Key Takeaways
- Cybersecurity firms owned by AOS EAD holders qualify using SSN + EIN + 3 months of contract revenue bank statements — no green card needed
- SOC-as-a-service, penetration testing, compliance advisory, and MSSP revenue all qualify as Bankable documentation
- SBA loans now require 100% US citizen ownership (March 2026) — cybersecurity firms on AOS must use private capital alternatives
- Team expansion, lab infrastructure, certifications, and security tool licensing are primary capital uses in this sector
- Cybersecurity businesses with $25K+ in monthly contract revenue and 6+ months of history meet Bankable's standard criteria
The US cybersecurity industry faces a talent shortage of over 750,000 positions — and independent cybersecurity firms, MSSPs (Managed Security Service Providers), penetration testing companies, and compliance advisory practices have emerged to fill critical gaps. Many of these firms are founded by technology professionals who earned CISSP, CEH, OSCP, or other elite security certifications while working at enterprise security teams, and who then launched independent practices.
A significant number of cybersecurity firm founders hold AOS EAD status. They built their security expertise over years at technology companies, often arriving on H-1B visas and accumulating certifications and security experience that few can match. Their consulting practices, SOC operations, and security advisory firms generate high-value contract revenue — often $15K–$100K per engagement. The March 2026 SBA rule change excluded all AOS holders from SBA loans, but Bankable's private program lends against the contract revenue these firms generate, with no citizenship requirement and no government involvement.
Capital Uses for Cybersecurity Businesses
Security Analyst and Engineer Hiring
Cybersecurity talent is expensive and scarce. Senior security analysts run $95K–$160K, incident responders $100K–$170K, and cloud security architects $130K–$200K in total compensation. Hiring ahead of signed contracts — expanding team capacity to win larger engagements — requires working capital that precedes the revenue contribution of new hires by 6–12 months.
Security Lab Infrastructure
Penetration testing and vulnerability assessment firms require dedicated lab environments — hardware for simulated attack infrastructure, network segmentation equipment, specialized testing tools, and cloud lab credits. Lab infrastructure costs $15K–$100K depending on scope and specialization. Revenue-based advances fund this infrastructure investment.
Certification and Training Investment
CISSP, CISM, CEH, OSCP, GREM, and cloud security certifications (AWS Security, Google Cloud Security, Azure Security Engineer) cost $2K–$8K each in exam fees and training. A team of 10 analysts with 2 certifications each represents $40K–$160K in certification investment that directly affects client win rates for regulated industry work.
Security Platform and Tool Licensing
SIEM platforms, vulnerability scanners (Nessus, Qualys), EDR solutions, threat intelligence feeds, and penetration testing frameworks require significant annual licensing. Annual platform costs for a mid-size MSSP can run $30K–$150K. Revenue-based advances fund platform licensing that expands service delivery capabilities.
| Factor | Bankable Standard |
|---|---|
| Immigration Status | AOS EAD or parolee-in-place EAD |
| Monthly Revenue | $25,000+ in cybersecurity contract revenue |
| Business History | 6 months minimum |
| Documentation | SSN + EIN + 3 months bank statements |
| Funding Available | $50,000 to $5,000,000 |
| Decision Timeline | 48 hours from complete application |
Cybersecurity firms with MSSP retainer revenue and project-based penetration testing engagements are excellent candidates. Check your Bankability Score for personalized options, or see how private capital compares to SBA alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Bankable provides revenue-based advances for cybersecurity businesses owned by AOS EAD holders. We use security contract revenue deposits, SSN, and EIN. No green card or security clearance required.
Commercial clients qualify equally — healthcare, financial services, manufacturing, retail, and technology sector security engagements all generate bankable revenue. Government contracts are welcome but not required.
Yes. Senior leadership hiring that expands your firm's client capacity and win rate is a valid working capital use. We advance against existing contract revenue to fund hires whose contribution will grow your revenue base.
We average your last 3 months of deposits and look at 12-month trends. Pen testing firms with 3–5 engagements per month at $15K–$50K each have variable monthly deposits that average to a predictable range we can underwrite reliably.
Yes. Annual platform licensing for SIEM, vulnerability management, EDR, and threat intelligence are valid capital uses. Many cybersecurity platforms offer significant discounts for annual prepayment that revenue-based advances can fund.
No. Bankable's qualification is based on your business revenue and your SSN + EIN — not security clearance status or the nature of your client work. All commercially operating cybersecurity businesses that meet revenue thresholds qualify.
SBA loans require 100% US citizen ownership — excluding all AOS EAD cybersecurity founders regardless of their certifications, client roster, or revenue. Bankable provides private capital with no citizenship requirement.
A firm with $50K in consistent monthly retainer deposits could qualify for $100K–$200K in working capital — 2x–4x monthly revenue depending on contract term stability and growth trajectory.