What is a Virtual CISO? A Guide on When and How to Hire One

Data breaches and cybersecurity threats have become vastly more common in the last few years . Today's companies need to find clever new ways to avoid these threats -- and a virtual CISO could hold part of the answer.

CISO stands for Chief Information Security Officer. If you are looking to hire one, we created a checklist for your CISO hiring process! Another option is a virtual CISO, which makes the highly desired position available even to companies on tight budgets. With a virtual CISO, you can greatly increase security without spending a lot more money.

What does a virtual CISO do, and how can you hire one for your company? Let's take a closer look.

Ordinarily, a CISO takes responsibility for keeping your company's data and information secure. They'll stay up to date on the latest threats, and the best ways to stop them. 

Needless to say, hiring a CISO can cost a lot. This level of specialized expertise comes with a steep price tag. This can leave many companies trying to tackle the security issue without a CISO. Unfortunately, these companies often pay for it in the form of data breaches and the losses they cause.

A virtual CISO or vCISO does the same thing, but outsourced, which can significantly reduce the cost of hiring this position. Your vCISO will typically work remotely and part-time, but they can still handle all of the biggest risks without being on-site. 

Virtual CISOs also don't have any connections in your organization, so they won't be influenced by employee politics and other distractions. This can actually mean that you get better results with a vCISO than an in-house CISO.

Now that you can see the benefits of having one, how do you hire a virtual CISO? Here's what you should look for. 

First, consider CISOs who've worked in similar industries, and at similarly-sized companies. This background will help you get a CISO who's on the cutting edge of industry knowledge. 

A virtual CISO needs lots of trust and rapport from you and your company in order to do their job. As you evaluate the hiring pool, research backgrounds and find someone you're comfortable working with. Make sure they're a great communicator, so you'll never feel left in the dark. 

Some vCISOs offer extra support and security tools in the package when you hire them, while others don't. These add-ons can be valuable enough to weigh your hiring decisions. Find out everything your virtual CISO plans to offer.

 

Hiring a virtual CISO can take a weight of worry off your shoulders, without adding much to your budget. Don't leave security up to chance -- take this step for your company's future safety.

It may take a while to find a vCISO that fits with your brand. However, it's worth the time it takes to find someone with the right experience and personality to be a seamless part of your team. 

Still not quite sold on the need for a CISO? We outlined The Top 10 Reasons Your Organization Needs A CISO, so you can access the information that you need to make this important decision.