Virtual Risk Officer Services
For over 20 years, we've supported colleges and universities through audits, breaches, policy overhauls, and digital transformation initiatives. We know what it takes to bring visibility and order to sprawling tech environments burdened by legacy systems, decentralized governance, and constant regulatory pressure.
NewPush's vRO services combine technical insight, compliance fluency, and leadership acumen to support CIOs, CISOs, and IT teams. Whether you're preparing for a federal audit or remediating systemic risk, we act as a trusted extension of your team.
Schedule A 15-Minute Discovery Call
24/7/365
2
5,000+
Pain Points We Solve for Higher Ed IT Leaders
No Executive-Level Risk Oversight
Unclear or Incomplete Risk Assessments
Regulatory Fatigue and Audit Anxiety
Trying to juggle FERPA, SOX, DORA, NIS2, and other mandates can overwhelm your team. NewPush provides audit-ready documentation, compliance roadmaps, and expert guidance to reduce audit risk and improve response times.
Lack of Policy, Strategy, or Governance Structure
Limited Resources to Translate Security into Strategy
Why Choose NewPush
Specialization In Higher Education
Purpose-Built Technology
Proactive Risk Identification
Compliance Expertise
Global Trust
With more than 5,000 clients across the US, Europe, and the Americas, we're a partner Higher Ed institutions trust to deliver results.
Comprehensive IT and Cybersecurity Services Tailored for Higher Education
At NewPush, we provide purpose-built IT and cybersecurity solutions designed to meet the complex demands of Higher Education institutions. Whether you're managing regulatory compliance, defending against evolving cyber threats, or modernizing infrastructure, our services are engineered to give IT leaders clarity, control, and confidence.
Cybersecurity Services
We deliver end-to-end cybersecurity services designed to proactively identify, mitigate, and prevent threats across your institution's digital environment.
Data Backup & Recovery Services
Ensure your critical data is protected and always recoverable with our enterprise-grade backup and recovery solutions.
Disaster Recovery Planning
We help institutions develop and implement disaster recovery strategies that minimize downtime and ensure continuity under any circumstance.
IT Compliance Services
We streamline compliance across multiple frameworks, providing technical controls, policy guidance, and documentation aligned with Higher Ed standards.
SOX Compliance Services
Support for SOX (Sarbanes-Oxley) compliance through real-time monitoring, reporting, and internal control management tailored for Higher Education finance teams.
HIPAA Compliance Services
Secure protected health information (PHI) and meet HIPAA requirements with our specialized services for institutions managing campus clinics and research data.
CMMC Compliance Services
Get ready for CMMC audits with our structured cybersecurity maturity assessments, gap remediation, and control implementations aligned with DoD expectations.
NIST 800-171 Compliance
We support a full suite of NIST 800-series compliance needs, including 800-171, 800-53, and beyond, through automated policy mapping and secure technical architecture.
SOC 1 Compliance Services
Ensure data integrity and internal controls over financial reporting meet SOC 1 audit requirements with our tailored consulting and security solutions.
SOC 2 Compliance Services
Achieve SOC 2 compliance with comprehensive guidance across security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy principles.
PCI-DSS Compliance Services
Protect payment data and reduce audit stress with our PCI-DSS compliance services designed for institutions handling credit card transactions.
Co-managed IT Services
Collaborate with our expert team to extend your in-house capabilities. We integrate seamlessly into your existing IT operations to fill gaps, scale response, and share responsibility.
System Administration Services
From routine patching to complex server configurations, our system administration services ensure your infrastructure runs securely and efficiently.
Managed Detection & Response (MDR) Services
We provide 24/7 threat monitoring, detection, and incident response through a fully managed SOC designed to secure Higher Education networks.
Vulnerability Management Services
Identify, prioritize, and remediate vulnerabilities before they can be exploited, with continuous scanning and expert risk analysis.
Threat Hunting Services
Our proactive threat hunting team uncovers hidden threats and anomalous behaviors across your network to reduce dwell time and exposure.
Security Posture Management Services
We help institutions assess, benchmark, and enhance their overall security posture, aligning strategy with measurable risk reduction.
Data Loss Prevention Services
Prevent accidental or malicious data leaks with advanced DLP solutions that monitor, flag, and block sensitive data transfers in real time.
Cloud Security Services
Secure your cloud infrastructure and applications—whether public, private, or hybrid—with tailored controls and visibility across all environments.
Zero Trust Security Services
Implement a Zero Trust architecture to ensure identity-driven access, continuous validation, and segmented defense across your IT ecosystem.
Continuous Threat Evaluation & Management (CTEM) Services
Continuously evaluate and improve your threat detection and response capabilities using dynamic risk models and threat simulations.
Incident Response Services
Minimize damage, contain breaches, and recover fast with expert-led incident response services available 24/7.
Google Workspace Security
We secure your Google Workspace environment with advanced policy configurations, user access controls, and activity monitoring aligned to institutional needs.
Virtual Risk Officer
Our Virtual Risk Officer service provides strategic risk leadership, helping you align IT risk with institutional priorities and regulatory frameworks.
Security Awareness Training
Empower your staff and students to recognize and resist cyber threats with interactive, role-based security awareness training.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Virtual Risk Officer (vRO)?
A Virtual Risk Officer provides outsourced leadership and strategy around cybersecurity, risk management, and compliance. At NewPush, our vRO services deliver the same capabilities as a full-time executive—guiding your institution through audits, threat assessments, policy development, and more.
How does a vRO support Higher Education institutions specifically?
Higher Ed faces unique challenges such as decentralized IT, sensitive student data, and a complex mesh of academic and administrative systems. Our vROs understand these dynamics and tailor governance, risk, and compliance programs that address both academic freedom and regulatory mandates.
Can NewPush’s vRO help with an upcoming audit or assessment?
Absolutely. We provide FERPA, NIST, CMMC, and SOX readiness support—mapping controls, documenting processes, and advising your leadership on what to expect. We've helped dozens of institutions pass high-stakes audits with confidence.
Do we need to commit to a long-term contract?
No. We offer flexible engagement options—from short-term advisory to ongoing strategic partnerships—depending on your institution's goals, maturity, and budget. Our Virtual Risk Officer services scale with your needs.
Will our internal IT team still be in charge?
Yes. Your team retains operational control. We support and enhance their efforts by bringing executive-level strategy, risk visibility, and cross-functional alignment—making it easier for them to succeed and be recognized.
What frameworks or standards does your vRO program align with?
Our approach is built around widely recognized frameworks including NIST 800-171, CMMC, FERPA, SOX, DORA, NIS2, and CIS Controls. We map your existing environment to these standards, identify gaps, and help you close them efficiently.
How quickly can a Virtual Risk Officer be deployed?
Most vRO engagements begin within two weeks. After an initial discovery call, we'll deliver a proposed scope, engagement timeline, and onboarding process to begin delivering value right away.
