sheep dog vCiso

Security should add value, not extra hassle. We help you concentrate on what you do best.

Our Virtual CISO (vCISO) program ensures organisations can navigate complex security challenges, align with regulatory requirements, and build resilient cybersecurity strategies—all with flexibility and cost efficiency.

What is a Virtual Ciso and What Can They do TO ADD VALUE TO my Business?

A Virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) provides expert, outsourced cybersecurity leadership, offering the same strategic guidance as a full-time CISO without the associated overhead. They develop tailored security strategies, conduct risk assessments, and ensure compliance with Australian regulations like the Privacy Act. This allows businesses to access top-tier cybersecurity expertise on a flexible, part-time basis, enabling them to proactively manage risks and protect sensitive data.

By engaging a vCISO, your business gains a crucial advantage in today’s threat landscape. They help create robust incident response plans, establish essential security policies, and foster a security-conscious culture. Ultimately, a vCISO strengthens your overall security posture, mitigates potential breaches, and provides cost-effective access to specialised knowledge, ensuring your business remains secure and compliant.

Typical Challenges We Solve for your Business

We're struggling to keep up with evolving cyber threats

Securitribe’s vCISO proactively anticipates and mitigates emerging threats, fortifying your defences and safeguarding your critical assets. We achieve this by continuously monitoring the threat landscape, leveraging advanced threat intelligence, and conducting regular vulnerability assessments. Our team stays ahead of the curve, understanding the latest attack vectors and developing strategies to counter them. We’ll implement cutting-edge security technologies and best practices, tailored to your specific environment, and provide ongoing training to your staff, ensuring they are aware of the latest threats. You’ll gain the confidence of knowing your business is protected by a team that’s always vigilant, allowing you to focus on your core operations.

We streamline your compliance efforts, ensuring adherence to Australian standards and eliminating the stress of regulatory audits. Securitribe will conduct a thorough gap analysis, identifying areas where your current security posture falls short of compliance requirements. We’ll then develop a clear, step-by-step roadmap to achieve compliance, providing detailed guidance and support throughout the process. We’ll help you create and maintain the necessary documentation, ensuring you’re always audit-ready. We’ll also provide ongoing updates on changes to relevant regulations, ensuring your business remains compliant in the face of evolving requirements. You’ll no longer feel overwhelmed by compliance; instead, you’ll feel confident knowing you’re meeting all necessary obligations.

Securitribe delivers expert cybersecurity guidance, empowering your team and filling critical knowledge gaps. Our vCISO will become an extension of your team, providing strategic advice and hands-on support. We’ll conduct knowledge transfer sessions, educating your staff on cybersecurity best practices and empowering them to play an active role in protecting your data. We’ll also provide ongoing mentorship and support, ensuring your team has the resources they need to succeed. With Securitribe, you’ll gain access to a team of experienced cybersecurity professionals without the need for costly in-house hires, strengthening your security posture and building internal capabilities.

Our vCISO services optimise your cybersecurity budget, providing cost-effective solutions and maximising your return on investment. We’ll conduct a thorough review of your existing security investments, identifying areas where you can reduce spending without compromising security. We’ll prioritise investments based on your risk profile and business needs, ensuring you’re getting the most value for your money. We’ll also provide ongoing monitoring and reporting, allowing you to track your cybersecurity spending and demonstrate the ROI of your investments. With Securitribe, you’ll gain control of your cybersecurity budget and ensure that every dollar is spent wisely.

We develop and implement robust incident response plans, enabling you to swiftly recover from cyberattacks and minimise disruption. Securitribe will work closely with your team to develop a customised incident response plan that addresses your specific risks and operational needs. We’ll conduct regular tabletop exercises to test your plan and ensure everyone knows their role in the event of an incident. We’ll also provide 24/7 incident response support, ensuring you have access to expert assistance when you need it most. With a strong incident response plan in place, you’ll be able to minimise the impact of cyberattacks and quickly restore your business operations.

Securitribe understands that ISO 27001 certification can feel like a daunting task, especially when it’s a critical requirement from your suppliers. We’ll demystify the process and provide a clear, structured pathway to certification. We’ll begin with a thorough gap analysis, comparing your current security posture against the ISO 27001 standard. This will identify the specific areas where you need to improve. We’ll then develop a comprehensive implementation plan, outlining the steps you need to take to achieve certification. Securitribe will guide you through the creation of your Information Security Management System (ISMS), including the necessary policies, procedures, and controls. We’ll provide hands-on support with documentation, risk assessments, and internal audits, ensuring you’re fully prepared for the external certification audit. We can also provide pre-audit checks, to give you the highest chance of passing your certification audit. We’ll act as your trusted advisor, providing expert guidance and support throughout the entire certification process. With Securitribe, you’ll not only achieve ISO 27001 certification, strengthening your supplier relationships, but also build a robust and sustainable information security framework that protects your business.

Our Approach to Security culture & Leadership

We build securiTribe's of security experts to deliver your security program and Tailor outcomes to meet your business growth objectives

Strategic Cybersecurity Leadership & Governance

Gain decisive cybersecurity leadership that aligns with your business objectives, ensuring robust governance and a proactive security posture. We guide your strategic decisions, fortifying your defences and driving secure growth.

How We Assist:

  • Board presentations and executive briefings.
  • Development of cybersecurity strategies and roadmaps.
  • Establishment of cybersecurity governance frameworks.
  • Regular security posture assessments and reporting.
  • Guidance on security investment decisions.

Comprehensive Policy Development & Management

Establish clear, actionable security policies that protect your sensitive data, ensure regulatory compliance, and create a secure work environment. We eliminate the complexities of policy creation and maintenance.

How We Assist:

  • Development of tailored cybersecurity policies and procedures.
  • Regular policy reviews and updates.
  • Implementation of policy enforcement mechanisms.
  • Employee policy training and communication.
  • Mapping policies to relevant compliance frameworks.

Proactive Risk & Compliance Management

Uncover hidden vulnerabilities and proactively eliminate threats with our comprehensive risk assessments, safeguarding your business from costly cyber incidents. We streamline compliance efforts, ensuring adherence to Australian standards and eliminating the stress of regulatory audits.

How We Assist:

  • Risk assessments and vulnerability analyses.
  • Development of risk mitigation strategies.
  • Compliance audits and gap analyses.
  • Preparation for regulatory audits.
  • Ongoing compliance monitoring and reporting.
  • ISO 27001, NIST, ASD Essential Eight implementation and maintenance.

Security Architecture & Implementation Oversight

Build a resilient security infrastructure with our expert guidance, ensuring seamless implementation and robust protection. We ensure your technology investments are aligned with best security practices, minimising risks and maximising efficiency.

How We Assist:

  • Security architecture design and review.
  • Oversight of security technology implementations.
  • Security configuration reviews and hardening.
  • Vendor security assessments.
  • Security technology roadmap development.

Incident Response & Business Continuity Planning

Swiftly recover from cyberattacks and minimise business disruption with our robust incident response plans, protecting your reputation and ensuring business continuity. We prepare you to handle any security incident.

How We Assist:

  • Incident response plan development and testing.
  • Incident response tabletop exercises.
  • 24/7 incident response support.
  • Business continuity planning and disaster recovery.
  • Post-incident analysis and reporting.

Virtual Cybersecurity Team Management & Coaching

Empower your internal team with our expert coaching and management, strengthening your cybersecurity capabilities and fostering a security-conscious culture. We build your team’s skills, giving you long lasting internal security knowledge.

How We Assist:

  • Mentoring and coaching for internal security teams.
  • Knowledge transfer and skill development.
  • Security awareness training programs.
  • Team performance assessments and improvement plans.
  • Guidance on security related recruitment.

what Sheep Dog VCISO clients have to say

How Securitribe's Sheep Dog vCISO Can Support Your Business Goals

✓ Experienced Cybersecurity Leaders

Our vCISOs are seasoned security professionals with deep expertise across governance, risk, compliance, and security operations.

✓ Cost-Effective & Scalable Engagements

We offer flexible pricing models to fit your business, whether you need ongoing vCISO support or on-demand strategic guidance.

✓ Tailored to Your Industry & Compliance Needs

We align security strategies with industry-specific regulations and compliance frameworks, ensuring your business meets security best practices.

✓ Focus on Long-Term Security Maturity & Business Growth

We work to build sustainable security programs, empowering your internal teams to improve security over time, whilst building trust with your customers.

Insights

Hear from our experts about current trends and how we’re helping secure our partners to make security better.

Frequently Asked Questions

I already have a Managed Services or IT Provider, why do I need a vCISO?

While your MSP/IT provider focuses on managing and maintaining your IT infrastructure, a vCISO brings a strategic layer to your cybersecurity efforts. The vCISO offers expert guidance on security policies, risk management, and regulatory compliance, ensuring your security posture aligns with your business goals and industry standards. The combination of both services ensures comprehensive protection.

A full-time CISO can be beneficial for large enterprises with complex security needs. However, many organizations, especially SMBs, find a vCISO to be a cost-effective solution that provides the same level of expertise and strategic oversight without the high costs associated with a full-time executive.

A vCISO works collaboratively with your MSP/IT provider, enhancing their efforts with strategic security leadership. They develop security policies, perform risk assessments, and ensure compliance, while the MSP/IT provider implements and manages these strategies. Regular communication and defined roles ensure seamless integration and effective collaboration.

A vCISO is there to complement and enhance your existing IT operations, not disrupt them. They work alongside your MSP/IT provider to identify gaps, develop strategies, and ensure that all security measures are effectively implemented. Their role is to provide strategic oversight and guidance without interfering with day-to-day operations.

Yes, a vCISO is well-versed in various industry regulations and standards such as ISO27001 and ASD Essential 8. They ensure that your security practices comply with these standards, helping you avoid penalties and build trust with your clients and stakeholders.

No, one of the key advantages of a vCISO is their flexibility. You can engage a vCISO on a part-time or project basis, scaling their involvement based on your organization’s needs and budget. This flexibility allows you to access top-tier security expertise without a long-term commitment.

A vCISO conducts thorough risk assessments, develops robust security policies, and ensures continuous improvement in your security measures. By taking a strategic approach, they help identify and mitigate potential threats, align security efforts with business objectives, and ensure long-term resilience.

While your MSP/IT provider may offer security services, a vCISO brings a higher level of strategic oversight and expertise. They focus on the bigger picture, ensuring that all security measures are part of a cohesive, comprehensive strategy. This includes aligning security efforts with business goals, managing compliance, and continuously improving your security posture.

A vCISO can begin making an impact immediately by conducting an initial assessment of your current security posture and identifying critical areas for improvement. From there, they develop and implement strategic plans tailored to your organization’s specific needs, providing ongoing guidance and oversight to ensure continuous improvement.

Absolutely. A vCISO plays a crucial role in incident response and crisis management, helping to develop and implement response plans, coordinate with your MSP/IT provider during incidents, and ensure that your organization recovers quickly and learns from each event to prevent future occurrences.

A vCISO (Virtual Chief Information Security Officer) offers on-demand or part-time cybersecurity leadership without the high costs of hiring a full-time executive. Unlike an in-house CISO who requires a six-figure salary, benefits, and long-term commitment, a vCISO provides:
Flexible pricing & engagement models (hourly, monthly retainer, or project-based)
Immediate access to expert security leadership without onboarding delays
Objective, third-party perspective on security risks and best practices

Pricing depends on the scope of engagement, organization size, and specific security needs. Our pricing models include:
💰 Hourly consulting – For short-term security reviews
💰 Monthly retainers – For ongoing security oversight and strategy
💰 Project-based pricing – For specific initiatives like compliance audits or security policy development

Get in touch for a customized quote based on your specific security needs.

A vCISO helps organizations identify and mitigate cybersecurity risks, ensuring compliance and resilience against threats. We assist with:
Regulatory compliance (ISO 27001, NIST, HIPAA, SOC 2, PCI-DSS, GDPR)
Incident response & breach recovery
Security program development & policy creation
Risk management & threat intelligence
Third-party vendor risk management

Absolutely. We specialize in helping businesses achieve compliance with security frameworks like:
🔹 ISO 27001 – Information Security Management System (ISMS)
🔹 SOC 2 – Data protection and security for service providers
🔹 PCI-DSS – Secure payment processing compliance
🔹 NIST & CIS controls – Best practices for government and enterprise security
🔹 HIPAA & GDPR – Privacy and security compliance for healthcare & EU data protection

We guide your organization through the entire compliance process, from risk assessments to audit preparation and remediation.

We understand that security concerns often require immediate attention. Typically, we can kick off an engagement within 5-7 business days, depending on the scope of work. For urgent security needs, we offer expedited onboarding.

Yes, we offer both one-time assessments and continuous security oversight. Whether you need a quick risk evaluation, an in-depth compliance audit, or long-term security management, we provide customized solutions to fit your needs.

If you answer YES to any of these questions, a vCISO could be the right fit:
❓ Are you concerned about rising cybersecurity threats but lack an in-house security leader?
❓ Are you unsure if your current security policies meet compliance standards?
❓ Do you struggle with limited cybersecurity expertise within your team?
❓ Have you recently faced a security breach or failed compliance audit?
❓ Are you looking for cost-effective cybersecurity leadership without hiring a full-time CISO?

Schedule Your Free Security Consultation Today

Strengthen your organisation’s cybersecurity leadership, risk management, and compliance strategy with expert vCISO services from Securitribe.

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