Virtual CISO (vCISO)

Virtual CISO (vCISO)

A Virtual CISO (vCISO) provides fractional time access to an industry leading expert at a reasonable cost to support your organization’s security program. vCISO support can range from top level executive support to focused topical support based on your organization’s needs.

Small to medium businesses may require the executive leadership of a virtual CISO that provides the services of a full time CISO at greatly reduced cost. Utilizing fractional time access to top-tier expertise allows smaller organizations to focus their full time staff while still providing the executive interface between the security staff and C-suite.

The vCISO role can also support an organization in transition and fill critical executive staffing gaps while a search for the perfect full time CISO is ongoing.

How It Works

The vCISO role integrates seamlessly with your existing corporate cybersecurity team and executive structure. The role can fulfill some or all the typical CISO roles in an organization based on your needs. The vCISO is invested in your success and is more engaged than a consultant. The vCISO maintains a level of continuity with the organization.

A business that acquires vCISO support will receive a defined commitment from an industry leading professional to support defined needs. The defined commitment may be modified over time (increased or reduced) based on evolving needs of the company and can include a seamless transition to a CISO support role if your business decides to hire a full time CISO.

Value

Small businesses and medium size businesses often need to access industry leading skills and experience as they grow or their cyber risk scenario changes. A vCISO can help these organizations mature their cybersecurity programs without the permanent expense of a full-time CISO. In other cases, the CISO role may become vacant within an organization and a vCISO can fill gaps during the search for a permanent CISO, especially in cases where the search is expected to be lengthy to find the right fit.

CyberArch LLC can provide you the executive continuity you need without the expense of a permanent commitment. Our support model also includes transitioning the vCISO role to CISO support services once your program grows and matures to the point that a full time CISO becomes the best fit. This approach helps you maintain continuity without the loss of institutional knowledge that comes with transition.

Example vCISO tasks:

Cyber Risk Management Strategy

Governance/Executive Engagement

Identify and effectively communicate Cybersecurity needs to business leaders

Develop, Maintain, and Assess Organization Cybersecurity strategy

Develop, Implement and Manage the Cybersecurity Program

Develop Cybersecurity Policies and Process

Cyber Workforce Planning and Management

Cyber Workforce Education, Training, and Awareness

Supporting the Business Impact Analysis

Budgeting and Fiscal Planning

Manage Security Operations

Develop and Manage Cyber Intelligence Capability

Develop and maintain a Security Architecture (People, Process, Technology)

Develop and maintain a security technology roadmap

Develop and maintain Compliance Programs

Conduct studies and assessments (People, Process, Technology, Financial)

Manage the Cybersecurity assessment program (KPI’s)