Security expertise on demand: your vCISO from Concepture

A virtual Chief Information Security Officer (“virtual CISO” or “vCISO”) is an information security subject matter expert that organisations can call upon to help plan and implement an effective cyber security strategy. Virtual CISOs offer valuable experience in terms of security, expertise and leadership.

A vCISO acts as an extended security element of an organisation to tackle specific information security challenges. Depending on requirements, they assess risks, develop suitable security guidelines and ensure compliance standards are met. Its services are diverse: from setting up internal security teams and developing security procedures to providing advice in crisis situations.

• Cost efficiency: A vCISO enables companies to manage cyber security risks efficiently without having to employ an internal CISO. This saves the costs of recruiting and paying specialised full-time employees.
• Flexibility and availability: Instead of hiring their own specialists, companies can draw on highly qualified and experienced security expertise when needed.
• Combination of technology and governance: The vCISO brings both technical knowledge and corporate management experience to the table.
• Independence and objectivity: As an external consultant, the vCISO offers a neutral perspective, avoiding possible internal biases.
• Cross-industry experience: The vCISO brings knowledge from various industries.
• Up-to-date expertise: vCISOs are always up-to-date in cyber security to provide you with the most effective strategies and solutions.

The exact cost of a vCISO service depends heavily on the specific requirements and the desired scope of services. As a security consultant, I have found that companies often benefit from the flexibility of a vCISO, as they only pay for the services they actually use. In contrast to hiring a permanent CISO, this can often save costs. It is advisable to carry out a precise needs analysis in advance in order to determine the optimum scope of the vCISO service and thus also to obtain a realistic cost framework.

The physical presence of a vCISO on site depends on the specific requirements and agreements with the company. However, it is common for a vCISO to be present at the beginning of the engagement and at key milestones or events.