Executive-level cybersecurity leadership for your business — without hiring a $250K/year executive. Strategy, compliance, and risk management on your terms.
Your business faces real cybersecurity risks. Your insurance company is asking questions. Your clients want to see compliance documentation. Your board wants a security strategy. But hiring a full-time Chief Information Security Officer costs $200K-$300K per year, and for most mid-market businesses, that doesn't make financial sense.
A virtual CISO gives you the expertise and leadership of a senior security executive on a fractional basis. You get the strategy, the compliance guidance, and the executive communication — at a fraction of the cost of a full-time hire.
Ohio businesses that implement a recognized cybersecurity framework have legal protection under Ohio Revised Code 1354. Your vCISO ensures you qualify for this protection by building and maintaining a compliant security program — giving your business a legal defense that most companies in Ohio don't even know exists.
If you have 50+ employees, handle sensitive data, face compliance requirements, or have clients asking about your security posture, you need security leadership. A vCISO makes that leadership accessible without the overhead of a full-time executive.
This isn't a checkbox service. Your vCISO becomes part of your leadership team — attending meetings, presenting to your board, and driving real security improvement across your organization.
vCISO pricing varies depending on the scope of services, how often you engage them, and how mature your current security posture is. Most SMBs fall into one of three engagement models: project-based, retainer-based, or part-time/fractional.
Useful for a risk assessment, compliance roadmap, or gap analysis. Cost range: $5,000 to $25,000, billed as a fixed fee or hourly ($150-$300/hr). Works for short-term needs but doesn't provide long-term leadership or continuity.
Ongoing engagement with defined hours and responsibilities each month. Cost range: $2,500 to $10,000 per month. This is the most common vCISO cost model for SMBs that want consistent guidance and someone to own the security program.
Structured like having a part-time executive on your team. Cost range: $3,000 to $12,000 per month depending on hours and complexity. Offers flexibility for growing businesses that need executive-level input without the full-time CISO salary.
What drives the price within those ranges: industry and regulatory requirements, business size and technical footprint, maturity of your existing security program, expected level of engagement, and urgency of risk exposure. Most SMBs pay significantly less than a full-time CISO, who typically commands $180,000-$250,000 annually.
How much does a virtual CISO cost?
vCISO pricing for SMBs typically ranges from $2,500 to $10,000 per month, depending on the level of involvement, scope of services, and business complexity. Project-based work runs $5,000 to $25,000; hourly rates fall between $150 and $300.
What services are included in vCISO pricing?
Security program development, policy and procedure creation, risk assessments, compliance readiness (SOC 2, HIPAA, CMMC), vendor risk management, incident response planning, and executive-level reporting.
Can a fractional CISO meet my business needs?
Yes. Most SMBs don't need a full-time security executive, but do need someone to lead strategy, manage risk, and ensure compliance. A fractional CISO delivers that leadership in a scalable, cost-effective way — especially when your IT team is strong technically but lacks specialized security expertise.
Let's talk about what a virtual CISO can do for your business. We'll assess your current security posture and show you what strategic leadership looks like in practice.