RLS Consulting is now ReadyState Cybersecurity
We built ReadyState to make that possible, with services that scale from foundational programs for smaller offices to advanced solutions for complex environments, all built around your actual risks and goals.
Most businesses know that cybersecurity matters, but it gets buried in priorities to grow the business, cut costs, and drive efficiency. There will always be something else that needs attention right now, and when cybersecurity is put off, doors are left open for attacks.
It does not help that security often works against the grain of everything else a business is trying to do. Adding layers of protection and extra verification processes adds friction that slows people down and interrupts familiar workflows. For a business focused on efficiency and growth, working on and investing in cybersecurity can feel like throwing sand in the gears of a well-oiled machine.
The problem is that when a cyber attack does happen, every one of those other priorities stops. The revenue, the client work, the operations, all of it falls to the floor. Where there was once no time for cybersecurity, it suddenly becomes the only priority. Recovering from that position is always harder, slower, and more expensive than preparing would have been.
That is the cycle we at ReadyState Cybersecurity set out to break. Cybersecurity done right is not a cost to your business. It is protection for everything else your business is working toward. Knowing your actual risks means making better decisions about where to place your energy, so security supports and protects your priorities instead of competing with them.
These are the principles behind every recommendation we make, every resource we build, and every partnership we form.
The cybersecurity industry has a habit of using fear to drive action. We take the opposite approach. Fear leads to reactive, short-term decisions. Clarity leads to strategy. We help businesses understand their risk clearly so they can make informed decisions without pressure or panic.
Cybersecurity is not about confidence. It is about assurance. Having a second set of eyes on what you might be missing highlights the gaps where breaches thrive. We exist to close those gaps through structured, framework-based verification and collaboration with your IT team.
Cybersecurity should not be something only large enterprises can afford to get right. Every business that handles sensitive data deserves a path forward that fits their size, their budget, and their actual risk. We built our model around making that possible.
The more businesses understand about their risk, the better decisions they make, whether they work with us or not. Misinformation and knowledge gaps put businesses at risk. Sharing what we know is how we fight that.
Too many businesses try to solve cybersecurity by jumping straight to tools and checklists without ever understanding the risk those tools are supposed to address. Guessing here is gambling. We start every engagement from a structured understanding of actual risk, built on recognized frameworks like NIST and CIS, so that every decision connects back to something real.
No two businesses face the same cybersecurity challenges. Risks vary based on what you do, the data you handle, the technology you depend on, and the requirements you need to meet. A cookie-cutter approach ignores all of that. Implementing the right practices means understanding your unique situation first and building from there, not forcing your business into a template that was designed for someone else.
We built ReadyState around a model designed to adapt. We offer our own services for businesses that need a clear, structured path to better cybersecurity, and we maintain a network of specialized consulting firms and solution providers that we bring in when a situation calls for deeper expertise or a particular skill set. Being in a ready-state means being able to respond to whatever the situation demands, and that is how we operate as a company. We are never locked into a single solution. We scale, shift, and assemble the right team for whatever the engagement requires.
For our clients, that means one point of contact who understands their environment and can coordinate whatever level of support they need. We handle the complexity of evaluating options, managing relationships, and making sure the work connects back to the risks and goals that matter to your business.
From foundational cybersecurity programs for smaller offices to advanced solutions for complex environments, we offer services built around your risks and goals.
When a situation calls for specialized expertise, whether that is compliance, advanced risk assessment, or incident response, we bring in trusted partners with the right skill set.
You work with us and we coordinate the rest. No matter how many moving parts are involved, you have one team that knows your environment and keeps everything connected.
ReadyState Cybersecurity grew out of RLS Consulting, founded in 2018 to help businesses navigate the increasingly complex world of cybersecurity and technology decisions. From the beginning, the mission was to make cybersecurity understandable, accessible, and actionable for all businesses.
Over the years, we built relationships across the independent insurance industry, worked with hundreds of agencies nationwide, and developed a framework-driven approach to helping businesses understand and act on their actual risk. Along the way, we grew into a partner network that can serve businesses of any size.
In 2026, the business evolved into ReadyState Cybersecurity to reflect what we had become. We are not just a consulting practice, but a guide that helps businesses reach a ready-state, where they know their risk, have a plan, and are prepared for whatever comes next.
Ryan's career spans over 20 years across cybersecurity, insurance technology, sales, mathematics, and education. That combination is what makes his approach different. He does not just understand the technical side of cybersecurity, but how businesses operate, how decisions get made, and what it takes to turn a complex topic into something a business leader can act on.
His work in cybersecurity spans businesses of all sizes, with a specialization in security and compliance for insurance agencies built on years of experience in agency technology. He has worked with hundreds of businesses across the country, from small offices to some of the largest agencies and brokers in the US. That track record has led to speaking engagements and industry contributions where he helps audiences break down cyber risk into something practical and actionable.
Ryan built ReadyState around a simple belief: every business that reaches out should walk away with something useful. Whether that is a free playbook, a strategy session, or a long-term engagement, the goal is always to help people understand their risk, see their options clearly, and make informed decisions without pressure.
"I don't even know where to begin with a commentary about Ryan Smith. Aside from being one of the nicest people in the industry, his knowledge of cyber risk is extensive. I have had the pleasure of working with Ryan for the last several years in my role with the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America (the Big I) as Program Manager of the Agents Council for Technology (ACT). By far, Ryan's professionalism is unmatched. He has devoted his time selflessly, as a contributor to our Security Issues work group, providing his knowledge and insights on cyber security and compliance issues with his only goal to support and educate the independent insurance agency distribution channel. He has a way of taking the most complicated topics and breaking them down into easily understood information. His patient and calm demeanor only adds to his ability to provide solid, trustworthy guidance. I have always felt Ryan simply wants to help others understand and navigate the complex issues surrounding cyber security."
Ginny Winkworth, Program Manager, Agents Council for Technology
Whether you are just starting to think about cybersecurity or looking for a second opinion on what you already have, we are here to help.