Zero-trust security startup Xage Security Inc. has today launched a new consulting and services arm designed to accelerate cybersecurity defense transformation and to help operators meet security requirements ahead of compliance deadlines.

Xage Cybersecurity Services features a full lifecycle of consulting and global implementation capabilities. The service analyzes and evaluates current systems and networks for vulnerabilities and gaps against federal security guidelines. Following the assessment, the service outlines suggested technologies and strategies based on gaps and develops a roadmap and implementation plan to meet goals and compliance requirements.

Once an implementation plan is drawn, Xage Cybersecurity Services guides organizations through adoption. For pipeline operators focused on meeting U.S. Transport Security Administration guidelines for their operations in North America, the process includes developing and maintaining a required Incident Response Plan.

Post-implementation of cybersecurity controls based on a TSA-approved plan, Xage covers ongoing maintenance and improvements through continuous review and service level agreement-based operational support, including ongoing implementation assessment programs.

To help scale up the new service, Xage is partnering with global system integrators, starting with Indian information technology services company HCL Technologies Ltd. The partnership combines HCL’s worldwide presence and extensive industrial and cybersecurity experience with Xage’s zero-trust expertise for real-world operations. The partnership allows critical infrastructure organizations to accelerate their shift to proactive cyber defense strategies.

“Our objective is to cyber-harden critical infrastructure against growing threats and Xage has deep experience securing operational technology and OT-IT environments in compliance with the newest regulatory requirements, Duncan Greatwood, chief executive officer of Xage, said in a statement. “While there is clear urgency to adopt proactive cybersecurity approaches such as zero trust, it’s not easy to bring modern security to existing systems.”

Xage is a venture capital-backed startup, having last raised $30 million in a Series B round in January. Investors include Piva, Momenta, Valor Equity Partners, OurCrowd, March Capital, City Light Capital, Saints Capital and Saudi Aramco Energy Ventures.

The company was previously in the news in June when it launched a new distributed multilayer authentication service to protect against “MFA bombing,” a hacking method where bad actors send numerous MFA requests until the user unintentionally grants permission.

Image: Xage