The First 90 Days with a vCISO: What Your Business Should Expect

In today’s volatile cyber threat landscape, small and mid-sized businesses face the same cybersecurity risks as large enterprises, but not always with the same amount of resources. That’s where a virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) comes in: an on-demand cybersecurity leader who brings expertise, strategy, and structure to your security program, without the cost of a full-time executive hire.

At Socium Solutions, we help organizations make the most of their partnership with a vCISO. While our solutions are tailored to each partner’s distinct organizational needs, here’s an example of what your business could expect in the first 90 days, a critical period that lays the foundation for long-term success.

Phase 1: Discovery & Assessment (Days 1–30)

The initial month is all about listening, learning, and evaluating. Here’s what to expect:

Stakeholder Interviews: The vCISO will meet with key leaders across IT, HR, operations, legal, and executive teams to understand business objectives, regulatory obligations, and current security posture.
Security Assessment: This may include a gap analysis against frameworks like NIST, ISO 27001, or CIS Controls, tailored to your industry.
Review of Existing Policies & Tools: The vCISO will audit current cybersecurity tools, incident response plans, access controls, and vendor risk management processes.
Risk Identification: Early detection of glaring vulnerabilities or compliance gaps is a top priority.

Phase 2: Strategy & Roadmap Development (Days 31–60)

With a strong understanding of your environment, the vCISO shifts to strategic planning. Here’s what to expect:

Risk-Based Roadmap: A cybersecurity plan built around business priorities and budget.
Policy and Governance Development: Creation or refinement of key documents (e.g., Information Security Policy, Acceptable Use Policy, Incident Response Plan).
Security Awareness Training Plans: Initiating or updating staff cybersecurity training programs.

Phase 3: Execution & Program Activation (Days 61–90)

In the final stretch of the first 90 days, the vCISO will begin to operationalize the strategy. Here’s what to expect:

Project Kickoffs: Begin executing on approved roadmap initiatives. This could include MFA rollout, EDR deployment, or third-party risk assessments.
Metrics & KPIs: Establish and prioritize security performance indicators to begin tracking progress and communicate success to stakeholders.
Ongoing Advisory: Regular check-ins, roadmap refinement, deepening business engagement, and guidance on emerging risks or compliance changes.

A vCISO isn’t just a consultant; they are a strategic business partner. By the end of the first 90 days, your organization should have:

A clearer picture of its cybersecurity risks
A custom-fit strategy aligned with business goals
Early wins that reduce exposure and demonstrate value
A trusted advisor for ongoing risk and compliance decisions

At Socium Solutions, our vCISO services are tailored to help growing businesses build mature, defensible security programs, without overextending resources. Whether you’re navigating compliance challenges, preparing for audits, or proactively securing your environment, our team brings the leadership you need. Let’s make the first 90 days count.