Strategy & Architecture / Virtual CISO
CISO-level leadership
without the CISO
price tag.
Most organisations need senior security leadership but can't justify a full-time CISO salary. Cliffside's Virtual CISO service gives you a dedicated, experienced security leader who understands your business, engages your board, manages your risk, and drives your security programme — at a fraction of the cost.
What we deliver
Everything a full-time CISO would own.
Your Cliffside vCISO takes ownership of all the things a senior security leader should be responsible for — without the salary, superannuation, leave, and overhead of a permanent hire.
A realistic, prioritised plan that sequences security investment by risk reduction — tied to your business objectives and budget realities.
Clear, jargon-free security updates for your board and executive team — the right information at the right level of abstraction.
Ownership of your risk register, regular risk assessments, and ongoing risk-based decision support for the business.
Programme management for ISO 27001, APRA CPS 234, Essential Eight, and other relevant frameworks — ensuring compliance without over-engineering.
Objective guidance on security tools, service providers, and technology decisions — vendor-agnostic advice aligned to your needs.
Leadership during security incidents — from initial triage through to recovery and post-incident review.
Who this is for
The right fit for three kinds of organisation.
You've outgrown ad-hoc security but aren't ready for a full-time CISO. You need someone to own security properly without the permanent headcount cost.
APRA, APRA CPS 234, ISO 27001, Essential Eight — you have compliance obligations that need senior oversight but your current team doesn't have the depth.
Your CISO is leaving, on leave, or the role is between hires. You need continuity without a gap in security leadership while you find the right permanent candidate.
Security leadership
when you need it.
Start with a free conversation. We'll understand your situation and tell you honestly whether a vCISO engagement is the right fit — and what it would look like.