How Much Does a Fractional CISO Cost?
Fractional CISO services typically cost $8,000 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.
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What Affects Fractional CISO Pricing?
Hours Per Month
Common engagement levels are 25, 40, or 80 hours monthly, with interim arrangements for near full-time coverage.
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.
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Try the CISO CalculatorFrequently Asked Questions
How much does a fractional CISO cost per month?
Fractional CISO engagements typically range from $8,000 to $25,000 per month depending on hours and scope. Common engagement levels are 25, 40, or 80 hours per month, with interim arrangements available for near full-time coverage during transitions or urgent needs.
Is a fractional CISO cheaper than hiring a full-time CISO?
Yes, typically 50-80% 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 $100,000-$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?
Fractional CISOs typically bill on a monthly retainer basis with defined hours per month. Common structures are 25, 40, or 80 hours monthly, with interim arrangements for near full-time coverage. Retainer models provide predictable costs and consistent access to security leadership.
Can we start small and scale up?
Yes. Many companies start at 25 hours/month and scale up to 40 or 80 hours 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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