vCISO

Virtual CISO (vCISO)

Overview

Strategic cyber security leadership without the cost or complexity of a full-time hire.

Our Virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) service provides experienced, independent security leadership to organisations that need clarity, confidence, and direction in an increasingly complex risk landscape. We work at executive and board level to align cyber security with business objectives, regulatory expectations, and real-world threat exposure.

This is not operational security. It is decision-making, prioritisation, and accountability.

What We Deliver

The vCISO acts as your organisation’s senior security leader, responsible for defining what good looks like, why it matters, and how to achieve it pragmatically.

Typical responsibilities include:

• Cyber security strategy aligned to business goals

• Board and executive advisory and reporting

• Risk ownership and prioritisation

• Security posture assessments and roadmap creation

• Framework alignment (ISO 27001, NIST, Essential Eight, SOC 2, etc.)

• Oversight of internal teams and third-party providers

• Incident preparedness and executive-level response guidance

• Translating technical risk into commercial and operational impact

We bridge the gap between technical reality and executive decision-making.

How the vCISO Engagement Works

1. Discover & Understand

We start by understanding your organisation’s:

• Business model and growth plans

• Regulatory and contractual obligations

• Current security maturity and risk profile

• Internal capability and supplier landscape

This ensures security decisions are context-driven, not generic.

2. Assess & Baseline

We establish a clear baseline across governance, risk, and security maturity, including:

• Current vs target state assessment

• Risk register review or creation

• Framework mapping and gap analysis

• Identification of material business risks

This gives leadership a single, trusted view of cyber risk.

3. Define the Strategy

We create a practical, prioritised cyber security roadmap that:

• Focuses on risk reduction, not checkbox compliance

• Aligns investment with business impact

• Clarifies roles, responsibilities, and ownership

• Supports audit, assurance, and customer confidence

This becomes your security playbook.

4. Lead, Guide & Govern

On an ongoing basis, we:

• Act as your security leader in executive forums

• Provide board-level reporting and assurance

• Guide internal teams and vendors

• Support decision-making during incidents or change

You get experienced leadership when it matters most.

Who vCISO Is For

• Mid to large organisations without a full-time CISO

• Boards seeking independent security assurance

• CIOs needing strategic security leadership

• Organisations facing increased regulatory or customer scrutiny

• Businesses scaling, transforming, or entering new markets

The Value

• Executive-level security leadership without permanent overhead

• Clear accountability for cyber risk

• Stronger governance and defensible decisions

• Improved confidence with regulators, insurers, and customers

• Security aligned to business outcomes, not fear or hype

Virtual Information Security Manager (vISM)

Overview

Hands-on security management that turns strategy into action.

The Virtual Information Security Manager (vISM) service provides operational security leadership focused on implementing, maintaining, and improving your security program day-to-day. Where the vCISO sets direction, the vISM ensures execution.

This role sits between strategy and operations, translating intent into consistent, measurable outcomes.

What We Deliver

The vISM is responsible for the ongoing management of your information security function, including:

• Day-to-day security program management

• Policy, standard, and procedure development

• Risk management and control operation

• Security awareness and internal engagement

• Coordination of audits and assessments

• Incident management coordination

• Supplier and third-party security oversight

• Continuous improvement of controls and processes

This is security that actually gets done.

How the vISM Engagement Works

1. Establish Foundations

We start by confirming:

• Security scope and responsibilities

• Existing policies, controls, and tooling

• Regulatory and framework requirements

• Internal resourcing and capability

This ensures the vISM operates with clear mandate and authority.

2. Implement & Embed

We focus on execution, including:

• Developing and maintaining security documentation

• Implementing controls aligned to your chosen framework

• Supporting certification or assurance activities

• Embedding security into business processes

• Coordinating internal teams and external providers

Security becomes part of how the organisation operates, not a side activity.

3. Operate & Improve

On an ongoing basis, we:

• Track risk and control effectiveness

• Manage incidents and lessons learned

• Support audits and customer security reviews

• Improve maturity over time through practical change

This delivers measurable, defensible security uplift.

Who vISM Is For

• Organisations implementing or maintaining ISO 27001, SOC 2, or similar

• Businesses with a defined security strategy but limited execution capacity

• CIOs and IT leaders needing operational security ownership

• Teams requiring continuity and consistency in security management

The Value

• Consistent execution of security obligations

• Reduced pressure on internal IT and engineering teams

• Improved audit and assurance outcomes

• Practical, sustainable security operations

• Clear ownership of day-to-day security activities

vCISO vs vISM (At a Glance)

vCISO

Strategic leadership

Board and executive focus

Defines what and why

Risk ownership and prioritisation

Security direction

vISM

Operational management

Team and process focus

Delivers how

Control implementation and maintenance

Security execution