The demands placed on security are growing faster than the availability of specialists. NIS2 introduces management accountability, DORA raises the bar for finance, and large clients increasingly ask suppliers about compliance. At the same time, hiring a true, full-fledged in-house CISO is too expensive for many organizations, or simply impossible on the market. The answer is a vCISO — a virtual chief information security officer.
In this article we explain who a vCISO makes sense for, how the model works, and how much it costs.
What is a vCISO?
A vCISO (virtual Chief Information Security Officer) is a model in which an experienced cybersecurity leader performs the CISO role part time, in the form of a subscription service. The organization gains strategic oversight and accountability for the security program without the cost of hiring a senior person full time. We organize the definition in the vCISO entry.
Who does a vCISO make sense for?
- Mid-sized companies entering the obligations of NIS2 or DORA that need management-level competence in security.
- Companies that are growing and selling to large clients who ask about security and compliance in their purchasing.
- Organizations with a staffing shortage — where an in-house CISO is unattainable or not cost-justified.
What does a vCISO do?
- builds and oversees the security strategy and policies,
- runs risk management and the compliance roadmap,
- represents security before the board and in conversations with clients,
- coordinates audits, tests, and incident response.
How much does a vCISO cost?
A vCISO is billed on a subscription basis for an agreed scope of engagement, so the cost is a fraction of the salary of an in-house CISO together with benefits. The price depends on the scope, the scale of the organization, and the intensity of support — the key advantage of the model is the ability to match and scale the spend to your real needs, instead of bearing the full cost of a position from day one.
vCISO vs an in-house CISO vs consulting
| Model | Availability | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-house CISO | Full | Highest | Large organizations |
| vCISO | Agreed scope | Fraction of a full-time hire | SMEs, growing companies |
| Project consulting | Point-in-time | Per project | Individual tasks |
vCISO and management accountability under NIS2
The amendment to the NSC Act introduces management accountability for cybersecurity. For many organizations, a vCISO is a way to close the competence gap at the management level — while maintaining the continuity of oversight and without creating a new position. We write more about accountability itself in the article on management board liability under NIS2/NSC Act.
Related concepts
Check out our services
- vCISO — strategic security management in a subscription model
- NSC Act/NIS2 audit and advisory — preparation for regulatory requirements
- SOC 24/7 — operational support for the security program
A vCISO provides access to the experience of a security leader when an in-house CISO is out of reach — and regulations and clients already require one.
