Virtual CISO vs Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) CISO

Virtual CISO vs Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) CISO

A clear guide to choosing the right security leadership model for your business—based on regulatory pressure, growth stage, risk tolerance, and time-to-value.

Book a 30-minute vCISO planning session See vCISO Pricing
No sales pitch. 30 minutes with a senior vCISO. Draft action plan delivered in 24–48 hours.

Security leadership isn’t one-size-fits-all.

Enterprise advisory firms often assume unlimited budgets and multi-year timelines. Most regulated SMBs need measurable risk reduction, audit readiness, and board confidence—fast.

This guide explains when each model makes sense and how to choose without over- or under-investing.

When a vCISO is the right choice

Choose a vCISO if you need:

  • Executive-level security leadership without a full-time salary
  • A 90-day roadmap tied to HIPAA, SOC 2, ISO 27001, or CMMC
  • Ongoing board and executive reporting
  • Predictable monthly cost and fast time-to-value

Typical outcomes:

  • Clear risk register within 30 days
  • Audit-ready evidence plans in 60–90 days
  • Reduced compliance and cyber insurance friction

When NOT to use a vCISO

Being transparent builds trust—and converts better.

You may not be a good fit for a vCISO if:

  • You already have a mature internal security team of 6–10+
  • You require a full-time executive embedded daily
  • You’re a Fortune-500-scale enterprise with complex global operations

What we do instead:

In these cases, we often help define the role and transition to an FTE CISO—without wasted spend.

  • Establish KPIs and board reporting cadence
  • Document controls, evidence, and operating rhythm
  • Create a hiring scorecard and a 90-day plan for the incoming CISO
  • Support onboarding so momentum doesn’t stall

Cost vs outcomes

Enterprise advisory firms emphasize experience. Buyers care about outcomes.

Metric vCISO FTE CISO
Time to roadmap 30 days 90–180 days
Time to audit readiness 60–120 days 6–12 months
Annual cost $24k–$75k $250k–$450k+
Hiring risk None High
Flexibility High Low

Get the right leadership model—without overspending.

→ Book a 30-minute vCISO planning session