Virtual CISO Services for Small & Mid-Sized Businesses
Get Fortune-500-level cybersecurity leadership, without the full-time cost. Our vCISO program provides expert guidance, compliance oversight, and strategic protection tailored to your business.
Why Clients Choose InventiveHQ
- Named vCISO backed by automationPersonal security leadership with scalable tools
- Audit-ready evidence & documentationCompliance materials ready when you need them
- Executive briefings that connect to revenueCyber risk explained in business terms
A Trusted Security Executive, on Demand
A Virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) delivers the same strategic cybersecurity leadership as a full-time CISO, but as a flexible monthly service. We develop your security strategy, manage compliance, and guide your risk program, so you stay secure without adding executive headcount.
Your InventiveHQ vCISO pairs Fortune-500 experience with automation platforms to keep you ahead of emerging threats, regulatory changes, and board expectations.
Cost Comparison
Full-Time CISO
$250K+
Annual salary + benefits + hiring timeline
InventiveHQ vCISO
$2,800/mo
Strategic leadership with flexible engagement
Pricing reflects average market salaries (Radford 2025) and our standard vCISO monthly retainer with 8 hours of executive support.
Cyber Threats Are Rising, So Is Accountability
Regulations like HIPAA, SOC 2, PCI DSS, and NIST CSF now require clear security ownership backed by evidence.
A vCISO integrates security into your overall business strategy, not just your IT stack.
Executive-level oversight reduces risk exposure, document fatigue, and compliance surprises.
Leadership Focus Areas
What's Included
Every vCISO engagement includes comprehensive security leadership across all critical areas
Security Strategy & Roadmap
Align cybersecurity investments, milestones, and stakeholders with your business objectives.
Compliance Management
HIPAA, SOC 2, ISO 27001, NIST CSF readiness plans with audit support baked in.
Risk Assessments & Audits
Identify, prioritize, and mitigate vulnerabilities with recurring executive-ready reports.
Policy Development
Author, govern, and refresh enforceable policies that match your regulatory obligations.
Vendor Risk Management
Score suppliers, track remediation, and document controls across your supply chain.
Employee Training & Awareness
Deliver phishing simulations and just-in-time coaching to reduce insider-driven incidents.
Incident Response Oversight
Plan, test, and manage tabletop exercises plus on-call escalation playbooks.
Executive Reporting
Board-ready metrics, dashboards, and KPIs that connect cyber risk to business outcomes.
Simple, Transparent, Scalable
Every engagement includes onboarding, quarterly reviews, and access to Cynomi-powered automation tools. Specialized scans and add-ons are available on demand.
Starter
8 hrs / month$2,800 / mo
For small businesses building a security foundation.
- Cyber risk assessment
- Policy review & recommendations
- Basic compliance alignment (HIPAA, SOC 2, or NIST)
- Security awareness training
Growth
16 hrs / month$5,200 / mo
For scaling organizations needing recurring leadership.
- Full security roadmap & quarterly updates
- Vendor risk management
- Incident response plan creation
- Audit prep & compliance documentation
Compliance
24 hrs / month$7,200 / mo
For regulated industries or organizations under audit pressure.
- Continuous compliance monitoring
- Vulnerability management oversight
- Tabletop exercises & risk committee meetings
- Executive reporting & board summaries
Enterprise
40+ hrs / monthCustom Pricing
For organizations requiring embedded vCISO leadership and full program ownership.
- Dedicated named vCISO
- Cross-department security integration
- Advanced compliance (HIPAA, SOC 2, PCI, NIST)
- 3rd-party pen testing coordination & remediation oversight
- Annual board presentations & KPI tracking
Expand Your Security Program
All add-ons are optional and can be bundled with any vCISO plan.
Penetration Testing
Annual internal and external testing with detailed remediation report
Deliverable: Includes executive summary, technical findings, and prioritized remediation plan.
PCI / Vulnerability Scanning
Monthly vulnerability scans and compliance reporting
Deliverable: Automated scan scheduling, remediation tracking, and compliance-ready evidence.
Policy Documentation Package
Custom security policies aligned with NIST / ISO 27001
Deliverable: Framework-aligned templates, approval workflows, and annual review checklist.
Incident Response Tabletop
Simulated breach exercise for executive teams
Deliverable: Facilitated playbook walkthrough with after-action report and maturity scorecard.
Our 3-Step Process
Get started with a proven methodology that delivers results
Assess
Evaluate your current security posture, compliance gaps, and risk exposure.
Strategize
Build a prioritized roadmap aligned to business goals, frameworks, and budget.
Execute
Operationalize the roadmap, monitor outcomes, and continuously improve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to common questions about our vCISO services
How is a vCISO different from a managed security service?
A vCISO provides executive-level leadership: governance, strategy, compliance, and stakeholder alignment. Managed security services typically focus on tooling and alert response. Many clients pair our vCISO program with their existing MSSP to connect operations with strategy.
What industries do you specialize in?
We work with healthcare, fintech, SaaS, manufacturing, and professional services organizations that must demonstrate HIPAA, SOC 2, PCI DSS, ISO 27001, or NIST CSF alignment.
How quickly can we get started?
Most clients complete onboarding inside 2-3 weeks. We begin with an accelerated risk and compliance assessment, then finalize your first 90-day roadmap.
Can you help with audits like SOC 2 or HIPAA?
Yes. We maintain audit-ready evidence, coordinate with auditors, and leverage platforms like Drata to streamline continuous control monitoring.
Do you offer custom hours or one-time engagements?
Absolutely. While most clients choose a monthly plan, we support project-based engagements for policy development, risk assessments, or interim coverage.
Get Expert Security Leadership, Without the Overhead
Protect your business, meet compliance requirements, and gain peace of mind knowing your cybersecurity is managed by experts.