Adversarial Cyber Consultants
Our Mission
To bring national intelligence level expertise to the protection of our clients' entire ecosystem. From their families and legacies to their corporate ventures, securing their digital and physical worlds with the expertise the nation has trusted for decades.
Our Goals
Our primary goal is to apply the nation's premier cybersecurity expertise to protect the leaders, innovators, and families who drive our economy. We were founded to keep this unique talent in the fight, creating a home where elite intelligence professionals can continue their mission of protecting America by serving both government partners and private enterprise. Our objective is to bridge the gap between the world of national security and the private sector, offering a level of advisory for our clients' that is mostly unavailable outside of government. We are committed to being the trusted, indispensable partner who stands between our clients and the most sophisticated threats they face.
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To achieve this, we aim to fundamentally shift how our clients view and approach their security. Our goal is not merely to test for vulnerabilities, but to provide a true, unvarnished understanding of their defensive posture through immersive, no-holds-barred adversary emulation. By thinking and acting like the world's most resourceful attackers, we expose the blended threats that target both corporate and personal lives. We strive to operate with absolute discretion, building a "white-glove" concierge experience where trust is our most important asset. Ultimately, our goal is to deliver not just robust protection, but the confidence and peace of mind that allows our clients and their families to thrive securely in a complex world.
The Skeleton Key Standard
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What sets us apart is not just what we do, but who we are. Our standard is defined by the caliber of our people and the unique
perspective they bring to every engagement. It’s a level of excellence built on three foundational pillars:
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Forged, Not Certified
Our operators' expertise wasn’t acquired from a textbook; it was forged in a multi-stage pipeline designed to identify and cultivate the nation’s most effective cyber talent. Their journey forces them through a series of the DoD’s most demanding, sponsor-led training programs, each acting as a progressively finer filter. These courses are crucibles, infamous for their brutal difficulty, with some initial programs cutting cohorts by a third or more, while advanced courses see staggering attrition rates, eliminating as many as 80-90% of their remaining candidates.
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For every one hundred individuals who begin this training pipeline, fewer than two will possess the combination of skill, resilience, and intellect to graduate the full program. But for our organization, graduation is only the prerequisite. We then hand-select our team from this refined pool of proven operators, choosing only those with years of distinguished operational experience and an unimpeachable reputation earned on the nation's most critical missions. This is the bedrock of our practice, a proven operational pedigree that no certification can replicate.
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An Adversarial Perspective
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We see the entire battlefield from the attacker's point of view because we have operated in that same arena. Our strategies are informed by a deep, first-hand understanding of adversarial tradecraft, resourcefulness, and mindset. We don't just find vulnerabilities a checklist could identify; we uncover the complex, multi-layered attack paths a determined human adversary would actually use.
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This offensive mindset is our clients' greatest defensive asset. It allows us to anticipate sophisticated threats, emulate them with chilling accuracy, and provide you with an unfettered assessment of your true security posture. By showing you precisely how your defenses would be breached, we empower you to build a truly resilient security framework that can withstand the most advanced attacks.
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A Foundation of Trust and Discretion
Our entire business operates on the same principles of absolute trust and discretion required for work at the highest levels of national security. This is not a learned business practice; it is our ingrained nature. We understand that in this field, reputation is everything, and confidentiality is paramount.
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You aren't just hiring a vendor; you are partnering with a team that has already been vetted and trusted by the nation’s most sensitive organizations. We extend this unwavering commitment to integrity to every engagement, ensuring your personal privacy, family legacy, and business operations are protected with the respect and confidentiality they deserve.
Our Team
Nathaniel Petruska
Owner
With over 12 years of experience in offensive cyber operations and intelligence-driven network exploitation, Nathaniel Petruska's expertise was forged in critical roles at the forefront of the nation's cyber mission. These experiences—within premier national security organizations—have shaped his perspective, ensuring complex security challenges are met with precision, agility, and a focus on decisive outcomes. His work, centered on identifying and exploiting network weaknesses while safeguarding sensitive toolsets, has given him an intimate understanding of adversarial tradecraft.
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His leadership in advanced cyber operations transcends mere technical proficiency; it's about translating deep, high-level expertise into tangible strategic advantage for both private sector and government partners. Nathaniel’s approach focuses on not just identifying vulnerabilities but on understanding the broader organizational implications, enabling the creation of robust security postures. He excels at building and galvanizing elite teams, fostering environments where top-tier talent thrives and delivers exceptional results. Furthermore, his knack for streamlining complex processes and his ability to communicate intricate technical concepts with clarity are instrumental in driving collective action and achieving critical security objectives.
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As Co-Founder of Skeleton Key Group, Nathaniel Petruska's vision is to integrate this technical mastery with strategic foresight. Drawing on extensive experience in high-stakes environments, his leadership ensures that government and private sector clients are equipped with actionable intelligence, robust security frameworks, and the operational mindset required to counter evolving cyber threats and maintain superiority in a contested digital landscape.
William Caton
Owner
With over 10 years of specialized experience, William Caton brings a deep understanding of offensive cyber operations and network exploitation honed within the nation’s most elite special operations and intelligence units. During this time, he led hundreds of cyber operations against high-value adversaries, addressing critical national security threats in real-time. This background has instilled a standard where swift, decisive responses to emerging challenges in dynamic operational environments are paramount.
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Drawing from years of instructional experience, he has developed and delivered advanced training focused on cyber exploitation techniques. His approach emphasizes cultivating critical thinking and real-time decision-making skills, empowering end-users to navigate complex scenarios and respond confidently under pressure. By fostering a mindset of analysis, adaptability, and effective execution, he has demonstrably improved the operational resilience and mission success of the teams he has mentored.
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As Co-Founder, William Caton guides the organization's strategic direction by leveraging his expertise in network analysis, cyber exploitation, and tool implementation. He works closely with clients and partners to foster collaboration, align project objectives with broader security goals, and deliver impactful solutions. His leadership drives innovation and ensures that Skeleton Key Group's solutions remain at the forefront of the industry, reflecting a deep commitment to client success.
