# A U.S.-based virtual CISO for your organization

> A virtual CISO (vCISO) from CyberAccord is an experienced, U.S.-based security executive who leads your security program part-time. Your vCISO sets strategy, manages risk, owns policies and incident response planning, and reports to leadership. It suits organizations that need senior security leadership but are not ready for a full-time CISO.

Source: https://www.cyberaccord.com/services/advisory/vciso · Last reviewed: 2026-10-21

Get an experienced security executive to lead your program, advise your leadership, and own security decisions, without hiring a full-time CISO.

## Key facts

- **Engagement model:** Fractional, ongoing
- **Location:** U.S.-based
- **Credentials:** CISSP, CISSP-ISSAP, CISM, CCISO
- **Frameworks:** NIST CSF 2.0, ISO 27001, SOC 2

## What does a vCISO do?

A vCISO is your organization's point of contact for security. They set direction, decide priorities, and make sure the work gets done, whether by your team, your IT provider, or ours.

- Build and run a security program aligned with your business goals
- Perform an annual IT risk assessment and track risks to closure
- Write and maintain security policies and guidelines
- Develop an incident response plan covering immediate response and longer-term recovery
- Design defenses against ransomware, malware, and insider threats
- Oversee vulnerability assessments, penetration tests, and other security testing
- Deliver security awareness training and specialist briefings for staff
- Report security status and risk to executives and the board

## Who needs a vCISO?

Companies that sell to larger customers and face detailed security reviews; organizations preparing for SOC 2, ISO 27001, or HIPAA; regulated firms that need a named security leader; and growing businesses whose IT team is stretched thin on security.

If security decisions currently fall to a CTO, an IT manager, or no one in particular, a vCISO gives that responsibility a clear, qualified owner.

## Why a vCISO instead of a full-time hire?

Experienced CISOs are expensive and hard to recruit, and many smaller organizations do not need one full-time. A vCISO gives you the same level of judgment for the hours you actually need, with the flexibility to scale up during an audit or incident and back down afterward.

Our vCISOs also draw on CyberAccord's wider team for testing, cloud security, and compliance work, so recommendations can be acted on quickly.

## What you get

- Security program strategy and roadmap
- Annual risk assessment and maintained risk register
- Security policies and standards
- Incident response and recovery plan, with tabletop exercises
- Regular executive and board security reports
- Support for audits, customer security reviews, and questionnaires

## How it works

1. **Assess.** Your vCISO reviews your current program, risks, and obligations, and interviews leadership to understand business goals.
2. **Plan.** Together we agree on a prioritized roadmap, budget guidance, and how progress will be reported.
3. **Lead.** Your vCISO runs the program on an ongoing basis, directing work, managing risk, and advising leadership.
4. **Report and adjust.** Regular reports show progress and risk, and the plan is updated as your business and threats change.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much time does a vCISO spend with us?

It depends on your size and goals. Engagements are scoped to the hours you need, usually with regular scheduled meetings plus availability for urgent issues. Time can increase temporarily during audits, incidents, or major projects.

### Can a vCISO satisfy the NYDFS requirement to have a CISO?

23 NYCRR 500 allows a covered entity's CISO to be provided by an affiliate or third-party service provider. The covered entity keeps full responsibility for compliance and must designate senior personnel to oversee the third-party CISO. We help you set up that oversight correctly.

### Will the vCISO work with our existing IT team or provider?

Yes. The vCISO sets direction and priorities, and your IT team or provider usually handles day-to-day operations. Clear ownership between the two is one of the first things we establish.

### Can the vCISO talk to our board and customers?

Yes. Presenting security status to the board and representing your program in customer security reviews and calls are common parts of the role.

### Is the vCISO based in the U.S.?

Yes. CyberAccord is based in Houston, Texas, and our vCISO service is delivered by U.S.-based security leaders.

## Related

- [Security Advisory](https://www.cyberaccord.com/services/advisory): Security policies, controls assessments, awareness training, risk management, vCISO leadership, and help with security questionnaires.
- [Security Questionnaires](https://www.cyberaccord.com/services/advisory/security-questionnaires): Help completing SIG, CAIQ, HECVAT, VSA, and custom vendor security questionnaires accurately, plus a reusable answer library.
- [SOC 2](https://www.cyberaccord.com/compliance/soc-2): SOC 2 readiness and renewal: gap assessment, controls, policies and evidence, prepared for your independent CPA firm's audit.
- [NYDFS 500](https://www.cyberaccord.com/compliance/nydfs-500): NYDFS 23 NYCRR Part 500 compliance: risk assessment, policies, CISO support, incident response and annual compliance filing preparation.

## Contact CyberAccord

- Book a free consultation: https://www.cyberaccord.com/contact
- Phone: +1 (832) 429-5665
- Email: info@cyberaccord.com
- Office: 8990 Kirby Dr, Suite 220, Houston, TX 77054
- Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm Central, by appointment