A Virtual CISO, or vCISO, is a security expert who helps your company stay safe from cyber threats. Think of them as a part-time bodyguard for your data. They don’t work for you full-time in your office. Instead, they work remotely and give you all the high-level security advice you need. This saves you from having to hire a full-time, very expensive security chief. They help you build and manage a solid plan to keep your company’s information safe.
Table of contents
- Applicability to Small Businesses, Tech Startups, and AI Companies
- What does vCISO stand for?
- Why do you need a vCISO?
- When Do You Need a vCISO?
- What does the role of a vCISO involve?
- What are the benefits of hiring a vCISO, and what can they do for your business?
- What are the challenges of hiring a vCISO?
- How much will a vCISO cost?
- What makes a good vCISO?
- What to look for when hiring a vCISO
- How can the ISO 27001 Toolkit help?
- What information security standards need it?
- High Table: Your Virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO)
- Why us?
- Virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) FAQ
Applicability to Small Businesses, Tech Startups, and AI Companies
vCISOs can be a great fit for many different types of companies, especially those that can’t afford a full-time security leader.
- Small Businesses: Maybe you’re a small business that handles customer information. A vCISO can help you meet legal rules and keep your customers’ trust without breaking the bank.
- Tech Startups: As a startup, you need to grow fast. A vCISO can build a strong security foundation from day one, which helps you avoid problems later on and gives you a good image.
- AI Companies: If you work with AI, you deal with a lot of data. A vCISO can help you manage the special security needs of this data, making sure your AI models and data are secure.
What does vCISO stand for?
VCISO is an abbreviation of Virtual Chief Information Security Officer.
What are other names for a Virtual Chief Information Security Officer?
There are many labels for the role of the vCISO. Here are a few that you may (or may not!) have come across:
- Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
- Information Security Officer (ISO)
- Information Security Manager (ISM)
- Virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO)
- Virtual Information Security Officer (VISO)
- Outsourced CISO
- Fractional CISO
- Interim CISO
- Chief Information Security Advisor (CISA)
- Chief Information Security Consultant (CISC)
- Managed CISO
- External CISO
- What is a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)?
A CISO is a senior-level executive who is responsible for the supervision and management of a company’s information, cyber, and technology security functions. The role of the CISO involves creating, implementing, and ensuring compliance with security policies with an overarching objective of safeguarding crucial data assets.What is a Virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO)?
A vCISO is a cybersecurity expert with extensive experience who provides virtual, on-demand CISO services to businesses. A vCISO typically operates on a contract basis, offering guidance, expertise, and strategic direction in overseeing a company’s information security.
The role of a vCISO is similar to an in-house Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), with the benefit of being an external resource. The vCISO works closely with the organisation’s exec team, IT department, and other stakeholders to assess their risks, develop information security strategies, and implement security controls.
Why do you need a vCISO?
Do you handle sensitive data? Most businesses do these days, and if you’re serious about protecting that data (and your security posture), hiring a vCISO could be the right decision for you.
You need a vCISO because they bring a lot of value without the high cost of a full-time employee.
- Save Money: Hiring a top-level CISO can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. A vCISO gives you the same expertise for much less.
- Get Top-Tier Advice: You get to work with an experienced professional who knows all the latest threats and how to stop them.
- Stay Safe: A vCISO helps you build a strong security plan, which protects your business from hackers and other threats.
- Meet the Rules: Many industries have strict rules about data security. A vCISO can make sure you follow all the rules, so you don’t get in trouble.
When Do You Need a vCISO?
It’s a good idea to think about a vCISO if:
- You’re growing quickly and have more customer data to protect.
- You don’t have a security expert on your team.
- You need to meet specific security rules for your industry.
- You’ve had a security scare or a data breach.
What does the role of a vCISO involve?
The role of a vCISO is to provide strategic direction, expertise, and guidance in managing an organisation’s information security. They are essentially acting as your Chief Information Security Officer. By collaborating with senior management and teams, the vCISO helps to set up efficient security measures, alleviate risks, and safeguard the company’s assets from cyber threats.
To achieve this, a vCISO will take on the following responsibilities (dependant on your organisation):
- Cybersecurity Strategy: A vCISO will create and execute a comprehensive strategy that aligns with your business objectives.
- Risk Assessment and Management: They will carry out risk assessments to spot weaknesses and threats, as well as assessing the risk landscape, advising on mitigation measures, and integrating the right risk management frameworks.
- Security Policies and Procedures: They will implement security policies, standards, and procedures and ensure that your business has crystal-clear guidelines in place for protecting confidential data, managing controls, and sustaining security throughout the IT infrastructure.
- Compliance and Regulatory Requirements: They will make sure that your company is complying with applicable information security laws, regulations, and industry standards. This includes monitoring changes in frameworks such as ISO 27001, and providing guidance on what needs to be implemented to meet the requirements.
- Security Incident Response: They will introduce incident response protocols and procedures to mitigate security incidents, ensuring that your business is ready to respond rapidly.
- Security Awareness: They will encourage a culture of security awareness and provide company training to educate employees.
- Supplier and Third-Party Risk Management: They will assess and approve the security posture of suppliers and partners. The vCISO is responsible for conducting due diligence, making sure best practices are in place, and ensuring that third-parties are meeting their contractual requirements to protect your organisation’s sensitive information.
- Security Technology and Tools: They will keep up with developing security technologies and install solutions that best fit with your organisation’s needs.
- Security Governance and Reporting: They will communicate regular reports on your organisation’s current security position, potential risks, and ongoing security efforts.
- Continuous Improvement: They will stay updated on changing threats, security trends, and best practices, prioritising ongoing learning and professional development to stay current in the ever-changing cybersecurity field.
What are the benefits of hiring a vCISO, and what can they do for your business?
There are several reasons why your business may benefit from hiring a vCISO (virtual Chief Information Security Officer):
Knowledge and Experience
An experienced vCISO should know their stuff when it comes to information security. They know industry best practices and effective security measures inside out, and they can spot emerging threats before they have time to do serious damage. They can help your business navigate complex security challenges and make the informed decisions to keep your company secure.
Cost-Effective
Hiring a full-time, in-house CISO can be costly, especially for small to mid-sized businesses. Engaging a vCISO allows you to access high-level security expertise without the expense of a full-time salary and benefits. A vCISO typically works on a contract basis, providing flexibility and cost-efficiency.
Strategic Advice
A vCISO can develop an in-depth cybersecurity strategy taking your individual business needs into account, helping you prioritise projects in line with your objectives. They can assess your risk profile, identify weaknesses, and implement necessary security measures – such as internationally recognised certifications like ISO 27001.
Scalability and Flexibility
As your business expands or experiences security issues, a vCISO is a flexible resource who can scale their services up or down to suit your requirements. This means that you will always have access to an information security expert, but on your terms, and only when you need it.
Objective Outlook
As an external resource, a vCISO brings an impartial perspective to your security plan. They can evaluate your security posture neutrally, identify gaps or vulnerabilities, and provide unbiased suggestions to improve your security setup. This is a great way to uncover blind spots that could go unnoticed internally.
Compliance and Regulatory Assistance
Compliance with industry regulations and standards like ISO 27001 is essential for many businesses. A vCISO can ensure that you meet these requirements, adhere to regulations, and implement the appropriate controls to mitigate regulatory risks. They can also prepare you for external audits, based on their wealth of experience.
Incident Response and Crisis Management
If a data breach or a security incident happens, a vCISO can play a vital role in incident response planning and implementation. They can offer guidance on containment, remediation, and communication strategies – mitigating the impact of the incident and protecting your business’s reputation.
Training and Awareness
A vCISO can create and conduct security awareness training programs for your teams. Here, they can educate your staff on policies, procedures and security best practices to encourage a security-conscious culture. This helps to reduce risks caused by human error and gives your security posture that all-important boost.
Access to Networks and Resources
A vCISO is likely to have links to a network of valuable industry connections, security resources and threat intelligence sources, which means they should be clued up on the latest security trends, evolving threats, and technological developments. This puts your business ahead of the game when it comes to keeping on top of potential risks.
Assurance
Hiring a vCISO should offer peace of mind that your business has an experienced expert managing and monitoring your information security. Their proficiency, advice, and forward-thinking approach will help you detect and tackle security risks effectively, reducing potential incidents and giving you confidence in your information security measures.
What are the challenges of hiring a vCISO?
Engaging a vCISO can bring challenges. (Especially if you don’t do you research!) The most common difficulties include:
Unfamiliar with your organisation
A vCISO may not understand your business and unique requirements as well as you do – which is why it’s important to find a good one! Good virtual CISO’s will take time to get to grips with your business processes, culture, and security needs.
Availability
As a virtual resource, they may not be as accessible as an in-house resource. It’s important to get a contract in place that suits both parties from the outset.
Cost
Whilst hiring a vCISO can be cost-effective compared to a full-time, in-house CISO, it can still be expensive (especially if you choose one who’s more interested in your hard-earned cash than your security posture!).
Finding a qualified vCISO
According to Security Intelligence, there’s a huge talent shortage in the cyber security space. Lucky for you, we’re going to recommend a good one. Keep reading!
How much will a vCISO cost?
According to Forbes Magazine, the average salary of a full-time CISO is around $584,000, making it completely out of reach for smaller businesses.
In comparison, you can hire a virtual CISO for a fraction of the cost. Boom! You’re back in the game! Let’s explore typical vCISO pricing:
Virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) Hourly rate
These roles are not typically calculated on hourly rates, but broken down, this ranges between £100 and £250 per hour.
Virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) Day rate
A vCISO day rate is between £750 and £1,500. This day rate typically depends on the number of days engaged and over what duration.
Typical Virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) cost
Expect to pay between £1,000 and £4,000 per month on a 12-month contract.
What makes a good vCISO?
A good vCISO will be:
- A qualified information security expert (do your research – we cannot stress this enough!)
- A strategic thinker
- Adaptable
- A strong communicator
They will demonstrate:
- Leadership
- Analytical abilities
- Business acumen
They will:
- Have a proven track record in the information security space
- Collaborate well
- Focus on results
- Stay updated on emerging trends
- Be passionate about safeguarding your business against data breaches and cyber threats
What to look for when hiring a vCISO
You’ve now got a clear definition of what a vCISO will do. Now it’s time to trawl through Google for hours looking for the one that fits your business best. Or… you can choose to engage High Table: the information security people who give a sh*t about making your business secure.
How can the ISO 27001 Toolkit help?
The ISO 27001 toolkit is a set of documents and guides that helps you build a good security system. It’s like a recipe book for security. A vCISO can use this toolkit to make it easier for you to get your security in order and even get an official certification. This certification shows your customers and partners that you take security seriously.
What information security standards need it?
No problem, here is an FAQ article about a Virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO), written with a high Flesch Reading Ease score and a conversational tone.
What’s a vCISO?
A Virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) is a flexible and affordable way to get expert cybersecurity help for your business. Think of them as a part-time security boss who works from another location. They help you build and manage your company’s security plan to keep your data safe from online threats.
A vCISO is a great option when you can’t afford a full-time, in-house security leader. They give you high-level advice and direction without the big price tag.
Why Would You Need a vCISO?
You’d need a vCISO to protect your business from cyberattacks. It’s like having a security guard for your digital assets. They help you spot weaknesses, create a strong security plan, and make sure you’re following the rules.
- You might need one to get ready for a security audit.
- You may need one to show your customers that you take their data protection seriously.
- You can also use one to build a security culture at your company.
When Do You Need a vCISO?
You might need a vCISO when your business is growing fast, or when you’re handling a lot of sensitive information. If you’re a small business or a startup, a vCISO can help you get security right from the start.
You also need one if you have to meet certain legal or industry rules, like those for healthcare or finance. The moment you start collecting customer data, a vCISO can help you make sure you’re doing it safely.
Who Needs a vCISO?
Lots of companies can use a vCISO. Here are some of them:
- Small Businesses: You may not have the money for a full-time security expert. A vCISO gives you top-level advice without the high cost.
- Tech Startups: You’re focused on building your product, but you still need to protect your users’ data. A vCISO can build your security program while you focus on innovation.
- AI Companies: You’re dealing with huge amounts of data. This data is a tempting target for hackers. A vCISO helps you protect this valuable information.
Where Do You Need It?
A vCISO’s help is needed in all parts of your business that handle information. This includes your:
- Computer systems
- Company networks
- Software and apps
- Your customer’s data
The vCISO will work with your team to make sure everyone is following good security practices.
How Do You Implement a vCISO Program?
To get a vCISO program going, you first need to find a good vCISO. Then you’ll work with them to figure out your biggest security risks. They’ll help you create a security plan and start putting it into action. This may include:
- Setting up new security software
- Training your employees
- Checking for security holes
- Making sure you’re following rules
How Can an ISO 27001 Toolkit Help?
An ISO 27001 toolkit is a collection of documents and templates that help you create a security management system. This toolkit is like a roadmap for your vCISO. It helps them build a strong security program without having to start from scratch.
The toolkit has things like policies, procedures, and checklists that make it easier to meet ISO 27001 standards.
What Information Security Standards Need It?
A vCISO helps you meet many different security standards, including ISO 27001. Some of the most common ones are:
- CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act)
- DORA (Digital Operational Resilience Act)
- NIS2 (Network and Information Security (NIS) Directive)
- SOC 2 (Service Organisation Control 2)
- NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology)
- HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)
- GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation)
High Table: Your Virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO)
Let’s face facts. Information Security resources are expensive. They also tend to focus on what you can’t do, slowing the whole process down.
We’re commercially focussed, we’re qualified, and our goal is to deliver what you need.
Why us?
Straight Talking, Practical, No Fuss – we are here to get the job done so you can grow your business.
- Experience – Over 30 years’ experience delivering hundreds of engagements
- Global – With clients in UK, America, Australia, Canada, Europe
- Specialist – Start-up, early stage and growth business is our niche. Our clients are in Financial Services, Fin Tech and Software Development
Typically, the role takes care of your certifications such as ISO 27001 and SOC 2. Fully managing the ISO 27001 certification and ongoing certification. This includes the day-to-day operations of Information Security Management. As your dedicated resource, we attend all external facing audits as you. Whether that is client audits, third party questionnaires or conducting
Virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) FAQ
The market hasn’t settled on a particular title but some of the common titles are Virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO), Fractional CISO (fCISO), Virtual Security Office (VSO), Virtual Information Security Manager (VISM), On Demand Security Officer (ODSO). It doesn’t really matter what you call them as they all do pretty much the same thing. As you are paying them, call them what you like. Within reason.
They take the role of the information security manager to manage the information management system (ISMS), keep it up to date, operate the process and procedures of the ISMS and take care of any certifications. Their role is to guide and advice the business on it’s business operations in relation to information security. The role can be tailored to your specific demands. Some clients also have the VSO act as them in external facing audits with clients and audit bodies.
Typically between £1,000 and £4,000 a month on a 12 month contract.
A Chief Information Security Officer will have a salary over £100,000. It will depend on the skills and experience of the employee.
The roles are not typically calculated on hourly rates but calculated they would range between £100 and £250 per hour.
A vCISO is between £750 and £1,500 per day. The day rate typically depends on the number of days taken and over what duration.
Typically between £1,000 and £4,000 a month on a 12 month contract.
No, it’s a flexible service. You can hire a vCISO for a few hours a month or for a specific project.
An IT person manages your computers and network every day. A vCISO focuses on the big picture, making a security plan to protect your whole business.
It’s much less than a full-time CISO. Prices vary, but you can usually get a senior expert for a monthly fee.
Yes. Your IT company keeps things running, but a vCISO sets the security strategy and makes sure you’re protected from a business perspective.
If you have a computer and a customer list, you’re a target. Even a few hours of vCISO guidance can make a big difference.
Absolutely. A good vCISO understands many different rules and can help you make sure you’re following them.
They build a security program that makes you look professional to potential customers and investors. This can even help you win more business!
A vCISO helps you protect your AI models and the unique data you use to train them. They also ensure your AI systems are not easy to trick or misuse.
You can find them through special security consulting firms. Look for someone with lots of experience and good references.
It depends on what you need. Some companies use a vCISO for a single project, while others keep one on a regular basis to manage their security over time.
Not at all. A vCISO’s job is to talk to you in simple terms so you understand the risks and can make smart decisions.
Yes, that’s one of their main jobs! They can help you get everything ready and make the process much less stressful.
It’s a plan a vCISO creates for you. It shows all the steps you need to take to improve your security over time.
Most of the time, yes. Since they are virtual, they can work with you from anywhere.
No, they are strategists. They tell your IT team what to install and what to do, but they don’t usually do the hands-on work themselves.
No, a vCISO is more of a long-term partner who helps build and run your security program. A consultant usually helps with one specific problem.
No, a vCISO is usually much cheaper because you only pay for the time you need.
It depends on your needs, but it’s usually just a few hours a week or month.
Yes, since they work remotely, they can help you no matter where you are.
The vCISO can work with them and help lead their efforts.
No, they work remotely, but they can visit if needed.
They’ll usually do a security check-up to find your biggest risks.
A CISO is a full-time employee, while a vCISO is a remote, part-time service.
Not always, many offer flexible plans.
They’ll help you fix it and prevent it from happening again.
They’ll give you regular updates and reports on your security program’s progress.
It’s best to hire one before a security problem happens.
Not usually. They give you the strategy and direction, and your team or a contractor does the technical work.
