Calm. Confident. In Control

A vCISO (Virtual Chief Information Security Officer) is an outsourced cybersecurity leader who provides expert guidance and governance without the cost of a full-time executive. Unlike a traditional CISO who works solely for one organisation, a vCISO serves multiple clients, bringing broad industry experience and up-to-date knowledge of emerging threats, regulations, and best practices. This model gives your organisation enterprise-grade security leadership on a flexible, as-needed basis.

Engaging a vCISO is much more cost-effective than employing a full-time CISO. A full-time CISO can cost anywhere from $200,000 to over $500,000 per year. vCISO services, however, operate under flexible pricing structures—hourly, retainer-based, or project-specific—typically saving organisations 50–70% in costs. You gain access to the same calibre of strategic expertise and security oversight without the overhead of a full-time executive salary.

A vCISO provides comprehensive expertise across all key areas of cybersecurity management, including:

• Risk assessment and mitigation planning
• Compliance with standards and frameworks (such as ISO 27001, NIST, or Essential Eight)
• Incident response and crisis management
• Data privacy and protection strategies
• Vendor and third-party risk management
• Security awareness and training programs
  This blend of technical insight and governance experience ensures your organisation builds strong, sustainable security maturity.

vCISO services are highly scalable. Whether your organisation is developing its first security policies or managing a complex, regulated environment, a vCISO adapts to your stage of growth and risk profile. As your needs evolve—through expansion, mergers, or technology change—your vCISO can adjust engagement levels, build security roadmaps, and help implement the frameworks needed to reduce risk while supporting innovation.

A vCISO strengthens your business by embedding security into your overall strategy. They align cybersecurity objectives with operational goals, creating policies and controls that protect data, support compliance, and reduce exposure to threats. Beyond technical protection, a vCISO enhances your organisation’s reputation, improves stakeholder trust, and enables confident decision-making around technology investments and digital transformation.

A vCISO ensures your organisation meets relevant regulatory and industry security requirements. They establish governance frameworks, prepare and guide your team through audits, and maintain continuous compliance with evolving laws. Whether facing privacy mandates, industry standards, or insurance requirements, your vCISO translates complex obligations into clear, actionable steps to maintain compliance and reduce penalties or business disruption.

Yes. vCISOs provide leadership during cyber incidents, from early detection to containment and recovery. They coordinate internal and external response teams, manage communication with stakeholders, and apply post-incident reviews to strengthen your defences. Having a vCISO on board means you have an experienced partner who can act quickly and effectively when every second counts.

Absolutely. A vCISO integrates closely with your existing IT team, executive management, and board, translating complex security issues into clear business terms. They help set risk tolerances, shape security culture, and ensure every department understands its role in protecting the organisation. The result is stronger collaboration between technology, operations, and leadership—driving a unified approach to security.

vCISO services can benefit organisations of any size:

• Small businesses gain access to executive-level security advice and governance without a full-time hire.

• Medium-sized organisations can use vCISO support to formalise policies, manage compliance programs, and prepare for growth.

• Larger enterprises can engage vCISO services to support in-house teams, manage specialised security projects, or lead specific compliance programs.
  The flexibility of the vCISO model means services can be tailored to your risk appetite, budget, and business maturity.

While an MSSP focuses on operational security functions—such as monitoring, patching, and network defence—a vCISO provides strategic guidance and leadership. Your vCISO designs and directs the “why” and “how” behind your security operations, ensuring they align with business objectives, compliance standards, and evolving threats. In many cases, businesses use both: the vCISO sets the strategy, and the MSSP executes day-to-day security activities under that guidance.

The first step is a security maturity assessment. Microsolve’s vCISO team reviews your current cybersecurity posture, identifies key risks, and prioritises areas for improvement. From there, we design a customised engagement plan—whether that’s part-time advisory, ongoing governance support, or project-based leadership—to give your organisation the protection and confidence it needs.