In today’s digital landscape, growing companies face mounting pressure to demonstrate cybersecurity maturity. Whether it’s to win deals, attract investment, or pass audits, the need for robust security leadership is undeniable. However, many organizations can’t justify the cost of a full-time Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). Enter the fractional CISO, a strategic solution tailored for scalability and efficiency. We sat down with Stacey Robinson, founder of GP Tech Advisors, to delve into the benefits and roles of a fractional CISO.

Q: Stacey, what exactly is a fractional CISO, and how does it differ from a full-time CISO?

Stacey:

A fractional CISO is an experienced cybersecurity executive who provides high-level strategic and operational leadership on a part-time, contract, or project basis. Unlike a full-time CISO, who is a permanent member of an organization’s executive team, a fractional CISO is engaged flexibly, often for a fixed number of days per month or in milestone-based engagements tailored to a company’s evolving needs. This model is designed to build long-term and durable cybersecurity maturity without the expense of a full-time CISO.

Q: What are some of the biggest reasons companies choose to go this route?

Stacey:

Honestly, it comes down to access and flexibility. A fractional CISO gives you high-level guidance from someone who’s been through complex compliance environments, without the overhead of a full-time executive. And the security strategy is always tailored to where your business is in its journey. You’re not forced into one-size-fits-all programs.

Plus, it’s not just about putting out fires. Fractional CISOs help businesses stay ahead of risks, prepare for audits, and respond with confidence to security questionnaires from investors or customers. It’s really about helping teams move forward without feeling overwhelmed.

Q: What does a fractional CISO actually do once they’re engaged?

Stacey:

They do everything a traditional CISO would, just in a more agile and focused way. You’ll often find them building out the company’s security roadmap, reporting to leadership or the board, and helping with investor due diligence. They also help implement internal security controls, assess risks from third-party vendors, and support programs like ISO 27001 or SOC 2 if a company is trying to get certified.

And let’s not forget incident response. If something goes wrong, they’re the person who can guide the team through recovery and make sure it doesn’t happen again. The key difference is that a fractional CISO fits into your business rhythm instead of adding to the complexity.

Q: When do most companies realize they need this kind of support?

Stacey:

It usually happens when security starts becoming a blocker instead of an enabler. Maybe you’re close to landing a major client, but their procurement team is asking tough security questions. Or you’re gearing up for SOC 2 certification and realize you don’t know where to start.

Sometimes a company has just had a breach or a scare, and they want to make sure they’re not vulnerable again. And in other cases, it’s proactive, like during a funding round when investors are starting to scrutinize how you handle security. Those are the moments where having a trusted security leader, even part-time, can make a big difference.

Q: How does this model fit particularly well for startups and mid-sized businesses?

Stacey:

Startups and growing companies are constantly balancing ambition with limited resources. They can’t afford to throw money at problems just to check boxes; every investment has to move the business forward. That’s where a fractional CISO is so valuable. You’re not just buying hours, you’re gaining insight and structure from someone who understands how to build security programs that actually support growth.

And because the role can scale with you, it’s not just a temporary fix. As the business matures, the CISO’s involvement can evolve too, whether it’s supporting a full-time hire later on or continuing in a more strategic oversight role.

Final Thoughts:

Stacey:

Cybersecurity leadership doesn’t have to mean hiring a massive team or bringing on a C-level executive full-time. Sometimes what a business really needs is someone who can help them make smart, sustainable decisions that align with where they are now and where they want to go. That’s what a fractional CISO brings to the table.