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Virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) Services
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Protect Your Organization with Virtual CISO Services
Are you a small-to-medium sized business that takes data, systems, and information security seriously, but doesn’t have the resources for a dedicated executive?
If so, a Virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) is the right solution for your business. Here’s how RSI Security’s virtual CISO services can help protect your business:
- By using our vCISO services you're not just getting one security expert, you're enlisting a team of Security Advisory experts.
- Our CISO services can address information security needs related to your business so that your technical team can stay focused on areas they’re best at impacting.
- RSI Security’s CISO as a service provides high-level guidance in terms of information security objectives, as well as deep analysis of potential areas at risk.
- Using our vCISO services acts as a semi-permanent information security executive fixture within your organization, focused on meeting both short and long term goals.
- The CISO as a service model allows you to conduct critical information security activities like penetration testing and vulnerability assessments at a fraction of the cost.
- You’ll be able to conduct employee training and develop information security best practices more efficiently with a virtual CISO.
- Be secure that your critical systems and data are in compliance with the relevant regulations via our virtual CISO consulting.
What is a vCISO?
A virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) is a security professional who works on behalf of organizations to help them manage their information security program. While a CISO is typically a full-time employee, often a member of the c-suite, a vCISO is an individual or team that brings their expertise and experience to the table on-demand as a contractor.
The best vCISO options leverage the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to supercharge their governance and advisory services. AI-assisted vCISOs can automate risk mitigation, incident response, compliance, and other elements of overall cyberdefense.
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Our vCISO Services Overview
Virtual CISO Responsibilities & Requirements
The responsibilities and requirements of a virtual chief information officer are similar to those of a regular CISO, only on a virtual, lower-cost basis. This includes assisting with:
- Security Operations: Conducting real-time analysis of potential and immediate security threats, neutralizing threats and breaches as they appear with automated monitoring.
- Cyber-risk Analysis: Maintaining awareness of developing security threats and assisting management in understanding the risks by comparing against all available intelligence.
- Security Architecture: Helping leaders plan and implement critical cybersecurity hardware and software tailored to your specific risks and applicable regulations.
- Loss Prevention: Training and educating staff to create and cultivate a culture of awareness and vigilance so that data isn’t stolen or misused on their watch.
- Access Management: Ensuring only the right individuals and programs have access to sensitive systems and data by regularly monitoring new and existing access points.
- Governance & Compliance: Achieving and maintaining compliance with regulatory frameworks with targeted implementation, guided assessments, and automated scans.
Virtual CISO FAQs
Current vCISO rates are estimated to be about 30% of what it would cost to hire a full-time CISO, potentially less than $30 thousand annually. The exact cost of a vCISO will vary depending on the individual or team contracted and the needs of the organization.
A virtual CISO assists with an organization's security program. This can include:
- Security strategy planning and management
- Information security policy creation
- Incident preparation and response
- Audits, security assessments, and penetration tests
Virtual CISO responsibilities will vary depending on the security needs of the organization, so they will work with you to determine precisely what vCISO services they should provide.
A virtual chief information security officer will provide a range of security services:
- Manage your organization's security program
- Secure systems and data
- Mitigate and respond to threats
- Test and improve security controls and procedures
- Prepare for audits and security reviews
- Automate critical cyberdefense practices
A vCISO can provide these and other agreed-upon security services on an as-needed basis.
While a CISO is a full-type employee who is dedicated to managing information security, there are many benefits to relying on a vCISO instead:
- Cost – Contracting a vCISO costs less than hiring a CISO, which makes virtual CISO services more accessible to smaller organizations that may have lower budgets.
- Independent experts – A vCISO harnesses diverse experiences to add to their expertise, and they are independently responsible for maintaining and advancing their knowledge.
- On-demand availability – Finding the right full-time CISO can be a long process and, once hired, they must be retained year-round. But a vCISO can work from anywhere and provide services when needed.
- Automation – Using AI and ML, vCISOs can streamline cybersecurity operations by harnessing and processing data at scale and configuring scans and other best practices to happen at frequent, regular intervals automatically—all without human supervision.
As with any decision, there are pros and cons to relying on virtual CISO consulting services.
A virtual CISO is a more affordable alternative to hiring a full-time Chief Information Security Officer but, as a contractor, they will not be solely dedicated to providing vCISO services to your organization alone. They will be available to provide services at times agreed upon, or as-needed, but not necessarily on a standby basis as a full-time employee would be.
A vCISO can provide services on an as-needed basis and can provide them virtually, making them a useful option for organizations that are fully remote or unable to find local talent. But it may be difficult for a remote vCISO to handle challenges that require on-site presence.
AI-assisted virtual CISOs use AI and ML tools to automate processes like data collection, analysis, threat monitoring, risk mitigation, incident response, and compliance. In other words, they empower your organization to automate all or most of its critical cyberdefense practices.
Virtual CISOs are becoming a more popular option because of the benefits of a vCISO. They can provide the same services as a full-time, in-house CISO at a fraction of the cost, they independently further their expertise, and they can provide services remotely and on an as-needed basis.
Download our Virtual CISO Data Sheet Here
Why Choose RSI Security for vCISO Services & Consulting
RSI Security’s virtual CISO consulting model ensures that all businesses have access to executive cybersecurity expertise, anytime, anywhere.
By choosing RSI Security’s vCISO services, your business can: