Virtual CISO
Virtual CISO
The Hedgehog Virtual CISO (vCISO) services help executives, security and technology teams safeguard information assets while supporting business operations with augmented cyber expertise to reduce business risk, signal commitment to data security and enhance overall security posture.
Whats is a Virtual CISO?
Irrespective of regulatory scrutiny in your industry or organization, too much is at stake to not have a CISO. A security leader with the specialised technical knowledge and corporate governance experience to help build a strong cyber security foundation and the agility to prevent, detect and mitigate evolving threats.
Our team of experts includes seasoned former CISOs from a variety of industries who can strengthen your existing staff, set strategic objectives to support business-critical technology demands and balance IT administration, as well as establish clear communication with the board of directors, investors and government agencies.
Whether you are looking for an interim CISO, a resource to support your CISO or a longer-term arrangement, our Virtual CISO services provide the leadership you need, when you need it.
What does a Virtual CISO do?
You can rely on a vCISO from Kroll to have the technical expertise, business acumen and communication skills to make an immediate difference. Our experts have served in a broad range of industries for companies of various sizes and will know how to align information security strategies with your company’s unique needs and challenges.
Services and offerings include:
Services and offerings include:
- Setting or directing privacy and security policies, standards, procedures and guidelines
- Managing and directing information security teams
- Engaging with executive management
- Running risk assessments on operational security
- Providing threat intelligence and managing enterprise security
- Crisis management
Prepare, Protect, Defend
Our vCISO service is tailored to your specific situation and information security needs. While you have a number of options when it comes to the scope and length of services, there are four areas where most organizations benefit from the experience of a vCISO:
Information Security Strategy
Guiding executives across business function and IT, your vCISO helps identify business threats, provides a baseline for your current security program and defines security strategy in line with business objectives and technology strategies.
Our phased approach helps ensure an effective and efficient strategy that leverages NIST 800-53 and can be mapped to multiple cyber regulations (e.g., PCI, HIPAA, GDPR).
Our phased approach helps ensure an effective and efficient strategy that leverages NIST 800-53 and can be mapped to multiple cyber regulations (e.g., PCI, HIPAA, GDPR).
Information Security Assessment
Evaluating culture, processes and technologies from a security governance perspective, your vCISO develops prioritised actions to help effectively manage your information security strategy and program. Assessments can include:
- Interviews with stakeholders across the technical, business and executive teams as well as gathering documentation
- Robust reviews of a variety of areas, including information asset management, acceptable use policies, data classification, threat and vulnerability management and third-party management
Information Security Oversight
Based on the assessment findings, your vCISO can provide various types and levels of ongoing support, including:
- Developing policies and procedures to close gaps in documentation
- Developing a remediation plan with actionable, prioritized recommendations
- Implementing the remediation plan
- Providing ongoing strategic guidance that is less intensive, but assists the organisation in maintaining long-term goals
Experience, Expertise, Leadership
Our vCISO services are drawn on the experience of former CISOs from a variety of industries, from professional services firms to multinational conglomerates, and bring a valuable blend of technical, executive and organisational experience. Our vCISO's are among the most accomplished technical experts practicing today, with special insight into evolving threats and solutions from their work at the front lines of cyber security.
Our vCISO team is supported by our global, multidisciplinary team that includes former GCHQ analyists, Isreali Cyber Defence specialists, gaming company defenders, and former Microsoft CISO board members along with intelligence analysts and regulatory specialists from a wide variety of industries. This high-caliber team will help put your entire information security program on the maturity fast track.
Finding an experienced, well-qualified CISO in today’s competitive information security job market can be challenging, time-consuming and expensive. If you need a CISO now, then this is the perfect time to get in touch.
Our vCISO team is supported by our global, multidisciplinary team that includes former GCHQ analyists, Isreali Cyber Defence specialists, gaming company defenders, and former Microsoft CISO board members along with intelligence analysts and regulatory specialists from a wide variety of industries. This high-caliber team will help put your entire information security program on the maturity fast track.
Finding an experienced, well-qualified CISO in today’s competitive information security job market can be challenging, time-consuming and expensive. If you need a CISO now, then this is the perfect time to get in touch.
Why Choose Hedgehog Security?
- We are a global Cyber Security company
- CREST Certified Red and Blue teams
- Focus on Quality of Service, not Quantity of Clients
- Fast, Easy service deployment
- Technology Agnostic
- High Client Satisfaction
vCISO Resources
Template Information Security Policies
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a virtual CISO?
A virtual chief information security officer (“virtual CISO” or “vCISO”) is a specialist information security professional that organizations can call on for support with planning and executing an effective cybersecurity strategy. Virtual CISOs provide vital security experience, expertise and leadership to companies as and when they need it.
What does a virtual CISO / vCISO do?
A virtual CISO provides an independent perspective, acting as an extension of a business to help it address challenges involved with managing information security. This may be on a regular or project-by-project basis, or for specific business goals. A vCISO’s role is wide-ranging and defined by the needs of each organization. It can involve assessing potential risks and developing policies, procedures and controls to help ensure that an organization’s security practices meet compliance standards.
How can a vCISO help my business?
A vCISO provides a range of services aimed at helping companies enhance their cybersecurity posture. The full scale and scope of the service will be defined by the provider and can vary significantly depending on business requirements. Services provided can include building and managing in-house security teams, writing security policies and procedures, completing risk assessments on operational security, sharing threat intelligence and providing advice and support in a crisis.
What benefits does a vCISO provide?
A vCISO service enables organizations without an in-house chief information security officer to manage cybersecurity risk in a cost-effective manner. Rather than having to source and pay for in-house specialists, companies can access highly qualified and experienced security expertise when they need it. By providing a critical combination of technical knowledge and corporate governance experience on a flexible basis, a vCISO ensures that a business is better placed to tackle current and emerging security threats.
Will a Virtual CISO be right for my business?
Because virtual CISO services can be provided on an ad hoc basis, they can flex to suit the requirements of each individual organization. vCISO providers should be able to provide both on-site and remote support as and when you need it, with consultancy hours that can be scaled up or down in accordance with your organization’s requirements.
How much does a vCISO cost?
The specific cost of a vCISO service will vary according to the particular needs and security requirements of your business. By reducing the potential damage caused by cyber threats and removing the pressure to recruit in-house security experts, a high-quality vCISO service offers great value to organisations.
What expertise should a vCISO have?
A potential vCISO should be able to demonstrate not only proven cybersecurity experience but also up-to-date industry insight. Apart from a strong track record of supporting organizations, they should also have the network and industry knowledge to source additional services and experts as and when required.
Find Peace with SOC365
Defend against Cyber Attacks
Report on Cyber Success
By clicking Sign Up you're confirming that you agree with our Terms and Conditions.
Cyber Security Insights
Hear from our red and blue teams, as well as our green team. Get their insights into the current states of Cyber Security.
Red Team
What Is a Threat-Led Penetration Test (TLPT)?
Threat-Led Penetration Tests (TLPT) are enhanced security tests reserved for financial entities whose failure would have systemic effects and which are most likely to be targeted by malicious actors.
Blue Team
Fortinet | Cybersecurity: The Latest CVE Vulnerability You Need to Know
In recent developments, Fortinet has issued warnings regarding critical security vulnerabilities affecting its FortiClientEMS software and other products. These vulnerabilities, if left unaddressed, could lead to severe consequences, including unauthorized