Top 10 Fractional CISO Services
These days, building trust with customers, regulators, and partners is a necessary part of survival.
Cyberattacks are becoming more frequent, more damaging, and more complex, and boards expect security leadership to take a more active, involved role than before. But many organizations don’t need (or can’t afford) a full-time CISO.
That’s where fractional CISOs come in: strategic, part-time security executives embedded into leadership, steering risk, appearing in board discussions, and closing capability gaps on demand.
Here’s why this model is catching fire:
Global cybercrime damages are projected to hit $10.5 trillion annually by 2025, a 300% jump from 2015 levels.
That’s why, in 2024, about 65% of cyber budgets went to third‑party services, not internal staff, signaling how many firms are outsourcing security leadership. Unfortunately,, only 21% of European CISOs report directly to the CEO, which means many are still buried under IT structures that reduce their influence
If your organization needs executive-level security insight, but not a full-time CISO, a fractional model gives you the strategic presence, accountability, and domain authority you need.
In this article, we’ll review the top fractional CISO services, spotlight what each actually offers, and help you pick the one that fits your stage, risk profile, and governance needs.
What Is a Fractional CISO Service?
A fractional CISO (Chief Information Security Officer) is a seasoned cybersecurity executive who works with your organization on a part-time or contract basis. Instead of paying for a full-time executive, which can cost significantly more than $100k per year, you get access to the same caliber of leadership and expertise, but more suited to your actual needs and budget.
What does that look like in practice? A fractional CISO steps into your leadership team to:
Shape security strategy so it aligns with your business goals
Represent your organization in board meetings, customer reviews, or regulatory discussions with the credibility of an executive
Oversee compliance and risk, whether you’re preparing for SOC 2, navigating HIPAA, or dealing with rising ransomware risks
Build a culture of security by training staff and setting standards so that risk awareness is part of daily operations instead of an afterthought
Lead through crises by owning incident response planning and guiding recovery when things go wrong.
For fast-growing companies, private equity–backed firms, or organizations without the budget (or need) for a full-time CISO, this model provides strategic leadership on-demand, precisely when and where it matters most.
Benefits of Working with a Fractional CISO
Hiring a fractional CISO is about getting the right level of security leadership, right when you need it. For founders, executives, and boards, here’s why this model makes sense:
1. Executive-level leadership without the full-time cost
Top CISOs command six-figure salaries (often far north of $200K), not including bonuses and equity. A fractional model gives you access to that same expertise at a fraction of the expense.
2. Immediate credibility with customers, partners, and regulators
When you’ve got a CISO at the table, whether fractional or full-time, it shows maturity. It helps close enterprise deals, reassure investors, and show regulators that you take security seriously.
Plus, it’s an independent perspective you can trust.
Nearly 76% of CISOs report “alert fatigue” and blind spots due to internal resource strain, which means you may sometimes need a valuable external perspective.
Alpha Apex Group reinforces this independence with in-house thought leadership research to provide clients with data-driven recommendations.
3. Tailored strategy
Good fractional CISOs embed themselves into your leadership team. They align security priorities with your business goals, whether that’s scaling into new markets, meeting compliance requirements, or prepping for an acquisition.
4. Proactive risk management
Instead of reacting to breaches, a fractional CISO sets up the governance, policies, and monitoring that keep issues from becoming crises. Think of it as moving from firefighting to fire prevention.
Besides, 68% of business leaders believe their cybersecurity risks are increasing, so the ability to act fast is critical.
That’s why Alpha Apex Group guarantees CVs in your inbox within 72 hours and provides interim leadership with a 90-day replacement guarantee if a candidate isn’t the right fit.
5. Flexibility as you grow
Maybe you don’t need a full-time CISO today, but you do need leadership that can scale with you. A fractional CISO can expand or contract their involvement as your organization grows.
Alpha Apex Group’s proprietary dashboard processes 400+ daily inquiries from security professionals, giving clients on-demand access to scalable expertise across industries.
6. Culture and training built in
The best CISOs know how to shape people. A fractional CISO helps create a culture of security awareness across the company and make your staff the first line of defense.
TL;DR Top 5 Fractional CISO Services
Alpha Apex Group: Alpha Apex Group gives you a board-ready CISO who actually embeds into your leadership team, able to drive strategy, represent you with regulators, and save up to 70% compared to a full-time hire.
Fractional CISO: Fractional CISO pairs you with both a senior vCISO and a cybersecurity analyst to offer more hands-on coverage for compliance-heavy teams without vendor bias.
Point Solutions Security: Point Solutions Security stands out for acting as an embedded security leader, working shoulder-to-shoulder with your IT or MSP teams instead of just handing over a roadmap.
Tangible Security: Tangible Security excels at bridging strategy and execution, coordinating vendors, tools, and compliance demands so leadership teams can focus on outcomes.
Vistrada: Vistrada’s edge is neutrality. They provide objective, executive-level guidance without vendor ties or internal politics, so leaders can make security decisions with clarity and confidence.
Top 10 Fractional CISO Services
Without further ado, let’s review the best fractional CISO services currently on the market:
1. Alpha Apex Group
Alpha Apex Group delivers fractional CISO services for organizations that need executive-level cybersecurity leadership but aren’t ready for a full-time hire. Whether you’re a founder handling customer security reviews, a COO preparing for regulatory audits, or a board member looking for risk accountability at the executive level, AAG can step in fast and operate as part of your leadership team.
What sets us apart is our ability to embed directly into your business, not just consult from the sidelines. Our fractional CISOs can participate in board and exec meetings, interface with regulators and customers, and lead company-wide security initiatives. They proactively drive alignment between security and business goals.
AAG works across sectors like healthcare, aerospace, tech, real estate, and energy, and is known for blending speed, rigor, and real-world leadership. Our average placement time is 55–90 days, which is a major advantage if you’re under pressure to demonstrate governance readiness. Even better, we can:
Deliver CVs in your inbox within 72 hours.
Conduct internal thought leadership research.
Use a proprietary database to generate 400+ inquiries per day.
Offer a 90-day replacement guarantee in case you’re not satisfied with your placement.
Besides, AAG meets nationally recognized compliance and operational standards.
Most importantly for budget-conscious or fast-scaling companies, AAG delivers measurable outcomes without the cost of a full-time CISO. Our clients often save 50–70% compared to traditional staffing models while gaining board-level security leadership that can respond to both long-term strategy and real-time incidents.
Key Services:
Security strategy aligned with business objectives
Risk assessments and ongoing risk management
Compliance and governance (HIPAA, PCI, SOC 2, ISO 27001, NIST, etc.)
Incident response planning, execution, and post-mortems
Internal cybersecurity culture development (training, simulation, awareness)
Executive-level reporting and board presentations
Why Work With Alpha Apex Group?
You get a seasoned, board-ready CISO, backed by a full team and sourcing engine, without burning budget on a full-time hire.
2. Fractional CISO
Fractional CISO delivers virtual CISO (vCISO) services to organizations that need security leadership but aren’t ready or able to bring someone on full-time. Their model is designed for compliance-heavy teams, especially in tech, SaaS, and regulated vendor environments, where frameworks like SOC 2 or ISO 27001 are gating factors for growth.
What sets them apart is their team-based approach.
Instead of assigning a solo consultant, they pair each client with both a vCISO and a cybersecurity analyst. This setup allows for broader coverage: the vCISO leads strategy, while the analyst supports execution, monitoring, and day-to-day policy development.
Their focus is compliance-driven, but they don’t treat checklists as the finish line. They help design and manage cybersecurity programs that align with business priorities, whether that’s passing an audit, surviving due diligence, or answering security questionnaires that keep deals from stalling.
One detail worth noting is that they promote a “zero conflict of interest” philosophy, meaning they don’t take commissions or referral fees for recommending vendors or tools. That’s a potential trust booster for leadership teams concerned about biased advice.
Key Services:
Virtual/fractional CISO advisory
Compliance services (SOC 2, ISO 27001, PCI DSS, TX‑RAMP)
Cybersecurity program design and ongoing management
Risk assessments, internal audits, and governance frameworks
Policy development and security controls implementation
Why Work With Fractional CISO?
If compliance is your top concern and you want a broader team (not just a lone advisor), their paired vCISO and analyst model offers more hands-on execution without tool-vendor bias.
3. Point Solutions Security
Point Solutions Security offers fractional and virtual CISO services designed for organizations that need executive-level cybersecurity leadership, but want it deeply integrated into operations, not delivered from the sidelines. Their vCISOs work hands-on with security teams, IT leads, or MSPs to implement strategy.
They start with understanding business risk and operational context. From there, they build tailored security roadmaps, policies, and governance frameworks to help organizations mature their security programs in measurable, high-impact ways.
They also lead or support incident response planning, risk gap analysis, and compliance readiness (including SOC 2 and HIPAA), with a focus on building lasting operational muscle.
What makes Point Solutions especially relevant for complex or regulated environments is their work in defense, aerospace, city/state/local government, and industrial sectors like SaaS and manufacturing. These are sectors where security is a core operational requirement tied to funding, partnerships, or procurement.
Key Services:
Fractional/virtual CISO strategy and leadership
Risk gap analysis and remediation planning
Incident response planning and testing
Compliance readiness (SOC 2, HIPAA, etc.)
Policy, governance, and security program development
Security team leadership and IT coordination
Why Work With Point Solutions Security?
They act as a true extension of your team by providing embedded, operational leadership that sticks with you through implementation.
4. Tangible Security
Tangible Security’s model fits best with organizations that have growing compliance requirements, evolving vendor ecosystems, or board-level reporting needs and want a strategic partner who brings technical depth as well as leadership skills.
Their vCISOs craft security strategies that make sense within your business objectives and risk appetite, while also managing the day-to-day realities of implementation. This includes:
Selecting and deploying tools like EDR/XDR and SIEM
Handling vendor relationships
Creating policies that meet demanding frameworks like NIST 2.0, ISO 27001, FedRAMP, and HIPAA.
They also offer board and executive advisory support to help translate technical risks into business-relevant narratives.
What makes Tangible particularly effective is they can serve as a central point of coordination that bridges the gap between your internal team, external vendors, and executive stakeholders.
For companies juggling compliance deadlines, third-party risk, and operational change, that kind of leadership can be a stabilizing force.
Key Services:
Strategic security leadership and roadmap development
Compliance-ready security program design (NIST 2.0, ISO, HIPAA, GDPR, etc.)
Risk assessments, performance metrics, and continuous improvement
Vendor oversight and third-party risk management
Incident response planning and readiness
Oversight of security tool selection and deployment
Why Work With Tangible Security?
They’re ideal if you need a security leader who can both manage risk and lead vendor coordination by translating strategy into execution across people, tools, and compliance obligations.
5. Vistrada
Vistrada are especially useful for growing companies with evolving needs: some use Vistrada to bridge gaps during leadership transitions while others rely on them for long-term, part-time CISO oversight as they scale.
Their strength lies in flexibility. Vistrada adapts its engagement to the stage and structure of your business, whether you’re a startup preparing for your first SOC 2 audit or a mid-sized company tightening vendor risk controls.
Their fractional CISOs deliver strategy, execution, and oversight, and cover everything from risk assessments to business continuity planning, policy development, and audit prep.
One of their standout angles is neutrality.
They emphasize impartial, external advice, which can be crucial when existing IT teams or MSPs might lack either bandwidth or unbiased oversight. That objectivity helps boards and exec teams make confident, security-aligned decisions.
Key Services:
Cybersecurity strategy and risk management
Compliance support (SOC 2, ISO 27001, etc.)
Business continuity and disaster recovery planning
Vendor risk assessments and third-party oversight
Incident response coordination and policy reviews
Security training and awareness
Why Work With Vistrada?
Their strongest edge is independence: Vistrada acts as an unbiased security advisor, offering objective guidance that isn’t influenced by internal politics or vendor partnerships, which is ideal for leadership teams who need clarity, not conflicts of interest.
6. AmberWolf
AmberWolf provides Fractional CISO and cybersecurity advisory services to organizations that need executive-level guidance without the overhead of a full-time hire. They embed senior security leadership into the business on a part-time or interim basis to help boards and executives align cybersecurity priorities with overall business goals.
The firm helps clients mature their security programs by building governance structures, formalizing policies, and creating frameworks that hold up under regulatory and customer scrutiny.
They also emphasize neutral, vendor-independent advice to give leadership confidence that recommendations are based on the needs of the organizational rather than outside incentives.
Like AAG, AmberWolf stresses the importance of long-term cultural maturity rather than short-term fixes, though AAG takes this further by backing its strategy with proprietary toolkits and proven frameworks for executive change-management.
Key Services:
Fractional / part-time CISO leadership and governance oversight
Security program design and maturity improvement
Risk assessment and management
Compliance support and regulatory alignment
Incident readiness and threat response oversight
Why Work With AmberWolf?
They stand out for their independence, which means they can act as a trusted advisor that helps organizations make technology and vendor decisions with confidence, free from conflicts of interest.
7. AEGIS Cybersecurity
AEGIS Cybersecurity’s model is built around retainer-based engagements, which gives clients continuous visibility into governance, risk, and compliance without the permanence of an in-house hire.
They focus on keeping leadership connected to their security posture through periodic reports and strategic roadmaps. They also step in with tactical support where they help manage incident response plans, guide disaster recovery exercises, and work directly with stakeholders during cyber events.
AEGIS cares about cost-effectiveness and flexibility, too.
For organizations where the board expects oversight but budgets don’t stretch to a high CISO salary, AEGIS offers access to high-level security expertise in a leaner, more scalable way.
Key Services:
Fractional / virtual CISO services (retainer model)
Cybersecurity roadmap development and reporting
Incident response and disaster recovery support
Risk management and compliance oversight
Cyber insurance and governance support
Why Work With AEGIS Cybersecurity?
AEGIS offers a cost-conscious, retainer-based vCISO service that balances continuous oversight with flexibility.
8. Assura, Inc.
Assura, Inc. provides a branded fractional CISO offering called Virtual ISO® which gives organizations part-time, executive-level security leadership tailored to their specific maturity and budget.
A key differentiator is their AuditArmor® Audit Defense Guarantee: if an auditor or regulator challenges Assura’s compliance work, they commit to defending it at no additional cost and even make adjustments if needed.
Assura works across a wide range of industries, including education, government, healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and insurance.
They integrate with internal IT teams, which means IT staff can focus on implementation while Assura drives policy, compliance, and governance oversight.
Key Services / Capabilities:
Fractional / part-time CISO (Virtual ISO®)
Security program and policy development
Business Impact Analysis and risk assessments
Vendor/third-party risk management
Incident response planning and leadership
Audit and compliance program support (NIST, ISO, PCI DSS, HIPAA, SOX, GDPR)
Add-ons: vulnerability scanning (VMaaS), penetration testing, SIEM, MDR, DFIR, awareness training
Why Work With Assura?
Assura stands out for its AuditArmor® Audit Defense Guarantee, which gives clients confidence that their compliance deliverables will hold up under scrutiny, backed by direct defense at no extra cost.
9. CyberSecOp
CyberSecOp provides fractional and virtual CISO (vCISO) services for organizations that are filling a gap after a departure, navigating a high-stakes audit, or bridging the time until a permanent CISO is hired.
Clients can engage them on an interim, part-time, or virtual basis.
A key selling point is their depth of experience.
CyberSecOp brings an average of over 25 years of executive cybersecurity leadership, with award-winning CISOs who have guided programs at some of the world’s most recognized organizations.
These leaders can make an impact quickly by stepping in to review past strategies, identify gaps, and establish forward-looking roadmaps. In some cases, they also help companies recruit a permanent CISO, advising boards on candidate qualities and even assisting with selection.
That said, the model can sometimes feel more transactional than integrated, since engagements are often short-term or transitional, and highly experienced experts may come with premium costs compared to other providers.
By contrast, firms like Alpha Apex Group emphasize embedding leadership more deeply into executive teams, creating continuity and alignment from the start.
Key Services:
Fractional, interim, and virtual CISO roles
Cybersecurity strategy and roadmap development
Gap assessments and compliance alignment
Support in recruiting and onboarding permanent CISOs
Access to CyberSecOp’s broader suite of security services (MDR, audits, penetration testing, IR)
Why Work With CyberSecOp?
CyberSecOp is a fast-response provider of seasoned cybersecurity leadership, ideal for organizations that need expertise right away and value access to a wide pool of security services alongside executive oversight.
10. Bright Defense
Bright Defense provides virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) services designed to give organizations the strategic oversight of a full-time CISO without the cost and long-term commitment.
Their model is especially well suited to small and mid-sized businesses, MSPs, and SaaS providers, as these are sectors where compliance demands and cyber risk are rising but budgets may not justify a permanent executive role.
Their vCISO program covers strategic security planning, risk assessment, and compliance management across major frameworks like SOC 2, HIPAA, PCI, and NIST. They also help build a strong security culture through awareness training and AI-driven phishing simulations, while preparing companies for high-pressure moments with incident response planning and readiness programs.
Like many vCISO models, however, the part-time nature of the role can limit deep organizational integration, which means companies may need additional in-house resources during complex incidents or periods of rapid growth.
By contrast, providers like Alpha Apex Group embed leadership and cultural transformation more fully.
Key Services:
Fractional/virtual CISO leadership
Strategic security planning aligned with business goals
Risk management and mitigation roadmaps
Compliance support (SOC 2, HIPAA, PCI, NIST)
Security awareness training with phishing simulations
Incident response planning and readiness
Why Work With Bright Defense?
Bright Defense is a strong fit for SMBs and SaaS firms that need affordable, framework-driven security leadership, with added value in building employee awareness alongside compliance and risk management.
How to Choose the Right Fractional CISO Service
Not all fractional CISO services are created equal. Some firms deliver true executive leadership, while others stop at producing reports and templates. If you’re a founder, COO, or board member looking to bring in part-time cybersecurity leadership, here are the factors that matter most:
1. Executive presence and integration
A fractional CISO should act as part of your leadership team. That means showing up in board meetings, interfacing with regulators, and shaping company-wide decisions.
Red flag: Providers who only deliver policies or checklists but don’t participate in executive forums.
Ask: Will your CISO represent us in board meetings, audits, or customer reviews, or just advise from the sidelines?
2. Compliance experience where it counts
If SOC 2, HIPAA, ISO 27001, or other frameworks are gating your growth, you need a partner with a proven track record in those regimes.
Red flag: Firms that list every framework under the sun but can’t share case studies or client outcomes.
Ask: Which compliance frameworks have you helped clients pass in the last 12 months, and what were the results?
3. Speed without sacrificing alignment
Many companies hire a fractional CISO under pressure: a looming deal, an investor request, or an upcoming audit. Speed matters, but not at the cost of cultural alignment.
Red flag: Promises of “immediate deployment” without a discovery process to learn your business.
Ask: How do you balance rapid onboarding with understanding our business context and culture?
4. Independence and objectivity
You want advice that puts your business first, not advice shaped by vendor partnerships or hidden incentives.
Red flag: Firms that push specific tools or managed services without clearly explaining their financial stake.
Ask: Do you receive referral fees or commissions for recommending security products or vendors?
5. Depth of support
A strong fractional CISO firm offers both executive strategy and analyst-level support for execution. This balance prevents bottlenecks and ensures continuity.
Red flag: Solo consultants who can’t scale, or large firms where you’re just one of dozens of accounts.
Ask: What ongoing resources back up the CISO, like analysts, tools, and frameworks, and how will they support our day-to-day needs?
6. Proven outcomes
Reports and policies are important, but what you really need are measurable results: deals closed, audits passed, incidents contained.
Red flag: Providers who talk about processes but can’t quantify impact.
Ask: How do you measure success in your engagements, and what outcomes should we expect in the first 90 days?
At Alpha Apex Group, we’ve seen that the difference between a box-checking engagement and a transformative one comes down to integration. When you embed CISOs directly into executive workflows like board prep, regulator discussions, and strategic planning, security becomes a key driver of business confidence and growth.
Turn Cybersecurity Into an Executive Advantage
A fractional CISO is a way to bring real security leadership into the boardroom without the cost of a full-time hire. The best partners know how to shape strategy, build trust with regulators and customers, and help leadership teams grow with confidence.
Plenty of firms offer solid services, but Alpha Apex Group sets itself apart. With placement times far faster than industry norms, and savings of 50–70% compared to traditional models, AAG delivers both rigor and value.
Most importantly, our CISOs embed into your leadership team and represent you in front of boards, regulators, and customers. If you need executive-level security that’s both strategic and cost-effective, AAG is the clear choice.
Contact us today to strengthen your cybersecurity leadership, safeguard your organization’s reputation, and ensure lasting compliance confidence.
FAQ
1. What does a Fractional Chief Information Security Officer actually do?
A Fractional CISO steps in as part of your leadership team to design security policies, manage security risks, and align cybersecurity strategy with business goals, all without the cost of a full-time executive.
2. How can a Fractional CISO help us handle cyber threats?
They provide top-tier cybersecurity expertise to identify threats early, strengthen response capabilities, and build long-term cyber resilience across your IT Department.
3. Can a Fractional CISO support regulatory compliance?
Yes, security experts help your organization meet regulatory requirements like SOC 2, HIPAA, or ISO 27001 by creating robust cybersecurity programs and audit-ready documentation.
4. What’s the role of Vulnerability Management in this service?
A Fractional CISO oversees Vulnerability Management programs so that weaknesses are identified, prioritized, and remediated before attackers can exploit them.
5. Why not just rely on our IT Department for security?
Most IT teams are stretched thin. A Fractional CISO brings executive-level vision, regulatory compliance expertise, and the ability to turn policies into strategy, which frees up IT to focus on operations.
6. When should a company consider hiring a Fractional CISO?
If you’re facing new regulatory requirements, dealing with growing security risks, or need robust cybersecurity leadership for board, customer, or investor confidence, it’s time to consider one.
7. How is this different from hiring outside consultants?
Unlike one-off consultants, a Fractional CISO provides ongoing leadership. They integrate into your business, build security policies, overseeing risk, and develop cyber resilience over time.
