Need a CISO, but not the overhead? We've got you covered!
From policy and risk to crisis response and compliance, Cingulum delivers experienced CISO expertise, without the full-time price tag.
The role of a CISO
A Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) isn’t just a technical expert, they’re a strategic guardian of the organisation’s most critical assets: data, trust, and continuity.
Security risks don’t only sit in servers or firewalls. They appear in human behaviour, supplier dependencies, compliance gaps, outdated policies, and business decisions. That’s why the modern CISO operates across departments, translating technical risk into clear business priorities.
Here’s what a CISO typically takes ownership of:
A CISO sets the vision and priorities for how security is approached within the organisation. They create policies and roadmaps that reduce risks, aligned with the organisation’s size, complexity, and growth plans.
- Aligns security goals with business objectives
- Develops policies that are practical, not theoretical
- Turns board-level expectations into clear action plans
The CISO identifies where your organisation is most vulnerable, whether it’s outdated systems, missing controls, or employee behaviour.
- Leads risk assessments across systems and processes
- Implements appropriate mitigation measures
- Prioritises what matters most based on business impact
From GDPR to NIS2, keeping up with regulatory requirements is more than a full-time job. A CISO works with other departments to ensure your organisation meets its obligations, and can prove it when needed.
- Monitors compliance status and deadlines
- Manages audits and reporting processes
- Works closely with legal and DPO functions
When something goes wrong, and it will, the CISO leads the response. From cyberattacks to accidental data leaks, they coordinate teams, limit damage, and ensure recovery plans are in place and tested.
- Defines incident response protocols
- Runs tabletop exercises and simulations
- Leads business continuity and disaster recovery planning
The CISO works with IT to make sure the right technical controls are in place and actually working. This includes identity management, vulnerability scanning, and third-party risk assessments.
- Ensures secure system architecture and change control
- Evaluates supplier security and third-party access
- Monitors technical risks in collaboration with IT teams
Even the best technology won’t protect you if your people aren’t informed. A CISO builds a culture of security, making it second nature across the entire organisation.
- Launches awareness campaigns and phishing simulations
- Trains employees to spot risks and report concerns
- Turns security into a shared responsibility
Why outsource a CISO?
Not every organisation needs, or can justify, a full-time, in-house CISO. But every organisation does need security leadership.
An external CISO offers all the strategic value of the role, without the overhead or rigidity. It’s a smart, scalable solution for organisations that want expertise, flexibility, and fast impact.
CISO as a service can also offer a short-term solution when your own internal CISO is currently unavailable or on temporary leave.
What you get with Cingulum
- A dedicated expert with hands-on sector experience
- Alignment with your business objectives and IT context
- Scalable support as your needs evolve
- Structured reporting, clear KPIs, and full accountability
- Possibility to scale towards extra support from an ISO
Curious who you’ll be working with?
Bartel Debbaut
Senior Information Security Consultant
Sarah Smolders
Senior Privacy & Information Security Consultant
Bart Van Deursen
Senior Information Security Consultant
Frequently Asked Questions
Not necessarily. Depending on your size and risk profile, an outsourced CISO can offer the same protection, with more flexibility and less cost.
We offer packages tailored to your needs. Let’s talk and find the best fit.
Absolutely. Our approach is collaborative: we extend, not replace, your internal structure and way of working.
Ready to outsource your CISO?
Whether you need strategic security leadership or hands-on help implementing a policy, we’re here. Let’s talk!
