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Virtual CISO (vCISO)

Senior security leadership, on a fractional basis.

A virtual CISO who sets your security strategy, owns governance and reports to your board — the leadership of a full-time CISO, scaled to what you need.

Request this resource →How engagement works

Overview

Executive security leadership without the full-time cost.

Many organisations need credible, senior security leadership long before they can justify a full-time CISO — to satisfy customers, regulators and their own board. A virtual CISO fills that gap.

Our vCISOs set strategy, run your security and risk programme, own policy and governance, and represent security at the board, while drawing on the wider SICHERTEN practice behind them.

You get direction, accountability and assurance, on a few days a month or several days a week.

What they cover

Capabilities you can rely on.

The core areas this resource owns from day one.

Security strategy & roadmap

A prioritised plan aligned to your risk and business goals.

Board & executive reporting

Clear security and risk reporting to leadership.

Risk & governance leadership

Ownership of the risk programme and security governance.

Policy & programme ownership

Building and running your security policy framework.

Incident & crisis oversight

Leadership through incidents and crisis response.

Compliance & audit oversight

Steering ISO, SOC 2 and regulatory obligations.

How engagement works

Embedded talent, with oversight.

A simple path from need to productive, accountable delivery.

Needs & role definition

We scope the role, skills, seniority and time commitment your programme needs.

Talent matching

We match a vetted professional from our CERT-In empanelled bench to your requirement.

Onboarding

Fast onboarding into your tools, context and ways of working — productive in days.

Embedded delivery

The resource works as part of your team, owning the agreed scope and outcomes.

Governance & reporting

Regular check-ins, progress reporting and quality oversight from our practice leads.

Scale or transition

Flex up, down or hand over with documented knowledge transfer as your needs change.

What you get

People who deliver, not just CVs.

Security strategy & roadmapA prioritised plan aligned to your risk and goals.
Risk register & treatment planRisks identified, rated and managed.
Policy & governance frameworkThe policies and governance your programme needs.
Board & executive reportingClear reporting to leadership.
Programme oversightOngoing direction of your security programme.
Knowledge transferA clean handover whenever the engagement winds down.

Frameworks & standards

Our people work fluently across the frameworks that matter to you.

ISO 27001ISO 27701SOC 2PCI DSSDPDPARBISEBI CSCRFIRDAINIST

FAQ

Common questions

What is a vCISO?

A virtual or fractional Chief Information Security Officer who provides senior security leadership on a part-time, embedded basis — strategy, governance and board reporting without the cost of a full-time hire.

When do we need a vCISO?

Typically when you need senior security leadership but aren’t ready for, or don’t need, a full-time CISO. It is common for scale-ups that have outgrown ad-hoc security, regulated firms that must demonstrate executive ownership of security, and organisations bridging the gap between two permanent CISOs.

How much of their time do we get?

Engagements flex from a few days a month to several days a week, scoped to your risk profile, regulatory obligations and the maturity of your programme. We right-size the commitment so you get genuine executive leadership without paying for capacity you don’t need, and adjust it as your needs evolve.