Businesses today are increasingly turning to virtual services to meet their cyber security needs. There are now a plethora of regularly encountered virtual roles such as vCISO (Chief Information Security Officer), vISM (Information Security Manager), vQSA (Qualified Security Assessor) for PCI DSS, and vDPO (Data Protection Officer). These roles are increasingly being requested by businesses to enable new capabilities as part of growth, or to fill temporary gaps.
The term “vCISO” surfaced early in 2018, and has grown in search interest to over ten times what it was just five years ago. "Fractional CISO" appeared shortly after and has been on a similar, but as yet less popular, trajectory reaching about 20% of the search volume compared to vCISO, according to Google Trends3.
So it’s clear that whether it is assistance with security assessments, policy development, data privacy, compliance, or strategic representation and guidance, virtual services are increasingly in popularity. Virtual CISOs and Fractional CISOs offer a flexible and cost-effective solution for organisations seeking expert guidance without the commitment of a full-time executive.
The growing demand for vCISO and Fractional CISO services reflects a shift in how organisations approach cyber security leadership. Rather than commit to the cost and complexity of a full-time executive, businesses are increasingly turning to these flexible solutions to access high-level expertise, industry insight, and strategic guidance tailored to their needs. This approach not only delivers immediate, pragmatic support and regulatory know-how but also ensures that security and compliance efforts remain aligned with organisational growth. By drawing on the experience of seasoned professionals, organisations of all sizes can strengthen their defences and confidently navigate the challenges of today’s evolving threat landscape.
1. External knowledge: Bringing in external experts offers your organisation fresh perspectives and valuable expertise. Outsiders can challenge existing assumptions, identify blind spots, and introduce innovative solutions drawn from diverse industries. By leveraging their experience across multiple sectors, your business benefits not only from technical proficiency but also from a broader, more creative approach to problem-solving. Not only that, but many vCISOs, such as those employed by CSA, bring the full force of knowledge provided by their colleagues within the business they are employed by, further enhancing the subject matter expertise you have access to.
2. Regulatory drivers: Compliance with industry regulations and standards is crucial for avoiding fines and maintaining a positive reputation. Virtual and Fractional CISOs can help ensure that your organisation meets all necessary requirements, reducing the risk of non-compliance.
3. Overreliance on AI/IT: While AI and IT systems play a critical role in modern cyber security, they cannot replace the strategic insight and experience of a seasoned professional. Virtual and Fractional CISOs bring context and a human touch to your security strategy, ensuring that your organisation is prepared to tackle complex challenges and adapt to evolving threats based on real-world experience.
4. Cost: The cost of hiring a full-time CISO can be prohibitive for many organisations, especially small and medium-sized businesses. Virtual and Fractional CISOs provide access to top-tier expertise without fronting the full salary cost, making it a viable option for companies of all sizes.
“Virtual” and “Fractional” CISO titles are frequently used interchangeably. Over time, trends and definitions change and there has been a steady increase in the number of people using the Fractional CISO job title in recent years. There is some contention over which title to use when, and there is undeniably some overlap and interchangeability between the two titles. There are however clear structures and responsibilities that differ between the two roles which set them apart.
Fractional CISOs tend to have a more focused remit on leadership, governance and board-level activities, their focus is big-picture strategy alongside other board members of an organisation. The job title should be used in-line with other ‘Fractional’ executive positions whereby the role is one of many that the individual holds within the organisation and is thus, a part-time – or fractional - position.
vCISOs are hired as an external party, and while they may also have a heavy board-level role to play, this is not exclusive. A key differentiator is that vCISOs are often asked to bring a more flexible approach, becoming the go-to person for guidance and advice on cyber security matters. This is especially true for smaller organisations taking their first steps towards having a CISO-type position within the business and are looking to mature their practises. Most vCISOs juggle multiple roles within multiple organisations simultaneously – it’s a full-time job, dealing with multiple clients on a part-time basis. Some organisations may simply want board representation and strategy, others may want their vCISO to guide their IT strategy, bring new security practises to projects, or help define and enhance policies and processes across the business that simply weren’t there before.
vCISO has perhaps become an overly-flexible term, and now there is some backlash and attempts to re-differentiate a purely C-level position against the varied responsibilities a vCISO is often tasked with. When it boils down to it, what people choose to call their chief advisor on information security isn’t as important as ensuring they are bringing what is right for your organisation to the table.
| Feature | vCISO (Virtual CISO) | Fractional CISO |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | A remote or part-time CISO providing strategic cyber security leadership, often backed by a team of experts | A part-time CISO embedded within the organisation, typically working a set number of days per month |
| Engagement Model | Flexible, on-demand access to cyber leadership; often includes advisory and operational support | Fixed-term or retainer-based engagement; more structured and predictable |
| Scope of Services | Broad: strategy, governance, compliance, incident response, board reporting, vendor risk, etc | Focused: strategic oversight, policy development, and high-level guidance |
| Delivery Style | Often remote, supported by a virtual team; scalable across multiple clients | May be more hands-on and embedded in client operations |
| Cost Efficiency | Highly cost-effective alternative to full-time CISO; scalable to budget | Also cost-effective, but may be priced based on time commitment (e.g. 2–5 days/month) |
| Customisation | Bespoke packages tailored to business needs and risk appetite | Tiered offerings with defined deliverables and effort levels |
| Popular Use Cases | SMEs, start-ups, MSPs/MSSPs, organisations needing flexible cyber leadership | Fast-growing companies needing interim or part-time strategic security leadership |
| Perception | Sometimes seen as a catch-all term for outsourced security leadership | Viewed as a clearer, more traditional alternative to full-time CISO |
As an active provider in the vCISO and Fractional CISO space, we work with a diverse range of clients, each with unique security priorities and challenges. The following case studies illustrate how our services adapt to meet varying client demands and highlight the breadth of expertise we bring to different sectors.
vCISO Case Study 1
Here at CSA, one of our clients we have been supporting for the past year is an international e-commerce company – we have supported them not only with a vCISO but also a vQSA and vDPO. Roles have included assisting with maturing their cyber security maturity posture through gap assessments, policy creation and 1-2-1 focus sessions, as well as acting as the expert in the room on PCI DSS. As an international organisation headquartered in the UK, it’s imperative that the business is compliant with international standards and regulations, whilst ultimately aligns to the internal standards of UK GDPR – this is where CSA come in. We act as the trusted advisor to ensure that business decisions are made with data privacy and cyber security principles in mind.
vCISO Case Study 2
In another example of CSA providing vCISO services, we recently embarked on partnership with a fast-growing financial services business, providing key security guidance to their internal IT team and board direction. Critically, this partnership involves a broad set of security improvement packages to be delivered over 12 months, from Penetration Testing to compliance readiness, developer training to data loss prevention and much more in between. This is all coordinated by our vCISO and client internal teams who work on remediation of gaps, board reporting on progress and broader security maturity actions such as short term tactical responses, longer-term strategic input, and planning as part of a continuous improvement cycle. This case study acts as a classic example of a vCISO needing to wear many hats and act as a trusted security-advisor across the business, on demand.
Here at CSA Cyber we offer a range of Virtual and Fractional services which are tailored to suit differing needs and scales of our clients. Our services provide organisations with on-demand access to experienced cyber security leadership and the weight of our dedicated security experts at a fraction of the cost of a full-time employee.
From our first-hand experience we are seeing increasing demand for these services, and research into market trends suggests this space will see a growth of around $1-2 billion in 2025, rising to $7 billion in 20332.
The vCISO market is entering a growth phase, driven by escalating cyber threats, stricter regulatory demands, and an ever-increasing interconnected world. Beyond traditional security leadership, our vCISOs are increasingly providing strategic guidance on cyber security roadmaps, acquisitions, threat intelligence, AI, compliance frameworks, and complex supply chain risks. We see vCISOs as becoming a critical component of modern cyber risk management.
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If you’re considering a vCISO or Fractional CISO for your organisation or want to learn more about how our tailored services can support your unique security needs, get in touch with us today. Our experienced team is here to guide you every step of the way, helping you stay compliant, resilient, and ahead of emerging threats.