When it comes to information security, having IT support is no longer enough. As supply chain demands, client expectations, and regulations increase, businesses need leadership that goes beyond technical fixes. That is where LeftBrain’s vCISO service comes in.

A vCISO, or virtual Chief Information Security Officer, provides the strategic security leadership of a CISO without the cost of a full-time hire. We sat down with Charlie, CEO of LeftBrain, Lucas, who leads our governance, risk and compliance (GRC) function, and Matt, Information Security Analyst, to talk about why this model is growing so fast, what makes LeftBrain’s approach different, and the real business value it delivers.

Why more companies are turning to vCISO

Charlie explains the shift: “It used to be that an organisation could get by with just IT support covering basic security needs. But that’s no longer good enough. To win contracts and meet growth ambitions, businesses need an organisation-wide approach to managing information security. That requires leadership in governance, risk and compliance, not just technical security. We’ve seen a huge increase in demand for those services, which is why we started our vCISO programme.”

Breaking down misconceptions

Many businesses still don’t know that a vCISO is an option. Matt sees this first-hand: “The biggest misconception is that most people don’t actually know what a vCISO is. Small and mid-sized companies usually think they either need to hire a full-time CISO or try to figure things out themselves. But the vCISO model gives you the best of both worlds. You get expert leadership without the full-time cost, someone who can step in and build a proper security roadmap without months of onboarding or a huge budget.”

Who needs a vCISO?

According to Lucas, the organisations coming to LeftBrain often already feel the pressure: “There’s usually someone internally who’s been given the data protection officer role or head of IT, and they’re being tasked with information security. They’re good at their job, but this isn’t what they do. Often it’s their customers or government regulations breathing down their necks. They need assistance so they can keep focusing on what they do best, while we provide the expert guidance at a reduced cost.”

What makes the LeftBrain model different

Charlie is clear that not all vCISO offerings are the same. “It’s easy to say ‘think of us as your vCISO,’ but it doesn’t mean much unless you have two things. First, leadership from people who are qualified not just in technical security but in governance and risk management, which is why I pursued chartered status. Second, a systematic approach. A vCISO isn’t just nice advice. It requires a repeatable, high-quality process to ensure the service is appropriate for the business and executed consistently.”

Lucas adds that agile delivery is key. “With ISO 27001 implementations, for example, we map out milestones and meet weekly with clients. It’s not about throwing a template at them and ticking a box. It’s about creating policies and processes that are meaningful, actionable, and actually secure the business.”

Quick wins and long-term value

In the first phase we focus on establishing a clear security baseline and closing obvious gaps. Often the right tools are already in place, but they need to be configured properly, aligned to policy, and backed by clear ownership. This delivers visible improvements quickly and gives the business a stable foundation to build on.

Over time, the impact extends far beyond configuration. As Lucas explains, “We’ve had clients start with nearly nothing. Once we put a framework in place, they saw the value. Even something as simple as an AI adoption policy opened their eyes to risks they hadn’t considered. It’s about making security relevant and embedding it into the business.”

The business case for vCISO

For Charlie, the value comes down to governance and confidence. “The first thing we ask is, what’s the mission of the organisation? Risk is anything that can stop a business fulfilling its mission. By embedding security in governance and decision-making, we give leaders the data and context to make better choices. The result is stronger posture, smoother audits, and the ability to demonstrate to clients, investors, and boards that risks are managed. At the end of the day, it helps everyone sleep better, from the IT team to the board of directors.”