Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is a role that has been around for decades, but it’s not the only way to provide security expertise. The vCISO service allows organizations to hire a team of cyber risk experts who are dedicated to providing information security leadership.

What is a Virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO)?

A virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) is a security expert who provides security leadership, guidance and advice to an organization. They do not work full time for the organization but are “virtual” or consult on projects, can support an internal CISO and the organization as it grows.

The vCISO is responsible for providing strategic direction on information security issues at the business level. They make sure that security standards are met across all areas of an organization’s IT operations, including data protection and privacy concerns as well as risk management processes within cloud services.

Why Companies hire a Virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO)

Everyone knows of some company that has experienced an incident or breach. Gone are the days of believing “it will never happen to me.” All organizations need to have an effective cybersecurity program in place. Here are the top five reasons businesses are turning to vCISO Services to manage their cybersecurity programs:

1. Limited staff and staffing options. Your IT and cybersecurity teams do not have the time, and in some cases the expertise, to implement and maintain an effective cybersecurity program to protect your organization. 
2. You know the value and importance of a CISO, but you don’t have room in your budget. Our vCISO services bridge this gap to provide reliable cybersecurity expertise at a fraction of the cost of hiring a full-time CISO.
3. You don’t know what you don’t know. Sometimes it can be hard to define, or explain to others, exactly how protected or unprotected your organization is. Our vCISO services provide real-time insight into your current cybersecurity posture as well as a roadmap for continuous improvements.
4. It’s a competitive marketplace. Experienced CISOs are in high demand and difficult to find for some organizations. The time and money you invest in recruiting, onboarding, and retaining a qualified CISO can not only hurt your budget, but it can also distract your focus on your core business.
5. Customers demand effective cybersecurity. Your customers also know the value of an effective cybersecurity program. Many purchasing decisions are made based on the level of security controls your competition has compared to your program.
6. Because the Board said so. The board or executive leadership within your organization likely have personal liability for maintaining an appropriate cybersecurity program. Engaging our vCISO services help you provide clear updates to the Board of Directors and other leadership regarding the status of your cybersecurity program.
7. Size doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter if you’re an organization of 5, 500, or 5,000 people – everyone is at risk. Cyber criminals are finding ways to breach what was once believed to be impenetrable systems. With the need for cybersecurity being at an all-time high, our vCISO services are key to ensuring you have reasonable protection in place.

Why Companies hire a Virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO)

There are many different types of security teams, and it’s important to know where your organization stands in terms of its needs for protection. The vCISO is an effective solution for companies looking to put their information security in the hands of a trusted expert who can help lead them toward compliance with regulations, as well as other critical goals such as reducing risk and improving user experience through better access controls. As a vCISO service provider, we’re here to make sure that your company has all the tools necessary to protect itself from threats while keeping up with any changes brought about by new technologies or evolving regulations like these mentioned above.