What is a Fractional CISO and Why Do You Need One?

Let's start with a definition: CISO - Chief Information Security Officer, a C level executive who is responsible for all security related matters effecting people, data and its infrastructure. In some cases the CISO is considered a CSO, Chief Security Officer, due to the wide range of security considerations that must be taken into account to protect data, infrastructure and most importantly people.

Cybersecurity has become an increasingly critical function for any business that relies on information technology. This extends all the way from credit cards, employees birthdays, customer addresses to employee health data, and that's just on the less critical side. However if any of these details get exposed, the company has a fairly large disaster on their hands from both a data breach perspective and from a legal standpoint.

In another post we will get into more critical data like DoD classified data, HIPAA protected data, and other sensitive industry data. However, not every business can afford to hire a full-time chief information security officer (CISO) to oversee their cybersecurity strategy and operations. A CISO as a high-level executive who provides cybersecurity leadership to an organization. They are responsible for developing and implementing a cybersecurity program that aligns with the business objectives and risk appetite of the organization. They also manage and oversee the cybersecurity risk management, governance, compliance, and operations functions.

A fractional CISO (also known as a virtual CISO or vCISO) is a cost-effective alternative to hiring a full-time CISO. A fractional CISO is a consultant who provides their skills and expertise to businesses in need on a part-time or project-based basis. They can perform all or some of the duties and responsibilities of a CISO, depending on the needs and preferences of the client. They can also work remotely or onsite as per the convenience of the client.

A fractional CISO can provide many benefits to businesses that need cybersecurity leadership but do not have the resources or need for a full-time hire. Some of these benefits are:

• Experience and expertise: A fractional CISO has extensive experience and knowledge in various aspects of cybersecurity. They have worked with different types of organizations and industries and have dealt with various cybersecurity challenges and issues. They can bring their best practices and insights to help the client improve their cybersecurity posture and performance.

• Flexibility and scalability: A fractional CISO can adapt to the changing needs and demands of the client. They can adjust their scope and level of service based on the client’s budget, timeline, and objectives. They can also scale up or down their resources and capabilities as per the client’s requirements.

• Objectivity and independence: A fractional CISO can provide an unbiased and impartial perspective on the client’s cybersecurity situation. They can identify gaps, risks, and opportunities for improvement that may be overlooked or ignored by internal staff. They can also challenge assumptions and provide constructive feedback and recommendations.

• Value and efficiency: A fractional CISO can deliver high-quality services that meet or exceed the client’s expectations. They can provide value-added services that go beyond the scope of work, such as strategic advice, insights, tips, resources, and referrals. They can also provide ongoing support and maintenance for their solutions.

If you are looking for a fractional CISO for your business, contact us today. We have a team of seasoned cybersecurity professionals who can provide you with fractional CISO services that suit your needs and preferences. We can help you with:

• Developing and implementing a cybersecurity strategy that aligns with your business objectives and risk appetite

• Establishing and maintaining a cybersecurity governance framework that defines roles, responsibilities, policies, standards, and procedures

• Managing and overseeing thecybersecurity risk management process that identifies, assesses, treats, and monitors cyber risks

• Ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, standards, and contracts that relate to cybersecurity

• Leading and coordinating the cybersecurity operations team that performs security monitoring, detection, response, and recovery activities

• Managing and overseeing the cybersecurity budget and resources

• Communicating and reporting on the cybersecurity status and performance to senior management and stakeholders

• Providing cybersecurity awareness and training to employees and partners

• Evaluating and selecting cybersecurity solutions and vendors that meet your security requirements and budget

• Determining was to leverage existing systems to improve ROI, generate additional revenue, and likely increase customer comfort through understanding of the additional security practices in place

We look forward to hearing from you soon.