Fractional CISO for Growing SaaS Companies

Strategic security leadership without the full-time cost. Get CISO-level guidance on demand. $2K-$10K/month retainer. Incident response, governance, board support included.

25+
Years security leadership
50+
Fractional CISO engagements
$2K–$10K
Monthly retainer

What is a Fractional CISO?

Strategic security leadership on a flexible retainer

Not an Outsourced Help Desk

A Fractional CISO is your strategic security advisor. You get executive-level guidance, program governance, incident response leadership, and board-ready advice. Think of it as hiring a 25+ year security veteran without the $250K+ salary.

What You Get

• Strategic security roadmaps
• Compliance program oversight
• Incident response leadership
• Board/investor briefings
• Hiring guidance
• Vendor security reviews

Why Every Growing SaaS Needs a CISO

At your scale, it's not optional

✓ Enterprise Deal Requirements

Enterprise customers want to know you have a security executive. A CISO shows you take security seriously.

✓ Investor Confidence

Series A+ investors expect evidence of security governance. A Fractional CISO signals mature security practice.

✓ Incident Response Leadership

When a breach happens, you need someone who's been through it before. A CISO coordinates the response.

✓ Compliance & Audit Support

SOC 2, ISO 27001, investor diligence. A CISO ensures you're audit-ready and documentation is current.

Fractional CISO Engagement Model

What to expect month-to-month

Monthly Commitment

4-8 hours/month of strategic work. Flexible scheduling. Ad-hoc incident response available.

Month 1

Security posture assessment. Meet leadership. Build roadmap. Identify top 3 priorities.

Months 2-6

Execute roadmap. Quarterly board briefings. Manage compliance programs. Vendor reviews.

Ongoing

Incident response leadership. Policy updates. Audit readiness. Strategic guidance as needed.

Client Success: Fractional CISO Enabled Enterprise Sales

Real result from a growth-stage SaaS company

The Challenge

Company: Series A SaaS, 30 employees

Problem: No security executive on staff. Enterprise customers asking "Who owns security?" Leadership unclear on risk and compliance. Needed someone to credibly represent security to executives and investors.

What OnPointe Did

• Built security roadmap aligned with business goals
• Led ISO 27001 program implementation
• Prepared executive security briefings
• Coordinated compliance audits
• Advised on security hiring

The Results

✓ Enterprise customer confidence increased — CISO presence eliminated deal risk
✓ Investor-ready security program — Series B fundraising strengthened
✓ Ongoing strategic leadership — $4K/month retainer (less than 1 FTE)

Fractional CISO Pricing

Flexible, transparent retainers

Startup ($2K/month)

$2K–$4K/month

4 hours/month. Monthly strategy calls. Roadmap guidance. Compliance oversight. Good for pre-Series A companies getting audit-ready.

Growth ($4K–$7K/month)

$4K–$7K/month

6-8 hours/month. Board briefings. Incident response. Vendor reviews. Compliance audits. Ideal for Series A/B companies.

Enterprise ($7K–$10K/month)

$7K–$10K/month

10+ hours/month. Strategic leadership. Crisis management. Investor diligence. Full compliance program oversight.

Fractional CISO FAQs

Common questions answered

How is this different from a security consultant?

A consultant delivers projects. A Fractional CISO provides ongoing strategic leadership and acts as your security executive. They're embedded in your business, not just an advisor.

Can we transition to a full-time CISO later?

Yes. Many companies start with a Fractional CISO to validate security needs, then hire a full-time CISO. We'll help with the transition.

What about incident response?

Incident response is included and prioritized. If a breach happens, your CISO is available to lead the response immediately.

Do you help us hire a full-time security team?

Yes. We advise on hiring, roles, compensation, and culture fit for your security team as you scale.

Can we customize the engagement?

Absolutely. Monthly hours are flexible. Some companies need more early on, then less as programs mature. We adapt to your needs.

Complementary Services

Build a comprehensive security program

SOC 2 Audit-Ready

Achieve compliance for enterprise deals.

Entra ID Security

Secure identity foundation.

AI Governance

Manage emerging AI risks.

Ready for CISO-Level Security Leadership?

Let's talk about your security roadmap and strategic needs.