Virtual CISO Services: Senior Security Leadership Without a Full-Time Hire
Every organisation needs someone accountable for security: someone who sets the strategy, reports to the board, owns the risk register and answers regulators and customers. Many growing companies cannot justify a full-time CISO. A virtual CISO gives you that senior leadership for a set number of days a month.
Mutex Systems vCISOs lead security programmes for SMEs, fintechs, SaaS firms and regulated businesses in the UK and Pakistan. They build ISO 27001 and SOC 2 programmes, prepare board reports and manage security vendors. A full team of testers, SOC analysts and GRC consultants backs them when the work needs more hands.
Or call our London office on 020 3307 529901Why it matters now
The risk behind this service
Based on incidents and figures in our UK & Europe threat report.
- Boards are now expected to own cyber risk, and the UK Cyber Governance Code of Practice sets out what directors should do.
- Enterprise customers ask SaaS suppliers for ISO 27001 or SOC 2 before signing. Someone has to lead that programme.
- Regulators such as the FCA, SBP, SECP and PTA expect a named person responsible for information security.
Who this is for
- SMEs and scale-ups without a security leader
- SaaS companies selling into enterprise and answering questionnaires
- Fintech, NBFC and insurance firms regulated by the FCA, SBP or SECP
- Companies preparing for ISO 27001, SOC 2 or Cyber Essentials
- Organisations between permanent CISOs
- Boards wanting independent security reporting
02Services
What we deliver
Security Strategy & Roadmap
A 12 to 24 month roadmap based on your risks, customers and regulators, with clear priorities and budget guidance.
Board & Executive Reporting
Quarterly cyber risk reports and briefings written for directors, aligned to the Cyber Governance Code of Practice.
Certification Programme Leadership
Lead ISO 27001, SOC 2, Cyber Essentials and PCI DSS programmes from gap analysis to audit.
Learn moreRisk Management
Build and maintain the risk register, risk appetite and treatment plans in line with ISO 27005.
Learn morePolicy Framework
Write and maintain the information security policy set, approved and communicated to staff.
Customer & Regulator Liaison
Answer security questionnaires, join customer due-diligence calls and handle FCA, SBP, SECP or PTA inspections.
Security Vendor Management
Select and manage pen testers, SOC providers and tools on your behalf, and hold them to account.
Learn moreIncident Leadership
Act as incident commander during serious incidents, working with our response team.
Learn more03Business impact
What a vCISO changes for the business
How a fractional security leader compares with having no one accountable, or hiring a full-time CISO too early.
| Factor | No security leader | ● With a Mutex vCISO |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | A full-time senior hire, or ad-hoc consultants with no continuity. | Senior leadership for the days you need, scaling up or down as the programme matures. |
| Risk | Security decisions made by whoever is available; risks are not owned. | A maintained risk register with owners, treatment plans and board sign-off. |
| Revenue | Enterprise deals stall on security questionnaires and missing certificates. | ISO 27001 or SOC 2 delivered and questionnaires answered quickly. |
| Board effectiveness | Directors cannot see or challenge cyber risk. | Clear quarterly reporting in business terms. |
| Regulatory standing | No named person to face inspectors. | An experienced lead for FCA, SBP, SECP and PTA interactions. |
| Spend efficiency | Tools bought without a plan; overlap and gaps. | Spending tied to a roadmap and measured outcomes. |
04How it works
How an engagement runs
- 1
Discovery
Interviews, document review and a quick technical health check to understand where you are.
- 2
Assessment
Gap analysis against NIST CSF or ISO 27001 and a risk assessment of your critical services.
- 3
Roadmap
A prioritised plan agreed with leadership, with budget, owners and milestones.
- 4
Lead & deliver
Agreed days each month leading the programme, managing vendors and reporting progress.
- 5
Report & review
Quarterly board reports and an annual strategy refresh.
What you receive
- Security strategy and 12 to 24 month roadmap
- Risk register and risk appetite statement
- Information security policy set
- Quarterly board and executive reports
- Certification and audit readiness plan
05Compliance
Frameworks and regulations this supports
NIST CSF 2.0
The Govern function sets out leadership, roles and risk strategy, a vCISO’s core remit.
ISO 27001:2022
Clause 5 requires top-management leadership and assigned security roles.
COBIT 2019
Governance of enterprise IT and security, for board-level oversight.
ISO 27005
The risk management method behind the risk register.
SOC 2
Programme leadership for Type I and Type II reports.
SBP Cybersecurity Guidelines
Pakistani banks need a designated information security head and governance.
grComply · GRC platform
The vCISO’s workspace
Our vCISOs run your programme in grComply: the risk register, policies, controls, evidence, audits and board dashboards sit in one place that your team keeps after every engagement.
Explore grComply- Risk register and treatment plans with owners
- Policies with version control and staff acknowledgement
- Control status across every framework you hold
- Board-ready dashboards generated from live data
What does a virtual CISO do?
A vCISO performs the role of a chief information security officer on a part-time basis. That means setting security strategy, owning the risk register, leading certification programmes, reporting to the board, managing security vendors and acting as the contact for customers and regulators.
How many days a month does a vCISO work?
It depends on your size and goals. Many SMEs start with a few days a month, rising during an ISO 27001 or SOC 2 programme and falling once things are steady. We agree the time commitment in the proposal.
Is a vCISO cheaper than a full-time CISO?
For most SMEs and scale-ups, yes, because you pay only for the time and expertise you need. You also get access to a wider team of specialists without hiring them.
Can a vCISO lead our ISO 27001 certification?
Yes. Leading ISO 27001 and SOC 2 programmes is one of the most common vCISO tasks, from gap analysis to the certification audit and surveillance audits that follow.
Will the vCISO attend board meetings?
Yes. Quarterly board reporting and attendance at board or risk committee meetings are standard parts of the service.
Do you provide vCISO services in Pakistan?
Yes. Our Karachi team supports banks, NBFCs, insurers, telecoms and technology firms, including SBP, SECP and PTA interactions.
What happens when we hire a permanent CISO?
We hand over a documented programme, including the risk register, policies, roadmap and grComply workspace, and can stay on to support the new CISO.
Get a senior security leader on your side
Tell us your goals, whether that is certification, board reporting or regulator readiness. Reply within one working day, or call 020 3307 5299.