VIRTUAL CISO
A seasoned CISO for your company, without the full-time cost
An experienced security leader who sets your strategy, builds your programme and speaks for security to your board, auditors and customers.
What is a vCISO (virtual CISO)?
A virtual CISO (vCISO) is an experienced security leader who works with your company part-time or on retainer to set security strategy, build policies, manage risk and represent security to the board and auditors, without the cost of a full-time Chief Information Security Officer.
Security leadership, sized to your stage.
Growing companies need someone to own security long before they can justify a full-time CISO. A HostX vCISO gives you that owner: a clear roadmap, working policies, and a person who can face auditors and enterprise customers with confidence.
Clear 90-day plan, then a 12-month roadmap
Policies your auditors will accept
Direct access to HostX SOC, VAPT and compliance teams
What your vCISO takes on
Strategy & roadmap
Priorities, budget and a 12-month plan.
Policies & procedures
Information security policy set and standards.
Risk management
Risk register, assessments and treatment plans.
Audit & regulator liaison
RBI, SEBI, IRDAI and ISO auditors.
Board & customer reporting
Monthly metrics and security questionnaires.
Third-party risk
Vendor assessments and contract clauses.
Your first 90 days
Days 1–30 · Assess
Interviews, gap assessment and risk register.
Days 31–60 · Plan
Roadmap, budget and policy set approved.
Days 61–90 · Execute
Quick wins delivered; first board report.
Ongoing · Lead
Monthly steering, metrics and audit support.
Engagement options
| Plan | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | 2 days / month | Startups preparing for first audit or enterprise deals |
| Growth | 4–6 days / month | Scale-ups building a security programme |
| Enterprise | 8+ days / month | Regulated entities with active audits |
What you get
Who needs vCISO?
Startups and scale-ups without a CISO
Companies preparing for ISO 27001, SOC 2 or regulator audits
Regulated entities supporting a named in-house CISO
Firms after a security incident
Why teams choose HostX for vCISO
Experienced
Leaders who have run security programmes.
Backed by a team
SOC, testing and compliance on call.
Regulator-aware
Knows Indian audit expectations.
Flexible
Scale days up or down as you grow.
Related services
Frequently asked questions
Give security an owner.
Book a consultation and get a draft 90-day plan for your company.