2026 buyer's guide
How much does a fractional CISO cost?
The useful answer depends on whether you are buying occasional advice or accountable program leadership. Here is how to compare the models—and what VISO charges.
The short answer
Fractional CISO cost is driven by the time commitment, business complexity, compliance obligations, incident responsibility, and how much execution remains with the client. Advisory-only work sits below embedded operator engagements; interim leadership and complex regulated programs cost more.
VISO Group uses fixed, transparent monthly pricing: $3,500 for Essentials, $6,000 for Professional, and $10,000 for Enterprise. Each tier includes defined advisory capacity and ThreatScope at the matching service level.
What changes the price?
- Company size, locations, and technical complexity
- Regulatory and customer-assurance requirements
- Board, investor, and executive reporting cadence
- Incident-response availability and decision authority
- Number of active initiatives and third parties
- Whether the internal team executes the roadmap or needs embedded support
VISO Group pricing
Essentials
$3,500/mo
8 advisory hours, monthly operating review, quarterly executive review, and ThreatScope Starter.
Professional
$6,000/mo
16 advisory hours, biweekly collaboration, compliance and incident guidance, and ThreatScope Professional.
Enterprise
$10,000/mo
32 advisory hours, weekly collaboration, program oversight, team mentoring, and ThreatScope Enterprise.
Compare total operating cost, not only the retainer
A cheaper advisory plan can become expensive if nobody owns follow-through. Ask who maintains the risk register, prepares board reporting, coordinates audit work, evaluates vendors, handles urgent decisions, and keeps the roadmap moving. A fractional CISO should create decision velocity—not another list of recommendations.
When a defined project is the better first step
If the current state is unclear, start with a focused assessment and 90-day roadmap. That gives leadership a concrete baseline and makes the right recurring service level easier to determine.
Questions to ask before signing
- Will we have a named senior practitioner?
- Who owns the roadmap and executive reporting?
- What work is included, and what is separately scoped?
- How quickly can we reach the CISO during an incident?
- How are outcomes reviewed and the engagement resized?