Also Known As: Virtual CISO · vCISO · CISO as a Service · Outsourced CISO

    Fractional CISO Services: Senior Security Leadership on a Flexible Retainer

    Fortune 500 expertise at 60–75% savings vs a $250K–$400K full-time CISO

    Part-time, outsourced Chief Information Security Officer leadership, live in 1–2 weeks

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    A fractional CISO is a part-time, outsourced Chief Information Security Officer who provides strategic security leadership to an organization on a flexible retainer, typically 10 to 20 hours per month. Also called a virtual CISO or vCISO, a fractional CISO delivers the same board-level oversight, risk management, compliance guidance, and security program development as a full-time Chief Information Security Officer, usually at 60 to 75 percent less cost. Fractional CISO services are most commonly used by mid-market companies with 50 to 2,000 employees that need senior security leadership but cannot justify a $250,000 to $400,000 full-time executive hire. The terms fractional CISO, virtual CISO, CISO as a service, and outsourced CISO all describe the same engagement.

    Fractional CISO vs Virtual CISO

    There is no functional difference between a fractional CISO and a virtual CISO. Both describe a senior security executive engaged part-time instead of as a full-time hire. "Fractional" emphasizes the share of a full role you are buying; "virtual" emphasizes that the work is often delivered remotely. The market uses them interchangeably, along with vCISO, CISO as a service, and outsourced CISO.

    If you are comparing providers, focus on the engagement model and the experience of the person doing the work, not the label. BlueRadius delivers the same senior practitioner regardless of which term brought you here. For the full service breakdown, see the virtual CISO services page.

    Fractional CISO Cost & Engagement Models

    Fractional CISO services typically run $6,000 to $25,000 per month, roughly $60,000 to $180,000 per year, versus $250,000 to $400,000 for a full-time CISO. Most engagements take one of three shapes.

    Monthly Retainer

    Typically $6,000 to $25,000 per month for ongoing leadership, usually 10 to 20 hours monthly. The most common structure.

    Best for stable, ongoing programs

    Project-Based

    Fixed scope and fee for a defined outcome such as SOC 2 readiness or CMMC preparation, usually 3 to 6 months.

    Best for a specific compliance goal

    Fractional-to-Hire Bridge

    Higher-intensity engagement that holds the seat while you recruit a full-time CISO, then supports onboarding.

    Best for high-growth or post-incident

    Full pricing detail by company stage in the vCISO cost guide, or run the numbers with the ROI calculator.

    What a Fractional CISO Does

    Security Strategy & Governance

    • Risk assessments and threat modeling
    • Security program roadmap and budget
    • Executive and board reporting
    • Security policy and procedure development

    Compliance Leadership

    • SOC 2, HIPAA, CMMC, PCI DSS, ISO 27001
    • Audit preparation and coordination
    • Regulatory gap assessments
    • Cyber insurance attestation support

    Risk & Incident Oversight

    • Incident response planning and coordination
    • Third-party and vendor risk management
    • Vulnerability and penetration test oversight
    • Business continuity and disaster recovery

    Team & Vendor Direction

    • Direction for internal IT and security staff
    • Oversight of MSSP and tooling decisions
    • Security awareness and training programs
    • Architecture and zero-trust guidance

    Fractional CISO vs Full-Time CISO

    FeatureFull-Time CISOFractional CISO
    Annual Cost$250K–$400K+$60K–$180K
    Time to Start6–12 months1–2 weeks
    CommitmentFull-time employeeFlexible retainer
    ExpertiseSingle perspectiveMulti-industry
    ScalabilityFixed overheadScales with needs
    Best For$100M+ revenue$5M–$100M revenue

    How to Choose a Fractional CISO Firm

    • Direct, recent operational CISO experience at a company of your size and stage
    • CISSP, CISM, or CRISC credentials as table stakes, plus framework-specific certifications for your needs
    • A defined engagement model and pricing structure, not an open-ended hourly arrangement
    • References from companies that faced the same compliance or buyer pressure you do
    • Clarity on what is delivered in the first 90 days, with measurable outcomes
    • No long-term lock-in, so the relationship continues on performance, not contract

    Why Companies Choose a Fractional CISO

    60–75% Cost Savings

    vs. $250K–$400K full-time CISO salary plus benefits

    Live in 1–2 Weeks

    vs. 6–12 month hiring cycle for qualified candidates

    Multi-Industry Expertise

    Fortune 500 perspective across dozens of verticals

    Scales With You

    Flexible retainer that grows or shrinks with your needs

    Fractional CISO FAQ

    What is a fractional CISO?+
    A fractional CISO is a part-time, outsourced Chief Information Security Officer who provides executive-level security leadership on a flexible basis, typically 10 to 20 hours per month. The role is also called a virtual CISO or vCISO. Companies hire a fractional CISO when they need senior security strategy, compliance leadership, and board reporting but cannot justify a $250,000-plus full-time executive.
    Is a fractional CISO the same as a virtual CISO (vCISO)?+
    Yes. Fractional CISO, virtual CISO, vCISO, CISO as a service, and outsourced CISO all describe the same engagement: senior security leadership delivered on a flexible retainer instead of a full-time salaried hire. The terms are used interchangeably across the industry.
    How much does a fractional CISO cost?+
    Fractional CISO services typically range from $6,000 to $25,000 per month depending on scope, company size, and complexity, which works out to roughly $60,000 to $180,000 per year. That is 60 to 75 percent less than a full-time CISO at $250,000 to $400,000 in salary plus benefits. Full pricing detail by company stage is in the BlueRadius vCISO cost guide.
    Is a fractional CISO paid hourly or on retainer?+
    Most fractional CISO engagements are structured as a monthly retainer rather than billed hourly, because security leadership is ongoing and strategic rather than task-based. A typical retainer covers 10 to 20 hours per month. Project-based engagements use a fixed scope and fee instead.
    How do I choose a fractional CISO firm?+
    Look for direct, recent operational CISO experience at your company size, CISSP or CISM credentials plus framework-specific certifications matching your needs, a defined engagement model, strong references, and clarity on first-90-day deliverables. Avoid open-ended hourly arrangements with no measurable outcomes.
    When should a company hire a fractional CISO?+
    Common triggers are enterprise prospects requiring SOC 2 or ISO 27001, a board or investors demanding security reporting, pursuit of federal contracts requiring CMMC or FedRAMP, a recent security incident, cyber insurance applications requiring CISO attestation, or heavy spending on security tools without a clear strategy.
    What is the difference between a fractional CISO and an MSSP?+
    A fractional CISO provides strategic leadership and makes security decisions, while a managed security service provider (MSSP) provides operational services like 24/7 monitoring and threat detection. The fractional CISO sets the strategy; the MSSP executes it. Most mid-market organizations need both, working together.
    Can a fractional CISO become a full-time hire later?+
    Yes, and this is a common path. Many companies use a fractional CISO for two to three years, then transition to a full-time hire as they cross 500 employees or pursue an IPO or major acquisition. The fractional CISO typically supports the search and onboarding of the full-time successor.

    Serving These Markets

    Local expertise, national reach. We deliver hands-on cybersecurity services in these markets.

    Dallas, TXAustin, TXSeattle, WAManhattan, NYChicago, ILNorthern Virginia, VASan Antonio, TXHouston, TX

    The Complete vCISO Reference

    Detail pages for every dimension of a fractional CISO engagement.

    Virtual CISO Services

    Full service breakdown and engagement detail

    vCISO Cost Guide

    Pricing ranges by company stage

    2026 Market Report

    $1.4B market, growth scenarios, adoption data

    ROI Calculator

    Run your numbers in 2 minutes

    Fractional CISO for SOC 2

    Certification readiness engagement

    vCISO + MSSP Integration

    Operating model with managed services

    Fractional CISO vs MSSP

    Strategy vs operations, and why you need both

    Fractional CISO vs Vanta & Drata

    Human leader vs compliance automation tool

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