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CISOaaS: The Flexible Solution for Growing Businesses

  • Writer: Ben de la Salle
    Ben de la Salle
  • 5 days ago
  • 3 min read

Why Security Leadership Matters, Even If You’re Not a Big Enterprise

Cyber threats don’t discriminate by company size. Whether you’re a growing SME, a mid-market firm, or a regulated financial services provider, the risks are real and the consequences of a breach or compliance failure can be severe. Yet, for many organisations, hiring a full-time Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) simply isn’t practical or cost-effective.

 

This is where CISO-as-a-Service (CISOaaS) comes into play. At ICA Consultancy, we help clients access strategic security leadership without the overhead and long-term commitment of a permanent executive hire.


ICA Consultancy CISOaaS

 

What Is CISOaaS?

CISO-as-a-Service gives your business on-demand access to seasoned security leadership. Think of it as having a dedicated security expert on your team, guiding you through the complexities of cyber risk, regulatory requirements, and incident response, without the high cost and recruitment headache.

 

Our CISOaaS offering is designed to be flexible, pragmatic, and deeply integrated with your business. We work alongside your leadership, IT, and compliance teams to strengthen your security posture and support your long-term growth.

 

Key Benefits for Growing Businesses

1.    Cost Efficiency

Recruiting and retaining a full-time CISO is a significant investment, often out of reach for smaller firms. With CISOaaS, you get access to high-level expertise on a schedule and budget that fits your needs.

 

2.    Flexibility and Scalability

Your business is dynamic, and your security needs will change over time. Our service is designed to scale with you, providing more hands-on support during busy periods or major projects, and stepping back when things are steady.

 

3.    Real-World Expertise ICA Consultancy’s practitioners have decades of experience across financial services, healthcare, education, private equity, and more. You get practical, actionable advice from people who understand your industry and its unique challenges.

 

4.    Immediate Impact

We quickly assess your current security maturity, identify gaps, and prioritise improvements, so you see results fast, not months down the line.


How Does CISOaaS Work in Practice?

  • Tailored Engagements Our typical CISOaaS engagements run for two to four years on average, but we always start with your business goals and risk appetite. We begin with a maturity assessment, unless we can place reliance on a recent assessment, to map out your current security landscape, then create a strategic roadmap with clear, measurable milestones.

  • Integrated Support

    We don’t just hand over a report and walk away. Our team embeds with yours, remotely or on-site, providing leadership on policy development, incident management, compliance, vendor risk, and more. We’re available for board meetings, regulatory reviews, and day-to-day decision-making.

  • Ongoing Advisory

    As your business grows or pivots, we adjust our support. Need to prepare for a new regulation? Launching a new product? Facing a security incident? We’re on hand to help you navigate every challenge.

 

Common Challenges Solved by CISOaaS

  • Regulatory and Standards Compliance: From GDPR to DORA and Cyber Essentials to ISO27001, we help you interpret and implement complex requirements—reducing the risk of fines and reputational damage.

  • Risk Management: We identify, assess, and mitigate threats across your business and supply chain, ensuring your controls are fit for purpose.

  • Incident Response: We develop and test robust response plans, so you’re ready to act quickly and confidently if an incident occurs.

  • Security Awareness: We work with your teams to build a culture of security, turning your staff into a proactive line of defence.

  • Vendor and Third-Party Risk: We help you assess and manage risks from suppliers, partners, and outsourced services.

 

Real Results: What Clients Achieve with CISOaaS

Our clients typically see:

  • Improved security maturity and resilience

  • Greater board and stakeholder confidence in cyber risk management

  • Reduced exposure to threats and compliance gaps

  • More efficient use of security budgets and resources

  • Stronger relationships with customers and regulators


Whether you’re preparing for an audit, responding to a security event, or building a long-term strategy, CISOaaS provides the leadership and assurance you need—without the overhead.

 

Why ICA Consultancy?

  • Proven Track Record: We’ve delivered CISOaaS for nearly a decade, for organisations in financial services, healthcare, education, and beyond.

  • Pragmatic Approach: We focus on solutions that are practical, sustainable, and aligned with your business objectives.

  • Industry Insight: Our team brings deep, hands-on experience and a passion for making cybersecurity accessible to all.

  • Flexible Delivery: From short-term projects to ongoing leadership, we adapt to your needs—always as a trusted partner, not just a vendor.

 

Ready to Strengthen Your Security Leadership?

If you’re looking for expert guidance without the commitment of a full-time hire, CISO-as-a-Service could be the answer. Let’s have a conversation about your goals and how ICA Consultancy can help you achieve them.

 

 
 
 
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