Virtual CISO Services
For Growing Businesses
Get the strategic cybersecurity leadership your organization needs—without the $300,000+ cost of a full-time CISO. Our experienced security executives become an extension of your team.
What is a Virtual CISO?
Understanding the role that's transforming how businesses approach cybersecurity leadership
A Virtual CISO (also called a fractional CISO or vCISO) is an experienced cybersecurity executive who provides strategic security leadership to your organization on a flexible, part-time basis.
Think of it this way: you get the same caliber of expertise as a Fortune 500 security leader—someone who has led incident response teams, navigated complex compliance requirements, and presented to boards of directors—but at a fraction of the cost.
Unlike consultants who deliver a report and disappear, a vCISO becomes a trusted member of your leadership team. They attend your meetings, understand your business goals, and provide ongoing guidance tailored to your specific risk profile.
Full-Time CISO vs. Virtual CISO
| Full-Time CISO | Virtual CISO | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $300,000 - $400,000+ | $34,000 - $120,000 |
| Time to Hire | 4-6 months | 1-2 weeks |
| Scalability | Fixed capacity | Scales with needs |
| Perspective | Single organization | Cross-industry insights |
| Turnover Risk | 18-month avg. tenure | Long-term partnership |
Signs Your Organization Needs a Virtual CISO
If any of these sound familiar, it might be time to bring in expert security leadership
Your IT team lacks security expertise
IT knows systems; security requires different skills. If your team is stretched thin trying to cover both, gaps will emerge.
You're preparing for an audit or compliance requirement
SOC 2, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, or CMMC compliance requires documented security leadership—a vCISO provides exactly that.
You've experienced a security incident
A breach is a wake-up call. A vCISO helps you recover properly and ensures it doesn't happen again.
Your board or investors are asking security questions
Cyber due diligence is now standard in M&A and funding rounds. A vCISO speaks the board's language.
You handle sensitive customer data
Healthcare records, financial data, or PII require mature security practices. The stakes are too high for guesswork.
You're a target for cyber insurance requirements
Insurers now require documented security programs. A vCISO helps you qualify for coverage—and lower premiums.
What Our Virtual CISO Services Include
Everything you'd expect from a full-time CISO—scaled to fit your needs and budget
Security Strategy & Roadmap
We develop a multi-year security strategy aligned with your business goals, including prioritized initiatives and resource planning.
Risk Assessment & Management
Identify, quantify, and prioritize risks. We translate technical threats into business terms your leadership team can act on.
Compliance & Audit Support
Navigate SOC 2, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, GDPR, CMMC, and other frameworks. We prepare you for audits and maintain ongoing compliance.
Board & Executive Reporting
Clear, jargon-free security updates for your board. We present your security posture in terms of business risk and ROI.
Incident Response Planning
Develop and test incident response plans. When a breach happens, you'll know exactly what to do—and we'll be there to lead the response.
Security Program Development
Build or mature your security program from the ground up: policies, procedures, training, and metrics that actually matter.
Vendor & Tool Evaluation
Cut through vendor noise. We evaluate security tools objectively and help you invest in what actually reduces risk.
Security Awareness Training
Design and oversee training programs that change behavior—not just check a compliance box.
What Our Clients Say
"Our biggest client started asking tough security questions during renewal. We honestly weren't prepared. The vCISO helped us pull together documentation and present everything professionally. Ended up keeping the contract and expanding the relationship."
"We got hit with ransomware and that was our wake-up call. Brought in a vCISO to rebuild everything from scratch. Two years later, I actually feel confident about our security posture for the first time."
"The board kept asking about security and I didn't have good answers. Now our vCISO presents quarterly. The conversations are so much better. We can actually talk about risk in business terms."
"SOC 2 Type II in 8 months. Honestly didn't think we could pull it off that fast. Having someone who'd already done this a dozen times made a huge difference."
Virtual CISO Pricing
Transparent pricing with flexible engagement options
Full-Time CISO
- Base salary: $220K-$280K
- Benefits & equity: $40K-$60K
- Recruiting costs: $20K-$40K
- 4-6 month hiring process
- 18-month average tenure
Strategic Projects
- Security assessments
- Compliance gap analysis
- Incident response planning
- Board presentation development
- No long-term commitment
Ongoing vCISO
Starting at $2,800/month
- Dedicated security executive
- Strategic planning & roadmap
- Compliance management
- Board & executive reporting
- Incident response leadership
- 24/7 emergency availability
Not sure which option fits? Most clients start with a project-based assessment, then transition to an ongoing retainer. We'll help you determine the right level of engagement during your free consultation.
25+ Years Experience
Former DoD security leadership with Fortune 500 advisory experience
Industry Certified
CISSP, CISM, and other leading security certifications
400+ Incidents
Real-world experience across ransomware, breaches, and APT attacks
Multi-Industry
Healthcare, financial services, manufacturing, and technology
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a virtual CISO (vCISO)?
A virtual CISO is an experienced cybersecurity executive who provides strategic security leadership to your organization on a part-time or contract basis. You get the expertise of a seasoned CISO without the $300,000+ annual cost of a full-time hire.
How much does a virtual CISO cost?
Virtual CISO services typically range from $200-$500 per hour, with monthly retainers averaging $2,600-$11,600 depending on scope. Our vCISO services start at $350/hour with a minimum of 8 hours per month ($2,800/month).
What does a virtual CISO do?
A virtual CISO develops your security strategy, manages risk assessments, ensures compliance with regulations (HIPAA, SOC 2, PCI-DSS), leads incident response planning, presents security updates to your board, and provides ongoing security leadership.
When should a company hire a virtual CISO?
Companies typically need a vCISO when they handle sensitive data but can't justify a full-time CISO salary, face compliance requirements, have experienced a security incident, are preparing for funding rounds, or when their IT team lacks security expertise.
What's the difference between a virtual CISO and a fractional CISO?
The terms are often used interchangeably. Both refer to an outsourced security executive working part-time. Functionally, they provide the same strategic security leadership.
How quickly can a virtual CISO get started?
Unlike hiring a full-time CISO (which can take 6+ months), a virtual CISO can typically begin within 1-2 weeks. We start with a rapid security assessment in the first week to identify immediate priorities.
Will a virtual CISO help with compliance?
Yes. Compliance guidance is a core vCISO responsibility. We help with SOC 2, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, GDPR, CMMC, and other frameworks—including gap assessments, policy development, and audit preparation.
What industries benefit most from virtual CISO services?
Healthcare, financial services, legal firms, technology companies, and manufacturing businesses benefit most—especially organizations handling sensitive data or facing regulatory requirements.
Powered by Threat Intelligence
Our vCISO services are enhanced by proprietary security platforms
BRACE Threat Intelligence
Unlike generic vCISO providers, our recommendations are backed by real-time threat intelligence. BRACE monitors emerging threats specific to your industry and alerts us to risks before they impact you.
Learn about BRACE →NOVA AI Engine
Our AI engine transforms complex security data into business-friendly insights, helping us provide clearer risk assessments and more actionable recommendations for your leadership team.
Learn about NOVA →Ready to Strengthen Your Security Leadership?
Schedule a free 30-minute consultation to discuss your security challenges and how a virtual CISO can help.
No pressure. No sales pitch. Just an honest conversation about whether we're the right fit.