6 Reasons Why Every SMB Now Needs a vCISO

In the volatile realm of SMB cybersecurity, two trends have been relentless:

• Deadly cyberthreats continue to escalate in volume, viciousness, and variety.
• Customers, management, regulators, and other stakeholders increasingly demand “provable security and compliance” from companies of all sizes and sectors.

These forces now make the virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) role all but indispensable to small to midsized businesses (SMBs), not just in regulated industries but across the board.

By offering flexible, on-demand access to strategic cybersecurity guidance plus “virtual security team” expertise—all in an affordable, predictable cost model—a vCISO program gives SMBs a fighting chance to manage their cyber risk and compliance requirements efficiently and effectively. 

This article discusses the top 6 reasons and drivers that have elevated the vCISO from optional to obligatory for SMBs 

What is a vCISO?

The vCISO role is increasingly vital for SMBs because it provides access to expert cybersecurity leadership and guidance at a cost-effective price point. This allows them to develop and maintain robust security measures against evolving cyber threats without the need to hire a full-time CISO, which can be financially prohibitive for smaller firms. 

With a strong vCISO to bridge the gap in security expertise and strategic guidance, SMBs can effectively manage cyber risks in line with their specific business needs while staying focused on core business operations. 

But while many vCISOs have strong technical backgrounds, the role is that of an executive level advisor, not an IT administrator or security engineer. When deeper technical knowledge is required, most vCISOs call on a virtual team of engineers and architects.

How does a vCISO differ from a traditional CISO? 

Found mostly in larger organizations, the CISO role oversees and executes on enterprise cybersecurity strategy. The vCISO model updates this role for SMBs as a highly flexible, pay-as-you-go service that often combines strategic guidance and program management with on-demand technical skills. 

This approach not only helps SMBs identify, prioritize, and address their biggest risks, but also empowers them to achieve and maintain compliance with regulations from HIPAA to PCI DSS to data privacy laws. Other advantages of the vCISO model over a traditional CISO hire for SMBs include:

• Faster time to value. Hiring a CISO can be a long, expensive process—all during which your company may lack strategic cybersecurity direction. A vCISO can jump in and make a difference right away, which is vitally important if you are facing a potential data breach, regulatory sanctions, or issues with customers or prospects.
• Third-party objectivity. Organizational politics can create hurdles when the time comes to identify risks and make changes. Being a third-party, a vCISO may find it easier to voice an objective assessment of the situation and/or identify root causes. 
• More heads can be better than one. vCISO providers generally have a team of security experts on staff to help with specialized issues, bringing more cybersecurity knowledge to the table than any individual CISO is likely to have.

6 key reasons why vCISOs are indispensable for SMBs

vCISO services offer a range of customer benefits that go beyond simply improving cybersecurity. Here are 6 reasons why every SMB now needs a vCISO engagement:

1. Vital strategic guidance.
   Many SMBs struggle to identify and prioritize their cyber risks, leaving them wondering “where do we even begin?”  A vCISO can offer strategic, business aligned insights on risk assessment, compliance requirements, incident response, essential controls, and more. 
2. An affordable solution.
   vCISO programs operate on a flexible, pay-as-you-go basis that saves many SMBs tens of thousands of dollars per year versus the salary, benefits, and overhead associated with a full-time CISO. 
3. Access to specialized expertise.
   Where to find expert staff to execute on cybersecurity projects and operate controls? vCISO providers have access to best-practice knowledge in a wide range of areas and are able to tailor it to an SMB’s unique requirements. 
4. Help with regulatory compliance.
   As data privacy standards and other regulations proliferate and add complexity to an SMB’s compliance picture, a vCISO can help ensure your bases are covered.
5. Industry expertise.
   Many vCISOs have worked in multiple verticals and have gained broad industry expertise. A vCISO with a strong background in your industry can offer awareness of peer proven defensive tactics, more in-depth knowledge of applicable regulations, a stronger background to analyze unique risks, and more.
6. Familiarity with cyber frameworks.
   More and more SMBs are under pressure to align or comply with specific cyber frameworks, like HITRUST in healthcare, CMMC in defense, or ISO 27001 for law firms. A vCISO can help factor compliance with a cyber framework into your overall cybersecurity strategy to achieve business goals efficiently. 

How CBIZ Pivot Point Security’s vCISO program can help your business

If your company is under pressure to demonstrate an effective cybersecurity and compliance posture, a vCISO and virtual security team from CBIZ Pivot Point Security can help! We’ll work with you to develop clear direction and support a “security culture” as you maximize your ability to demonstrate progress and minimize the risk of a data breach. You’ll gain the peace of mind to focus on your core business knowing that we have security covered.
To find out more about our vCISO services please contact us today.