Loading...
Loading...
Full-time temporary security leadership when you need it most. Expert interim CISOs for vacancy coverage, post-breach response, and security transformation.
An Interim CISO is a full-time temporary security leader who steps into your organisation for 3-12 months to fill a critical leadership gap, manage a security crisis, or drive a major transformation. They work 5 days per week as a fully embedded executive—not a part-time advisor.
Interim CISOs are deployed when you need immediate, expert security leadership but cannot wait 3-6 months to recruit a permanent CISO. They take complete ownership of your security function from day one: leading teams, managing crises, driving compliance, and representing security to the board.
"When your CISO leaves unexpectedly or you are recovering from a breach, you cannot afford a 6-month leadership vacuum. An interim CISO provides expert leadership within days, not months."
Unlike fractional or part-time security consultants, an interim CISO is a full-time executive hire for a fixed period. They attend all leadership meetings, manage your security team, own incident response, and drive strategic initiatives—exactly like a permanent CISO, but with a defined end date. This makes them ideal for bridging leadership gaps while you recruit, managing time-bound crises, or leading specific transformation programmes.
Full-time leadership responsibilities during the interim engagement
Lead post-breach response and remediation. Coordinate with forensics, legal, regulators, and customers. Rebuild security controls and restore trust.
Provide immediate CISO coverage when your security leader departs. Maintain team stability, strategic momentum, and stakeholder confidence.
Respond to regulatory enforcement actions. Lead urgent compliance programmes (SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR). Ensure audit readiness.
Manage and mentor your security team full-time. Provide direction, unblock issues, and ensure operational excellence throughout the engagement.
Lead major security transformations: cloud migration, zero trust implementation, security operating model redesign, or post-merger integration.
Represent security at board and executive meetings. Provide risk reporting, incident updates, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership.
Rapidly build security programmes from scratch. Establish policies, controls, processes, and tooling while recruiting permanent leadership.
Manage relationships with regulators, auditors, insurers, and customers during critical periods. Provide expert communication and crisis management.
Document processes, brief incoming permanent CISO, and ensure smooth handover. Leave the organisation stronger than you found it.
Critical situations requiring immediate full-time security leadership
Your CISO has resigned, retired, or been dismissed. You need immediate leadership coverage while recruiting a permanent replacement. Cannot afford a 3-6 month leadership vacuum.
Suffered a security breach or ransomware attack. Need expert crisis leadership to manage response, remediation, regulatory reporting, and stakeholder communication.
Received enforcement action from ICO, FCA, or other regulators. Need urgent compliance remediation and expert regulatory liaison to resolve violations.
Major transformation programme: cloud migration, zero trust rollout, post-merger security integration, or security operating model redesign requiring dedicated leadership.
Need to build enterprise security programme from scratch under tight timelines. Board mandate to establish security function before funding round or enterprise contracts.
Failed SOC 2, ISO 27001, or regulatory audit. Need expert leadership to remediate findings, rebuild controls, and achieve certification before customer deadlines.
Premium rates reflecting seniority, urgency, and full-time commitment
Understanding the different security leadership models
| Factor | Interim CISO | Fractional CISO | Permanent CISO |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time Commitment | Full-time (5 days/week) | Part-time (1-3 days/week) | Full-time (5 days/week) |
| Duration | Fixed-term (3-12 months) | Ongoing (12+ months) | Permanent hire |
| Day Rate | £1,500-£2,500/day | £900-£1,600/day | £180k-£300k salary |
| Time to Start | 1-2 weeks | 2-4 weeks | 3-6 months |
| Use Case | CISO vacancy, crisis, transformation | Do not need full-time CISO | Long-term leadership need |
| Best For | Urgent leadership gaps, post-breach | Startups, SMEs, ongoing advisory | Established security function |
Rapid deployment process for urgent leadership needs
We discuss your situation: CISO vacancy, post-breach crisis, regulatory remediation, or transformation programme. We understand your immediate needs, team structure, and timeline.
We present 2-3 interim CISOs with relevant crisis experience. Focus on industry expertise, regulatory knowledge, and proven track record in similar situations.
Rapid interview process with key stakeholders. Assess leadership style, crisis management approach, and cultural fit. Reference checks on previous interim assignments.
Agree day rate, duration, and deliverables. Interim CISO reviews documentation and begins planning before official start date. Fast-track onboarding prepared.
Interim CISO begins full-time engagement. Immediate assessment of situation, team meetings, stakeholder briefings. No learning curve—they hit the ground running.
At engagement end, interim CISO briefs permanent successor, documents processes, and ensures smooth handover. Exit report to board on programme status.
Whether you are facing a CISO vacancy, post-breach crisis, or urgent transformation, we can deploy expert interim security leadership within 1-2 weeks.