What is a vCISO?
A vCISO (virtual CISO) is an experienced security executive who leads your security program on a part-time or fractional basis - giving you CISO-level strategy and governance without the cost of a full-time hire.
vCISO Services
Virtual CISO leadership, without the full-time cost
Inttelio's vCISO consulting (virtual / fractional CISO) gives you a senior CISO consultant on demand - to build your roadmap, reduce risk, pass customer security reviews, and lead compliance. Scalable vCISO services for startups through enterprise, serving Chicago and clients across the U.S.
What's included
CISO-level expertise, scaled to your stage
Security strategy & roadmap
A prioritized plan tied to your business goals, risks, and obligations.
Risk & governance
Risk assessments, policies, and a governance framework that scales.
Compliance leadership
Drive SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, PCI, or FedRAMP programs to audit-ready.
Customer security reviews
We handle vendor questionnaires and prospect security due diligence so deals don't stall.
Vendor & tool oversight
Right-size your security stack and manage third-party risk.
Board & exec reporting
Clear, metrics-driven reporting your leadership and customers trust.
Who our vCISO service is for
- SaaS and tech companies facing SOC 2 / ISO 27001 for the first time
- Teams losing deals to security questionnaires they can't answer
- Organizations that need a program built fast, by someone senior
- Companies not ready for a $250k+ full-time CISO
Why Inttelio
You get a hands-on security leader - not just a report. We embed with your team, translate risk into business terms, and stay accountable through execution. Flexible engagements scale up or down as your needs change.
Pricing
How vCISO pricing works
Executive security leadership for a fraction of the cost of a full-time hire.
A vCISO engagement is a fixed monthly retainer scoped to what you actually need - a few days a month to stand up a program, or ongoing leadership as you scale. Your cost depends on three things:
- How much of a CISO’s time you need each month
- The size and complexity of your environment
- The frameworks you’re targeting - SOC 2, ISO 27001, FedRAMP, HIPAA, PCI
Either way, it is a fraction of the $250k+ all-in cost of a full-time CISO - you get the same executive expertise for the days you use it. We scope each engagement to your goals and give you a clear, fixed quote after a free consultation, with no long-term lock-in.
See pricingFAQ
vCISO questions, answered
How is a vCISO different from a fractional CISO?
The terms are used interchangeably. Both mean outsourced, part-time security leadership scaled to your needs - whether a few days a month or ongoing program ownership.
Who needs a vCISO?
Growing companies that have security and compliance obligations (SOC 2, ISO 27001, customer security reviews) but are not ready for a full-time CISO, or need senior leadership to stand up a program quickly.
What does a vCISO engagement include?
A security roadmap, risk and governance framework, policy development, vendor and tool oversight, compliance leadership, and board / stakeholder reporting.
How much does a vCISO cost?
vCISO pricing depends on scope - how many days a month you need, the size and complexity of your environment, and the frameworks you are targeting (SOC 2, ISO 27001, FedRAMP, HIPAA). Engagements are a fixed monthly retainer, well below the $250k+ all-in cost of a full-time CISO. We scope each engagement to your goals and give you a clear, fixed quote after a free consultation.
Is a virtual or fractional CISO cheaper than a full-time hire?
Yes, substantially. A full-time CISO runs $250k+ in salary alone, before benefits and equity. A fractional CISO gives you the same executive expertise for the days a month you actually need it - senior security leadership at a fraction of the cost.
What is a virtual information security officer (vISO)?
It is the same role as a vCISO - an outsourced senior leader who owns your security strategy, risk, and compliance program part-time. Some organizations call it a virtual information security officer or virtual chief information security officer; the function is identical.
Get senior security leadership on your side
Tell us where you are and we'll propose a vCISO engagement scoped to your goals and budget.
Book a consultation