Cyber Advisory
A virtual CISO gives your institution experienced ownership of its information security program, without a full-time executive hire.
Why institutions use one
Boards and examiners expect clear ownership of information security. In many community institutions that job lands on a CIO, an operations leader or an IT manager who already has a full plate.
A virtual CISO brings the experience of the role on a schedule that fits your institution, and leaves your team with decisions, owners and evidence written down.
What a virtual CISO does
Engagements are scoped to your institution. These are the responsibilities a virtual CISO typically takes on.
Set security priorities and a roadmap, keep decisions moving and make sure each risk has an owner.
Prepare reporting in plain language, so directors can see where the program stands and what needs a decision.
A written security program and policies your team can follow, with evidence organized before an exam or audit arrives.
Risk assessments, third-party and vendor risk, and incident response planning, scoped in writing before work begins.
Led by experience
Dan Sitton, Guardian's founder, is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran with more than 25 years in IT and cybersecurity, including Chief Information Security Officer and Chief Information Officer roles in banking. Guardian began as a security advisory practice for banks and other regulated institutions.
Guardian does such a good job, that for the first time in my career, I can hand something over to someone and it’s actually off my plate. They aren’t a vendor, they’re a teammate. I regret not doing this years ago.
How it starts
Your priorities, who owns security decisions today and any exam, audit or board deadline on the calendar. It is not an assessment, and there is nothing to send in advance.
What the role covers, how often we meet, what access is needed, what you receive and what it costs, in writing.
Decisions, owners and evidence documented as we go, so leadership and the board know where things stand.
See all Cyber Advisory services.
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Read the articleNo. Running technology day to day and leading the security program are different jobs. A virtual CISO works alongside your IT team and vendors, and the written scope makes clear who owns each responsibility.
Guardian helps leadership prepare: the program, the policies, the evidence and the story behind each decision. The exam itself remains between your institution and its examiners. How Guardian supports exam conversations is agreed in your scope.
Yes. The leadership work is similar: a board that needs clear reporting, a program that has to be written down and followed, and reviews that ask for evidence.
It depends on what your institution needs, such as regular leadership meetings, board reporting before each board meeting and extra time before an exam. The cadence is set out in your written scope.
It depends on the size of the institution, the work involved and how much of the program already exists. We agree the scope first, then propose a price in writing.
Tell us what is coming up. We will help you work out the right next step.
Prefer the phone? Call (430) 288-4710. Already a Guardian client? Go to Client Support.
