According to ISACA’s State of Cyber Security 2019, 72% of organizations have a chief information security officer (CISO). Also, in that study, only 55% of organizations have an increasing security budget. For many small and mid sized organizations, budgets are already tight, and hiring a full time CISO may seem like a luxury.
So how does an organization that either does not have or is cutting back on security budgets make sure that it has executive leadership that is focused on information security? One way is to hire a virtual CISO ( vCISO ), also known as an on demand CISO.
Outsourced Executive Level Cyber Security Leadership on a virtual basis A Virtual Chief Information Security Officer or vCISO is a service designed to provide outsourced executive level specialist cyber and information security expertise to organisations on a part time basis.
A vCISO service is tailored to your organisation’s specific cyber and information security maturity, capability, and needs. It can be a combination of on site and remote access to your own virtual CISO who can provide executive level advice and steer your cyber and information security strategy.
The vCISO service can range from a few hours per month to a fully outsourced information security function. The services can also be scaled up or down to adjust to your according your changing information security requirements and maturity over time.
What is a vCISO?
A vCISO is no different than a full time chief information security officer except a virtual chief information security officer ( vCISO ) is an outsourced senior level security executive who is responsible for the strategic development and implementation of information security programs. Included in vCISO services is a supporting team of information security professionals who help implement the vCISO cybersecurity vision. Our team of experts have decades of experience; building information security programs that work with business objectives and show measurable improvement to security posture.
The vCISO team is responsible for structuring policies and procedures to align with company culture, risk tolerance, and compliance requirements. A tailored approach is integral in the creation of an effective security program. Most vCISO engagements begin with an IT risk assessment, which identifies areas of needed improvement and helps set priorities for the security program. Once deficiencies are identified, a remediation plan is generated to begin addressing security gaps. After remediation is complete, we reassess, help present the findings to executive leadership, and repeat the steps.
Why does the Virtual CISO (vCISO) service exist?
The demand for vCISO services has grown rapidly the past few years. As information security threats increase and businesses remain the primary target, the demand for security professionals will continue to rise. The employment gap between the demand for security professionals and its supply is widening. This drives a competitive market for security professionals and places a major burden on companies seeking to staff for their cybersecurity needs.
This is where a vCISO offers its value. Virtual CISO services provide organizations that would otherwise not be able to hire a qualified security candidate the ability to work with an experienced CISO and security team, without increasing their organization’s headcount. Many organizations do not need a fulltime CISO, they need an independent security professional to lead their organization by assessing cybersecurity issues, building a cybersecurity program, and ensuring the achievement of proper security milestones.
What types of businesses are using vCISO?
There are organizations of all sizes in various industries that are benefiting from vCISO services. For example, at AIS we work with businesses in healthcare, manufacturing, technology, analytics, printing, marketing, insurance, retail, and finance. Regardless of the industry, technology plays a major role in operating a business, and with technology comes security risk.
Each business is unique, and every organization handles risk differently. However, the approach is the same with every organization. First, a vCISO helps an organization understand its risk, and second, the vCISO helps organizations make the appropriate security decisions to align with business objectives.
Virtual CISOs Bring Experience, Expertise, Leadership:
AIS vCISO Advisory Services are drawn on the experience of former CISOs from a variety of industries from professional services firms to multinational conglomerates and bring a valuable blend of technical, executive, and organizational experience. They are among the most accomplished technical experts practicing today, with special insight into evolving threats and solutions from their work at the front lines of cyber security. AIS vCISO are supported by our global, multidisciplinary team that includes former information technology and security executives; digital forensic scientists; intelligence analysts; and regulatory specialists from a wide variety of industries. This high calibre team will help put your entire information security program on the maturity fast track.
Finding an experienced, well qualified CISO in today’s competitive information security job market can be challenging, time consuming and expensive. If you need a CISO now, then this is the perfect time to consider AIS Virtual CISO Advisory Services.
Why Hire a vCISO?
● Expertise Across Industries: vCISO work with various clients in unique industries, exposing them to opportunities not available to CISOs working in isolated verticals. The security knowledge gained by a vCISO from each unique client environment ensures continual growth and improved expertise for the security leader, which positively impacts each client the vCISO leads.
● Flexibility in Unique Business Environments: Virtual CISOs are prepared to begin working immediately with little on boarding time and can adapt to most any setting. By their very nature, vCISO can enter a new environment and quickly adjust as business and security demands require. vCISO first gain a thorough understanding of each organization’s business model, company culture, risk tolerance, and objectives. From there, they gain an understanding of security risks faced by the organization. With a full view of the security landscape, the vCISO will communicate the findings to help clients make the appropriate security decisions for their environment.
● Efficiency with Core Competencies: A virtual CISO fills in the security gaps where organizations need it most. By focusing on cybersecurity strategy and implementation, vCISO relieve internal teams of the daunting responsibility. This enables both internal staff and cybersecurity professionals to remain dedicated to their respective core competencies.
● Objective Independence: vCISO are not swayed by internal politics or personal career goals. vCISO are an independent third party with an objective viewpoint and goals of helping clients make the best security decisions for their business.
● Economical: AIS vCISO programs generally cost a fraction of a full time CISO and supporting security team. According to Silver Bull’s May 2016 report, the Median salary for a CISO is $223,000 per year. The base salary does not even include the expenses incurred with additional employee headcount. On average, AIS vCISO clients pay a fraction of what it would cost to hire an in house CISO. vCISO clients also gain access to the expertise of an entire team, which eliminates the inherent skills gap of a single employee.
Why our vCISO?
Our vCISO service gives companies access to a pool of specialists and experienced cyber safety practitioners who take on the role of a Chief Information Security Officer in your business. Our affordable V CISO provider brings ride in management and skills to assist define, sketch, and execute a bespoke method unique to your organisation
Our vCISOs are supported by using our compliance and governance group contributors to ensure we meet all the varying necessities of your business.
AIS team of experts includes seasoned former CISOs from a variety of industries who can strengthen your existing staff, set strategic objectives to support business critical technology demands and balance IT administration, as well as establish clear communication with the board of directors, investors and government agencies.
Whether you are looking for an interim CISO, a resource to support your CISO or a longer term arrangement, AIS Virtual CISO Advisory Services provide the leadership you need, when you need it.
You can rely on a vCISO from AIS to have the technical expertise, business acumen and communication skills to make an immediate difference. Our experts have served in a broad range of industries for companies of various sizes and will know how to align information security strategies with your company’s unique needs and challenges.
Services and offerings include:
● Setting or directing privacy and security policies, standards, procedures, and guidelines
● Managing and directing information security teams
● Engaging with executive management
● Running risk assessments on operational security
● Providing threat intelligence and manage enterprise security
● Crisis management
How Do We Do It?
We apply industry standards, regulations, and best practices to objectively assess the risks to your information security assets. As a result, you have a thorough understanding of where you are most vulnerable and a plan to manage the risk.
Simply stated:
We assess existing information security programs (administrative, physical, and technical security controls) and We develop, implement, and manage information security programs tailored to each client’s specific security needs.
