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Virtual CISO Services London

Fractional security leadership for ISO 27001 governance, UK GDPR programme management, risk register development and board-level security reporting, without the cost of a full-time Chief Information Security Officer.

Softomate vCISOs act as accountable security leads for auditors, regulators and insurers within a structured monthly engagement. Virtual CISO retainers start from £2,500 per month.

  • Retainers from £2,500 per month
  • Most engagements start within two weeks of scope agreement
  • 90-day security programme plan
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07442 569900
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Benefits and fit

What should a virtual CISO take off your plate?

London SMEs, scale-ups and FCA-regulated businesses gain the most value when compliance deadlines, investor due diligence or ICO risk make security leadership urgent.

ISO 27001 governance leadership

Your vCISO leads the ISO 27001 gap assessment, builds the Statement of Applicability, oversees Annex A control implementation and manages the certification audit process. Most Softomate clients achieve ISO 27001 certification within six to twelve months of engagement start without needing additional internal security resource.

UK GDPR programme management

Your vCISO manages DPIA processes under UK GDPR Article 35, Records of Processing Activities mapping, lawful basis documentation and ICO breach notification procedures. Supplier Data Processing Agreements and DPA 2018 retention reviews are completed as part of the ongoing monthly programme.

Board-level security reporting

Monthly or quarterly board reports translate risk register findings into business risk language, including ISO 27001 programme progress, key risk indicators, incident summaries and NCSC Cyber Essentials posture. Softomate vCISOs attend board or audit committee meetings to present the programme and answer regulatory questions directly.

Incident readiness and certification support

Incident response plans are drafted and tested with tabletop exercises before a real incident occurs, with ICO breach notification timelines embedded. For Cyber Essentials Plus and SOC 2 readiness, the vCISO coordinates technical testing and evidence without duplicating security documentation effort.

Before you commit

Is a virtual CISO the right starting point?

A good fit

Compliance deadlines, investor due diligence or ICO risk have made security leadership urgent. You need ISO 27001 governance, UK GDPR programme management and board reporting without the cost of a full-time CISO.

A wider scope may suit you

If you need technical security work alongside leadership, combine a virtual CISO with our cyber security consultancy, VAPT penetration testing services, endpoint protection services and complete testing services.

What we deliver

What does a virtual CISO engagement include?

Five areas of governance, compliance and risk work. Expand an area to see what it covers.

ISO 27001 implementation and certification

Compliance teams get a structured ISO 27001 programme led by a vCISO from gap assessment through Statement of Applicability, Annex A control implementation, internal audit and certification audit management.

Risk register updates align to ISO 27005 methodology throughout. Risks are scored by likelihood and impact, mapped to ISO 27001 controls and tracked through treatment plans, with quarterly reviews as your technology estate and threat landscape evolve.

Most Softomate clients achieve certification within six to twelve months without creating a full internal security team.

UK GDPR and ICO compliance programme

Operations and legal teams get a managed UK GDPR compliance programme covering DPIA processes, Records of Processing Activities, lawful basis documentation, subject access request procedures and Data Processing Agreement reviews.

ICO breach notification timelines under DPA 2018 are tested through tabletop exercises. FCA-regulated clients receive additional advice on SYSC cyber resilience rules alongside the GDPR programme.

Security strategy and board reporting

Boards and leadership teams get a multi-year security road map that aligns investment decisions to ISO 27001 controls, NCSC Cyber Essentials requirements and organisational risk appetite.

Monthly or quarterly board reports translate technical risk register findings into business risk language. Softomate vCISOs attend board and audit committee meetings to present the programme directly.

Incident response and crisis management

IT and operations teams get documented incident response plans covering containment, notification and recovery workflows for ransomware, data breach and DDoS scenarios.

Tabletop exercises test procedures with technical and leadership teams before a real incident occurs. ICO breach notification timelines, FCA operational incident reporting and DPA 2018 requirements are embedded in every plan.

Supplier and third-party security reviews

Procurement and legal teams get structured third-party risk assessments that evaluate supplier security posture against ISO 27001 controls, UK GDPR data processing obligations and NCSC supply chain guidance.

Reviews produce a supplier risk register, remediation recommendations and contractual security annexe templates. Critical suppliers are prioritised for annual review cycles with updated risk ratings.

Scope

What shapes a virtual CISO engagement?

How the retainer is scoped, which frameworks it works toward and how the board is kept informed.

Retainer scope

Scope is set by your headcount, regulatory obligations and current security maturity. A 30-person professional services firm with GDPR obligations and ISO 27001 aspirations sits at the low end of the range. A 200-person FCA-regulated firm sits significantly higher.

Certification and framework targets

Most clients are working toward ISO 27001 certification or Cyber Essentials Plus accreditation. An ISO 27001 roadmap and Cyber Essentials Plus guidance are included in the retainer scope. For businesses with US clients or investor requirements, programmes can be structured against the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, and the vCISO can lead SOC 2 readiness assessments.

Board reporting rhythm

Reports are monthly or quarterly. Board reports are written in plain English for Directors, with a risk register dashboard, top-3 open risks, remediation progress and an incident summary.

Our process

How does a virtual CISO engagement run?

Softomate maps your security posture, builds a prioritised programme plan, leads compliance workstreams and delivers monthly board reporting in structured engagement phases. Business owners, IT leads, legal contacts and compliance managers stay involved throughout.

  1. Discover

    Assess your security posture

    Colleagues mapping a workflow with notes on a wall
    Library photography, not client work.

    Current security policies, risk register, technical controls, compliance obligations and board reporting requirements are assessed in an initial security workshop with business owners and IT leads.

    What you receiveA security posture report, compliance gap summary and priority risk list before the 90-day programme plan is drafted.

    How we do this

    Most engagements begin within two weeks of scope agreement. ISO 27001 gap assessments, UK GDPR reviews and NCSC Cyber Essentials readiness checks can begin in parallel during the first month.

  2. Plan

    Agree the programme and milestones

    Reviewing charts and project information on a tablet
    Library photography, not client work.

    Security programme priorities, ISO 27001 certification timeline, UK GDPR workstream scope and board reporting schedule are agreed with business owners, legal leads and IT managers.

    What you receiveA security road map, programme milestone plan and acceptance criteria for ISO 27001, NCSC Cyber Essentials and UK GDPR compliance workstreams.

    How we do this

    The vCISO produces a 90-day security programme plan in the first month that prioritises the highest risks first.

  3. Design

    Design the policies and reporting

    Working with source code at a desktop computer
    Library photography, not client work.

    Security policies, risk assessment methodology, ISO 27001 Statement of Applicability and DPIA templates are designed with legal, IT and operations owners.

    What you receiveAn approved policy framework, ISO 27005 risk register structure and board reporting template before the implementation workstreams begin.

    How we do this

    Board reports are designed for Directors: plain English, with a risk register dashboard, top-3 open risks, remediation progress and an incident summary.

  4. Build and integrate

    Implement controls and compliance workstreams

    Colleagues reviewing software on two monitors
    Library photography, not client work.

    ISO 27001 Annex A controls, UK GDPR compliance workstreams and incident response plans are implemented in phased sprints with IT, legal and operations contacts.

    What you receiveSupplier risk reviews, DPIA outputs and internal audit evidence, produced in parallel to support certification timelines and compliance deadlines.

    How we do this

    Controls and workstreams are implemented in phased sprints, with the supplier risk reviews, DPIA outputs and internal audit evidence produced in parallel.

  5. Launch and optimise

    Run governance as a monthly service

    A team attending a presentation in a meeting room
    Library photography, not client work.

    Ongoing governance, monthly board reporting, ISO 27001 surveillance audit management and UK GDPR programme maintenance are delivered as a continuous monthly service.

    What you receiveRisk register reviews, incident response tabletop exercises and supplier reassessments that keep the programme current.

    How we do this

    Ongoing delivery is structured by monthly milestone reviews, so you can track security programme progress from the first reporting cycle.

Relevant results

What have virtual CISO engagements achieved?

Four outcomes reported from Softomate virtual CISO engagements. The figures belong to each project.

Financial services · London FinTech scale-up · 45 staff

London FinTech: ISO 27001 certification achieved in nine months

A London FinTech scale-up with 45 staff preparing for Series A investment received a Softomate vCISO engagement targeting ISO 27001 certification. The vCISO led the gap assessment, built the Statement of Applicability, implemented Annex A controls and managed the certification audit.

ISO 27001 certification was achieved nine months after engagement start. The certification materially supported the firm's Series A due diligence process and FCA application.

Nine monthsfrom engagement start to ISO 27001 certification

45 staffFinTech scale-up preparing for Series A investment

Case study outcomes from real Softomate virtual CISO engagements. Client names anonymised per NDA. Results are specific to each project.

Legal services · London law firm · 80 staff

Law firm: ICO audit query resolved in eight weeks

A London law firm with 80 staff received an ICO audit query regarding UK GDPR data processing records. The Softomate vCISO produced Records of Processing Activities, lawful basis documentation, DPIA outputs and supplier DPA evidence within six weeks.

The ICO query was resolved without enforcement action eight weeks after engagement start. The vCISO remained engaged to manage the ongoing UK GDPR compliance programme.

Eight weeksto resolve the ICO query without enforcement action

Six weeksto produce the Records of Processing Activities and supporting evidence

Case study outcomes from real Softomate virtual CISO engagements. Client names anonymised per NDA. Results are specific to each project.

Healthcare technology · NHS-contracted HealthTech platform

HealthTech platform: incident response plan tested and board approved

An NHS-contracted HealthTech platform received a vCISO-led incident response programme covering ransomware, data breach and ICO notification scenarios. Tabletop exercises tested procedures with clinical and IT teams.

The board approved the incident response plan six weeks after engagement start. A subsequent ransomware attempt was contained within four hours using the tested procedure, with no data exfiltration and ICO notified within 18 hours.

Six weeksfrom engagement start to board approval of the incident response plan

Four hoursto contain a subsequent ransomware attempt, with no data exfiltration

Case study outcomes from real Softomate virtual CISO engagements. Client names anonymised per NDA. Results are specific to each project.

Professional services · London firm with US clients

Professional services firm: Cyber Essentials Plus and SOC 2 achieved concurrently

A London professional services firm with US clients received a vCISO engagement targeting NCSC Cyber Essentials Plus and SOC 2 Type I concurrently. The vCISO coordinated technical testing, policy documentation and certifying body liaison for both programmes.

Both certifications were achieved within twelve months of engagement start, satisfying client contractual security requirements across UK and US enterprise accounts.

Twelve monthsto achieve both Cyber Essentials Plus and SOC 2 Type I

Two programmesrun concurrently by one vCISO engagement

Case study outcomes from real Softomate virtual CISO engagements. Client names anonymised per NDA. Results are specific to each project.

Delivery timeline

How quickly can a virtual CISO start?

Most Softomate virtual CISO engagements begin within two weeks of scope agreement. A 90-day security programme plan with prioritised risks is produced in the first month, so compliance progress starts immediately.

Engagement start

Within two weeks

Most engagements begin within two weeks of scope agreement, with an initial security assessment of policies, risk register, technical controls and compliance obligations.

Cyber Essentials

Within eight weeks

Most Softomate clients achieve Cyber Essentials within eight weeks of engagement start.

ISO 27001 certification

Six to twelve months

Most Softomate clients achieve ISO 27001 certification within six to twelve months of engagement start.

Planning information, not a delivery guarantee. The certification audit is managed with your chosen accredited body.

Pricing and running costs

How much does a virtual CISO cost?

Softomate virtual CISO services start from £2,500 per month. A full-time CISO in London typically commands a salary of £120,000 to £180,000 per year plus benefits and recruitment fees.

Virtual CISO retainerFrom £2,500 per month

Senior security leadership at a fraction of the cost of a permanent hire, scoped by hours required and responsibilities covered.

Full-time CISO in London, for comparison£120,000 to £180,000 per year

Typical salary, before benefits and recruitment fees.

What shapes the retainer

Scope factors
Headcount, regulatory obligations and current security maturity. A 30-person professional services firm with GDPR obligations and ISO 27001 aspirations sits at the low end of the range. A 200-person FCA-regulated firm sits significantly higher.
Included in every retainer
An ISO 27001 roadmap and Cyber Essentials Plus guidance. The vCISO owns the roadmap, coordinates with the certification body and manages the evidence collection process.

Engagements are scoped by hours required and responsibilities covered, including ISO 27001 governance, UK GDPR programme management and board reporting. Scope scales with your security programme milestones rather than a fixed headcount.

Discuss your requirements →

Why Softomate

Why choose Softomate as your virtual CISO?

One accountable senior contact, UK regulatory depth and board-ready reporting on a monthly retainer.

Software development work shown on the Softomate homepage

One accountable security lead with UK regulatory depth

A Softomate vCISO engagement covers the full CISO function: security strategy development, risk register ownership, board-level reporting, vendor security assessments and incident response coordination. One named senior contact. No scope confusion.

UK regulatory obligations (FCA PS19/16, ICO enforcement approach, NCSC Cyber Essentials scheme) have specific UK interpretation. Our vCISOs are UK-based and hold current knowledge of UK regulatory enforcement trends, not generalised international security frameworks.

Softomate vCISOs understand FCA SYSC cybersecurity guidance, ICO regulatory expectations and NHS DSPT requirements, so regulated clients receive sector-specific advice within the standard programme.

Certification and compliance programmes under one retainer

Softomate vCISOs have led ISO 27001 programmes from gap assessment through certification for London businesses across FinTech, HealthTech and professional services within six to twelve months.

DPIA management, Records of Processing Activities, ICO breach notification procedures and DPA 2018 retention reviews are all managed within the monthly vCISO engagement, not treated as separate projects.

An ISO 27001 roadmap and Cyber Essentials Plus guidance are included in every retainer. The vCISO owns the roadmap, coordinates with the certification body and manages the evidence collection process.

Board-ready reporting at fractional cost

Monthly board reports are written in plain English with a risk register dashboard, top-3 open risks, remediation progress and incident summary. Directors receive information they can act on, not technical jargon that requires a security background to interpret.

Softomate vCISO engagements start from £2,500 per month versus £120,000 to £180,000 per year for a full-time CISO. Scope scales with your security programme milestones rather than a fixed headcount.

Most engagements begin within two weeks of scope agreement. A 90-day security programme plan with prioritised risks is produced in the first month, so compliance progress starts immediately.

FAQs

Questions about virtual CISO services

Further guidance

Explore the virtual CISO details

Governance capabilities, sector use cases, related security services and client feedback. Open the areas relevant to your team.

Virtual CISO technical and governance capabilities

ISO 27001 and ISO 27005 expertise

Gap assessments, Statements of Applicability, Annex A controls and ISO 27005 risk registers are built and managed as part of the ongoing vCISO programme.

UK GDPR and DPA 2018 management

DPIA processes, Records of Processing Activities, lawful basis reviews and ICO breach notification procedures are managed within the monthly compliance programme.

NIST framework alignment

Security programmes can be structured against the NIST Cybersecurity Framework for organisations with US clients, investors or global supply chain requirements.

Cyber Essentials and SOC 2

NCSC Cyber Essentials Plus and SOC 2 readiness assessments run alongside ISO 27001 delivery. Evidence preparation and certifying body liaison are managed by the vCISO.

Incident response planning

Documented incident response plans with ICO notification timelines, FCA reporting obligations and tabletop exercises prepare teams before a real incident occurs.

Board security reporting

Monthly or quarterly board reports translate ISO 27001 risk register findings into business risk language with key risk indicators and regulatory deadline tracking.

Virtual CISO use cases across London regulated sectors

Virtual CISO engagements deliver ISO 27001 governance, UK GDPR programme management, board-level security reporting and incident response planning for London businesses that need strategic security leadership without a full-time hire. The model suits regulated industries where FCA cybersecurity guidance, ICO obligations and investor due diligence make credible security governance a commercial requirement. Softomate vCISOs begin programme delivery within two weeks of engagement start.

ISO 27001 programme for FinTech scale-ups

FinTech scale-ups preparing for Series A investment or FCA authorisation receive a vCISO-led ISO 27001 programme covering gap assessment, Statement of Applicability, Annex A controls and certification audit management. FCA SYSC cybersecurity guidance is embedded throughout. Softomate clients typically achieve ISO 27001 certification within nine months of engagement start.

UK GDPR programme for professional services

Law firms, accountancy practices and consultancies receive vCISO-managed UK GDPR programmes covering DPIA processes, Records of Processing Activities, supplier DPAs and ICO breach notification procedures. DPA 2018 retention schedules are reviewed and updated quarterly. Most clients pass ICO audit queries within the first six months of engagement using vCISO-produced evidence.

Board security reporting for London SMEs

London SMEs without an internal security function receive monthly board security reports that translate ISO 27001 risk register findings into business risk language. Key risk indicators, incident summaries and NCSC Cyber Essentials posture are presented at board or audit committee level. Softomate vCISOs attend meetings as required to answer regulatory questions directly.

Incident response for HealthTech businesses

NHS-contracted and HealthTech businesses receive vCISO-led incident response plans covering ransomware, data breach and ICO notification scenarios. Tabletop exercises test response procedures with clinical and technical teams. FCA operational incident reporting and ICO 72-hour notification timelines under UK GDPR Article 33 are embedded in every tested plan.

Related security services

Cyber security consultancy

ISO 27001 gap analysis, NCSC Cyber Essentials readiness and STRIDE threat modelling provide the technical foundation that underpins your vCISO-led security programme.

Penetration testing and VAPT

Regular VAPT engagements provide the technical security evidence that your vCISO uses to update the ISO 27001 risk register and demonstrate UK GDPR Article 32 technical measures.

Endpoint protection services

CrowdStrike Falcon and Microsoft Defender for Endpoint deployments provide the technical security controls that your vCISO reports on in monthly board security updates.

Complete testing services

Functional, regression and security testing services provide quality and compliance evidence that your vCISO can reference in ISO 27001 and board security reporting.

What clients say

"From understanding requirements and offering solutions, to implementing functionality accurately and very promptly, your business is in great hands."

R. Nagpal, Google review

"They have this attitude which says 'Nothing is too much trouble.' This is what makes them so approachable."

P. Mathur, Google review

Work with us

Let's talk about a virtual CISO for your business

Virtual CISO London services for ISO 27001 governance, UK GDPR programme management and board-level security reporting. Fractional CISO expertise, risk register development and incident response planning give your business credible security leadership without the cost of a full-time hire.

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Deen Dayal Yadav, founder of Softomate Solutions

Deen Dayal Yadav

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