The vCISO model: security leadership without the full-time hire

A CISO's job is judgment — setting security strategy, owning risk decisions, steering compliance, and answering to leadership and customers. Most small and mid-size contractors need that judgment but cannot justify a full-time executive hire.

What a vCISO actually does

A virtual CISO (vCISO) is an experienced security leader who works with you on a retained basis: setting the roadmap, owning the CMMC or NIST 800-171 program, steering risk and vendor decisions, and being the accountable security voice in front of your board and your prime contractors — at a fraction of a full-time cost.

Where it fits

• You have compliance pressure (CMMC, DFARS, a customer questionnaire) but no senior security owner.
• You have an IT team that can execute but needs direction and accountability above it.
• You need continuity — a steady hand across audits and incidents, not a one-off project.

Delphius Beacon's vCISO service pairs executive security leadership with hands-on CMMC and governed-AI execution. Learn about vCISO services.