Virtual CISO Services

CISO as a Service for NIS2 Compliance

Our Virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) service provides strategic cybersecurity leadership specifically designed to help organizations achieve and maintain NIS2 compliance without the cost of a full-time executive.

Why NIS2 Requires CISO-Level Leadership

The NIS2 Directive explicitly mandates:

• Management Accountability: Executive leadership must approve and oversee cybersecurity measures
• Board Reporting: Regular reporting to management bodies on security posture and risks
• Strategic Oversight: Integration of cybersecurity into business strategy and operations
• Compliance Coordination: Cross-functional coordination of compliance activities

Many organizations, especially medium-sized entities, need this strategic leadership but cannot justify a full-time CISO. Our vCISO service bridges this gap.

Service Components

Strategic Cybersecurity Governance

• Establish NIS2-compliant governance frameworks
• Develop information security policies and standards
• Define roles, responsibilities, and accountability structures
• Integrate security into business processes and decision-making

NIS2 Compliance Program Management

• Oversee end-to-end compliance initiatives
• Coordinate assessments, gap remediation, and audits
• Maintain compliance documentation and evidence
• Track regulatory changes and update programs accordingly

Board & Executive Reporting

• Prepare board-level cybersecurity reports as required by NIS2
• Present risk assessments and compliance status to management
• Communicate security investments and resource needs
• Translate technical issues into business impact

Risk Management & Assessment

• Implement risk management frameworks compliant with NIS2
• Conduct regular risk assessments of information systems
• Prioritize risks based on business impact and likelihood
• Track risk treatment and mitigation activities

Incident Response Leadership

• Develop and maintain incident response plans
• Lead incident response activities when breaches occur
• Ensure 24-hour reporting compliance to authorities
• Coordinate crisis management and business continuity

Security Policy & Procedure Development

• Create comprehensive security policies meeting NIS2 requirements
• Develop operational procedures and work instructions
• Establish security baselines and technical standards
• Maintain policy lifecycle management

Vendor & Third-Party Risk Management

• Oversee supply chain security programs
• Establish vendor security requirements and assessments
• Manage third-party security agreements and monitoring
• Ensure supplier compliance with NIS2 requirements

Security Awareness & Training

• Design security awareness programs for all staff
• Develop role-specific training for technical teams
• Conduct management training on NIS2 obligations
• Track training completion and effectiveness

Security Architecture & Technology Oversight

• Review and approve security architectures
• Evaluate security technologies and tools
• Oversee implementation of technical controls
• Ensure alignment with NIS2 technical requirements

Audit & Compliance Coordination

• Prepare for regulatory audits and inspections
• Coordinate internal and external security audits
• Respond to audit findings and recommendations
• Maintain audit trails and compliance evidence

Engagement Models

We offer flexible engagement models to match your needs and budget:

Retainer Model

• Scope: Fixed monthly hours for ongoing support
• Typical Allocation: 2-4 days per month
• Best For: Organizations needing continuous oversight and strategic guidance
• Includes: Regular meetings, compliance oversight, incident response availability

Project-Based Model

• Scope: Specific deliverables or initiatives
• Typical Duration: 3-6 months per project
• Best For: Time-bound compliance projects or initial implementations
• Includes: Defined scope, deliverables, and timelines

Hybrid Model

• Scope: Combination of retainer and project work
• Flexibility: Adapt to changing needs and priorities
• Best For: Organizations with variable demands and multiple initiatives
• Includes: Base monthly support plus project-specific work

Typical vCISO Activities Schedule

Monthly Activities:

• Board/executive security report preparation and presentation
• Risk register review and updates
• Compliance status monitoring
• Policy and procedure reviews
• Security metrics and KPI tracking
• Vendor and third-party risk reviews

Quarterly Activities:

• Comprehensive risk assessment updates
• Security program maturity assessment
• Compliance gap analysis
• Security awareness training sessions
• Incident response plan testing
• Strategic planning and roadmap updates

Annual Activities:

• Full NIS2 compliance assessment
• Security program strategic review
• Budget planning and resource forecasting
• Third-party audit coordination
• Disaster recovery and business continuity testing
• Security policy comprehensive review

Benefits of Our vCISO Service

Cost-Effective Leadership

• 60-70% less expensive than full-time CISO
• No recruitment, benefits, or training costs
• Immediate availability with no ramp-up time

Deep NIS2 Expertise

• Specialized knowledge of NIS2 requirements
• Experience across multiple sectors and entities
• Up-to-date with regulatory guidance and changes

Flexibility & Scalability

• Adjust engagement level based on needs
• Scale up for projects, down for steady-state
• No long-term commitment required

Objective Perspective

• Independent view of security posture
• No internal politics or conflicts of interest
• Best-practice recommendations from multiple industries

Continuity & Reliability

• Team-based delivery ensures continuity
• No single point of failure
• Backup coverage for vacation and sick leave

Ideal Candidates for vCISO Services

Our vCISO service is particularly valuable for:

• Medium-sized Organizations (50-500 employees) subject to NIS2
• Growing Companies expanding into NIS2-covered sectors
• Organizations Without a CISO but with NIS2 obligations
• Companies with Technical Security staff but no strategic leadership
• Entities Facing Audits needing compliance expertise
• Organizations in Transition between full-time CISOs

Getting Started

Starting with our vCISO service is straightforward:

1. Initial Consultation (No charge)
   • Discuss your needs, challenges, and objectives
   • Review NIS2 applicability and requirements
   • Explore engagement models and pricing
2. Scoping & Proposal
   • Define specific services and deliverables
   • Establish engagement model and schedule
   • Provide detailed pricing proposal
3. Engagement Kickoff
   • Introduce your dedicated vCISO
   • Conduct initial assessment
   • Establish working cadence and communication
4. Ongoing Delivery
   • Execute agreed services and deliverables
   • Regular touchpoints and reporting
   • Continuous improvement and optimization

Contact us for a detailed proposal tailored to your specific needs.

Schedule Consultation