Interim CISO
Experienced security leadership when you need it. No recruitment delays, no learning curve on the fundamentals.
Not every organisation needs a full-time CISO. But every organisation needs someone who can advise on information security at the strategic level, talk to the board in business terms, and make sure the right things are getting done.
Whether you call it an interim CISO, vCISO, or fractional CISO — the principle is the same: experienced security leadership, scaled to what your organisation actually needs.
When does an Interim CISO make sense?
Vacancy or transition
Your CISO has left, and recruiting a replacement takes months. In the meantime, security decisions still need to be made, the board still needs reporting, and projects keep moving. An interim keeps things on track while you find the right permanent hire.
Building the function
You've grown to the point where security needs dedicated leadership, but you're not sure what that looks like for your organisation. An interim CISO can establish the governance structure, define the role, and even help recruit your permanent CISO.
Regulatory pressure
NIS2, DORA, or ISO 27001 deadlines are approaching and you need someone who knows these frameworks and can drive compliance without creating a bureaucratic nightmare. Someone who's done this before and knows what "proportionate" actually means.
Transformation or M&A
A merger, acquisition, or major IT transformation creates security risks that need experienced oversight. Due diligence, integration planning, risk assessment, and making sure security doesn't become the reason a deal stalls.
What you get
An interim CISO from EnableNext operates as part of your leadership team, not as an external consultant writing reports that gather dust.
Strategic leadership
- Security strategy aligned with business objectives
- Board and executive reporting in plain language
- Risk-based decision making, not checkbox compliance
- Security programme development and governance
Operational oversight
- Policy development and review
- Incident response planning and coordination
- Vendor and third-party risk management
- Security awareness and culture building
Regulatory compliance
- NIS2 readiness assessment and implementation
- ISO 27001 gap analysis and roadmap
- DORA compliance for financial services
- GDPR security requirements
Architecture and risk
- Enterprise security architecture development
- Risk assessment and treatment planning
- Security by design in projects and change
- Technology and tooling strategy
How it works
- Flexible engagement — Typically 3 to 12 months, 2-5 days per week. Scaled to what your organisation actually needs, not a fixed template.
- Fast start — Within the first two weeks: stakeholder mapping, quick assessment of the current state, and a 90-day priority plan. No three-month "discovery phase".
- Knowledge transfer — Everything built during the engagement stays with your organisation. Documented, handed over, and ready for your permanent team to continue.
- Board-ready from day one — 25+ years of experience means no ramp-up time on the fundamentals. Your interim CISO can present to the board in week one if needed.
Not a full-time CISO? Other options
If a multi-month engagement isn't what you need, there are lighter-touch alternatives.
Strategic advisory retainer
Ongoing access to senior security counsel. A few hours per month for the questions that keep coming up: vendor decisions, incident escalation, board preparation, architecture review.
Security assessment
A focused 2-4 week assessment of your security posture, governance, and readiness. Comes with a prioritised roadmap you can act on immediately.
Board briefing
A single session to bring your board up to speed on cybersecurity risks, regulatory obligations, and what "good" looks like for your organisation.
Need security leadership?
Let's have a conversation about what your organisation needs and how we can help.