This Fractional Ciso Executive position has been filled. Here's what you should know about similar Fractional CISO roles in the market.
A Fractional CISO provides part-time cybersecurity leadership, building security programs, managing compliance requirements, and protecting company assets.
A typical week includes security posture review, compliance gap assessment, vendor security evaluation, incident response planning, security awareness training oversight, and policy documentation.
SaaS companies pursuing SOC 2 certification, healthcare companies needing HIPAA compliance, and any company handling sensitive data that needs security leadership without a $250K+ full-time CISO.
One of the fastest-growing fractional executive roles. Enterprise customers increasingly require SOC 2 and security certifications from vendors, driving demand for security leadership at companies that previously had none.
Fractional CISOs typically have 15+ years in information security. Backgrounds include corporate CISO roles, security consulting at Big 4 firms, and senior security engineering roles.
Remote is the default for fractional ciso work, not the exception. A fractional ciso typically supports two to four companies at once, which only works when the engagements are location-independent. Expect most postings to be fully remote, with occasional travel for quarterly planning or board meetings.
| Remote engagement | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Hourly rate | $200-$400/hr |
| Monthly retainer | $8,000-$18,000/mo |
| Weekly hours | 10-15 hrs/week |
| Location | Remote / remote-first, occasional travel |
| Time zone | Most US clients want 3+ overlap hours |
When you search remote fractional ciso listings, read the time-zone line before the title. A US company that wants three or more overlap hours rules out a lot of offshore candidates, and a posting that says 'remote, US' usually means W-2 or 1099 in a US state rather than truly anywhere. Rates hold steady across geographies for remote work, so $200-$400/hr is the band to expect whether the company is in San Francisco or Tulsa.
When hiring a fractional ciso, look for candidates who have done the specific work your company needs, not just general leadership experience. The best fractional executives have built the systems and processes you need at similar-stage companies.
Ask for references from companies at your stage and size. A fractional executive who excelled at a Fortune 500 may not be the right fit for a 20-person startup, and vice versa. Industry experience matters less than stage experience in most fractional engagements.
Set clear deliverables and timelines upfront. Fractional engagements work best when both sides agree on specific outcomes, weekly time commitment, and how success will be measured. Avoid open-ended advisory arrangements without concrete goals.
A Fractional CISO provides part-time cybersecurity leadership, building security programs, managing compliance requirements, and protecting company assets.
Typical Fractional CISO compensation ranges from $200-$400/hr hourly or $8,000-$18,000/mo on a monthly retainer. Rates vary based on industry, company stage, scope of work, and the executive's experience level.
Most Fractional CISO engagements run 10-15 hrs/week per week, with typical engagement durations of 6-12 months. Hours can flex based on project demands, with some periods requiring more intensive involvement.
SaaS companies pursuing SOC 2 certification, healthcare companies needing HIPAA compliance, and any company handling sensitive data that needs security leadership without a $250K+ full-time CISO.
Key skills for a Fractional CISO include: Security program design (NIST, ISO 27001), Compliance frameworks (SOC 2, HIPAA, PCI-DSS), Risk assessment and management, Incident response planning, Security architecture review, Vendor security assessment. The right mix depends on your company's specific needs and stage.
Most Fractional CISO engagements are remote or remote-first. The work runs over video, shared dashboards, and a weekly standing call, so the executive rarely needs to be on-site. On-site days, when a company asks for them, usually cluster around board meetings, fundraising, or annual planning. Remote rates hold steady at $200-$400/hr, the same band as in-person work.
