The role of chief information security officer (CISO) is crucial in many organizations today.

However, not every company can justify a full-time, in-house CISO, making virtual and advisory services more valuable.

Who offers virtual CISO (vCISO) solutions, and which are the best options? As with many IT services, the best vCISO depends on your unique situation.

Still, a few frontrunners deserve attention more than the rest, so here are the top 10 virtual CISO providers to consider.

1. Compass IT Compliance

The ultimate best virtual CISO solution comes from Compass IT Compliance for its extensive range of services and compliance options. Compass has experience in many regulations, from the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Despite such coverage, it often entails 30% to 40% lower costs than a traditional CISO.

Compass boasts dozens of quality and security certifications, showcasing its ability to drive results and ensure reliability in virtually any IT context. Its service offerings are equally diverse, ranging from ongoing monitoring to security assessments to vendor management.

2. FRSecure

Award-winning FRSecure is another one of the best virtual CISO providers. Like Compass, FRSecure has over 50 certifications between its employees, lending it plenty of experience and expertise across multiple industries.

FRSecure begins its vCISO services by performing a full risk assessment and developing a roadmap based on its findings and your goals. From there, the company provides coaching, incident response, infrastructure upgrades and more to improve your cybersecurity posture. It also does not sell any tools, so you can trust that its recommendations are unbiased.

3. Fractional CISO

Many vCISO solutions come from general cybersecurity partners, but Fractional CISO is a virtual CISO first and foremost. That focus means it fully understands what you need from these roles and what issues businesses commonly encounter.

Fractional CISO specializes in helping organizations earn certifications and ensure compliance. That includes ISO 27001, HIPAA and PCI DSS assurance, among others. The company will also review and oversee the design and implementation of many case-specific cybersecurity improvements, making it a great partner if you already have particular goals in mind.

4. Tangible Security

Advisory firm Tangible Security is also worth consideration. In addition to its decades of service, it specializes in managed solutions like penetration testing, incident response and security training. As a result, it has firsthand experience in the kinds of threats you’ll face in the real world and which fixes work the best to address them.

Tangible’s regulatory coverage includes General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), ISO 27001, HIPAA and Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) compliance. The company also emphasizes keeping up with developing technologies, such as ensuring responsible artificial intelligence (AI) usage.

5. Kroll

Another adviser with leading vCISO services is Kroll, which has served more than half of the Fortune 100. The firm’s team consists of several former CISOs, so they understand the security concerns you may face and the business implications surrounding them.

Like FRSecure, Kroll starts with an assessment to gauge your current IT security landscape. In addition to focusing on case-specific improvements, the provider stresses proactive rather than reactive cybersecurity in the strategies it helps you craft. Such an approach is particularly beneficial for those in high-risk or tightly regulated industries.

6. Integris

Managed service provider Integris offers another one of the best virtual CISO solutions. Integris focuses on making complex cybersecurity considerations accessible to companies that may lack the experience or expertise to make the most of them otherwise.

On top of providing custom security solutions, Integris’s vCISO platform offers summary reports and a 24/7 help desk. These customer service features make it easier for even the least experienced IT departments to manage increasingly complicated environments. The firm also has experience with many regulations, including GDPR, CMMC and HIPAA.

7. BSI Group

The British Standards Institution, more commonly known as BSI Group, is a strong choice for those with an international presence. BSI works with companies across 193 countries and has operated as an auditing and certification provider for decades, so it boasts a level of experience few competitors can match.

BSI’s vCISO services focus on end-to-end attention, meaning they’ll work with you from early assessment stages through long-term implementation and monitoring. Not every organization needs support as extensive as BSI offers, but larger, complex operations can gain much from it.

8. Framework Security

For a narrower scope, consider Framework Security as your virtual CISO provider. While BSI manages a broad range of regulatory concerns, Framework works only in cybersecurity. That focus may make it less ideal for large, global businesses, but it may be all you need if IT security is your leading concern.

Framework specializes in cloud environments and capitalizing on new technologies like AI and automation. Most importantly, it stresses goals and continuous improvement over simply integrating innovations for the sake of being tech-centric.

9. SideChannel

Founded by former CISOs from multiple sectors, SideChannel is one of the best virtual CISO solutions for startups or other early-stage businesses. The firm focuses on developing a strong cybersecurity posture while your IT department is still in its infancy to prevent issues before they arise.

In addition to its vCISO offering, SideChannel runs a virtual chief privacy officer (CPO) service. That may be redundant for some organizations, but it’s a useful option if you must meet strict privacy requirements and lack a full-time CPO.

10. Purplesec

The cybersecurity experts at Purplesec also offer a vCISO solution. Purplesec claims its virtual CISO operations can get your company from entirely vulnerable to secure and compliant in a matter of weeks, making it an ideal choice for those facing tight deadlines or significant risks.

Following an assessment and audit, Purplesec’s vCISO team will develop a two- to three-year roadmap for your firm. In some cases, that may be too short a timeline, but it’s sufficient if you’re only using a vCISO as an intermediary before hiring a full-time internal CISO.

How to Choose a Virtual CISO Solution

Now that it’s clear who offers virtual CISO solutions, you should learn what factors to weigh when making your decision. Cost is the most obvious consideration. Traditional CISOs command a $341,000 annual salary on average, so any vCISO should be more cost-effective. However, some are still more affordable than others. Higher costs are acceptable if they translate to a greater range of services, but smaller operations may need to stick to budget-friendly options.

You can also narrow your choices by considering specific regulations that apply to you and any certifications you’d like to achieve. Remember to look for support for area-specific laws, not just large pieces of legislation like HIPAA and the CMMC. There are at least 19 state data privacy laws you may need to comply with, and providers don’t always list these on their websites.

Similarly, vCISO providers with experience in your industry are preferable. Cybersecurity concerns aside, your IT roadmap should adjust to unique business needs, so you’ll want to work with someone who understands your sector.

Finally, compare the range of complementary services and flexibility each potential partner offers. The optimal vCISO will adapt as your organization grows. If all other factors are equal between two companies, the one with a higher number of optional add-ons may be a better long-term solution.

Explore the Best Virtual CISO Solution Providers

The best virtual CISO provider varies depending on your industry, size, goals and needs. Still, you’ll be able to find one that works for you within these 10 companies. Once you know where to look and what to look for, it’s easier to find an intermediary or on-demand CISO that suits your situation.