Heelr, backed by Cyberr's existing professional network, launches with identity verification and payment protection built in
A new B2B platform launched Tuesday with the goal of shortening the time it takes businesses to find and hire vetted cybersecurity professionals for contract work, as demand for outside security expertise continues to climb.
Heelr, powered by cybersecurity network Cyberr, connects organizations with identity-verified security professionals for services including penetration testing, virtual CISO support, compliance preparation and security assessments. The platform requires every professional to complete identity verification and credential validation before taking on paid work, and includes payment protection intended to give both clients and contractors more confidence in each engagement.
The company is positioning itself around a gap it says exists in how businesses currently source security help. "Organizations often need specialized, outside expertise at challenging, time-sensitive moments, yet they're still relying on convoluted processes like referrals, email chains and manual contracting to find it," said Laurent Halimi, CEO of Heelr and Cyberr, in a statement. He said existing freelancer platforms offer little assurance that cybersecurity professionals are who they claim to be, or that they hold the expertise they advertise.
Market context
The release cites the global cybersecurity services market at more than $86 billion, and points to several drivers of demand for contract-based security work: customer security questionnaires, ISO 27001 certification prep, pre-launch penetration testing, and regulatory requirements such as NIS2 and DORA.
It also frames AI-driven product development as a factor, arguing that companies, including small and early-stage ones, are shipping products faster than ever, creating security needs that outpace what many can staff internally.
Who it's for
Heelr is aimed at business leaders, founders, operations teams and IT managers seeking fractional or project-based security expertise, according to the release. On the supply side, the platform is open to cybersecurity consultants, independent specialists and boutique security firms looking for vetted client opportunities and engagement management tools.
Because Heelr is built on Cyberr's existing professional community, the release states the platform launches with a verified base of practitioners already in place, rather than needing to build supply from zero.
