25+ Years Security Experience•Enterprise Security Leadership
Budgetary Pricing Tool

vCISO Pricing

We price vCISO engagements based on what your organization actually needs—not what we want to sell. Complete this brief assessment to receive a personalized estimate based on your employee count, compliance obligations, and current security posture.

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Executive-level leadership without the $300K+ cost of a full-time CISO. Most organizations invest 3-5x less than a full-time hire.

Step 1 of 5

100% Audit Success Rate
Zero Fines to Date
Board-Level Leadership
We Speak 'Executive'
48-Hr Roadmap Delivery
Fast-Track Compliance
Pricing Factors

How vCISO Pricing Works

Unlike commodity IT services with fixed monthly fees, vCISO engagements are tailored to your organization's specific needs. Your investment depends on several factors:

Organization Size

Employee count, locations, and technology footprint

Security Maturity

Starting from scratch vs. enhancing existing programs

Compliance Requirements

FTC Safeguards, HIPAA, SOC 2, CMMC, and others

Engagement Depth

Monthly advisory vs. hands-on program management

Most organizations invest in vCISO services that would cost 3-5x more with a full-time executive hire—gaining access to experienced security leadership scaled to their actual needs.

What Does a vCISO Actually Cost?

Unlike commodity IT services with fixed monthly fees, vCISO pricing is tailored to what your organization actually needs. Here's how to think about the investment.

Factors That Influence vCISO Cost

Organization Size & Complexity

A 25-person professional services firm has different needs than a 200-employee healthcare organization with multiple locations. Your employee count, technology footprint, and data sensitivity all factor into scope.

Starting Point

Organizations building security programs from scratch require more initial investment than those enhancing existing programs. The first 6-12 months often involve heavier lifting.

Compliance Requirements

FTC Safeguards, HIPAA, SOC 2, and CMMC each have specific documentation, assessment, and ongoing maintenance requirements that affect engagement scope.

Engagement Model

Monthly strategic advisory requires less time than hands-on program management. Your needs may also evolve—starting with program development and transitioning to advisory once foundations are in place.

The Real Question: vCISO vs. Full-Time CISO

Full-Time CISO: Total Cost of Employment

  • Base salary (market rate)$200K - $350K
  • Benefits, taxes, equity+30-40%
  • Recruiting costs$50K - $100K
  • Ramp time to effectiveness3-6 months
  • Turnover riskAverage tenure: 2-3 years

vCISO: What You Get Instead

  • 60-80% lower cost than full-time equivalent
  • Immediate expertise—no recruiting or ramp time
  • Flexibility to scale up or down as needs change
  • Broader experience across industries and threats
  • No turnover disruption—continuity built into the model

The right question isn't "what does a vCISO cost?"—it's "what's the cost of not having security leadership?" Data breaches, compliance failures, and cyber insurance gaps carry far higher price tags than proactive investment.

Use our pricing calculator above to get a personalized estimate based on your organization's specific situation.

vCISO Engagement Models

Flexible engagement levels designed to match your organization's needs, complexity, and budget.

Advisory

Strategic oversight for organizations with internal IT capabilities

  • Monthly strategic guidance sessions
  • Quarterly board reporting materials
  • Policy review and recommendations
  • Security roadmap development

Ideal for

Organizations with internal IT seeking executive security oversight

Program Management

Hands-on security program development and ongoing management

  • Everything in Advisory, plus:
  • Security program development
  • Vendor management guidance
  • Incident response planning
  • Security awareness program design

Ideal for

Organizations building or maturing formal security programs

Comprehensive

Full-scope security leadership for regulated industries

  • Everything in Program Management, plus:
  • Compliance program ownership
  • Cyber insurance liaison support
  • Audit preparation and response
  • Third-party risk management

Ideal for

Regulated industries and firms handling sensitive client data

Ideal Clients

vCISO Services for Established Organizations

Our vCISO engagements are designed for organizations that have outgrown ad-hoc security but aren't ready for a $250,000+ full-time CISO:

  • 20-250 employees
  • $5M+ annual revenue
  • Handling sensitive client or patient data
  • Facing compliance obligations or cyber insurance requirements

Compare the full-time CISO cost model with vCISO engagement pricing →

We Specialize In

CPA and Accounting Firms

Navigating FTC Safeguards requirements

Professional Services

Protecting client confidentiality

Healthcare Organizations

Managing HIPAA compliance

Financial Services

Meeting regulatory expectations

Support

Frequently Asked Questions

A full-time CISO typically costs $200,000-$400,000+ annually in salary, benefits, and equity. vCISO services deliver equivalent strategic leadership at a fraction of that investment, scaled to your actual needs. Most mid-sized organizations invest significantly less for executive security leadership that would otherwise be out of reach.

Engagements typically include security policy development, risk assessments, board and executive reporting, compliance program guidance, vendor risk management, incident response planning, and cyber insurance support. Specific deliverables are tailored to your organization's size, industry, and compliance requirements.

Engagement levels typically range from 8-40 hours per month depending on your needs. Initial program development may require more intensive involvement, transitioning to ongoing advisory as your program matures. We tailor the engagement level to match your requirements and budget.

Yes. While we specialize in professional services firms including CPA practices, we serve mid-sized organizations across healthcare, financial services, and other regulated industries. Our approach adapts to your specific compliance frameworks and industry requirements.

A vCISO complements your existing IT resources. We provide strategic security leadership and governance—your IT team or MSP handles day-to-day operations and implementation. We work collaboratively with your technology partners, not in competition with them.

Most engagements can begin within 1-2 weeks of signing. We start with a discovery phase to understand your current state, then develop a prioritized roadmap. Organizations facing urgent compliance deadlines or insurance renewals can be accommodated with expedited timelines.
Expert Author

Dan Pitre

President & Principal Consultant

Over 25 years of experience in cybersecurity and IT leadership. Specializes in vCISO advisory and security governance for CPA firms, healthcare organizations, and SMBs navigating regulatory and insurance requirements.

Healthcare organizations with HIPAA compliance requirements may benefit from our dedicated healthcare vCISO program.

Executive Security Leadership. Fractional Cost.

Stop relying on your IT team for governance. Get a dedicated vCISO.