What is a vCISO?

Information security is a crucial part to any organization or business. Bad actors are working hard, if not harder than many cybersecurity professionals to get through cybersecurity defenses. Because of the ever-changing landscape across the world, the way we go about guarding our assets is also changing. In order to help with these things, many organizations have taken to taking advantage of a vCISO, or virtual Chief Information Security Officer.

Many companies may employ a Chief Information Security Officer, but some have been resorting to this vCISO option for their cybersecurity needs. This is especially true if the business is smaller or doesn’t have the funds to employ a person in the company for these needs. There are many different cases to use a vCISO, but it all comes down to how strong you want your cybersecurity posture.

To understand what a vCISO is, we have to understand what a Chief Information Security Officer does in their position. These people are usually high-ranking in a company, leading it and their peers on cybersecurity and information security procedures. Some of these responsibilities include:

• Creating and developing cybersecurity plans for the company, including policies, procedures, and roadmaps that can lead to stronger postures against cyber-attacks.
• Educating employees on important and current threats and vulnerabilities that exist across the cybersecurity landscape, including latest social engineering tactics like phishing and usage of AI.
• Understanding and maintaining security updates and patches that are pushed out across platforms.
• Maintaining cybersecurity investments, including managed service providers, third-party cybersecurity audit firms, and various other programs and applications.
• Maintaining proper reports and cybersecurity information for the purpose of government regulations and examiners.
• Reporting to the highest authority in the company, or following proper hierarchy, whether it’s the CEO or board of directors.

In its most basic form, a CISO is basically a high-ranking official in a company that maintains the cybersecurity of a company. A virtual CISO is a similar thing, but it usually involves a person on the outside of the company doing most of the things a CISO would normally do. A cybersecurity firm may offer this service with a highly trained security analyst.

Of course, since a vCISO isn’t actually part of the internal company, there are a few differences in how things are done. In a way, it’s an additional service provided by a cybersecurity firm. An information security analyst or someone similar will take the role of “consultant” for many of the organization’s needs. They will usually have a specific amount of hours that they can use to work with these analysts.

Since a vCISO is a sort of consultant for the organization that employs this service, they act as a liaison between employees and their cybersecurity firm. Some information security programs and operations require the full attention of an IT team or something similar. If a company doesn’t have a dedicated Chief Information Officer or Security Officer, this is a great way to make sure you get the benefits of one.

In a way, it’s like having a specialized information security analyst on call at all times. Depending on the amount of hours you want to use the service, the analyst will be able to assist with creating cybersecurity policies and procedures, audit your IT network, and oversee many of the operations dealing with the digital defenses of your company.

Some other jobs include:

• Create a specific, detailed roadmap for your cybersecurity posture,
• Create a cybersecurity framework based around the NIST,
• Create and assist with disaster policies around recovery,
• Create documentation fit for any government examiner,
• Onboard existing and new employees on new security networks.

These are just a few, of course, but they can extend far beyond these.

Chief Information Security Officers can be a true boon to any company or organization, but they may not always have the budget or the room to have one on staff. For that, hiring a vCISO from a reputable third-party cybersecurity firm is always a good idea. Even if there’s an actual CISO on staff, there are plenty of third-party options to help with them, especially if they’re new or if they need resources.

A vCISO will help create many policies and procedures if necessary, including training for security awareness and social engineering. They are a great way to prepare for an examiner visit or to make sure that your network is kept safe. It is a good investment to consider, especially if there is a gap in your cybersecurity posture.