Instant Expertise: How Interim CISOs fill Critical Leadership Gaps

The demand for Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) continues to increase due to the rising complexity of cyber threats and the critical role of cybersecurity pertaining to business strategy and operations. According to PwC’s 2024 Global Digital Trust Insights, a significant portion of executives acknowledge the need for enhanced cyber risk management and resilience, highlighting the indispensable role of CISOs in today’s digital landscape​ (see PwC)​.

While it’s encouraging to see more and more organizations recognizing the need for the CISO role, the average tenure of a CISO is concerning. Studies show that CISOs typically remain in their positions for about 18 to 26 months. On top of that, hiring the right CISO can be quite a lengthy process, typically taking anywhere from four to six months.

Putting all that together, an organization can be without its top security leader for four to six months every two years! This not only can stunt an organization’s progress on security maturity, strategic security leadership, and risk oversight, it can put an organization at risk in many ways, including potential degradation of security posture, the decreased protection of key digital assets, and no adequately building security into ongoing initiatives/systems/processes.

Such was the case with a recent client of Online...

Let me tell you a story

One of Online’s long-time clients was in the middle of closing a critical multimillion-dollar contract. Like many organizations, the prospective new customer wanted evidence that our client had an experienced CISO who owned security leadership for the organization. The only problem is the organization’s CISO just resigned. The organization needed a CISO immediately so that they could be positioned to win this deal.

Since Online had already build a solid relationship with this client from other cybersecurity services that we provided, they felt comfortable in reaching out to ask if we could help. Through our interim CISO (iCISO) service offering, Online was able to rapidly deploy a CISO to our client and lead the organization’s security program from day one. Long story short, our client won the deal and decided to keep our iCISO around for longer because they enjoyed working with him so much!

Sometimes the best solution is a flexible one

Online’s iCISO service offering is a flexible, cost-effective solution to meet an organization’s need for security leadership on an interim or temporary basis. While there are times an iCISO may be asked to stay on longer term and taken on an extended role acting as fractional or virtual CISO, the intention with a iCISO is to fill a short-term need .

When considering an iCISO, we find organizations are typically looking for some, or all, of the following benefits:

Immediate Expertise and Experience

One of the primary advantages of an iCISO is the immediate access to seasoned expertise. Online’s iCISOs are highly experienced professionals who have served in various industries and environments. They bring a wealth of knowledge and can quickly assess an organization’s security posture, identify vulnerabilities, and implement effective strategies. This rapid deployment of expertise is particularly valuable during times of critical business dealings or during a significant organizational change. In addition, our iCISOs not only bring their knowledge to an engagement, but also the collective intelligence of our team of dozens of seasoned cybersecurity consultants.

Cost-Effective Resourcing

While hiring a full-time CISO can be a substantial financial commitment, an iCISO provides a cost-effective option. Organizations can leverage top-tier security leadership without the long-term financial burden associated with a full-time executive salary, benefits, and bonuses. This flexibility allows businesses to allocate resources more efficiently, focusing on immediate security needs without compromising on quality.

Flexibility and Scalability

The role of an iCISO is inherently flexible. Whether an organization needs part-time leadership, project-based expertise, security mentorship, or a temporary fill during a search for a permanent CISO, an iCISO can adapt to these needs. This scalability ensures that businesses can scale their cybersecurity efforts up or down based on current requirements and budget constraints. Such flexibility is crucial in a dynamic business environment where security needs can fluctuate rapidly.

An Objective Perspective

An iCISO brings an external, unbiased perspective to the organization. Unlike permanent employees, iCISOs are not entangled in internal politics or legacy issues. This objectivity allows them to provide candid assessments and recommendations, often leading to more effective and innovative solutions. Their external viewpoint can help organizations break free from entrenched practices and adopt more efficient and modern security protocols.

Rapid Implementation of Security Best Practices

Interim CISOs are well-versed in industry best practices and compliance requirements. They can swiftly implement robust security frameworks and policies, ensuring that the organization meets regulatory standards and minimizes risk. Their extensive experience across different sectors allows them to tailor best practices to fit the unique needs of the business, enhancing overall security posture.

Knowledge Transfer and Mentoring

An iCISO can play a crucial role in mentoring and training the existing IT and security teams. They can facilitate knowledge transfer, ensuring that internal teams are well-equipped to handle security challenges once the interim period ends. This capability building is essential for sustaining long-term security improvements and fostering a culture of continuous learning and development within the organization.

Bridging Leadership Gaps

During periods of transition, such as the sudden departure of a CISO or while searching for a permanent hire, an interim CISO can bridge the leadership gap. They ensure continuity in security strategy and operations, preventing any disruption that could expose the organization to heightened risks. This seamless transition helps maintain stakeholder confidence and protects the organization’s assets and reputation.

In an era where cyber threats are ever-evolving and increasingly sophisticated, the need for robust cybersecurity leadership cannot be overstated. An iCISO offers a valuable solution for organizations seeking immediate expertise, cost-effectiveness, flexibility, and an unbiased perspective. By leveraging the skills and experience of an iCISO, businesses can enhance their security posture, ensure compliance, and build internal capabilities, all while maintaining agility and control over their resources.

In many cases, the iCISO becomes a catalyst for positive change, driving the organization towards a more secure and resilient future. And if you need to rapidly demonstrate leadership in order to win new business, Online’s iCISOs can do that too.

About the Author

Luke Rupnow – Associate Director | CISO Services Lead 
C|CISO, CISM, CBCP, PMP 

Luke is a trusted cybersecurity executive with over 18-years of experience helping global organizations implement and manage successful cybersecurity programs and create respective policies and procedures. Skilled at bridging business and security objectives, he ensures organizations are prepared to manage data breaches, ransomware attacks, and other cybersecurity incidents using a risk-based approach. As Associate Director | CISO Services Lead, Luke directs a team of CISOs that work with clients to improve security maturity and reduce risk. He has refined Online’s approach to help organizations build robust information security programs, develop clear and actionable security roadmaps, and provide budgetary guidance and insightful advisory to executive leaders and c-suite.