or mid-sized business
SOURCE: HISCOX
Executive SHIELD Check

Five questions worth asking first.

Not a scored assessment — there's no number at the end. If more than one of these gives you pause, that's useful information: it tells you which phase to start with. The full guide includes all five, plus what each answer usually means.

Maps to Survey
Could you name your actual attack surface today, or would you be guessing?
Maps to Enforce
If a team member clicked a phishing link tomorrow morning and your systems went down — who would you call first?
Maps to Ledger
If you have compliance requirements, could you demonstrate you meet them today, without a scramble?
Get all five questions in the guide →
Why Clyvara

Depth a generalist can't offer. Access an enterprise firm won't give you.

Research-Backed
The methodology behind every engagement is grounded in original doctoral research into why SMB cybersecurity programs actually fail.
Focused
Clyvara doesn't sell IT support or general consulting. Cybersecurity advisory is the entire practice.
Accessible
Direct access to a credentialed principal consultant — not a junior analyst routed through account layers.
Start Here

Book a free SHIELD Risk Conversation.

45 minutes, no obligation. We'll talk through where your business actually stands today — before anyone signs anything.