vCISO - CISO as a Service
A dedicated information security officer for your company, without the costs of a full-time hire.
At a glance
Do you need someone to handle cybersecurity in your company, but hiring a full-time manager costs too much? We provide a senior expert who works for you a few hours per month, defines strategies, and speaks with your board of directors.
Want to know more?
Our vCISO becomes the point of reference for all security matters in your company. They define policies, oversee vendors, manage audits, and represent you to clients and partners. You can start with just a few hours per month and increase as needed.
Why choose this service
Executive expertise
Access to senior CISO skills without the cost of a full-time hire (150K+ euros per year).
NIS2 governance
NIS2 requires clear cybersecurity accountability. The vCISO fulfills this requirement.
Flexibility
From a few hours per month to near full-time presence. Scales based on your needs.
What is a vCISO?
The Virtual CISO (vCISO) is an outsourced Chief Information Security Officer: a senior professional who takes on the role of information security manager for your company on a part-time or fractional basis.
The vCISO brings executive cybersecurity expertise without the cost and complexity of a full-time hire.
Why do you need a CISO?
NIS2 requirements
Clear governance, defined responsibilities, security measures oversight, and reporting to governing bodies.
Growing complexity
Sophisticated threats, expanding attack surface, multiple regulatory requirements, and supply chain management.
Skills gap
Difficulty finding senior professionals, high cost (150-250K euros per year), and high turnover risk.
What the Ekados vCISO does
Strategy
- • Security roadmap
- • Security-business alignment
- • Budget planning
- • Technology selection
Governance
- • Policies and procedures
- • NIST/ISO 27001 framework
- • Risk assessment
- • Compliance monitoring
Operations
- • IT team oversight
- • Incident management
- • Vendor management
- • Audits and assessments
Communication
- • Board reporting
- • Executive briefings
- • Stakeholder management
- • Crisis management
Training
- • Security awareness
- • Technical training
- • Exercises
- • Simulations
Engagement models
| Profile | Hours/month | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| vCISO Advisory | 4-8 | Strategy and governance |
| vCISO Standard | 16-32 | Strategy + operational oversight |
| vCISO Full | 40+ | Near full-time presence |
vCISO Advisory: Ideal for SMBs with a competent in-house IT team that needs strategic guidance.
vCISO Standard: For growing companies that require continuous operational oversight.
vCISO Full: For companies with complex needs or in NIS2 scope that need a dedicated presence.
Advantages over an in-house CISO
| Aspect | In-house CISO | Ekados vCISO |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Full-time salary | Fraction of the cost |
| Onboarding time | 3-6 months | 2-4 weeks |
| Turnover risk | High | Low (team) |
| Skills | One person | Multidisciplinary team |
| Flexibility | Fixed | Scalable |
| Availability | Business hours | Extended + on-call |
Other services Cybersecurity & NIS2
Discover our other cybersecurity & nis2 services.
NIS2 Assessment & Roadmap
Gap analysis and roadmap for NIS2 compliance. Identify vulnerabilities and get a concrete plan before the October 2026 deadline.
Vulnerability Assessment & Penetration Test
Infrastructure scanning and intrusion testing to identify vulnerabilities before attackers do.
Managed Detection & Response (MDR)
24/7 monitoring of your infrastructure with immediate incident response. Your outsourced SOC.
Security Awareness Training
Anti-phishing training for your employees. 90% of attacks start with an email.
GDPR Compliance
Assessment, alignment, and maintenance of GDPR compliance. Personal data protection, DPO as a Service, and privacy training.
ISO 27001 - Information Security Management System
ISO 27001 implementation and certification. Build an internationally recognized Information Security Management System (ISMS).
ISO 22301 - Business Continuity Management
ISO 22301 implementation and certification. Ensure your company's operational continuity in case of incidents, disasters, or crises.
Ready to get started?
Contact us for a free consultation. We will help you find the best solution for your business.