As daily reports of data breaches continue to fill the headlines, companies are scrambling to bolster their cybersecurity postures.
      
And, with security expertise in short supply, for many companies the first logical hire will be a CISO (or Chief Information Security Officer) to lead the effort.

However, according to a recent MIT report, the IT security market has quadrupled over the last 8 years, far outpacing the available talent, leaving around 3.5 million unfilled positions globally. Moreover, even for those companies ambitious enough to compete for what talent is available, less than a quarter of cybersecurity job applicants are actually qualified to hold their roles.

This is where managed cybersecurity service providers have stepped in to fill the gap. Rather than hiring an in-house CISO, cybersecurity firms like Silent Breach offer companies the ability to hire a virtual CISO, or what can be thought of as 'CISO as a Service'.

Virtual CISOs do all the things that a normal CISO would do—such as security strategy development, security posture strengthening, compliance, security policies & programs establishment, and even cultural development—all at a fraction of the cost.

Here are the top five reasons why going virtual may be right for you:

1. Top Talent

Rather than chasing after security leaders, or settling for sub-par talent, contracting with a managed security provider instantly plugs you into an experienced pool of industry leaders. At Silent Breach, for example, all of our vCISOs carry decades of experience reducing cyber risk and improving cyber resilience and are well-positioned to train your internal security staff and fill a leadership role.

2. Partnerships

While often overlooked, the relationships that MSSPs bring with them can often bring the greatest long-term value add. Silent Breach partners with leading security and technology firms to ensure aligned methodology, partner pricing, and prioritized scheduling for any outsourced projects. With a vCISO, you aren't only gaining access to an individual, but rather to an entire security network.

3. External Perspective

While having a dedicated in-house CISO definitely has its perks, it can also create a silo effect where yesterday's thinking is never quite updated for tomorrow's challenges. With a vCISO, however, you'll gain an industry-wide perspective which is then customized for your unique needs. Our vCISOs serve as expert advisors to senior management, allowing you to make better-informed security decisions.

4. Flexibility

Particularly for growing businesses, the ability to remain flexible can prove invaluable. Unlike traditional CISOs, a vCISO can be set up on a retainer basis, hired on a project basis, or allocated for tech support hours. This helps free up valuable time, so that management can focus on other business needs. In addition, due to the rapid scalability and deployment of virtual CISO solutions, you'll be able to meet your security needs nearly on-demand, rather than waiting months to source and onboard traditional employees.

5. Cost Effective

Finally, no list of vCISO benefits would be complete without mentioning the significant financial savings that are made possible with a CISO as a Service model. According to recent estimates, on average, a vCISO will cost only 20% of what an in-house professional would typically charge. This frees up capital for on-site staff expansion, investments in pro-active solutions, and maintaining a robust cybersecurity program.


Talk with one of our representatives today to learn more about how we can help improve your security. For a limited time, Quantum Armor licenses are being offered completely free of charge so that you can test-drive our platform 100% risk-free!


Additional Resources:
Top Four Cloud Security Tips for 2021
US Companies Struggle To Notice When They've Been Hacked
Top Five Challenges Facing CISOs in 2021