Who is Damian Walters & Associates
Damian Walters & Associates (DWA) is a Credit Union Service Organization (CUSO) specializing in IT audits, assessments, and vulnerability testing for financial institutions and other organizations that handle sensitive data. With more than 75 years of combined IT experience and over 500 audits and assessments completed, our team brings deep expertise in cybersecurity, compliance, and IT risk management.
Since its founding in 1994, DWA has grown to become the leading IT auditor and assessor for credit unions in Michigan, serving over 70 credit unions, banks, and other organizations. Today, as a partner of CU*Answers, we are expanding our services across the Upper Midwest and beyond—helping financial institutions strengthen security, protect members, and stay ahead of evolving threats
How is Damian Walters & Associates Related to CU*Answers
Damian Walters & Associates (DWA) is a proud partner of CU*Answers, working together to provide credit unions with a complete package of cybersecurity services. While CU*Answers’ AdvantageCIO team delivers IT risk assessments, compliance planning and Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery services; DWA brings deep technical expertise in IT audits, vulnerability assessments, and penetration testing.
Through this partnership, CU*Answers holds a small ownership stake in DWA—designed solely to extend exclusive discounts to network credit unions—while maintaining a clear separation of services. Together, we help credit unions strengthen defenses, meet regulatory requirements, and prepare for the future
What to Expect During an Assessment
Damian Walters & Associates offers two distinct services for CU*Answers clients — IT Audits & Assessments and Vulnerability Assessments — each designed to give your credit union the clarity it needs to stay secure and compliant.
- Audit & Assessment (AAT)
- A thorough review of IT policies, procedures, and a test of controls to measure compliance and readiness against industry best practices.
- Vulnerability Assessment (VAS)
- A technical scan of your environment, both internal and external to uncover weaknesses and exposures in your security posture.
- Penetration Testing (Included in your IT Audit, Assessment & Test of Controls)
- Unlike most firms, our AAT also includes penetration testing. We simulate real-world attacks to show how vulnerabilities could be exploited, giving you actionable, prioritized insights.
What sets DWA apart is not just our technical expertise, but our partnership approach. We work directly with your team throughout the process and provide a clear exit meeting tailored for both management and your Board of Directors — easy to understand, actionable, and ready to support decision-making.
With DWA, you don’t just get results — you gain a trusted partner who helps you translate complex cybersecurity findings into a plan your entire leadership team can stand behind.
Assessment Deliverables
Damian Walters & Associates provides two distinct assessment services, each designed to give your credit union practical, actionable results.
IT Audit, Assessment & Test of Control (AAT)
- Comprehensive review of IT policies, procedures, and penetration testing of internal controls for compliance with GLBA, NIST, PCI, HIPAA, and other regulatory standards.
- Internal and external vulnerability scans of networks, websites, and cloud services.
- Independent evaluation of IT governance, business continuity, and security readiness.
- A clear, one-on-one walkthrough of findings with your team.
- An exit meeting with a summary report written in simple language for both management and your Board of Directors, identifying strengths and weaknesses with prioritization.
- A detailed section of the report designed to guide the remediation process for more technical support.
- Simulated real-world penetration testing to demonstrate how vulnerabilities could be exploited — a differentiator that sets us apart.
- All evidence files to support and justify findings.
Vulnerability Assessments (VAS)
- Internal and external vulnerability scans of networks, websites, and cloud services.
- Quarterly testing schedule with rapid turnaround (typically 5–7 days).
- Easy-to-understand reports uploaded securely for your team.
With both services, you not only get detailed technical insights, but also actionable reporting your leadership can use to make informed decisions.
Visit the Damian Walters & Associates Website
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