Virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO)
Welcome to our vCISO service at Parnell Consulting. In today’s digital landscape, cybersecurity is a paramount concern for businesses of all sizes. While large organizations often have the resources to employ a full-time Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), small and medium enterprises (SMEs) may face challenges in achieving the same level of security expertise and preparedness. That’s where our vCISO service comes in. Whether you’re an SME looking to strengthen your cybersecurity posture or a larger organization seeking strategic guidance, our vCISO experts are here to provide tailored solutions to meet your unique needs.
What is a vCISO and What Do They Do?
A vCISO is a highly skilled cybersecurity professional who serves as a trusted advisor to your organization. They bring the same level of expertise and strategic thinking as a traditional CISO but operate on a flexible, as-needed basis. Our vCISOs assess your current cybersecurity posture, develop comprehensive security strategies, and help you implement effective security measures. They work closely with your internal teams, providing guidance on threat detection, incident response, compliance, and risk management. With a vCISO, you gain access to top-tier cybersecurity expertise without the overhead costs of a full-time executive.
Benefits
The advantages of our vCISO service extend far beyond cost savings. By partnering with us, you’ll benefit from:
- Expertise: Access to experienced cybersecurity professionals with a deep understanding of evolving threats and industry best practices.
- Customization: Tailored security strategies and solutions that align with your organization’s unique goals and risk profile.
- Scalability: The ability to adjust your cybersecurity resources as your organization grows or faces new challenges.
- Compliance: Assistance in meeting regulatory requirements and industry standards.
- 24/7 Support: On-demand access to security expertise for incident response and crisis management.
- Peace of Mind: Enhanced protection against cyber threats, bolstering your business resilience.
What Are the Next Steps to Engage a vCISO?
Getting started with our vCISO service is simple. Reach out to our team, and we’ll schedule an initial consultation to assess your organization’s needs and goals. From there, we’ll match you with an experienced vCISO who specializes in your industry. Your vCISO will work closely with you to create a customized cybersecurity strategy, set priorities, and guide your team toward a more secure future. Together, we’ll build a strong defense against cyber threats and ensure your business remains resilient in the face of evolving challenges.
Differences Between Small, Medium, and Larger Enterprises
The cybersecurity needs of organizations can vary based on their size and complexity. Here are some key differences:
Small Enterprises
SMEs often require cost-effective, foundational cybersecurity measures to protect against common threats. vCISOs for small enterprises typically focus on risk assessment, basic security controls, and compliance with relevant regulations.
Medium Enterprises
Mid-sized companies typically need more sophisticated cybersecurity strategies. Their vCISOs may delve into advanced threat detection, incident response planning, and employee training to address a broader range of risks.
Larger Enterprises
Large organizations often have complex IT environments and greater regulatory burdens. Their vCISOs concentrate on developing robust security frameworks, managing extensive incident response capabilities, and ensuring compliance across a diverse set of business units.
Small Enterprise
starting from- Access to vCISO 7am-7pm Mon-Fri
- Guiding your team towards a more secure future
- Chair Monthly Security Steering Committee to track the below activities:
- Establish foundational security measures to protect against common threats
- Apply Basic security controls
- Track regulatory compliance
- Provide Summarized Monthly Report
Medium Enterprise
starting from- Access to vCISO 7am-7pm Mon-Fri
- Guiding your team towards a more secure future
- Chair Monthly Security Steering Committee to track the below activities:
- Establish best practice security measures to protect against common threats
- Apply appropriate level of security controls
- Track regulatory compliance
- Track employee security awareness training
- Track incident response planning activity
- Provide Monthly Report
Larger Enterprise
starting from- Access to vCISO 24/7 when needed
- Guiding your team towards a more secure future
- Chair Monthly Security Steering Committee to track the below activities:
- Establish advanced security measures to protect against common threats
- Apply Advanced security controls
- Track regulatory compliance per business unit
- Track employee security awareness training
- Establish an extensive incident response capability
- Robust security framework management
- Provide Detailed Monthly Report
"One-Time" Onboarding Costs
Every vCISO engagement is unique. To be effective, the vCISO needs to know your business as well as you do. That means going through a thorough understanding of your business context. This includes business environment, operational procedures, and importantly, business goals.
This is done through interviews with relevant teams and senior management and an extensive review of business documentation.
Once we understand your business we will work with you to define an appropriate strategy for information security and then set priorities, that will form the basis for guiding and steering your security programme over the coming year.
£1,195
On-boarding for a small business. Typically, single location, online staff and senior management interviews, and minimal existing documentation.
£2,995
On-boarding for a medium business. Typically, multi location, online staff and senior management interviews, and significant existing documentation.
£6,950
Comprehensive on-boarding process. Typically, multi location and business units, onsite and remote interviews, and significant existing documentation.
Chargeable Work
Our vCISO on-boarding process and monthly retainer establishes the framework necessary for any vCISO to be an affective security and business driver for your organisation. And to perform the primary activity of the role, that being to guide and steer your organisations security programme in the right direction and track progress for senior management.
Beyond the basics, how you choose to use your vCISO capability, will ultimately reflect in your organisations ability to achieve its goals in a more sustainable manner.
Our pricing model aims at keep ongoing costs minimal, allowing your business to make positive steady steps to securing your business. And when time is right, make use of the lower consultancy fees that come with all our vCISO offerings to conduct any additional consultancy activity as arises.
Some examples:
- Cyber Incident: Every organisation suffers cyber incidents. Whether its a major incident that requires critical decision making or a suspected incidents that warrants a second opinion, this is where your vCISO capability comes into its own. Our vCISO’s will always be on hand to listen to the events and offer advice free of charge. However, when day comes that a real incident is unfolding your vCISO will be hand-on to jump into the breach, direct the activity, containing the threat and getting your business back on track. Because we dont like to charge our customers for what might be, we only bill you at prior agreed hourly rates. Giving you peace of mind that when the day comes you will be in safe hands.
- Cyber Breach and Crisis Management: As with cyber incidents above, the same is true when it comes to actual cyber breach and crisis management. vCISO’s are practitioners in managing such complex situations when timely decision making can mean £m’s in lost revenue or many days of disruption.
- Agreed consultancy: For purposes of clarity, it is always FREE to pickup the phone and talk with our vCISO’s or communicate via any other means too, which is always actively encouraged! Chargeable consultancy is what comes after discussion and is always agreed in advance prior to work commencing. For example:
- Policies, standards and procedures review
- Risk Management methodology, guidelines, registers and procedures.
- Conduct regulatory compliance activities, such as PCI-DSS, GDPR, NIS2, TSA and so on.
- Run security awareness programme
- Attend Change Advisory Board (CAB) meetings
- Conduct supplier assessments
- Propose advanced security controls
- Manage security teams
- and so much more…