The Essential Guide to vCISOs: What are they and do you need one?

It is not an exaggeration to say that it is more crucial than it ever has been for businesses to have a strong cyber security posture. Cyber security threats are constantly evolving and the risk is ever-increasing as malicious parties use more sophisticated methods. The proliferation of AI also introduces additional complexity when building robust defences.

Typically, a business’s Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) steps in to protect an organisation and safeguard its data and other digital assets. But what does a CISO actually do, and should you recruit one..?

What is the role of the CISO?

In a nutshell, an organisation’s Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is a senior-level executive responsible for establishing and maintaining the business’s strategy and vision surrounding technology and informational assets. Essentially, the role is to keep a company safe from cyber threats.

From day to day, a CISO’s key responsibilities might include:

·      Cyber Security Strategy: Creating a strategy that safeguards the business, consistently strengthens its defences, and aligns with the overarching corporate strategy.

·      Risk Management: Identifying and managing risks associated with information security.

·      Security Policies and Procedures: Developing and enforcing security policies across the organisation.

·      Incident Response: Leading the response to security incidents and minimising their impact.

·      Compliance: Ensuring the company adheres to regulatory requirements and industry standards.

·      Security Awareness Training: Educating employees about security best practices and potential threats.

In theory, every business needs a CISO. Data of any kind is always at risk of cyber attack and you should implement minimum requirements to help mitigate this. However, in practice, not every company can afford to bring on a full-time CISO. This is especially true for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that may not have the budget for an executive salary, let alone the costs associated with the necessary tools and team. This is where the vCISO comes into play.

What is a vCISO?

A virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) is in essence a CISO that is outsourced, usually on a part-time or temporary basis, providing the same executive-level expertise and services as a full-time or in-house CISO role.

A vCISO should be able to provide you with all of the benefits and cyber security know-how as a traditional CISO, still prioritising visibility of cyber security at board level, but without the heavier outlay.

vCISO or CISO – what are the vCISO benefits?

·      Cost-Effective: vCISOs provide high-level expertise without the costs associated with a full-time executive.

·      Flexible Engagements: You can hire a vCISO for a specific project, on a retainer, or for a set number of hours per month.

·      Diverse Experience: Many vCISOs have worked across various industries and can bring a broad perspective and a wealth of knowledge to your organisation.

·      Immediate Availability: Unlike full-time CISOs, who may take months to recruit, vCISOs can often start almost immediately.

What vCISO services offer your business

A healthy cyber security outlook isn’t just about having the right tools or drafting relevant policies – it needs strategic and expert execution throughout the business to be truly effective in defending your business. A vCISO plays a critical role in doing this efficiently and will integrate seamlessly with all teams to cover the following:

1. Strategic Security Planning

A vCISO will work closely with the executive team to understand business objectives and ensure the cyber security strategy supports the overall corporate strategy. This will involve risk assessments, short-term and long-term security roadmaps, and adequate resources and technologies are available to execute the strategy.  

2. Regulatory Compliance & Guidance

There are various global and regional laws in place to protect data – whether it’s GDPR, HIPAA, CCPA, or PCI DSS – as well as additional security frameworks for certain industries. Compliance with such frameworks is not negotiable, and a vCISO can ensure that your business meets all regulatory requirements, develops policies in line with the compliance, prepares for audits, and provides updates on changing regulations.

3. Incident Response Planning:

The expertise of a vCISO will really come into play when it comes to incident response. Time is of the essence when the worst should happen, and a vCISO can lead the response efforts to minimise the impact and restore operations quickly.

Varied industry expertise is a real benefit of a virtual CISO. They can adapt to many different situations and create a comprehensive incident response plan, alongside efficient training and simulation practices.  

4. Training and Awareness:

There is a reason that cyber criminals will develop sophisticated social engineering tactics to infiltrate networks, and one of the fundamentals of cyber security is acknowledging that your employees are your first line of defence against cyber threats.

A vCISO can design and deliver effective security awareness programmes that empower all teams across the organisation, tailoring content to address specific industry threats and engendering genuine understanding through all levels of the business.  

5. Cost-Effective Expertise:

The key difference between a vCISO and a full-time/in-house CISO will be the cost outlay for most businesses. A virtual CISO will provide top-level security leadership without the cost of a full-time salary.

The external nature of vCISO services means that one can be employed on a part-time basis that better suits the scale of the business, often perhaps only a handful of days each month, or as fixed-term to deliver a specific project

How do I know if my business needs a vCISO?

If your business handles sensitive data, is subject to regulatory requirements, or has experienced cyber security incidents, a vCISO could be the perfect solution to deliver a robust cyber security strategy at a more manageable cost.

If you lack the technical knowledge or experience to seriously safeguard your digital assets, a virtual chief information security officer could be the perfect solution to guide you through policy implementation and protect your business as you grow.

As cyber threats continue to evolve, the demand for vCISO services is expected to grow. Organisations of all sizes are recognising the value of having access to top-tier cyber security expertise without the need for a full-time executive. This trend is especially strong among small and medium-sized businesses.

How Much Does a vCISO Cost?

The cost of hiring a vCISO can vary widely depending on factors like the size of the organisation, the complexity of its IT environment, and the level of information security required. Generally, vCISO pricing is more affordable than hiring a full-time CISO and this pricing model makes cyber security expertise accessible to businesses of all sizes.

Why PureCyber?

The vCISO role is a versatile, cost-effective solution for businesses looking to strengthen their cyber security defences. Whether you need a comprehensive security strategy, help with compliance, or expert guidance during a crisis, our vCISO can provide the expertise you need to protect your business. Certified and qualified to global security standards, PureCyber can provide widely experienced vCISO services for businesses of any size and industry.

Get in touch for more information about PureCyber’s vCISO services and how we can tailor executive-level cyber security expertise for your business.

Email: info@purecyber.com

Call: 0800 368 9397