Bridging the Gap Between Cyber Innovation and Regulated Markets
In an era where technological innovation is more crucial than ever, advancing modernization initiatives and safeguarding the nation’s critical infrastructure remains a top priority. Historically, the U.S. Government has been a hub for technology innovation. However, in today’s landscape, most advancements originate in the commercial sector, presenting a significant challenge for government entities to access essential innovations. Companies that aim to make their solutions available to the U.S. Government face stringent compliance requirements, such as FedRAMP, and the complexities of entering regulated markets, requiring substantial investments in time and resources, often with no guaranteed return on investment. These barriers impede both market entry for companies and innovation access for government users.
Since 1988, U.S. businesses have surpassed government spending on research and development (R&D) by nearly threefold. Despite boasting over 10,000 companies with Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions, only around 400 have achieved FedRAMP authorization. Achieving FedRAMP authorization can cost more than $2 million and take over two years. In 2024, the U.S. Government spent an estimated $300 billion on IT, including $141.2 billion federally and $145.1 billion in State, Local, and Education (SLED) markets.
Merlin Group, a vertically integrated market access provider, is uniquely positioned to empower technology companies with disruptive cyber solutions. Through its network of affiliates—Merlin Ventures, Constellation GovCloud, and Merlin Cyber—the group accelerates time to revenue for cyber innovators while enhancing access to cutting-edge technologies for the U.S. public sector and regulated markets.
Merlin Group’s ecosystem advantage includes a community of over 300 Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) and security executives who collaborate to provide insights on product roadmaps and customer acquisition strategies. They also offer a Compliance Acceleration Platform and Marketplace, a purpose-built platform-as-a-service (PaaS) that streamlines compliance processes like FedRAMP and StateRAMP, unlocking growth opportunities across federal, SLED, and commercial enterprise markets. Additionally, their Government Advocacy team works on lobbying efforts and advocating for funding and prioritizing cyber solutions. The Innovation Lab at Merlin Group provides a state-of-the-art facility where cyber architects and engineers evaluate, integrate, and test solutions to introduce new use cases. Moreover, seasoned sales and marketing executives with deep-rooted government relationships facilitate access to key sales opportunities.
For over 27 years, Merlin Group has been a trusted partner to the U.S. Government, driving growth and scale for some of the most reputable cyber companies globally.
According to Stephen McCarney, CMO of Merlin Group, “No matter what stage a company is at, it’s incredibly challenging to carve new paths to revenue. It’s even more challenging to do so in highly regulated markets that are notoriously tough to navigate. This is what Merlin Group does best—helping companies with technology innovations unlock new markets while introducing new ways to help those markets solve some of their biggest cyber challenges.”
Nagy Moustafa, CEO of InfoSec Global, shared his thoughts on Merlin Group, stating, “Merlin Group is unlike any other company. They are comprised of collaborative people, innovative ideas, and invaluable solutions. I view Merlin as an extension of us, embedded in every step of our growth and success.”
Merlin Group stands out as a unique market access provider, delivering investment, compliance, and go-to-market acceleration services. The organization propels cyber vendors into markets with massive revenue potential while ensuring that compliant, cutting-edge technology innovations are accessible to the U.S. Government and other regulated industries.
For more information and to explore their services, visit www.themerlingroup.com and follow them on Twitter @Merlin_Cyber.
About the Author: Gary Miliefsky is the publisher of Cyber Defense Magazine, a renowned cybersecurity expert, entrepreneur, and keynote speaker. As the founder and CEO of Cyber Defense Media Group, he has significantly influenced the cybersecurity landscape. With decades of experience, Gary is a founding member of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, a National Information Security Group member, and an active adviser to government and private sector organizations. His insights have been featured in top media outlets, making him a trusted authority on advanced cyber threats and innovative defense strategies. Gary’s dedication to cybersecurity extends to educating the public, operating a scholarship program for young women in cybersecurity, and investing in cutting-edge technologies to protect against evolving cyber risks.