Deputy CISO Services

Tactical Operations While Your CISO Focuses on Strategy

As security programs mature, CISOs often find themselves pulled between strategic planning and day-to-day operations. A deputy CISO handles tactical execution - managing security operations, coordinating cross-functional initiatives, and overseeing security tools and processes - while your CISO maintains focus on board-level strategy, risk governance, and business alignment.

Security Operations Management

We manage ongoing security operations including incident response coordination, vulnerability management programs, security tool administration, and vendor relationships. This ensures operational excellence while freeing your CISO to focus on strategic priorities.

Cross-Functional Initiative Leadership

Security programs require coordination across engineering, operations, compliance, legal, and other teams. A deputy CISO leads these cross-functional initiatives, facilitating meetings, driving consensus, and ensuring projects stay on track without consuming your CISO's bandwidth.

Specialized Security Expertise on Demand

Many security programs need deep expertise in specific domains - cloud security, application security, compliance, or security architecture. A deputy CISO brings specialized knowledge to lead these areas while integrating with your existing security leadership.

Cloud Security Leadership

If your CISO's background is traditional enterprise security but your infrastructure is cloud-native, a deputy CISO with cloud security expertise can lead your cloud security program, manage CSPM tools, and work with engineering teams on secure cloud architecture.

Application Security Programs

Building an AppSec program requires specialized knowledge of SDLC security, threat modeling, security testing, and developer engagement. A deputy CISO can establish and run your application security function while your CISO maintains overall program oversight.

Compliance Program Management

Managing multiple compliance frameworks - SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, PCI DSS - requires significant time and specialized knowledge. A deputy CISO can own compliance program execution, coordinate audits, and manage remediation while your CISO maintains compliance strategy and risk decisions.

Leading Major Security Initiatives

Major initiatives like security transformation programs, M&A security integration, or incident response maturity efforts require dedicated leadership attention. A deputy CISO can lead these initiatives from kickoff through completion without derailing your existing security operations.

Security Program Transformation

Whether you're moving to cloud, implementing zero trust, or modernizing security architecture, these transformations require experienced leadership to drive change across the organization while maintaining daily operations.

M&A Security Integration

Acquisitions create intense security workload - assessing acquired companies, integrating security controls, remediating gaps, and migrating to your security stack. A deputy CISO can lead this integration while your CISO maintains focus on core operations.

Incident Response and Crisis Management

During security incidents or preparing for crisis scenarios, having a deputy CISO provides surge capacity for coordination, investigation, remediation, and stakeholder communication without burning out your leadership team.

A deputy CISO makes sense when:

Your CISO is stretched thin across strategic and operational responsibilities. The program has grown beyond what one executive can effectively manage, but you're not ready for multiple full-time security executives.

You need specialized expertise your CISO doesn't have. Your CISO is strong in governance and risk but you need deep cloud security expertise. Or they excel at strategy but need support with compliance program execution.

You're running a major initiative that requires dedicated leadership. Security transformation, M&A integration, or incident recovery efforts need experienced leadership without derailing existing operations.

Your security team has grown and needs distributed leadership. With 10+ security team members, your CISO needs help with team leadership, professional development, and day-to-day management.

You're between security executives or planning transitions. A departing CISO or director-level leader creates a gap. A deputy CISO maintains continuity while you hire or helps onboard new leadership.

You're preparing your CISO for more senior responsibilities. As companies grow, CISOs take on broader leadership roles. A deputy CISO can handle operational security leadership while your CISO expands into other areas.

Flexible Deputy CISO Arrangements

Deputy CISO engagements are customized based on your needs:

Ongoing Part-Time Leadership: Regular engagement (15-25 hours/week) for continuous operational support, domain ownership, or distributed security leadership.

Project-Based Leadership: Focused engagement to lead specific initiatives from start to completion - transformation programs, M&A integration, or major remediation efforts.

Interim Coverage: Full-time equivalent support during CISO absence, sabbatical, or between permanent hires to maintain program continuity.

Specialized Domain Ownership: Own and run specific security domains (cloud security, AppSec, compliance) while integrating with your CISO's overall program.

The engagement model depends on your situation, team structure, and what your CISO needs to be successful. We work closely with your existing CISO to ensure seamless collaboration and clear ownership.