What is a Virtual CISO (vCISO) – and Do You Actually Need One?

Let’s start with a simple truth: cyber security is no longer a luxury reserved for big business. Whether you’re running a growing company, a boutique firm, or managing a superyacht, you’re already a target. The question isn’t if you need cyber security leadership, it’s how to get the right level of support without overcommitting resources.

That’s where the Virtual CISO (vCISO) comes in. This guide will break down what a vCISO actually does, who it’s for, and why it might be one of the smartest decisions you make this year.

Why Cyber Security Has Changed

Gone are the days when you could "just install anti-virus software" and call it done. Today, cyber threats are more frequent, more sophisticated, and often come from directions you didn’t see coming: spoofed emails from known contacts, fake payment requests, and malware embedded in job applications.

At the same time, expectations are rising. Clients want to see cyber maturity. Insurers want evidence of risk controls. Regulators are introducing tighter standards across every industry. And if you’re in yachting or high-net-worth services? The risks multiply because you're often dealing with sensitive information.

So, What Exactly Is a vCISO?

A vCISO (Virtual Chief Information Security Officer) is an outsourced or fractional security expert who performs many of the same duties as a full-time CISO, but in a more flexible, scalable way.

They typically:

• Act as your named cyber security lead (ideal for insurance, regulation, and credibility)

• Conduct risk assessments and create practical improvement plans

• Build cyber strategies aligned to your real-world operations

• Help you respond to incidents or near-misses with calm, expert guidance

• Train your team on what matters and what to avoid

• Liaise with third-party vendors, tech teams, or compliance auditors on your behalf

In other words, they take ownership of cyber security in a way that gives you confidence and frees you up to focus on what you do best.

Who Actually Needs a vCISO?

You might not need one if:

• You have an internal team with a dedicated CISO and mature processes

• You’re in a very low-risk industry with no customer data, financial transactions, or IT dependencies

But most growing businesses fall somewhere in between. Here are the scenarios where a vCISO makes perfect sense:

1. You’ve had a close call

A phishing email. An unusual login alert. A payment request that turned out to be fake. If your heart skipped a beat, you know how high the stakes are.

2. You’re filling in security questionnaires

Clients, insurers, or auditors want proof you take cyber seriously. But you don’t have policies, logs, or processes in place to confidently answer.

3. You’re growing fast

Scaling means new systems, more data, and wider attack surfaces. A vCISO helps you build secure foundations while you grow.

4. You’re operating in regulated or high-trust sectors

Yachting. Finance. Healthcare. Legal. If you're trusted with sensitive data or high-value operations, a strong cyber position is non-negotiable.

5. You’re wearing too many hats

If your IT lead, office manager, or operations director is also “doing cyber,” you’re exposed. Cyber security deserves focused attention.

What a Good vCISO Actually Does

Let’s break it down into three phases:

Phase 1: Understanding and Mapping Risk

• Review your current setup (people, tech, data flows)

• Identify gaps in basic hygiene and high-risk areas

• Prioritise based on business impact, not just best practice

Phase 2: Creating a Clear, Actionable Plan

• Define where you are today, and what ‘good’ looks like for your context

• Outline steps to get there in plain English

• Include both quick wins and longer-term changes

Phase 3: Ongoing Guidance and Ownership

• Stay on hand for decisions, audits, or incidents

• Review and refine your cyber approach regularly

• Keep you up-to-date with changing threats and requirements

This isn’t a tick-box exercise. It’s hands-on leadership, scaled to your size.

What It Doesn’t Mean

Hiring a vCISO doesn’t mean:

• You’re now bulletproof

• You never have to train your team

• You can outsource all responsibility

Cyber security works best when leadership is embedded in your culture. A vCISO is your guide, not your replacement.

Why AnchorPoint Takes a Different Approach

At AnchorPoint, we created our vCISO service because we kept seeing the same issues:

• Businesses overwhelmed by jargon and fear

• Yachts and high-value operations left exposed

• Well-meaning suppliers offering off-the-shelf products without a plan

Our belief? Cyber security should feel useful and understandable. We help you:

• Build a cyber plan you can actually use

• Speak to your team in plain English

• Improve steadily over time (without perfectionism)

And we don’t stop there. We offer:

• Cyber health checks

• No-pressure team briefings

• Transparent pricing 

Because trust is earned, not assumed.

Pricing: How Much Does a vCISO Cost?

Hiring a full-time CISO can cost £100,000+ per year.

Other vCISO providers start at £2,000 per month. 

Anchorpoint's vCISO packages start at £100 per month and £375-850+ per month for tailored expert support.

For most of our clients, it’s about one to two day’s pay for an engineer or manager, but delivers year-round peace of mind.

Common Questions

Do we need to have technical people onboard to work with you?
No. We specialise in working with non-technical teams. We’ll speak plain English and guide you through every step.

Can you help us meet compliance requirements like NIST, NIS2 or ISO 27001?
Yes. We translate complex requirements into realistic steps and support you with documentation and evidence where needed.

What if we already work with an IT provider?
That’s great! We often act as the security partner who supports or challenges IT providers to ensure the business’ needs come first.

Can you support our yacht management company or family office too?
Absolutely. We work with vessels, businesses, and the professionals that serve them.

Final Word

Cyber security is no longer a back-office task. It’s a board-level issue, a reputational risk, and a core part of modern operations.

A Virtual CISO gives you the leadership and clarity you need, without the cost or complexity of going it alone.

Whether you’re running a business, managing a vessel, or supporting others who do, Anchorpoint can help you navigate these waters with confidence.