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The Easiest Way To Comply
with the FTC Safeguards Rule
The Easiest Way To Comply with the FTC Safeguards Rule
We help simplify compliance with the FTC Safeguards Rule
for handling customer data for small businesses.
If You Handle Customer Sensitive Personal or Financial Info, This Rule Applies to You
Tax Professional? Mortgage Broker? Insurance Agency? HVAC Company? Auto Dealership?
If you collect sensitive personal or financial information from customers, the FTC Safeguards Rule applies to you. You're required to:
Appoint a Qualified Individual (QI)
Run periodic cybersecurity risk assessments
Encrypt and protect customer data
Train your staff
Maintain compliance documentation
Submit an annual report
Miss any of that - and you're exposed to fines of up to $51,744 per violation per day.
Most Businesses Aren't Compliant.
And Most Don't Even Know It.
The rule went into effect in June 2023. And enforcement is already underway.
The Problem?
Most businesses either don't know they're affected, or they assume their "IT guy handles it."
The Truth?
That's not how this works.
And that's where The FTC Fix comes in.
Statistics You Need to Know:
😨 43%
The percent of cyberattacks that target small businesses. They're "soft targets".
Source: Verizon DBIR 2023
🤯 60%+
60% of employees admit to reusing the same password across multiple systems.
Source: Varonis 2023 Data Risk Report
💰$4.45M
The average cost of a data breach is $4.45 million dollars.
Source: IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report
💀 71%
71% of small businesses of been victims of cybercrime. It's not a matter of "if", just "when"
If these statistics don't make your stomach turn... they should!
How The FTC Fix Helps You Meet The FTC Safeguards Rule
Our FTC Fix program is designed to make compliance simple, affordable, and to assist your business in achieving full compliance with the FTC Safeguards Rule, helping you protect customer data and avoid fines.
What's Included in The FTC Fix?
Included
Visibility Scan
Why it Matters
Identify vulnerabilities in your systems that could expose customer data.
Dedicated Qualified Individual (QI)
We act as your DEDICATED designated QI to meet FTC requirements.
Compliance Documentation
Access to full, FTC-ready documentation and policies that are updated annually.
Staff Training
Required cybersecurity training, tracked and logged for audit purposes.
Vendor Reviews
Ensure third-party vendors comply with security standards.
Breach Response Plan
A breach response plan to ensure you're prepared for potential incidents.
We Communicate In Simple Language, Not Tech Jargon.
Curious what the Cybersecurity Compliance report looks?
We’ve created a sample version using publicly available data (no client info included) so you can see exactly how we present vulnerabilities, exposures, and action steps.
This is the level of clarity you'll get for your business — fast, clean, and fully customized.
Who You're Working With
Hi, I'm Keith Pelchat - and I've spent over 40 years helping businesses solve real problems with technology. I’m not here to scare you into buying “cyber insurance” or slap you with a bunch of buzzwords.
I’m here to give you real visibility into your risks, in plain English — so you can protect your business without hiring a full-time security team.
40+ Years of IT experience
15 years as a Microsoft Certified Trainer
7 years as a CompTIA Certified Instructor
Former Director of Business Intelligence for billion-dollar companies
Certified in Cybersecurity by CompTIA
When you book a scan with me, it’s not some black-box report from a faceless firm. You’re getting hands-on support from someone who’s been in the trenches — and knows how to make security make sense for small and mid-sized businesses.
Let me be your Dedicated Qualified Individual
in other words, your Fractional CISO
Why It Works For You
I've spent years helping mid-sized (and larger) companies:
Secure their infrastructure
Catch invisible threats
Maintain legal compliance
Understand what's going on
And sleep at night again.
Who It's For
The FTC Safeguards Rule applies to businesses in these sectors:
Financial Services & Institutions
Banks & Credit Unions
Mortgage Brokers & Lenders
Loan Companies & Credit Card Providers
Investment Firms & Financial Advisors
Debt Collectors & Credit Repair Companies
Auto Dealerships
Franchise & Independent Dealerships (that provide vehicle financing or leasing services)
Insurance Providers
Health Insurance Providers
Auto Insurance Agencies
Homeowners' Insurance Companies
Life Insurance Companies
Tax Professionals & CPAs
Certified Public Accountants (CPAs)
Tax Preparation Services
Tax Filing Firms
Payroll Processors
Real Estate & Property Management
Mortgage Brokers
Real Estate Agents & Brokers
Title and Escrow Services
Property Management Companies (handling financial transactions)
Retailers (E-Commerce and Physical)
E-commerce Businesses (handling customer financial transactions or storing financial data)
Physical Retailers (storing credit card information for customer purchases)
Healthcare Providers
Medical Billing Services (handling patient financial data)
Health Systems & Hospitals (that store or process patient payment info)
Legal & Financial Advisors
Law Firms (providing financial services or handling sensitive financial information)
Estate Planning Attorneys
Certified Financial Planners (CFPs)
Payment Processors & Financial Data Handlers
Payment Gateways (e.g., PayPal, Stripe)
Financial Data Processors
Payment Facilitators
Technology & Managed Service Providers (MSPs)
MSPs (that handle data storage or financial data security for clients)
Cloud Service Providers (if processing or storing sensitive financial data)
B2B Companies (Handling Financial Data of Employees or Contractors)
Business-to-Business companies dealing with financial data of their employees or contractors, or handling financial records of clients.
Other Businesses Handling Consumer Financial Data
Small Businesses (that offer credit, loans, or financial services, even if they are not traditional financial institutions)
Subscription Services (storing payment info for recurring services)
Bottom line: If your business handles ANY sensitive personal data or personal financial data - whether you collect, store, or just transmit this type of data - you likely need to comply.
Choose Your Plan
Solopreneur
$97/m
$497 Setup
Comprehensive scan to identify security vulnerabilities in how you handle customer financial data.
A DEDICATED Qualified Individual to meet the FTC's requirements.
Essential compliance documentation needed for compliance.
Solopreneur Training
Breach Response Plan
Vendor Review (if needed)
Email Support
No contracts - cancel anytime
Growing Business
$297/m
$997 Setup
EVERYTHING IN SOLOPRENEUR
A DEDICATED Qualified Individual to meet the FTC's requirements.
Expanded Training (Up To 10 Employees)
Quarterly Reviews
Annual Vendor Risk Assessment
Enhanced Breach Response Plan
Annual Compliance Report
Priority Email Support
No contracts - cancel anytime
scaling business
$997/m
$1997 Setup
EVERYTHING IN GROWING
A DEDICATED Qualified Individual to meet the FTC's requirements.
Multi-Location Support
Full Staff Training (Unlimited Employees)
Real-Time Compliance Monitoring
Advanced Vendor Risk Management
Dedicated Compliance Manager
Breach Simulation & Drills
Annual Legal Review
Business Hours Phone Support
No contracts - cancel anytime
Plan Comparison
| Feature | Solopreneur Plan | Growing Plan | Scaling Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Setup Fee | $497 | $995 | $1,995 |
| Monthly Fee | $97 | $297 | $997 |
| Compliance Visibility Scan | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Qualified Individual (QI) | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| FTC Compliance Documentation | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Basic Staff Training | Single employee | Up to 10 employees | Unlimited employees |
| Quarterly Compliance Check-ins | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| Vendor Risk Assessment | ✔️ (Annual) | ✔️ (Ongoing) | |
| Breach Response Plan | Basic Plan | Enhanced Plan | Advanced Plan |
| Priority Email Support | Basic | Priority | 24/7 Priority Support |
| Annual Compliance Report | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| Real-Time Compliance Monitoring | ✔️ | ||
| Breach Simulation & Drills | ✔️ | ||
| Legal Review | ✔️ (Annual) | ||
| Dedicated Compliance Manager | ✔️ |
📣 Real World Cyber Incidents
These are real, public examples that show what can happen when small businesses overlook cybersecurity. Use cases cited with attribution for educational purposes only.
"Our customer list was on the dark web."
A small government contractor found their client database being sold online after a phishing email tricked a senior employee.
Source: NIST Case Study
"We didn’t know the payment system was outdated."
A small restaurant bought a payment app on eBay that wasn't PCI compliant. The result? A data breach and credit card losses that temporarily shut them down.
Source: DeVries Case Study
"Ransomware froze our entire operation."
An SMB faced ransomware that locked critical data and demanded a payout. Downtime + data loss nearly put them out of business.
Source: UMaryland Cyber Law Case
"One email exposed everything."
An employee clicked a malicious link, giving hackers access to sensitive client data and damaging the firm’s reputation.
Source: LG Networks Case Studies
Why We Don't Publish Private Client Case Studies
We’ve chosen not to share detailed case studies of our private clients — because doing so could actually create a new security risk for them.
In our opinion, advertising their past vulnerabilities makes them a target. That’s not how we operate.
Instead, we’ve included publicly documented case examples above — and if you want to understand how this applies to your business, we're happy to walk you through a sample report.
The Cost of Doing Nothing
Remember: Fines can be as high as $51,744 Per Violation - PER DAY
Doing nothing is a decision.
It's just the most expensive one.
Your exact risk depends on your business’s practices and circumstances.
Your Compliance, Our Priority
We’re so confident that The FTC Fix will make your business fully
compliant with the FTC Safeguards Rule,
we offer a No-Questions-Asked Compliance Audit
after 30 days of use.
If you’re not seeing the improvements you expected,
we’ll personally review your compliance setup
and provide additional recommendations at no extra charge.
Your business stays secure, compliant, and ready for any audit.
No strings attached.
Not Ready To Commit?
Book Your FREE
15-Minute Risk Review
Just bring your questions.
I'll bring the data, the insights, and a step-by-step plan to protect your business.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the FTC Safeguards Rule?
The FTC Safeguards Rule requires certain businesses to protect customer data through administrative, technical, and physical safeguards. It’s part of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA).
Who is required to follow the FTC Safeguards Rule?
Any business classified as a "financial institution" under the FTC’s definition must comply — including auto dealers, tax professionals, lenders, and many solopreneurs who handle client financial data.
What counts as a financial institution under the FTC rule?
The FTC defines financial institutions broadly. If your business processes loans, issues credit, prepares taxes, or even stores sensitive customer financial info, it may qualify.
What happens if I don't comply with the FTC Safeguards Rule?
You may face legal investigations, business audits, civil penalties, and regulatory enforcement — even if you never have a breach. Fines can stack quickly.
How much can the FTC Fine me for non-compliance?
The FTC can issue civil penalties of up to $51,744 per violation. That means multiple fines for multiple violations.
What is a 'Qualified Individual' under the Safeguards Rule?
The Qualified Individual (QI) is the person responsible for implementing and monitoring your security program. Every covered business must assign one.
Does this apply to solopreneurs or coaches?
Yes. If you collect or store sensitive client information — especially credit card data or financial records — you may fall under the Safeguards Rule.
What's included in a compliance plan from The FTC Fix?
Each plan includes a gap assessment, documentation templates, employee training, vendor risk analysis, and access to a Qualified Individual.
How long does it take to get compliant?
Most small businesses can complete the foundational steps in under 30 days using our guided FTC Fix roadmap.
How is The FTC Fix different from my IT company or MSP?
Most IT companies focus on tools. We focus on your regulatory responsibilities — training your team, documenting your plan, and managing compliance directly.
Copyright 2025 | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | [email protected] | (615) 667-8848
FTC Disclaimer: The FTC Safeguards Rule is a minimum standard for security. Compliance with the FTC Safeguards Rule does not guarantee the prevention of a breach or the avoidance of fines. Businesses must continue to take reasonable steps to protect sensitive data.
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Examples cited are educational, publicly sourced incidents — not client case studies.