Most companies do not realize they need a CISO until after a security incident, failed audit, lost customer, ransomware event, or regulatory issue. The reality is: it’s not a matter of IF cybersecurity leadership becomes necessary — it’s WHEN.
For many small and mid-sized organizations, hiring a full-time Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is financially unrealistic. A seasoned CISO can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars annually in salary, benefits, bonuses, and equity. Yet the risks they manage continue to grow every year.
That’s where a Fractional or Virtual CISO (vCISO) delivers value.
It's not a matter of IF but WHEN you need a fractional vCISO
Salary + Benefits + Payroll taxes, etc.
Paid Vacation
Paid Sick/Personal Days
Paid Holidays
Fulltime CISO
$250K - $400K+
4+ weeks
10 days
10 days
Eight weeks of paid time off
or $25K - $40K per month for
10 working months.
WAIT . . . WHAT?
Fractional vCISO
$36K - $100K
0 days
0 days
0 days
$3K - $9K per month
for 12 full months
So what's the catch?
There is no catch. Smaller organizations do not need 160 hours per month of executive cybersecurity leadership — they need the right leadership, at the right time, focused on the right priorities.
A strong Fractional vCISO engagement over 10–30 hours per month delivers strategic expertise, governance, and accountability without the inefficiencies and overhead of a full-time executive role that many companies are not mature enough to fully utilize. Click HERE for a detailed business case.