Why a virtual CISO (vCISO) should be a consideration

If you don't have someone dedicated to security, you really should. Security isn’t an ‘additional duty as assigned’ anymore, but you may not need to pay the premium for a fulltime person either.

First Off, You Need Security

We’ve all watched COVID19 change the entire landscape of every company's workforce. Prior to this when employees were in company offices, cyber security was a little more straightforward.

Cyber security is and has always been a high-level job, with a plethora of facets. 

Now employees are spread out. The work-from-home model has potentially become a permanent part of the business environment. That has allowed companies to stay in business, employees to keep jobs, but there is a cost.

The complexity of a small to medium-sized business cyber security program is quite complex. And most often weak in the best of circumstances. With employees spread out, there are extra layers to be concerned with. Small businesses make up a huge percentage of the economy creating an ever-growing weakness that is still not being addressed.

These issues are far more complex than reading instructions and setting up a printer at your home office. This is also far beyond your high school kid showing you “how easy this is,” even if they are brilliant.

Cyber security isn’t where you let someone try their hand at something new.

Get help. Hire a consultant. A professional.

Being proactive in the cyber security world requires strategies and tactical planning. It’s the only way to succeed. You need professional, security expertise in your corner. With few exceptions, small to medium companies need outside help. 

vCISOs, or Virtual Chief Information Security Officers, can help keep your company safe. Not because THEY are superheroes but because you need to keep your eyes on the ball. If your company isn’t paying attention, it could all be gone in a flash. I have cases where a breach led to the company closing. It’s not a “just get insurance” thing.

So, yes, you need help. Here are some things for you to consider when bringing on a vCISO.

You Need Expertise

You need professional security expertise. Don't confuse this with IT expertise, it is a different skill set. You may have a CIO, Chief Information Officer, but cyber security isn’t their primary responsibility. To keep your company safe and secure. The positions of CIO and CISO are very different. 

Finding a real expert is difficult and can be expensive.   

You Need to be Cost-Conscious

Your first step into hiring a security team need not be expensive. A CISO earns between $200,000 - $350,000 per year depending on locations and expertise. Add in benefits, bonuses, and other perks your company provides and it can easily reach over $500,000. Hiring a “virtual CISO” (vCISO) is bringing a consultant into the role. That will add the much-needed layer of security at a much lower cost to the company.

By hiring a vCISO you’ll have someone on board that watches the current trends and attacks. They’ll help develop procedures and policies necessary to keep your company secure. They keep up with the state of the industry as a matter of practice. Only a dedicated, highly trained, educated professional can keep their finger on the pulse full time. When you hire a vCISO you don't pay that overhead!

By hiring a vCISO you are getting the expertise and security for your company at a fraction of the price. 

You Need to Minimize the Politics 

When you hire an external vCISO, their interest is in keeping your company safe, secure and implementing policies and procedures. Their job is to be proactive regarding the ever-changing dynamics of cyber threats. With work from home becoming a working model, the vCISO needs to be ever vigilant about internal and external cyber threats.

They have an unbiased view, know what needs to be done, and how to implement those ideas. Their sole interest is the health of your company’s security. Just as an independent board member brings a no-nonsense point of view, your vCISO will be more matter-of-fact with goals and initiatives.   

You Need a Staff not Just a Leader

If you’ve decided it’s time to bring on a professional CISO, ask yourself if you have a team in place to support them.  This is a C-level position and no real executive runs without a team in place as well. If they are a staff of one, they will be staff and not executive management.

If you don’t have existing staff. Find a vCISO that brings a staff with them.  The best vCISO’s have internal staff that they bring to the job as well. Getting a vCISO “service” not only saves money but brings high levels of efficiency to the company.

Your employees will be able to go back to doing their jobs well and you’ll be able to watch your company grow without losing sleep at night about cyber threats.

You Need to be Proactive

A reactive business model will never lead the industry. Any business entrepreneur knows that success requires vision, drive, and the ability to lead growth, and change. You must be able to adjust before it’s necessary. You have to be proactive.

A top industry professional vCISO is ahead of the cyber threats, aware of the emerging threats in the cyber world, and is proactive. They will help your company prepare for the future.