Do we need a full-time CISO or is a vCISO enough?

For many SMEs and mid-sized organisations, a vCISO is sufficient to provide strategy, governance and leadership without the cost of a full-time CISO.

Can the vCISO work with our existing IT provider?

Yes. We regularly coordinate with internal IT teams and external MSPs to align security initiatives with operational realities.

Will the vCISO attend board and leadership meetings?

Yes. Board and executive engagement can be included in the engagement model, with regular reporting and briefings.

Can you help prepare us for audits or due diligence?

Yes. The vCISO can coordinate readiness for customer audits, certifications and investor or acquisition due diligence.

vCISO — Virtual Chief Information Security Officer UK

Security Leadership, Strategy and Governance Without a Full-Time Hire

Cyber Sentinel Solutions Ltd — London & Bristol, UK

Our vCISO (Virtual Chief Information Security Officer) service provides experienced security leadership for UK organisations that need strategic guidance, governance and oversight, but do not require or cannot justify a full-time CISO role.

What Is a vCISO?

A vCISO is an external, part-time security leader who acts as your Chief Information Security Officer. They provide strategic direction, risk management, policy oversight and board-level reporting, while working alongside your existing IT and business teams.

The vCISO role typically includes:

defining and maintaining a security strategy and roadmap
coordinating risk assessments and security projects
supporting compliance, certification and client demands
representing security at board and leadership meetings
translating technical risk into business language

What Our vCISO Service Covers

1. Security Strategy & Roadmap

current-state assessment of security maturity
definition of a realistic target state
12–24 month security roadmap with priorities
alignment with business objectives and risk appetite

2. Governance, Risk & Compliance

information security policy framework
risk register creation and updates
support for ISO 27001-aligned programmes (non-certification advisory)
support for sector regulations and client requirements

3. Security Projects & Programmes

prioritisation of security initiatives
guidance for pentesting, phishing, cloud security and monitoring
vendor selection and evaluation (tools, MSPs, SOC providers)
regular progress reviews with stakeholders

4. Board & Executive Reporting

quarterly or monthly security reports
clear KPIs and metrics tailored to leadership
support for audit committees and investor discussions
briefings on emerging threats and trends

5. Incident Preparedness & Support

incident response planning and playbooks
tabletop exercises for key stakeholders
support during cyber incidents (coordination and decision-making)
post-incident review and improvement planning

vCISO Engagement Models

Part-Time vCISO (Light)

a few days per month
ideal for smaller organisations or early-stage security programmes
focus on strategy, roadmap and high-level governance

Part-Time vCISO (Standard)

regular involvement (e.g. 4–8 days per month)
hands-on support with projects and vendors
board and management meetings, ongoing risk management

Interim or Fractional CISO

higher time commitment for a defined period
ideal when transitioning between CISOs or building an internal team
focus on stabilising and maturing the security function

Who Is vCISO For?

Our vCISO service is ideal for UK organisations that:

cannot justify a full-time CISO, but need leadership and governance
face increasing pressure from clients, regulators or investors
have grown quickly and need to formalise security
are in the process of scaling or preparing for due diligence

Typical clients include:

SMEs and mid-market companies
fast-growing technology and SaaS providers
law firms and professional services
financial services and fintech
healthcare, life sciences and regulated sectors

Benefits of a vCISO

access to senior security expertise at a fraction of full-time cost
clear strategy instead of ad-hoc security projects
improved confidence for boards, clients and insurers
better prioritisation of limited security budgets
stronger alignment between IT, security and business goals

Pricing

Indicative pricing for vCISO services in the UK:

vCISO Light (Advisory)

from £1,500 – £3,000 per month

limited days per month
strategy, roadmap and periodic reporting

vCISO Standard

from £3,500 – £7,000 per month

regular engagement and project involvement
board reporting, vendor coordination and risk management

Interim / Fractional CISO

custom pricing (typically £8,000+ per month)

higher time commitment, defined duration
focus on transformation, stabilisation and handover

All pricing is tailored after a scoping discussion.

Discuss vCISO Options for Your Organisation

If you need security leadership without hiring a full-time CISO, contact us to discuss our vCISO engagement options and find a model that fits your organisation.

Cyber Sentinel Solutions Ltd
London & Bristol, United Kingdom

Email: contact@cybersentinelsolutionsltd.co.uk
Website: www.cybersentinelsolutionsltd.co.uk