Fractional Executive Opportunity

About This Interim CISO Opportunity in the UK

We are seeking an experienced Interim CISO (also known as an Acting Security Director or Interim Chief Information Security Officer) to provide strategic cybersecurity leadership to organisations across the United Kingdom. This is a full-time interim role typically lasting 3-12 months, supporting businesses through security transformation, incident response, or regulatory compliance initiatives.

An Interim CISO brings the same calibre of strategic security leadership as a permanent Chief Information Security Officer, with the ability to make immediate impact. According to the NCSC (National Cyber Security Centre), cyber threats to UK businesses have increased significantly, driving demand for experienced security leadership.

What Does an Interim CISO Do?

As an Interim Chief Information Security Officer, you will deliver board-level security strategy and operational cybersecurity leadership. The NCSC provides frameworks that security leaders must implement to protect UK organisations.

Key responsibilities include cybersecurity strategy and risk management, security architecture and technology selection, incident response and business continuity, regulatory compliance (GDPR, PCI-DSS, ISO 27001), security awareness and culture programmes, and third-party risk management.

Interim CISO Day Rates in the UK

This role offers day rates of £1,000-£1,500 depending on sector complexity and experience level. According to Glassdoor UK, interim security leaders can expect annual equivalent earnings of £250,000-£380,000.

ISC2 reports a global shortage of cybersecurity professionals, with senior security leaders commanding premium rates in the UK market.

Ideal Candidate Profile

Ideal candidates for this Interim CISO position will have 15+ years in cybersecurity with experience leading enterprise security programmes. Certifications from ISACA (CISM, CRISC) or ISC2 (CISSP) are highly valued.

CREST certification demonstrates technical excellence in penetration testing and security assessment.

Working Arrangements

Interim CISO roles typically require significant on-site presence, particularly during incident response or transformation programmes. Hybrid arrangements are common for ongoing security governance.

UK Sectors Seeking Interim CISOs

Demand for Interim Chief Information Security Officers spans multiple sectors:

• Financial Services — FCA operational resilience, fraud prevention (£1,200-£1,600/day)
• Healthcare — NHS Data Security Standards, patient data protection
• Critical Infrastructure — NIS Directive compliance, OT security
• Legal & Professional Services — Client confidentiality, SRA compliance
• Retail — PCI-DSS compliance, e-commerce security

The UK Interim CISO Market

The ICO (Information Commissioner's Office) has increased enforcement of data protection requirements, making security leadership essential. The interim model provides organisations with experienced security leadership during critical periods.

How to Apply for Interim CISO Roles in the UK

If you are an experienced security leader seeking interim opportunities, Acting Security Director roles, or CISO positions across the UK, register your interest through Fractional Quest.

Browse more opportunities: All Interim CISO Jobs UK | Fractional CISO Jobs UK | CISO Salary Guide | What is a Fractional CISO?