Introduction
In this article we are going to look at what is a virtual CISO, vCISO rates, vCISO pricing, vCISO costs, what a vCISO does and how to choose the vCISO that is right for you.
I am Stuart Barker the ISO 27001 Ninja and this is everything you need to know about the Virtual Chief Information Security Officer.
Table of contents
- Introduction
- What does VCISO stand for?
- What is a Chief Information Security Officer?
- Virtual CISO Meaning
- Other names for vCISO
- What are the benefits of hiring a vCISO?
- What are the challenges of hiring a vCISO?
- What are the responsibilities of a vCISO?
- vCISO Pricing
- High Table Virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO)
- How to choose a vCISO
- Virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) FAQ
What does VCISO stand for?
VCISO is an abbreviation of Virtual Chief Information Security Officer.
The term Chief Information Security Officer is commonly abbreviated to CISO.
What is a Chief Information Security Officer?
A CISO, or Chief Information Security Officer, is a senior-level executive responsible for an organization’s information security strategy and program. CISOs are responsible for developing and implementing security policies and procedures, managing security risks, and responding to security incidents. They also work with other members of the executive team to ensure that security is integrated into all aspects of the organization’s business.
Typically a Chief Information Security Officer is a full time role and full time employee.
A Chief Information Security Officer is an expensive resource to hire.
Virtual CISO Meaning
The meaning of a virtual CISO (vCISO) is an external consultant who provides information security leadership and guidance to an organisation. vCISOs typically have extensive experience in information security and can help organisations assess their risks, develop security strategies, and implement security controls.
A vCISO is an outsourced resource and is typically a cost effective way for an organisation to have a Chief Information Security Officer.
A vCISO can be a specialist or a generalist in information security.
Other names for vCISO
What’s in a name? The role of the vCISO can be called many things. Here are few of the terms that are used for vCISO
- 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
The role of the Virtual Information Security Officer is to be your dedicated Information Security resource.
They all have the same thing in common. Taking care of your information security.
What are the benefits of hiring a vCISO?
There are many benefits to hiring a vCISO and the most common are:
- Access to expertise and experience that may not be available in-house
- Flexibility to scale security resources up or down as needed
- Reduced costs compared to hiring a full-time CISO
- Increased focus on core business activities
What are the challenges of hiring a vCISO?
Hiring a vCISO doesn’t come without challenges. The most common challenges are:
- Finding a qualified vCISO
- Managing the relationship with the vCISO
- Ensuring that the vCISO is aligned with the organisations security goals
What are the responsibilities of a vCISO?
The responsibilities of the vCISO are going to be based on what you need them to do for you. Typically you would see those responsibilities include
- Working on developing and delivering the information security strategy
- Ensuring and maintaining industry certifications for information security such as ISO 27001
- Fronting out to clients and external auditors and representing as you and your information security officer
vCISO Pricing
We consider that a full time Chief Information Security Officer can command a full time salary of over £/$100,000 lets look at the typical vCISO Pricing
Virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) Hourly rate
The roles are not typically calculated on hourly rates but calculated they would range between £100 and £250 per hour.
Virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) Day rate
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.
Typical Virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) cost
Typically between £1,000 and £4,000 a month on a 12 month contract.
High Table Virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO)
We are not like any information security people you have met before.
Let’s face facts. Information Security resources are expensive. They also tend to focus on what you can’t do, slowing you down.
We are commercially focussed. Our goal is to get you what you need.
Get your own information security officer but only pay for what you need.
Tailored to your needs. Pay for what you need doing. We have been doing this for over 20 years for clients just like you. All good things start with a conversation – contact us.
Why us?
Straight Talking, Practical, No Fuss – we are here to get the job done so you can grow your business.
Experience Over 20 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 they attend all external facing audits as you. Whether that is client audits, third party questionnaires or conducting third party supplier audits.
What’s the catch?
No catch. You are only paying for what you use. A dedicated resource with over 20 years experience that would cost you over £100,000 on the open market for an actual employee for a fraction of the cost.
What does it cost?
The role is different for each client but expect to pay between £1,000 and £4,000 typical a month on a 12 month contract.
How to choose a vCISO
When it comes to choosing a vCISO consider asking for referrals from your network. Do your research and be sure to meet the person that you will be working with, not just the sales team. A lot of the role of Virtual Chief Information Security Officer revolves around relationships. Not every vCISO is a fit for every organisation. Don’t be afraid to ask for references. This is a huge commitment you are about to make and it isn’t one that is easy to back out of, especially if you are committing to a minimum term contract.
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.
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