Not every organization needs or can afford a full-time Chief Information Security Officer, but every organization needs strategic security leadership. Our Virtual CISO services provide experienced security leadership, strategic guidance, and program management on a flexible, fractional basis.
A Virtual CISO (vCISO) is an experienced security executive who provides strategic leadership and oversight for your security program on a part-time or fractional basis. Think of it as having a seasoned CISO on your team, but only when you need them and at a fraction of the cost of a full-time hire.
You're Growing - Security needs are expanding beyond IT's capacity.
Compliance Requirements - Customers or regulations require security leadership.
Full-Time is Premature - You need expertise but not a full-time executive.
Interim Leadership - Filling gap during CISO search or transition.
Expertise Gap - Your team needs strategic guidance and mentorship.
Board Oversight - Directors require regular security reporting.
Incident Recovery - Rebuilding program after security incident.
Cost Effective - Fraction of full-time executive compensation.
Immediate Expertise - No recruiting, hiring, or onboarding delays.
Flexible Engagement - Scale up or down based on needs.
Broad Experience - Benefit from experience across multiple organizations.
Objective Perspective - Fresh eyes on challenges and opportunities.
Network Access - Leverage our vendor relationships and industry connections.
No Long-Term Commitment - Engagement flexibility as your needs evolve.
Retainer Basis - Fixed monthly hours and regular touchpoints.
Project-Based - Specific initiatives with defined outcomes.
On-Demand - Available as needed for specific situations.
Interim - Full-time equivalent during transitions.
Weekly/Bi-Weekly
Monthly
Quarterly
Annual
Experience - Decades of security leadership across multiple industries.
Certifications - CISSP, CISM, CISA, and other relevant credentials.
Network - Relationships with vendors, auditors, and industry peers.
Best Practices - Knowledge of what works across different organizations.
Templates and Tools - Proven policies, procedures, and frameworks.
Mentorship - Development of your internal security team.
Mid-Market Companies - Organizations too large for part-time IT security but not ready for full-time CISO.
Startups and Scale-Ups - Fast-growing companies needing security maturity.
PE Portfolio Companies - Private equity firms seeking security oversight across investments.
Organizations in Transition - Companies between security leaders or restructuring.
Compliance-Driven Organizations - Companies pursuing SOC 2, ISO, HIPAA, or other certifications.
Post-Incident Organizations - Companies rebuilding after security incidents.
| Aspect | vCISO | Full-Time CISO |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $5K-15K/month | $200K-$400K+/year |
| Availability | Part-time/On-demand | Full-time |
| Hiring Time | Immediate | 3-6 months |
| Experience | Multi-industry | Typically industry-specific |
| Flexibility | High | Low |
| Team Building | Guidance | Hands-on |
| Best For | Growing/mid-market | Large enterprise |
Our vCISO clients have achieved:
Don't let limited budget or organizational size prevent you from having strategic security leadership.
Contact Us to discuss how our vCISO services can help your organization.