Cyber and Fraud Centre Scotland has launched a Virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) service. It’s designed to provide senior-level cyber security without the cost or commitment of a full-time hire.
The new service is a response to demand for more strategic cyber security support as businesses navigate increasing regulatory pressures, customer expectations, and business volatility alongside an evolving threat landscape. Many may be investing in technical cyber but continue to face challenges around governance, risk ownership, compliance, and long-term planning. Without a security leadership, businesses can struggle with cyber resilience, gaps in accountability, and increased pressure during incidents, audits, or periods of rapid expansion. Hence the vCISO. You canย gain:
Theย service offers flexible monthly, quarterly, and annual engagement options, with pricing based on the level of support required and the organisationโs size, maturity, and complexity. Cyber and Fraud Centre Scotland is also exploring socially focused pricing models for charities, voluntary groups, and start-ups to help ensure cyber does not become a barrier to growth or the responsible management of sensitive data.
The service has been designed to complement the Centreโs Cyber Advanceย โ a year-long cyber improvement service focused on technical uplift, continuous improvement, and staff training.
Jude McCorry, CEO of Cyber and Fraud Centre Scotland, pictured, said: โWe developed the vCISO service in direct response to feedback from clients who need strategic direction and expert guidance, but may not require โ or be able to justify โ a full-time CISO or traditional retainer model. Many organisations prefer a more flexible, project-based approach with clearly defined deliverables.
โThrough our vCISO service, we provide the expertise, structure and strategic oversight needed to strengthen cyber resilience in a practical and sustainable way. Our clients and members also recognise that by working with us, they are helping to support Scotlandโs wider cyber resilience ecosystem, enabling us to provide low or no-cost access to organisations that may otherwise struggle to afford it.โ
Willie Fairhurst, Board Member of the Centre and CEO of Fairhurst Consult, added: โThe vCiso service will be a valuable addition to both our service offering and the support available to our clients. It will be particularly beneficial for smaller organisations that need assistancenavigating regulatory requirements to secure funding, or that are looking to expand into markets beyond Scotland. Weโre here to help organisations build the confidence and resilience they need to grow securely.“
Free webinar
Cyber and Fraud Centre Scotland is hosting a free webinar on May 21: โvCISOUnpacked: What Virtual CISOs Really Do.โ The session will offer a behind-the-scenes look at how a vCISO service operates within real organisations. For more about the service and webinar, visit: https://cyberfraudcentre.com/prevent/cyber-services/vciso-virtual-chief-information-security-officer.ย
