Mark Shiarla

Background

About Mark Shiarla

I help community banks strengthen their cybersecurity and IT compliance, drawing on 20+ years in IT (including 2 years in IT auditing). As a Senior IT Auditor and Information Security Consultant at SBS CyberSecurity, I deliver practical, tailored solutions that protect financial institutions from cyber threats while meeting regulatory requirements. My journey in banking technology began as a network technician supporting local banks, which gave me frontline insight into the industry’s challenges. I then spent nearly a decade as an IT Officer at a community bank, overseeing core IT operations and cyber risk management. These experiences taught me the unique resource constraints community banks face — and how to overcome them with efficient, innovative strategies. At SBS CyberSecurity, I lead services ranging from information security consulting and comprehensive IT audits to Microsoft 365 security assessments. My goal isn’t just to “check the box” on compliance — I strive to strengthen each institution’s security posture and resilience. I’ve helped banks prepare for and ace FFIEC cybersecurity exams, implement robust vendor management programs, and even turn cybersecurity into a competitive advantage. I’m also leveraging AI-powered tools to keep banks one step ahead of evolving threats. My mission is to empower community banks to thrive in the digital age. I believe that with the right strategies and tools, even small banks can punch above their weight and better serve their communities. Community banking is the backbone of local economies, and I’m dedicated to supporting these institutions with world-class cyber risk expertise. I focus on each bank’s specific needs to deliver real results — whether cutting down incident response time, tightening compliance gaps, or enabling new digital services securely. I understand the resource constraints community banks face — that’s where I come in as a trusted partner. Nothing is more rewarding to me than seeing a client bank strengthen its defenses and confidently innovate for its customers. Beyond work, I’m passionate about innovation (hence my interest in AI) and continuous learning. When I’m not working, you might find me enjoying sports, playing with my two goldendoodles, or fishing by the lake — hobbies that keep me refreshed for the next big challenge. Let’s connect! If you’re a community banking professional (or anyone interested in cybersecurity), feel free to reach out. I’m always up for discussing how to make our banking community safer and more resilient.