Practical, right‑sized guidance to help SMBs adopt AI safely, responsibly, and with confidence.

Artificial Intelligence is rapidly becoming part of everyday business operations, often without formal planning or oversight. From Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace to CRM platforms, HR systems, and MSP‑managed tools, AI is already embedded in the software SMBs rely on. That means new risks, new responsibilities, and new expectations from customers and regulators.

SQ Risk’s AI Risk Advisory Services help small and mid‑sized organizations understand how AI is being used across the business, identify risks, and implement practical safeguards that support innovation without slowing the organization down.

Our Approach

We take a governance‑first, business‑aligned approach to AI risk. Our goal is to help you use AI effectively while protecting your data, your customers, and your reputation. We remain fully tool‑agnostic. Our guidance is independent of any specific vendor or platform, ensuring recommendations that fit your business rather than forcing you into a particular technology. Every engagement is tailored to your size, industry, and risk tolerance — no unnecessary complexity, no enterprise‑scale overhead.

AI Use & Exposure Assessment

A structured review to identify where AI is already in use across your organization — intentionally or unintentionally.

SQ Risk evaluates:

• AI‑enabled tools and platforms already in your environment
• Employee use of public AI tools (shadow AI)
• Data being shared with AI systems
• Business processes relying on AI outputs
• Vendor and third‑party AI dependencies

Deliverable:
A clear, visual map of AI usage across your business.

AI Risk & Control Assessment

Using frameworks appropriate for SMBs (NIST AI RMF, ISO/IEC 42001, CIS), we assess the risks associated with your current and planned AI usage.

We review:

• Data privacy and confidentiality risks
• Model reliability, accuracy, and misuse
• Bias, fairness, and ethical considerations
• Vendor and supply‑chain AI risks
• Security risks (data leakage, prompt injection, misuse)
• Operational and continuity impacts

Deliverable:
A prioritized risk register with practical, right‑sized recommendations.

AI Governance & Policy Development

We help you establish lightweight, sustainable governance that supports safe and responsible AI adoption.

This includes:

• AI Acceptable Use Policy
• Data handling and confidentiality rules
• Vendor evaluation criteria
• Employee guidance for safe AI usage
• Review and approval workflows for new AI tools

Deliverable:
A tailored AI Governance Package aligned to your business needs.

AI Vendor & Tool Review

Before adopting or renewing AI‑enabled tools, we help you evaluate the risks and protections associated with each vendor.

We assess:

• Data handling and retention practices
• Security controls and transparency
• Contractual protections
• Regulatory alignment
• Model behavior and reliability

Deliverable:
A simple “approve / approve with conditions / do not approve” recommendation.

AI Risk Management Roadmap

A clear, actionable roadmap that outlines how to strengthen AI governance and reduce risk over the next 6–12 months.

Your roadmap includes:

• Quick wins
• High‑value improvements
• Long‑term governance steps
• Training and awareness needs
• Metrics and reporting

Deliverable:
A practical plan that supports safe, scalable AI adoption.

Optional: Ongoing Advisory (vAIRO – Virtual AI Risk Officer)

For organizations that want ongoing support, SQ Risk provides continuous guidance and oversight.

This includes:

• Quarterly AI usage reviews
• Vendor monitoring
• Policy updates
• Incident support (AI misuse, data exposure, etc.)
• Executive briefings

Deliverable:
Consistent, expert oversight without the cost of a full‑time hire.

Who This Service Is For

This offering is ideal for SMBs that:

• Are adopting AI tools but want to ensure safe and responsible use
• Need to meet customer or regulatory expectations
• Want to reduce risk without slowing innovation
• Use Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, or SaaS platforms with embedded AI
• Want clear, practical guidance — not enterprise‑scale complexity

Why SQ Risk

SQ Risk brings a governance‑first, business‑aligned approach to AI risk, backed by decades of experience in risk management, security, and organizational governance. We help SMBs adopt AI confidently by providing:

• Clear, accessible guidance
• Framework‑aligned assessments
• Practical, right‑sized controls
• Strong communication and education
• Tailored support for regulated and customer‑driven environments

We make AI risk manageable and help you use AI as a strategic advantage.