A virtual CISO provides senior cyber security guidance without the need to hire a full-time security leader.
For many small and mid-sized organisations, the problem is not that nobody cares about security. The problem is that responsibility is split between leadership, IT, suppliers, external providers and customer requirements. Someone needs to help turn that into a clear plan.
Be Secure Cyber provides vCISO support for organisations that need structure, accountability and practical direction.
This work is led by John McDaid, Lead Cyber Consultant (CISSP, OSCP, NCSC-assured Cyber Advisor), with experience across service providers and organisations in professional and financial services, the NHS, education, government and defence.
When vCISO support is useful
vCISO support is usually appropriate when an organisation needs more than a one-off technical review, but does not need or cannot justify a full-time CISO.
It often comes up when customers or suppliers start asking for assurance, when a tender or contract requires Cyber Essentials Plus or IASME Cyber Assurance, or when leadership wants a clearer view of cyber risk and what to fix first. We also see it where security responsibilities are split across leadership, internal IT and external providers, or where growth, restructuring and new contracts have outpaced the way security is managed. The common thread is usually a need for regular reporting and someone accountable for security decisions.
The role is to help the organisation make security decisions, not to create unnecessary paperwork.
What a vCISO does
The exact scope depends on the organisation, but vCISO support can include:
- cyber security roadmap development
- board or leadership reporting
- risk register review
- policy and governance review
- supplier assurance support
- Cyber Essentials and IASME planning
- Microsoft 365 and cloud security oversight
- prioritisation of remediation work
- support for conversations with internal IT, suppliers or external providers
- review of security evidence for customers or tenders
The work should connect business requirements, technical reality and practical next steps.
Engagement models
vCISO support can be structured in different ways, depending on what the organisation needs. Some clients start with a one-off security leadership review or a fixed advisory project. Others prefer ongoing support, typically monthly retained time or a quarterly governance and roadmap review, and may add board reporting, oversight of a certification or assurance programme, or help responding to supplier questionnaires and client assurance requests.
Pricing is not published because the level of support depends on the organisation, the reporting requirement and the amount of hands-on improvement work needed.
Example outputs
Depending on scope, outputs may include:
- a prioritised security roadmap
- board-level cyber security report
- risk register input
- control improvement plan
- policy review notes
- supplier assurance responses
- certification readiness plan
- Microsoft 365 security improvement plan
- actions for internal IT or external providers
The aim is to give the organisation useful evidence, agreed priorities and a practical plan for the next stage of improvement.
vCISO vs a technical consultant
A technical consultant usually focuses on a defined area, such as Microsoft 365 configuration, vulnerability assessment or a specific security control.
A vCISO looks across the organisation. The focus is on governance, prioritisation, risk, assurance and decision-making.
Both can be useful. In many cases, a vCISO helps decide which technical work is needed and how it should be prioritised.
vCISO vs a full-time CISO
A full-time CISO may be appropriate for larger or higher-risk organisations with substantial internal teams, regulatory pressure or complex security operations.
A vCISO is usually more suitable where the organisation needs senior security input but not a full-time executive role. It provides access to experienced guidance in a proportionate way.
Working with internal and external IT providers
vCISO support does not replace the internal IT team or external IT provider.
It can help the organisation understand what it should ask from those providers, what evidence is needed and where security decisions sit with leadership. This is useful where operational IT is working well but security ownership is unclear.
AI governance and tools like Copilot
As staff adopt AI tools, leadership increasingly needs a clear position on how they can be used. vCISO support can include a proportionate AI use policy, an approved-tools list and a review of tools like Microsoft 365 Copilot, so the organisation gets the benefit without exposing client or company data. See AI governance for professional firms and Is Microsoft 365 Copilot safe for business use? .
How vCISO links to other services
vCISO work often connects with:
- Cyber Essentials
- Cyber Essentials Plus
- Microsoft 365 Security Review
- NCSC Cyber Advisor support
- IASME Cyber Assurance
- supplier questionnaire support
- cloud security review
- exposure management and vulnerability prioritisation
- vulnerability assessment
Some clients start with a specific assessment and then move into vCISO support when they need ongoing structure and accountability.
Frequently asked questions
Is vCISO support only for larger organisations?
No. It is often useful for smaller organisations that have client assurance requirements, public-sector supply-chain obligations or leadership concern about cyber risk.
Do you replace our IT provider?
No. vCISO support normally works alongside internal IT teams and external IT providers. The focus is security direction, governance, prioritisation and assurance.
Do you publish monthly prices?
No. The scope varies depending on the organisation, reporting needs, risk profile and amount of support required.
Can vCISO support help with Cyber Essentials or IASME?
Yes. vCISO support can help plan certification work, prioritise remediation and keep security improvement aligned with business requirements.
Can this be delivered remotely?
Yes. Most vCISO work can be delivered remotely, with meetings and evidence review handled online. Be Secure Cyber is based in Glasgow and works with organisations across the UK.
Speak to us about vCISO support
If your organisation needs senior cyber security guidance without hiring a full-time CISO, contact Be Secure Cyber to discuss what level of support would be appropriate.