vCISO services in the UK: when to hire one, what to expect
A virtual CISO gives UK scale-ups executive-level security leadership without a £200k+ hire. This guide covers when a vCISO is the right call, what a good engagement looks like, and current UK day rates.
When a vCISO is the right hire
You have an enterprise customer asking for a named security contact. You're preparing for ISO 27001, SOC 2 or Cyber Essentials Plus. You're between full-time CISOs. Revenue is £5m-£50m and a full-time hire isn't justified yet.
£950-£1,750 per day. Independents at the lower end, established boutiques and Big 4 at the top. Most engagements are 2-4 days per month, dialling up around audits and major customer deals.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between a vCISO and a security consultant?
A vCISO is accountable for outcomes over time — the roadmap, the ISMS, the board narrative. A consultant is engaged for a specific deliverable. Different scopes, different rates.
Can a vCISO sign customer security questionnaires?
Yes — that's often exactly why UK scale-ups engage one. The named CISO on your trust portal can be your vCISO, and enterprise customers accept this when the engagement is properly documented.
Book a UK vCISO discovery call
Talk to the GoaTech team. We'll map your current position and show what a tailored UK-focused programme looks like.