Capability · 01
Security program design and ownership
Strategy, roadmap, budget, KPIs. The CISO function with you driving direction, our vCISO executing.
StrategyRoadmapKPIs
Virtual CISO (vCISO) — Fractional Security Leadership
Fractional CISO services for organizations that need security leadership but can't justify a full-time hire. Program design, board reporting, vendor risk, compliance strategy, and incident preparedness — on retainer or by project.
Fractional leadership
Board-ready reporting
Programme ownership
You need someone who can talk to your board about cyber risk in language they understand.
You need someone who can evaluate vendors with the eye of a security leader, and own the security strategy across audit cycles. You don’t need that person at full-time salary plus equity plus benefits. The vCISO model gives you the seniority and judgment without the carrying cost. Done well, it’s not a part-time CISO — it’s a CISO who’s accountable for outcomes you’ve defined together, paid for the time and impact you actually need.
What’s included.
Capability · 02
Board and executive reporting
Quarterly board materials, risk register maintenance, executive briefings translating cyber into business language.
Board reportingRisk register
Capability · 03
Vendor and third-party risk
Evaluation framework, due diligence on critical vendors, contract security language review.
Third-party riskDue diligence
Capability · 04
Compliance strategy
Framework selection, audit prep coordination, evidence ownership across CMMC, FedRAMP, SOC 2, etc.
CMMCFedRAMPSOC 2
Capability · 05
Incident preparedness
IR plan ownership, tabletop facilitation, breach response coordination if needed.
IR planTabletop
Capability · 06
Hiring and team development
Interview panels for security hires, mentorship for your existing security staff, succession planning.
HiringMentorship
Three engagement models.
MODEL 01 · 8–20 HRS/MONTH
Retainer
Most common. Senior CISO time available for ongoing strategy, monthly check-ins, and tactical questions as they arise.
MODEL 02 · FIXED SCOPE
Project-defined
Fixed engagement around a specific outcome — “ready for first SOC 2 audit,” “complete CMMC L2 readiness.”
MODEL 03 · 3–6 MONTHS
Interim full-time
Bridging an unexpected CISO departure or a critical strategic window, while the permanent search runs.
Outcomes.
- A security strategy your board has bought into, mapped to your business priorities and budget cycle.
- A vendor risk program that doesn’t slow down procurement.
- A CISO function that survives quarterly turbulence and audit cycles.
Frequently asked questions.
What's a typical retainer rate?
Scoped per engagement based on hours and complexity. A standard 12-hours/month retainer is in the low five figures monthly. Project work is fixed-fee.
Can we transition to a full-time CISO later?
Yes — many engagements do. The vCISO supports the search, sits on the interview panel, and runs a structured handoff.
How is this different from a security consulting engagement?
A vCISO holds the role's accountability. A consultant produces deliverables and leaves. We're available to your team day-to-day, named in your org chart, and committed to the outcomes of the security program — not just the artifacts.
What industries do your vCISOs cover?
Federal contractors, state and local government, healthcare, fintech, SaaS. Industry depth matters — request a vCISO with experience in your sector.