Discover Keller Schroeder’s vCISO services—offering seasoned, certified security professionals at a fraction of the cost of a full-time CISO.
At some point in the lifecycle of most businesses, its leaders will struggle with whether they’ve done enough to protect their business from cyberattacks. Or they may ask themselves “Where should I spend budget dollars to have the greatest impact in reducing cyber risks?” While these questions are quite common, they are much more difficult to answer than many expect. Yes, there are a core set of cyber defenses most every business should have in place—advanced endpoint protection, strong perimeter defenses, and multifactor authentication, among others. But the fact is, there is no one-size-fits-all answer for how to secure your business. That decision comes down to the specifics of your business, such as the industry you operate within, your risk profile, and your risk tolerance.
So, how should a business approach this difficult task? One option is to hire a chief information security officer (CISO), a senior executive who can assess your current security posture, identify gaps, prioritize risks and remediation plans, then develop your cybersecurity program. However, hiring a full-time CISO may not be feasible or cost-effective for many small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Not only does a CISO’s salary often exceed the budget of many SMBs, but finding and retaining qualified CISOs can be challenging given the high demand and talent shortage.
For many SMBs, a virtual or fractional CISO (aka, vCISO) is often a more practical, cost-effective solution. A vCISO is a consultant who can provide the same services and benefits as a full-time CISO, but at a fraction of the cost and with increased flexibility. By hiring a vCISO, you can leverage the expertise and experience of a seasoned security professional who can help you secure your IT environment, comply with regulations and standards, and reduce your cyber risks. A vCISO can also act as a trusted advisor and mentor for your internal security team, providing guidance, training, and support. Finally, a vCISO can also help communicate more effectively with business stakeholders, including technical and business leaders, ensuring that cybersecurity strategy aligns with business goals and objectives.
“A vCISO is a consultant who can provide the same services and benefits as a full-time CISO, but at a fraction of the cost and with increased flexibility”
At Keller Schroeder, we offer vCISO services that are smart and affordable for SMBs. Our vCISO consultants have extensive knowledge and experience in various industries working for businesses of all sizes. Additionally, all Keller Schroeder vCISO consultants have obtained and maintain their CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) certification, which demonstrates their expertise and commitment to maintaining relevant industry knowledge. Whether you need a vCISO for a short-term project, a long-term partnership, or a temporary replacement, we can provide you with a vCISO who can meet your expectations and deliver results. If you are interested in learning more about our vCISO services, please contact us today. We would love to hear from you and discuss how we can help you achieve your business security goals.
Summary:
- SMBs may face challenges in securing their IT infrastructure and aligning their cybersecurity strategy with business goals.
- Hiring a full-time CISO may not be feasible or cost-effective for many SMBs due to budget constraints, talent shortage, and high demand.
- A vCISO is a consultant who can provide the same services and benefits as a full-time CISO, but at a fraction of the cost and with increased flexibility.
- A vCISO can help SMBs
- assess their security posture,
- identify and prioritize risks as well as gaps,
- develop and implement a cybersecurity program,
- comply with regulations and standards,
- and reduce their cyber risks.
- A vCISO can also act as a trusted advisor and mentor for the internal security team and communicate effectively with business stakeholders.
Written By:
David Boarman
Practice Lead – Security Governance
Infrastructure Solutions Group
