From the daunting task of navigating stringent security regulations and ever-evolving compliance requirements to the constant, looming threat of cyberattacks, organizations often feel like they're in a constant battle. The need for strategic expertise and guidance in such a challenging climate is undeniable. Yet, hiring a full-time Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is a daunting prospect for many organizations, often due to resource limitations. This is where the introduction of virtual Chief Information Security Officers (vCISOs) can bring a much-needed sense of relief. A vCISO, with their specialized knowledge and experience, can help organizations stay on top of security regulations and compliance requirements, ensuring they are always prepared and protected.
From healthcare to education and financial services, organizations of all types are consistently targeted, and sensitive information is extracted. Yet, while all organizations are at risk, not all are equally prepared or educated on the risks. Whether organizations have a designated IT team for cybersecurity or no cybersecurity knowledge at all, a virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) is a flexible and scalable option. It's a solution that can be customized to meet the unique needs of organizations of all sizes and industries, ensuring they aren’t next on the list of cyberattack news.
What is a vCISO?
The introduction of the vCISO has emerged as one of the latest trends in cybersecurity, particularly after the implementation of the SEC’s Cybersecurity Rules. These rules necessitate companies to disclose “management’s role and expertise in assessing and managing material risks from cybersecurity threats.” A vCISO is essentially a security expert who assists an organization in formulating its cybersecurity strategy part-time, virtually. Unlike traditional full-time CISO roles, which may be financially impractical for some organizations, the virtual model enables businesses to tap into top-tier cybersecurity talent without the burden of a fixed, ongoing commitment. Most importantly, having a vCISO onboard fulfills part of the SEC requirement for detailing a company’s cybersecurity strategy and expertise.
As organizations navigate the complexities of cybersecurity, leveraging the expertise of a vCISO can provide invaluable benefits in fortifying defenses, mitigating risks, and ensuring compliance. A vCISO can have an imminent – and powerful – impact on an organization’s cybersecurity measures, with the following aspects making them a solid asset for IT teams and an affordable yet practical approach to cybersecurity.
Benefits of a vCISO
While adding a vCISO to an IT team or strategy will not make an organization immune to a security breach or cyberattack, it’s a crucial step in gaining valuable perspective on improving systems and increasing cyber resilience. Other benefits of bringing a vCISO on board include:
- Whether an organization adapts to changes in size, structure, or security requirements, a vCISO can provide scalable solutions that align with the organization's goals and objectives. This keeps organizations on track to hit key milestones and allows them to stay agile despite evolving cybersecurity threats and regulatory demands.
- Dedicated resource. While IT teams know the importance of cybersecurity initiatives, the reality is that – especially in smaller organizations – they cannot always prioritize those initiatives or tasks over others. With a vCISO, businesses get a dedicated expert who becomes an integral part of their team, where the number one priority is ensuring systems are secure and cyber risk is mitigated. This individual can serve as an extension of the organization, interacting directly with the C-suite, executive team, Board of Directors, and decision-makers to help educate on and prioritize initiatives that will enhance the organization's security posture.
- Diverse skill sets and industry knowledge. vCISOs have often served as full-time CISOs at other organizations, bringing a pool of knowledge to whatever organization they work for next. Because many vCISOs partner with services of organizations like managed service providers, they are often backed by a team of experienced cybersecurity professionals. This benefits the vCISO and the company they now work with, allowing them to leverage a wealth of experience across verticals to improve the overall experience, deliverables, and recommendations provided to the organization. By tapping into this pool of seasoned professionals, organizations can access tailored cybersecurity expertise that aligns closely with their specific needs and objectives. This personalized approach fosters collaboration and partnership between the vCISO and the organization, ensuring that cybersecurity strategies align closely with business goals.
- Scalability and flexibility. vCISOs offer strategic cybersecurity expertise without the constraints of a full-time position, allowing businesses to streamline their security measures and strengthen their security posture against cybersecurity threats. Unlike traditional full-time CISO roles, which may require a significant investment of time and resources, vCISOs can be engaged on a project basis or as needed, allowing organizations to adapt to changing circumstances and budget considerations and making vCISOs an attractive option for organizations of all sizes, from startups to enterprise-level corporations.
- Fresh perspectives. A vCISO can objectively assess security vulnerabilities and risks as an external resource without internal biases or preconceptions. This impartial viewpoint enables them to identify blind spots and aid in implementing effective risk mitigation strategies. With expertise spanning various industries, a vCISO can uniquely navigate complex security challenges and stay updated on the latest threats and technologies.
Creating a Culture of Cybersecurity
Enabling a culture of security awareness is essential in today's digital landscape, where cyber risks are continuously evolving. Research, such as Verizon's 2023 Data Breach Investigations Report, underscores that the human element remains the most significant risk to organizations, with 74% of breaches involving human error. vCISOs are pivotal in creating and implementing employee cybersecurity training programs to address this challenge. These programs raise awareness about security best practices, educate staff about potential risks, and empower them to safeguard sensitive information proactively.
Security is everyone’s responsibility – and by having a leader dedicated to promoting that culture across all levels of the organization, vCISOs can significantly reduce the likelihood of security incidents and enhance overall resilience against cyber vulnerabilities. Those who take advantage of this new trend will increase their cyber resilience and become well-equipped for a potential cyberattack. They will ultimately use the insights uncovered to accomplish business goals, effectively plan, and stand out among customers and prospects.
Michael Gray, CTO, Thrive
Michael Gray is the Vice President of Technology at Thrive Networks. Michael has held several positions at Thrive, including network engineer, consulting engineer, solutions manager, and Director of Network Operations. Before working at Thrive, Michael worked for a publicly traded biotechnology company that was acquired by one of the top five pharmaceutical companies in the world. Michael now plays an integral role in hosted and managed services product management and development.
Michael has a degree in Business Administration from Northeastern University. He is also a Kaseya Certified Master Administrator and a Sonicwall Network Security Advanced Administrator. He is a member of various partner councils, including Sonicwall’s VAR council.
