vCISO Services by GSI

      vCISO Services

      What is a Virtual CISO (vCISO)?

      For small-to-medium-sized businesses (SMBs), hiring a full-time Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) can be a costly challenge. Regardless of the size of your business, a robust cyber security program is still a pressing need, as a security breach can translate to millions of dollars in lost revenue, not to mention a tarnished reputation and potential legal and regulatory problems. Many organizations never consider the vital necessity of a strong information security program until it's far too late, which can result in serious data breaches and major logistical headaches.

      Don't let the cost of an in-house CISO put your company at risk. With GSI's virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) services, organizations can access specialized expertise and experience in cybersecurity at a fraction of the cost. 

      Creating a mature cybersecurity program takes time and skill; for many organizations, it's often done on a project-by-project basis rather than strategically, leading to wasted efforts and an arcane security structure vulnerable to attack. An outsourced security practitioner can vastly improve your organization's security strategy without spending vital resources building your own information security programs from the ground up.

      With our ongoing support (vCISO as a Service) options, we provide a broad range of cost-effective solutions that bridge the gap for SMBs lacking in-house cybersecurity expertise.

      Take the first step toward securing your organization today with a complimentary consultation from one of our cybersecurity experts. We'll assess your current systems, identify areas of improvement, and offer solutions based on over 18 years of experience in the information security field.

      vCISO Service Offerings

      Cybersecurity Strategy, Planning and Execution

      Your virtual CISO will collaborate with your executive management to craft a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy and plan, complete with well-defined strategic goals. After assessing your company's cybersecurity needs and overall security posture alongside your executive team, the vCISO will align your company's strategy with business objectives and devise detailed roadmaps to fortify your organization's information security program.

      Security Policies and ProceduresVirtual Chief Information Security Officer Services-min

      Our team assists in developing comprehensive cybersecurity policies and procedures that are tailored to your organization's specific needs.

      We regularly review and update these policies, establish governance frameworks for their implementation, conduct training and awareness programs to ensure compliance, integrate approaches with business processes, and ensure policy compliance through monitoring and audits. Furthermore, we'll provide an annual risk assessment to identify areas of concern and develop strategies to improve your security program and reduce any cyber risk. Should anything occur, you can be assured that we will keep you well abreast of developments and work alongside you to solve the issue.

      By documenting policies effectively and aligning them with industry standards and regulations, our consulting services strengthen your organization's current cybersecurity posture and help mitigate cyber risks.

      Risk Assessment and Management

      Assessing and mitigating cybersecurity risks is no easy feat for most organizations, but it's much simpler when you have expert guidance. Your virtual CISO will take charge by evaluating the risk landscape, crafting effective risk management strategies, and introducing appropriate controls to minimize potential threats and vulnerabilities.  

      Incident Response (IR) / Remediation

      Effective management of security incidents is crucial in minimizing damage and reducing downtime. Our VCISOs formulate incident response plans and establish protocols that enable timely detection, containment, and recovery from security incidents. With a swift and coordinated response, risks are mitigated, and business operations can resume without disruptions. 

      Security Awareness and Training

      Human error can be the Achilles' heel of any organization's strategy to mitigate cyber risk. Our VCISOs understand the importance of promoting a security-conscious culture within your organization. Through carefully designed security awareness programs and expert training, we equip your employees with the best practices, policies, and procedures needed to mitigate risk and strengthen your security profile.

        Vendor and Partner Risk Management
       

      Engaging third-party vendors and partners can introduce new security risks for organizations. Our VCISOs assess the security posture of these parties, conduct thorough due diligence, and establish rigorous risk management processes to minimize potential vulnerabilities. By vetting vendors and ensuring they meet our high-security standards, we help fortify your organization's cybersecurity posture. We'll monitor their security program alongside yours as long as you work with them in order to prevent any danger to your own systems, alerting you to any changes that may put you at risk.

      Compliance and Governance

      We ensure your organization complies with regulations and data protection laws, reducing the risk of penalties and legal issues. Our comprehensive approach includes establishing governance frameworks, conducting regular audits, and monitoring changes to regulations to keep your security practices up-to-date and effective. Whether you work with government agencies or Electronic Medical Records (EMR), we have the skills necessary to ensure your information security programs meet all benchmarks and protect the sensitive information of your clients, employees, and vendors.

      With our assistance, you can rest assured that your organization meets the highest regulatory compliance standards and mitigates potential risks.

      Emerging Threat Advisory

      The virtual space is ever-changing: new technologies, techniques, and actors mean that you must always remain on the offensive. As the cybersecurity world continues to shift and evolve, our VCISOs remain at the forefront of the latest trends, emerging technologies, and threat intelligence. By staying up-to-date with the ever-changing landscape, we're able to proactively address potential risks and recommend the most effective security measures for your organization. 

      Cybersecurity Technology and Services Selection

      Our VCISOs select cybersecurity tools and services that mitigate risks and vulnerabilities unique to your organization. We conduct a thorough evaluation of available options, considering cost, effectiveness, scalability, and compatibility with your infrastructure. Our goal is to equip you with a customized solution that aligns with your budget and specific needs for comprehensive protection against cyber threats. 

      Recruitment and Mentoring of Staff

      The vCISO role isn't just about handling the tasks of a full-time CISO; it's also about assisting you in building up your own information security capabilities so that you have everything you need to succeed.

      Your virtual CISO will identify the necessary skills for your cybersecurity team, recruit top talent, and provide mentorship and guidance to foster a culture of security excellence. We develop policies that align with industry standards and regulations and offer strategic guidance to stay ahead of emerging threats. Our vCISOs operate in a spirit of collaboration with your in-house IT team: their sole goal is to protect your information assets alongside your own staff.

      With our support, your cybersecurity team will be fully equipped to mitigate risks and protect your organization.

      Virtual Chief Information Officer Datasheet

      Challenges Facing Companies in Need of vCISO as a Service

      Challenge

      Don't have the budget for a full-time CISO, but have the need. 

      Solution

      Provides access to a team of expert resources at a fraction of the cost of a full-time CISO.

      Challenge

      Expertise Gap - Don't have experienced security professionals on staff with appropriate knowledge and skills. Need for extensive training of staff and challenge to address staff churn.

      Solution

      vCISO brings expertise and specialized knowledge in cybersecurity, risk management, compliance, and incident response at a fraction of the cost.

      Challenge

      Adhering to compliance requirements (SOX, PCI DSS, HIPAA, NIST, CMMC, ISO 27001, CIS, AICPA SOC 2, etc.)

      Solution

      vCISO can help ensure you are in compliance with regulations, industry standards, and cybersecurity best practices 

      Challenge

      Difficulty in developing a comprehensive information security strategy that aligns with business objectives.

      Solution

      A vCISO plays a crucial role in devising and executing a strategic plan that aligns with the organization's objectives, risk threshold, and regulatory obligations.

      Challenge

      Challenge to identify, evaluate, and minimize risks to safeguard sensitive information and ensure the seamless functioning of the business.

      Solution

      A vCISO assists in conducting comprehensive risk assessments, implementing effective risk management frameworks, and crafting tailored controls and policies to mitigate potential vulnerabilities proactively.

      What Makes GSI's Virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) Services Different?

       

       

      Certified CISO & vCISO Resources

      GSI has certified Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) resources.

      Certified ISO 27001 Lead Implementer

      Certified ISO 27001 Lead Implementer resources on staff. GSI is certified to implement the formal structure, governance, and policy of an ISO 27001 conforming to the Information Security Management System (ISMS) standards.

      Application Expertise

      Our enterprise application experts have nearly two decades of practice in information security. With our vast industry experience, you can be assured that our virtual CISOs will do their job properly, providing advice on cyber risk mitigation along the way.

      Sub 5-Minute Response Time

      Data security can't wait: as soon as an incident happens, you need to respond right away. We proudly average a sub-five-minute response time on all tickets and incidents, meaning that we can get a data breach under control before it ever becomes a widespread issue. Expect expert advice on evolving threats whenever and wherever they occur.

      AICPA SOC 2 Certified

      GSI is SOC 2 certified by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) which demonstrates that GSI has specific security controls in place.

      100% Signature Guarantee

      All Services Backed by GSI’s Signature 100% Guarantee.

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