In a time when digital security and data protection are becoming increasingly important, small and medium-sized businesses also face the challenge of professionally organising information security. At the same time, the capacity or budget to appoint a full-time Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is often lacking. A virtual CISO (vCISO) offers a suitable and flexible solution for this.
What does a vCISO do?
The vCISO role is focused on structurally strengthening your information security policy, without you having to free up a full internal FTE. The approach is pragmatic and is tailored to the scale and maturity of your organisation. The vCISO acts as both strategic advisor and executive coordinator, with the service set up flexibly and modularly to match your specific needs.
What can the deployment of a vCISO include?
- Reviewing and improving existing policy documents in the field of information security and privacy;
- Guidance in carrying out risk analyses and determining appropriate control measures;
- Advising management and the board on strategic choices in security governance;
- Guiding security awareness programmes for employees;
- Participation in relevant consultative structures, such as an information security committee;
- Support with incident response and drafting and managing contingency plans;
- Advising on the selection and management of IT suppliers regarding security;
- Support in achieving and maintaining certifications such as ISO 27001, NEN 7510 or sector-specific standards;
- Preparation and guidance for internal and external audits, including carrying out internal audits as an independent party.
The goal: an extension of your organisation
The goal of this service is to act as an extension of your organisation: visible where needed, in the background where preferred, but always with a sharp eye for risks, compliance and proportionality. By deploying a vCISO, you not only strengthen your digital resilience, but also show customers, partners and regulators that information security is an integral part of your business operations.
How does this connect with what B/Focused already does for you?
The vCISO works at the level of policy, risks and governance. B/Focused takes care of the technical side underneath: with Technology Alignment we periodically assess your ICT environment against fixed standards, the Managed SOC keeps an eye on your systems, and with Compliance & governance we make control measures demonstrable. This way, policy and implementation are aligned.
If you are interested, we are happy to discuss which focus areas and priorities are relevant for your organisation. Based on that, we work out a concrete plan of approach.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly is a vCISO?
A vCISO, or virtual CISO, is a flexible solution for organisations that cannot or do not want to appoint a full-time Chief Information Security Officer. The vCISO structurally strengthens your information security policy and acts as both strategic advisor and executive coordinator. The service is set up modularly to match your specific needs.
Is this service also suitable for smaller companies?
Yes, the approach is pragmatically adapted to the scale and maturity of your organisation. You do not need to free up an internal full-time employee for this, which is especially useful for small and medium-sized businesses.
Does a vCISO also help with achieving certifications?
Yes, the vCISO can provide support in achieving and maintaining certifications such as ISO 27001 and NEN 7510, or sector-specific standards. The vCISO also guides preparation for internal and external audits and can carry out internal audits as an independent party.
How does the vCISO service relate to other B/Focused services?
The vCISO focuses on policy, risks and governance, while B/Focused takes care of the technical implementation underneath. This happens through Technology Alignment, the Managed SOC and Compliance & governance, so that policy and implementation are well aligned.
How does the collaboration start?
If you are interested, B/Focused is happy to discuss which focus areas and priorities are relevant for your organisation. Based on that conversation, a concrete plan of approach is worked out.