What is a Fractional CSO (Chief Security Officer)?
A Fractional Chief Security Officer is an experienced cyber security executive who works part-time across multiple organisations, providing information security leadership, compliance governance, and threat management.
The Fractional CSO Role
Fractional CSOs typically work 1-3 days per week, providing senior security leadership essential for companies facing growing cyber threats without the £250-350k cost of a permanent CISO/CSO.
Key CSO Responsibilities
Security Strategy: Comprehensive information security programme design
Compliance: ISO 27001, SOC 2, Cyber Essentials, and PCI-DSS certification
Risk Management: Threat assessment, vulnerability management, and risk quantification
Incident Response: IR planning, tabletop exercises, and breach management
Architecture: Cloud security, zero-trust, and network security design
Who Needs a Fractional CSO?
SaaS companies needing SOC 2 or ISO 27001 certification
Companies handling sensitive data (healthcare, financial, personal)
Organisations facing increased cyber threat exposure
Businesses preparing for regulatory compliance (NIS2, DORA)
