What is a Fractional CISO, and Does Your Business Need One?

Dan Steel
Feb 17
3 min read

If you run a small business or startup, you know that cybersecurity is important—but hiring a full-time Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is an expensive process and frankly, overkill for your needs. That’s where a Fractional CISO comes in.

In this article, we’ll explain what a Fractional CISO is, the services they provide, and the benefits they bring to small businesses, including cost savings, compliance, and risk reduction.

What is a Fractional CISO?

A Fractional CISO (sometimes called a vCISO or virtual CISO) is an experienced cybersecurity professional who provides part-time or on-demand security leadership. Instead of hiring a full-time CISO, businesses can bring in a Fractional CISO for strategic security guidance without the high salary costs.

Think of it as having a security expert when you need them, without the long-term commitment.

What Services Does a Fractional CISO Provide?

A Fractional CISO typically provides the following services:

Security Strategy & Planning: Developing and implementing a cybersecurity strategy aligned with your business goals.
Customer Security Assurance: Working with your sales team to effectively communicate your security posture to customers and prospects.
Risk Assessments & Gap Analysis: Identifying vulnerabilities and assessing your organisation’s risk exposure.
ISO 27001 & Compliance Support: Helping businesses implement and maintain compliance with security standards like ISO 27001, GDPR, and PCI DSS.
Incident Response & Disaster Recovery Planning: Preparing for and responding to security breaches or cyber threats.
Security Awareness Training: Educating employees on best practices to reduce cyber risks.
Third-Party Risk Management: Evaluating the security of your suppliers and partners.
Board-Level Security Advisory: Providing high-level security insights to executives and stakeholders.

The Benefits of a Fractional CISO for Small Businesses

Many small businesses and startups assume that cybersecurity leadership is only for large enterprises, but a Fractional CISO offers a flexible and cost-effective solution that brings several key benefits:

1. Cost Savings Compared to a Full-Time CISO

A full-time CISO can command a salary of £100,000+ per year, plus benefits. In contrast, a Fractional CISO typically costs a fraction of that, allowing you to get expert guidance without a long-term financial commitment.

2. Tailored Security Support

Every business has unique security needs. A Fractional CISO provides customised security strategies rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

3. Faster ISO 27001 Certification & Compliance

Many businesses seek ISO 27001 certification but don’t know where to start. A Fractional CISO can streamline the process, ensuring you meet requirements efficiently while avoiding costly mistakes.

4. Immediate Expertise Without Hiring Delays

Hiring a full-time CISO can take months. A Fractional CISO can hit the ground running, providing security leadership from day one.

5. Access to Industry Best Practices & Threat Intelligence

Cyber threats evolve rapidly. A Fractional CISO stays on top of the latest threats and keeps your business protected with up-to-date security measures.

6. Enhanced Customer & Investor Trust

Demonstrating and communicating strong security practices reassures customers, partners, and investors that their data is safe— giving you a competitive advantage in your market.

Who Should Consider a Fractional CISO?

A Fractional CISO is ideal for:

Startups & Scale-ups looking to secure their operations without hiring a full-time security leader.
SMEs handling sensitive data (e.g., fintech, healthcare, SaaS providers).
Businesses pursuing ISO 27001 certification or other security frameworks.
Companies needing compliance with GDPR, Cyber Essentials, or SOC 2.

How to Get Started with a Fractional CISO

If your business needs security expertise but isn’t ready for a full-time hire, a Fractional CISO could be the perfect solution.

As an Fractional CISO, I've helped small businesses and startups build cost-effective, scalable security programs without the complexity for the past 10 years.

Get in touch to discuss how a Fractional CISO can help protect your business and support your growth!