Executive Cybersecurity Leadership for SMEs
Your business may be small — but your risks aren’t.
Today’s SMEs face growing threats, complex compliance requirements, and pressure from clients and regulators to demonstrate cybersecurity maturity. Whether you’re handling UK GDPR responsibilities, managing cloud infrastructure, or engaging external cyber services, your organisation still owns the risk.
Our CISO as a Service gives you a dedicated senior leader to oversee your information security—strategically, affordably, and aligned with your goals.
Who This Is For
Our service is ideal if you:
- Rely on third-party IT vendors, cloud platforms (e.g. Microsoft365), or IT service providers
- Have sensitive data or regulated information on site and/or in cloud environments
- Want assurance you are investing in the right security tools or services—not just expensive ones
- Need security leadership but can’t justify a full-time CISO
- Want to strengthen board-level understanding of cyber risks
What We Deliver
- Strategic Security Leadership
– A dedicated virtual CISO to drive your security strategy
– Align security priorities with your business goals and threat profile - Regulatory Compliance
– Support with UK GDPR, DPA 2018, ISO 27001, and other applicable frameworks
– Readiness for audits, Data Protection Impact Assessments, supplier due diligence, and breach reporting - Supply Chain Security Management
– Assess and manage risk across your vendor and supplier landscape
– Implement supplier assurance frameworks and due diligence processes
– Ensure data processors and partners meet security standards required by law - Risk Governance & Control Frameworks
– Identify technical and procedural gaps
– Establish governance controls, security policies, and board reporting - Security Awareness & Culture
– Deliver security training and awareness for staff and leadership
– Foster a culture of shared cyber responsibility across departments and supply partners - Incident Response Readiness
– Build and test your incident response plan, with supply chain contingencies
– Simulations and support during real-world incidents - Cyber Service Selection & Oversight
– Identify the right cybersecurity services for your organisation
– Vet providers technically and commercially to ensure value-for-money
– Negotiate contract terms and manage performance post-engagement - Flexible Engagement
– Monthly retainers or one-off projects
Why It Matters: Supply Chain Risk Is Your Risk
“As a data controller or processor, you are still responsible for your suppliers’ cybersecurity failures under UK GDPR.” — ICO Guidance
- Third-party software and SaaS platforms often lack visibility or vetting
- SME breaches often begin via poorly secured suppliers or partners
- Regulators and clients expect clear assurance over your supply chain posture
Our vCISO will help you map and secure your entire digital supply chain — ensuring contractual, technical, and procedural controls are in place and proportionate.
Our Engagement Model
| Stage | Deliverable |
|---|---|
| 1. Discovery | Map your data flows, supply chain, and risks |
| 2. Risk Assessment | Prioritise controls, including vendor reviews |
| 3. Strategy Roadmap | Develop clear, staged security goals |
| 4. Execution | Governance, supplier reviews, staff awareness |
| 5. Ongoing Oversight | Metrics, reviews, and continuous governance |
Benefits to Your Business
- Protect sensitive data — even if stored or processed by suppliers
- Meet legal obligations under UK GDPR for third-party risk
- Reduce exposure to ransomware, phishing, and misconfigured cloud tech
- Demonstrate assurance to clients, regulators, and insurers
- Stay agile while scaling securely
Engagement Options
- Fractional Virtual CISO – continuous oversight from (from £300 pcm)
- Project Engagements – GDPR readiness, security certification/audit prep, supply chain review
- Advisory on-demand — when you’re selecting, reviewing, or replacing IT/cloud/cyber services
FAQs
Q: We outsource IT. Do we still need a CISO?
A: Yes. Even with MSPs or cloud providers, you are responsible under GDPR and must ensure those suppliers meet your security and privacy obligations.
Q: Will you help review our suppliers’ security?
A: Absolutely. We’ll perform supplier risk assessments, define controls, and help you build vendor onboarding/offboarding security processes.
Q: Can you help with ISO 27001 or Cyber Essentials Plus?
A: Yes. We regularly assist SMEs with achieving and maintaining standards — especially where clients or sectors demand assurance.
Q: We’ve been approached by a cyber service vendor. Can you help us evaluate them?
A: Yes. We regularly vet cybersecurity tools and service providers—balancing business risk, technical capability, and cost. We’ll help you decide whether they fit or not.
Q: Do you help negotiate contracts with MSSPs, MDR, or SaaS vendors?
A: Absolutely. We review SLAs, data protection terms, liability clauses, and ensure services are aligned with your risk appetite and legal obligations.
Book a Free Consultation
Secure your organisation, protect your stakeholders, and show your clients you take security seriously.