In 2019, the vision for Technologists Aspiring Through Servant Leadership (TASL), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, was established in Charleston, SC. Founded by Khanh Tran, TASL’s core mission was to address a critical need: preparing aspiring technologists, especially veterans and individuals from non-traditional backgrounds, for successful careers in the global digital economy. Through a strategic partnership with CompTIA, TASL offered instructor-led training and certification, equipping individuals with the in-demand skills necessary to secure tech jobs. The non-profit’s model relied on placing its highly trained graduates with outside partners, envisioning a collaborative ecosystem where these individuals could immediately apply their newfound expertise and gain valuable on-the-job experience. However, a significant challenge emerged: these external partners, unfortunately, did not consistently follow through on their commitments to employ the people TASL was training. This created a pressing need for a direct pathway to employment for TASL’s dedicated and skilled graduates.
BIORN Group Cyber: Forging a Path to Employment and Cybersecurity Excellence
It was in response to this critical gap that BIORN Group Cyber was created in 2023. Also founded by Khanh Tran, alongside Brandon Harris, BIORN Group Cyber emerged directly from TASL’s mission to empower and employ non-traditional tech and cyber individuals. The genesis of BIORN Group Cyber was not merely a business decision; it was a profound commitment to national security and individual growth, deeply rooted in its South Carolina heritage.
BIORN Group Cyber stands as a beacon of specialized expertise and dedicated service in the dynamic and increasingly critical realm of cybersecurity. Its clear vision is to empower the Defense Industrial Base with robust cyber compliance while cultivating a new generation of cybersecurity leaders. With the advent of rigorous compliance frameworks like CMMC and NIST 800-171, many organizations, particularly small and medium-sized businesses, found themselves navigating a complex labyrinth of regulations without adequate guidance or resources. Brandon Harris, a veteran, and Khanh Tran recognized this critical gap. Their formidable collective experience in cybersecurity, network architecture, and endpoint protection, honed over two decades as defense contractors, provided a strong foundation for building a company that would not only demystify these requirements but also make compliance achievable and sustainable.
As a Certified Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), BIORN Group Cyber proudly reflects its commitment to service and excellence, a principle deeply ingrained by Brandon Harris’s military background. Beyond this, the company actively strives to employ veterans and individuals from non-traditional work backgrounds, directly addressing the employment challenges faced by TASL graduates. This intentional hiring practice recognizes the invaluable skills, perspectives, and dedication these diverse groups bring to the cybersecurity field, creating a vital workplace for the individuals being trained at TASL.
At the heart of BIORN Group Cyber’s identity lies its profound connection to South Carolina, ensuring that the spirit of the Palmetto State is woven into the very fabric of the company. This regional pride extends beyond mere geography; it informs a philosophy of community engagement and upliftment. While BIORN Group Cyber provides nationwide cyber compliance solutions, the vibrant and supportive ecosystem of South Carolina remains its spiritual home and a source of inspiration.
BIORN Group Cyber distinguishes itself through its unwavering focus on aiding small businesses—the backbone of the Defense Industrial Base. Often, these crucial entities struggle with the financial and operational burden of stringent cyber compliance. Recognizing this, BIORN Group Cyber’s core mission is to identify and implement the most affordable and appropriate solutions for their contractual compliance. Their team, which includes a dedicated group of Certified CMMC Assessors (CCAs) and Certified CMMC Professionals (CCPs), possesses the nuanced understanding required to tailor strategies that fit a business’s unique operational context, ensuring that compliance is not a prohibitive cost but a manageable investment.
The dedication to fostering a culture of innovation and leadership within BIORN Group Cyber is paramount. Their team is not just a collection of cybersecurity professionals; it’s a group of individuals passionate about continuous learning and development. They achieve this through hands-on learning experiences, emphasizing lean processes and efficiencies in their cybersecurity solutions. This translates into tangible benefits for their clients, as their streamlined methodologies lead to more effective and less disruptive compliance journeys. Furthermore, they actively promote interpersonal development, recognizing that strong communication and collaboration are as crucial as technical acumen in the cybersecurity landscape. Their one-of-a-kind team is meticulously built and mentored, transforming aspiring individuals—including those from TASL—into the industry leaders of tomorrow.
The team at BIORN Group Cyber sees firsthand the critical importance of a proactive and pragmatic approach to compliance. They leverage their collective expertise in advanced GRC tools to create comprehensive Plans of Action and Milestones (POA&Ms) that effectively close compliance gaps. This systematic approach, combined with their deep understanding of NIST 800-171 controls, network architecture, and endpoint protection, positions BIORN Group Cyber as an invaluable partner for organizations seeking to navigate the complex landscape of cybersecurity regulations.
In conclusion, BIORN Group Cyber is more than just a cybersecurity compliance firm; it’s a mission-driven organization with a strong sense of purpose and place. Born from the vital need to create employment opportunities for TASL graduates and strengthen the Defense Industrial Base, grounded in the community values of South Carolina, and propelled by a relentless pursuit of innovation and leadership, the company is dedicated to securing small businesses and shaping the future of the cybersecurity workforce. With every engagement, BIORN Group Cyber upholds its core values of affordability, practicality, and empowerment, ensuring that its clients, regardless of size, can confidently contribute to national security while thriving in a complex digital world, all while providing a crucial employment pipeline for the talented individuals trained by TASL.
