How growing organisations can access executive security expertise without the executive price tag
Introduction
In today’s increasingly digital economy, robust security practices and leadership are a genuine business enabler. Strong security governance doesn’t just reduce the risk of incidents, it opens doors to new business opportunities, builds customer trust, and drives competitive advantage.
Take a read of the UK Government’s Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2024 to see the staggeringly high number of organisations experiencing security incidents each year. Such statistics fuel the most common security narrative which focuses on fear of a breach or compliance with legislation. Yes, there are plenty of scary reasons why you should improve your security posture – but I believe this is far from the best reason to choose to invest in good security practices.
To see these benefits requires a holistic and strategic view of security across your organisation, and that is the role of the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). However, highly-skilled and experienced executives are not cheap, and many growing organisations simply aren’t ready or able to make such a hire.
The role of the CISO
When security is cultural, it makes compliance with frameworks like ISO 27001 or NHS DSPT feel like a natural extension of your day-to-day work rather than a box-ticking afterthought.
At their best (and most poetic), a great CISO transforms cyber and information security from a business constraint into a catalyst for innovation and growth. They sit at the intersection of business strategy and security and governance excellence, creating programmes that turn compliance demands into competitive advantages and security controls into business enablers. They foster a culture where security best practice becomes the standard and demonstrate how good governance builds customer trust and streamlines business operations. When security is cultural, it makes compliance with frameworks like ISO 27001 or NHS DSPT feel like a natural extension of your day-to-day work rather than a box-ticking afterthought.
That is to say that the role of the CISO is a broad one. It’s not just firewalls and antivirus, phishing emails and training. Good security touches everything, from IT and operations, to HR policies and customer interactions.
As you might expect, an experienced CISO can be expensive, and smaller or less complex organisations may not have enough work to justify such an expense. Even larger or complex organisations may be reluctant to make such a hire. If only there was a way of getting the benefits of a CISO, while reducing the cost and risk…
Enter the Virtual CISO
The Virtual CISO, or vCISO, is a relatively new solution that’s similar in operation to the more common Fractional Finance Director.
Instead of committing to a single full-time hire, you pay only for what you need. This could be a short term, specific engagement, such as guidance through ISO 27001 audits, steering NHS DSPT compliance efforts, or providing targeted security input during critical product launches. Alternatively, it could be a long-term partnership focused on driving strategic and cultural changes.
Either way, with a Virtual CISO you benefit from the strategic input and experience of a senior security professional without the full-time salary and risk of an expensive hire. Plus, if you’re hiring the service from an organisation rather than a dedicated individual you can also benefit from the expertise of multiple high-level executives for the price of one.
How can a Virtual CISO help you?
I can hear you all saying “Kit, that sounds great, but how much of a CISO would I need to buy?”. Well, my imaginary reader, I’m glad you asked. Here are a few example scenarios that will hopefully help put this into a better perspective.
Foundational engagement (1-2 days per month)
If you’re just starting to think seriously about your security posture, a light-touch approach might be all you need. This engagement level is about laying the groundwork with essential controls and basic compliance such as:
- Establishing essential security controls
- Meeting basic compliance requirements
- Building customer confidence
- Creating efficient security processes
We’ll review where you stand against legislation and common frameworks – like UK GDPR and Cyber Essentials – and outline straightforward improvements that deliver both reassurance to your customers and a more efficient, secure operation. Maybe we’ll spot opportunities to streamline a vendor onboarding process or refine your data handling so that the next time a potential big client asks how you would keep their data safe you have an awesome response ready and waiting.
The real benefit here is peace of mind and a foundation that supports future growth. By focusing on quick wins, we not only fend off common threats but also start building trust with customers who increasingly expect their partners to have at least a basic level of security maturity. Even this modest investment helps you become a more attractive, credible choice in the marketplace.
Strategic engagement (1 day per week)
When you’re ready to step things up, a once-a-week engagement hits the sweet spot. Now we’re really getting into territory where security practices can help smooth the path to new business.
We’ll establish a broader security programme – improving policies, regularly assessing risks, and providing ongoing staff training. That might translate to easier compliance with bigger clients’ security questionnaires, more seamless integration with partners who demand strong security standards, or improved incident handling that keeps downtime to a minimum if an issue arises.
This level of involvement means security starts pulling its weight as a business enabler and delivers:
- Improved incident response capabilities
- Enhanced vendor management
- Strengthened customer trust
- Establishing robust change management processes
For instance, if you’ve got a SaaS product, tightening up your change management process and demonstrating secure coding standards can accelerate sales cycles by reassuring prospects that you’re on top of emerging threats. Regular staff training might help your support team respond more confidently to security-related customer queries, building trust and shortening time-to-contract. Over time, these benefits translate into smoother operations, stronger client relationships, and a reputation that sets you apart from the crowd.
Transformative engagement (2-3 days per week)
For organisations that need full-on security leadership, this more hands-on approach integrates security strategies deeply into your long-term vision. Here, security leaders aren’t just keeping the wolves at bay – they’re actively helping you compete and thrive. Whether it’s overseeing a major SIEM implementation to sharpen your threat detection and make your compliance audits a breeze, or orchestrating penetration testing that reveals where you can refine products and services to impress larger, more security-conscious clients, we’ll be right there with you.
At this level, your security programme:
- Is an enabler for entry into regulated markets
- Drives competitive advantage
- Supports rapid business growth
- Demonstrates security leadership
We can help you navigate new markets that demand robust security assurances – think about landing that contract with a healthcare provider who requires NHS DSPT compliance or impressing a financial services partner by showing off a well-managed ISO 27001 programme.
Regular reporting and proactive initiatives can also highlight to investors that you’re not just “secure enough,” but that you’re leading with security as a key differentiator. The result? More confidence from regulators, customers who see you as a safe bet in a risky world, and a competitive edge that makes it easier to close deals, expand your customer base, and move into regulated sectors with ease. In short, you’re no longer just managing security; you’re harnessing it as a driver of business opportunity.
Final thoughts
Whichever level of engagement feels right for your organisation – be it setting up a solid foundation, building toward operational alignment, or weaving security leadership into the fabric of your business – a Virtual CISO service model can be tailored to fit. By starting small and scaling up, organisations can transform what might feel like a costly overhead into a genuine asset that supports growth, attracts discerning clients, and drives long-term value.
If you’re interested in exploring what a Relatable Security Virtual CISO could do for your business – whether you’re looking for light guidance or full-on strategic leadership – get in touch and arrange a call. We’ll talk through your current situation, your aspirations, and how we can tailor a service that puts security at the heart of your organisation’s success.