How Much Does a Fractional CISO Cost?
Fractional CISO services typically cost $5,000 to $25,000 per month, depending on scope and complexity. That's 60-80% less than a full-time CISO when you factor in salary, benefits, equity, and recruiting costs.
What Affects Fractional CISO Pricing?
Hours Per Month
Most engagements range from 10-40 hours monthly. Strategic advisory needs fewer hours; active program building needs more.
Scope of Work
Assessment-only engagements cost less than ongoing security leadership. Compliance projects (SOC 2, HIPAA) may have higher initial costs.
Company Complexity
Multi-cloud environments, regulated industries, and larger employee counts typically require more intensive engagement.
Urgency
Post-incident response or urgent compliance deadlines may require higher initial investment to accelerate timelines.
Full-Time vs Fractional CISO Costs
| Cost Component | Full-Time CISO | Fractional CISO |
|---|---|---|
| Base Salary | $200,000 - $350,000 | Included in monthly fee |
| Benefits (health, 401k) | $30,000 - $60,000 | N/A |
| Equity/Bonus | $50,000 - $150,000 | N/A |
| Recruiting Costs | $50,000 - $100,000 | N/A |
| Time to Hire | 3-6 months | 2-4 weeks |
| Annual Total | $330,000 - $660,000+ | $60,000 - $300,000 |
* Full-time costs include salary, benefits, equity, recruiting fees, and opportunity cost of 3-6 month hiring process.
Typical Engagement Tiers
Strategic Advisory
- Monthly security review
- Board/executive reporting
- Strategic guidance
- Vendor evaluation support
- Security questionnaire oversight
Best for: Companies with internal security staff needing executive oversight
Active Leadership
- All Strategic Advisory services
- Security program development
- Policy creation and maintenance
- Compliance program management
- Team mentorship
- Incident response guidance
Best for: Growth-stage companies building security programs
Intensive Engagement
- All Active Leadership services
- Hands-on program execution
- Multiple compliance frameworks
- Complex environment management
- Dedicated security operations support
Best for: Complex environments or accelerated compliance timelines
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Use our interactive calculator to compare full-time CISO costs vs fractional CISO for your specific situation.
Try the CISO CalculatorFrequently Asked Questions
How much does a fractional CISO cost per month?
Most fractional CISO engagements range from $5,000 to $25,000 per month. The exact cost depends on hours needed, scope of work, company complexity, and whether you need ongoing leadership or project-based support. Average engagements fall in the $12,000-$18,000/month range.
Is a fractional CISO cheaper than hiring a full-time CISO?
Yes, typically 60-80% less expensive. A full-time CISO costs $330,000-$660,000+ annually when you include salary ($200K-$350K), benefits ($30K-$60K), equity/bonus ($50K-$150K), and recruiting costs ($50K-$100K). Fractional CISO services range from $60,000-$300,000 annually.
What's included in fractional CISO pricing?
Fractional CISO fees typically include strategic security leadership, policy development, compliance guidance, vendor evaluation, board reporting, and team mentorship. Some engagements also include security assessments, audit preparation, and incident response support. Specific deliverables are defined in the engagement scope.
How do fractional CISO billing models work?
Most fractional CISOs bill on a monthly retainer basis, providing a set number of hours or scope of services. Some offer project-based pricing for specific initiatives like SOC 2 preparation. Retainer models provide predictable costs and ongoing access to security leadership.
Can we start small and scale up?
Yes. Many companies start with strategic advisory (lower hours/cost) and scale up during active program building or compliance sprints. A good fractional CISO helps you right-size the engagement to your actual needs and adjusts as requirements evolve.
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