What Is A Virtual CISO? And Why You Need One
A CISO (Chief Information Security Officer) is an expert in charge of an organization’s cybersecurity strategy – defining and enforcing the appropriate architecture, policies, and practices. CISOs play a pivotal role in an organization’s functioning. Finding a full-time CIOS can be frustrating and expensive, to say the least.
A vCISO (Virtual CISO) is an outsourced MSSP (Managed Security Service Provider) that virtually replicates a CISO’s job functions. They provide a flexible middle-ground for companies that find it too difficult or expensive to recruit and maintain a CISO.
When to Hire a Virtual CISO
Although hiring an in-house expert may seem like the more reliable option, outsourcing these C-level duties is the only prudent option for most businesses. Here are some instances where hiring a vCISO is a better alternative.
Lengthy Recruitment Processes Are Not an Option
Hiring a good CISO can cost you tens of thousands of dollars and take months to complete. Besides advertising the position on job boards, organizations have to invest a lot of time to vet the right candidate. Good CISOs are hard to come by, and a company could easily lose a prospect to a more prominent company after spending weeks trying to lure the candidate.
Outsourcing to an MSSP eliminates the risks of a failed recruitment campaign and provides immediate access to multiple experts.
Round-The-Clock Cybersecurity Services Are a Necessity
As crucial as CISOs are, they still handle so many responsibilities alone. Even the best CISOs may struggle to properly optimize security and manage an entire organization’s incidents on their own. Add in disruptions like sick time and vacations, and round-the-clock surveillance becomes an almost impossible task. On the other hand, their virtual counterparts can provide 24/7 surveillance and support.
Tight Budget
Hiring virtual experts tends to be cheaper than maintaining an in-house CISO. To successfully recruit and employ a CISO, a company may incur costs like:
Recruitment expenses
Salary
Insurance
Bonuses
Ongoing training
Underbidding any of these expenses will make attracting and retaining a suitable candidate even more challenging. Virtual security service providers offer similar services at a highly subsidized cost.
How to Hire a Virtual CISO
The CISO position is still in its infancy, and hiring the right security experts is not yet a systematized process. Regardless, follow these guidelines when hiring an MSSP:
Prioritize teams experienced in handling companies like yours.
Ensure their level of availability matches your organization’s requirements. Virtual security service providers work with multiple clients, and having a reliable provider can be reassuring.
Look for experts who specialize in the cyberattacks your business is likely to face.
Final Thoughts
Cyberattacks continue to plague businesses as the push to shift online becomes more apparent. Companies need to adopt security-conscious online practices now more than ever.
