Daily Cybersecurity Tip: Trust is good—controls are better.

Lori Crooks is the Founder and CEO of Cadra, a woman-owned cybersecurity compliance firm dedicated to helping small and mid-sized businesses cut through the complexity of audits and regulations. With over two decades of experience in security assessments, policy development, and compliance strategy, Lori is known for translating dense frameworks like FedRAMP, NIST, HIPAA, and SOC into plain English—giving clients the clarity and confidence they need to move forward. Before launching Cadra, Lori led security teams and compliance audits across industries, guiding organizations through ISO gap analyses, policy and procedure development, and third-party assessments. Today, she and her team bring that expertise to growing companies who need big-firm skill without the big-firm red tape. Clients value Lori’s approachable style and steady leadership. Her ability to make complex requirements simple and actionable has helped dozens of organizations go from overwhelmed to audit-ready. Under her guidance, Cadra has become a trusted partner for businesses looking to build strong security foundations, reduce risk, and achieve compliance without the chaos. When she’s not guiding clients through audits, Lori is passionate about building human-centered businesses that balance technical excellence with clarity, care, and a touch of humor.