Executive Security Leadership Without the $300K Salary
Get a seasoned Chief Information Security Officer on demand. Strategic leadership, board reporting, compliance oversight, and hands-on guidance-at a fraction of the cost of a full-time hire.
$200K+
Annual Savings
15+ yrs
Avg Experience
48 hrs
Onboarding
100%
Audit Pass Rate
Starting at $5,000/month for part-time engagement•48-hour onboarding available
Why Companies Hire a vCISO
Security leadership isn't optional anymore. Here's why smart companies are choosing virtual over full-time.
Security Leadership Gap
60% of SMBs lack dedicated security leadership. Board members and investors are asking tough questions you can't answer.
Full-Time CISO = $300K+
A qualified CISO costs $250-400K annually plus benefits, equity, and bonuses. Most SMBs can't justify this spend.
Compliance Requirements
SOC 2, HIPAA, and enterprise customers demand someone accountable for security. You need a name on the org chart.
Board & Investor Pressure
Series A+ investors expect mature security programs. Your board wants quarterly security briefings from an expert.
Signs You Need a vCISO
If any of these sound familiar, it's time to talk to us.
Raising Series A or Beyond
Investors ask 'Who owns security?' and you don't have an answer.
Enterprise Customer Requirement
Your biggest prospect won't sign until you have security leadership.
SOC 2 or Compliance Mandate
You need someone to own the program and talk to auditors.
Board Asking Questions
Directors want quarterly security briefings from a professional.
CISO Just Left
Your security leader departed and you need immediate coverage.
Post-Breach Recovery
After an incident, you need leadership to rebuild trust and programs.
What Your vCISO Will Do
Comprehensive security leadership across strategy, compliance, and operations
Strategic Leadership
- Develop multi-year security strategy and roadmap
- Align security investments with business objectives
- Build security program maturity over time
- Define security architecture and standards
Board & Executive Reporting
- Quarterly board security briefings
- Executive risk dashboards
- Translate technical risks to business impact
- Security budget justification and ROI
Compliance Oversight
- SOC 2, HIPAA, ISO 27001 program management
- Audit preparation and coordination
- Policy and procedure development
- Continuous compliance monitoring
Risk Management
- Enterprise risk assessments
- Third-party vendor evaluations
- Cyber insurance optimization
- Risk register maintenance
Team Development
- Security team hiring and mentorship
- Security awareness program design
- Training and skill development
- Career path guidance for security staff
Operational Guidance
- Incident response program development
- Security tool selection and implementation
- Vendor management and negotiations
- Security architecture reviews
Flexible Engagement Models
Scale your security leadership up or down based on your needs
Part-Time vCISO
20-40 hours/month
Starting at $5,000/month
Ideal for startups and small businesses needing strategic guidance
- Monthly security strategy sessions
- Quarterly board presentations
- Policy and procedure reviews
- Compliance program oversight
- Email and Slack access for questions
- Annual security roadmap
Best for
Startups, small businesses, pre-Series A
Dedicated vCISO
60-80 hours/month
Starting at $10,000/month
For growing companies with active security programs and compliance needs
- Everything in Part-Time, plus:
- Weekly strategy and operations meetings
- Active compliance program management
- Vendor security evaluations
- Security team mentorship
- Incident response planning
- Budget planning and optimization
Best for
Series A-C, mid-market, regulated industries
Full-Time vCISO
120+ hours/month
Starting at $18,000/month
Embedded security leadership for complex environments
- Everything in Dedicated, plus:
- Full-time equivalent engagement
- Daily availability and standups
- Deep integration with leadership team
- Multi-framework compliance
- M&A security due diligence
- Board seat participation
Best for
Enterprise, pre-IPO, M&A situations
vCISO vs. Full-Time CISO
See how a virtual CISO compares to hiring full-time
vCISO FAQ
1How is a vCISO different from a security consultant?
A consultant provides advice and leaves. A vCISO becomes part of your leadership team-they're accountable for your security program's success, attend board meetings, manage compliance, and make strategic decisions as if they were a full-time employee. It's ongoing leadership, not a one-time engagement.
2How quickly can a vCISO start?
We can typically onboard a vCISO within 48 hours for urgent needs. Standard onboarding takes about a week to ensure proper knowledge transfer, system access, and stakeholder introductions. Unlike hiring a full-time CISO (3-6 month search), you get executive security leadership almost immediately.
3Can a vCISO satisfy compliance requirements that need a 'named CISO'?
Yes. Our vCISOs can be listed as your organization's CISO for compliance purposes, including SOC 2, HIPAA, and ISO 27001. They sign off on policies, own the security program, and represent your organization to auditors and regulators.
4What if we eventually want to hire a full-time CISO?
That's often the goal! Our vCISOs can help you define the role, write job descriptions, interview candidates, and ensure a smooth transition. Many clients keep a part-time vCISO engagement even after hiring full-time for additional expertise and coverage.
5How do you handle multiple clients-won't our needs be deprioritized?
Each vCISO manages a limited portfolio to ensure quality. Your engagement hours are protected and scheduled. For Dedicated and Full-Time tiers, you get a primary vCISO with a backup for continuity. We've never missed an SLA or left a client without coverage.
6What industries do your vCISOs specialize in?
Our vCISO team has deep experience in healthcare (HIPAA), finance (SOC 2, PCI-DSS), SaaS (SOC 2), government (FedRAMP, NIST), and manufacturing (OT security). We match you with a vCISO who has relevant industry experience.
7Can the vCISO manage our existing security team?
Absolutely. Many clients have 1-3 security staff who need leadership and mentorship. Your vCISO provides strategic direction, runs team meetings, handles performance reviews, and helps with hiring and career development.
8What happens during a security incident?
Your vCISO activates immediately as incident commander-coordinating response, communicating with executives and the board, engaging forensics if needed, and managing regulatory notifications. Incident response is included in all engagement tiers.
Related Services
Complement your vCISO engagement with these services
Get Your vCISO in 48 Hours
Stop delaying critical security decisions. Get executive leadership and strategic guidance without the full-time commitment.
No commitment required • vCISO match within 24 hours