How a Fast-Growing RIA Scaled by Outsourcing Cybersecurity and Technology Leadership to Alles Technology
When Deaton Smith, Founder of Thayer Financial, launched his RIA six years ago, he did so with a conviction shaped by years in the captive advisor world that he couldn’t serve clients the way he believed they deserved. Independence offered a better path, one where he could deliver fiduciary advice, control the client experience, and build a firm aligned with his values.
The move proved transformative. Thayer Financial gained momentum almost immediately, growing rapidly and validating Smith’s belief that independence would unlock a better way of doing business. But growth came with new responsibilities. Suddenly, every business decision, from HR to compliance to technology, rested squarely on his shoulders.
For a while, Smith managed the firm’s technology himself. But as the business expanded and new team members joined, it became obvious that managing cybersecurity and IT internally wasn’t working. “We quickly realized we were not IT experts,” Smith said. “We were way out of our depth. If we wanted to scale, we needed to outsource to people who truly knew what they were doing.”
A local IT provider hadn’t inspired the confidence he needed. Their solutions were generic and slow, and Smith never felt fully protected. He needed a partner who understood the regulatory environment, the sensitivity of client data, and the cybersecurity stakes for fiduciary advisory firms. That solution appeared at the Insiders Forum conference, where Smith met Alles Technology, a firm already well-regarded in the advisor tech ecosystem.
Smith quickly saw that Alles offered a depth of security he hadn’t encountered before. They deployed multiple layers of cybersecurity controls, advanced application whitelisting, secure configurations, and continuous monitoring. These were protections Smith admitted he “never would have thought of,” but immediately recognized as essential for a high-growth RIA committed to protecting sensitive client data. “Protecting client data is our mandate,” he said. “Alles put layers on layers of protection in place, things I never would have considered on my own.”
Protecting client data is our mandate. Alles put layers on layers of protection in place, things I never would have considered on my own.
Deaton Smith
Founder of Thayer Financial
Beyond cybersecurity, Alles Technology transformed Thayer Financial’s entire technology ecosystem in ways Smith hadn’t anticipated, including streamlining clunky systems, improving client-facing tools, and ensuring every piece of software integrated cleanly and securely. Alles helped Smith guide the firm through its broader tech architecture, conducting deep dives into third-party applications, advising on SOC 2 alignment, and even hosting cybersecurity workshops for clients. Their responsiveness stood out: when Smith raised concerns about VPN capabilities, Alles designed and rolled out a new solution within a week, showing a willingness to innovate quickly and support his operational goals. For Smith, this level of engagement lifted a tremendous burden, freeing him to focus on higher-value work while knowing that his firm’s technology and data security were being managed proactively and professionally.
“At some point, you just know you need a better solution,” he shared. “Alles took the entire IT burden off my hands and allowed me to focus on serving clients and growing the firm.” For Thayer Financial, Alles Technology was not just an MSP, they also became an operational ally, a cybersecurity shield, and a strategic partner in the firm’s continued expansion.
Smith’s experience underscores a broad truth across the industry: as RIAs grow, so does the complexity of their technology and the stakes of getting it wrong. For firms serious about scaling, cybersecurity and IT should never be left to chance.
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