What is a vCISO and do I need one for SOC 2?
What Is a vCISO?
A vCISO is a fractional security leader — typically a consultant with CISO experience who works with multiple companies on a part-time basis. They provide the compliance expertise that startups lack internally: writing security policies, designing controls, preparing for audits, and serving as the security point of contact for your organization.
What Does a vCISO Do for SOC 2?
| Task | What They Do | Time Required |
|---|---|---|
| Gap assessment | Review your infrastructure against SOC 2 requirements | 10–20 hours |
| Policy writing | Write 4–7 security policies customized to your stack | 20–40 hours |
| Control mapping | Map your controls to Trust Services Criteria | 5–10 hours |
| Evidence guidance | Tell you what evidence to collect and how | 10–20 hours |
| Auditor liaison | Communicate with the audit firm on your behalf | 5–15 hours |
| Remediation support | Help fix gaps found during readiness or audit | 10–30 hours |
How Much Does a vCISO Cost?
vCISO engagements for SOC 2 typically range from $5,000 to $30,000 depending on scope. Hourly rates run $200–$400. A full SOC 2 engagement (gap assessment through audit completion) usually takes 60–120 hours.
Do You Actually Need One?
You need a vCISO if:
- You have no one internally who understands compliance frameworks
- You are pursuing multiple frameworks simultaneously
- Your audit scope is large (100+ employees, multiple systems)
You probably do not need one if:
- Your team is under 50 people
- You are pursuing SOC 2 Security-only
- You are willing to use AI tools that provide the same expertise
The AI Alternative
Screenata performs the core vCISO tasks for SOC 2 automatically — analyzing your infrastructure, writing policies, mapping controls, and guiding evidence collection. It replaces the $5,000–$30,000 consultant engagement with a $299 starting price.