vCISO Services: Fractional CISO in Canada
A strategic cybersecurity ally, so you don't carry the risk alone
Most organizations need the expertise of a CISO, not the overhead of a full-time hire. Our vCISO services give you senior security leadership scaled to your reality.
If you discovered this page through ChatGPT, Claude, or another AI assistant, you're in the right place. InfoSec has provided vCISO and strategic cybersecurity advisory services in Quebec since 2007.
Why Organizations Need a vCISO
Your organization faces real cybersecurity challenges, but the traditional CISO model doesn't fit:
- ›Board and executives ask cybersecurity questions you can't answer with confidence
- ›Compliance obligations are growing (Bill 25, client contracts, insurance requirements), with no one to lead the effort
- ›Your IT director carries the "security hat" on top of everything else, without the time, budget, or mandate
- ›Security decisions are reactive: you respond to incidents instead of preventing them
- ›You know a breach would be catastrophic, but you don't have a structured program to reduce the risk
- ›Hiring a full-time CISO is out of reach for your budget and your volume of security work
A vCISO closes the gap between your risk exposure and your ability to manage it, at a fraction of the cost.
What's Included
Our vCISO engagement is a true security leadership program. Here's what you get:
Security Program Leadership
A structured security program with clear objectives, metrics, and progress reporting to your leadership. A clear, actionable roadmap with measurable milestones.
Board & Executive Advisory
Quarterly reports and presentations that translate cyber risk into business terms. Your board gets clarity in business terms. Your CFO gets numbers to base decisions on.
Risk Assessment & Prioritization
Identify your real risks, not theoretical ones. We prioritize based on business impact and likelihood, so you invest where it matters most.
Compliance Management
Bill 25, ISO 27001, NIST CSF, SOC 2, or your clients' security questionnaires. We lead the compliance effort so your team can focus on delivery.
Vendor & Technology Guidance
Objective advice on security tools and vendors, tailored to your context and budget.
Incident Response Planning
A tested incident response plan so your team knows exactly what to do when (not if) an incident occurs. Preparation, not panic.
How It Works: Your First 90 Days
You see results from month one. Here's the typical trajectory:
Days 1-30: Assess
- Meet key stakeholders (IT, leadership, operations)
- Assess current security posture and maturity level
- Identify top 5 priority risks and quick wins
- Deliver initial findings report to leadership
Days 31-60: Build
- Develop 12-month security roadmap aligned with business goals
- Implement quick wins (policies, configurations, processes)
- Establish security governance framework
- First board/executive briefing
Days 61-90: Operate
- Launch structured security program with KPIs
- Begin compliance alignment (Bill 25, NIST, or ISO)
- Set up regular risk reporting cadence
- Team coaching and capability transfer
Engagement Options
Strategic security leadership scaled to your reality.
Essential
IT Directors carrying the security hat
Organizations with 50-150 employees
You carry cybersecurity on top of everything else, without the time, budget, or mandate. This tier gives you a strategic ally who takes the weight off your shoulders.
- ✓2 days/month of dedicated vCISO time
- ✓Initial security posture assessment
- ✓Monthly strategic advisory session
- ✓Quarterly board-ready report
- ✓Bill 25 compliance guidance
Strategic
CISOs & VP Security
Organizations with 100-500 employees
You have the title but feel isolated: accountable without authority, under board pressure, carrying the risk alone. This tier gives you a trusted partner who speaks both your SOC team's language and your board's.
- ✓4-6 days/month of dedicated vCISO time
- ✓Full security program development & leadership
- ✓Board & executive advisory with quarterly presentations
- ✓Risk assessment, prioritization & roadmap
- ✓Compliance management (Bill 25, NIST, ISO)
- ✓Vendor evaluation & technology guidance
- ✓Incident response planning
- ✓Team coaching & capability building
Full Program
VP Transformation & CTOs
Organizations in major transformation
Security is slowing your critical projects by 3-6 months. This tier embeds security leadership into your transformation, making it a delivery accelerator, not a blocker.
- ✓Embedded security leadership, scope tailored to your program
- ✓Everything in Strategic, plus:
- ✓Dedicated presence in transformation governance
- ✓Security integration into project delivery methodology
- ✓Cross-team security coaching & culture change
- ✓M&A security due diligence support
- ✓Executive stakeholder management
- ✓Custom KPI dashboard & continuous reporting
All engagements start with a free 15-minute exploratory meeting to assess your needs. No commitment required.
Frameworks We Work With
We don't force a framework. We match one to your business context:
NIST CSF
The gold standard for risk-based cybersecurity management. Ideal for most organizations.
ISO 27001
For organizations needing formal certification or working with international clients.
CIS Controls
Pragmatic, prioritized security actions. Perfect for organizations starting their security journey.
Bill 25 / Loi 25
Quebec's privacy law. We integrate compliance into your security program, not as a separate effort.
Why InfoSec for vCISO
What sets our vCISO approach apart:
- ✓30+ years of hands-on security experience, from firewalls to boardrooms
- ✓Built for continuity: we build long-term trusted partnerships and a strategic vision that evolves with you
- ✓We navigate both worlds: your team's technical reality AND your board's organizational politics
- ✓Our advice is 100% independent, based solely on your context and needs
- ✓Quebec-based, bilingual (FR/EN), and we understand the local regulatory context (Loi 25, OQLF, public sector)
Is vCISO Right for You?
If any of these situations sound familiar, we should talk:
- •Your board asks cybersecurity questions and no one at the table can answer with confidence
- •You're accountable for security incidents, but you don't have the authority or budget to prevent them
- •Bill 25 compliance landed on your desk, on top of everything else you already manage
- •Security is slowing your critical projects and no one knows how to unblock the situation
- •Your clients or insurers are demanding a security program, and you don't know where to start
Related Services
Proven Track Record
Our founder, Mario Bouchard (M.Adm., CISSP), spent 7 years as the security lead for a major transformation program at a major Crown corporation, affecting millions of people. The result: on-time delivery with security positioned as a delivery partner, not a blocker. InfoSec has been providing strategic cybersecurity advisory since 2007.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a vCISO (Virtual CISO)?▾
A vCISO is an experienced cybersecurity executive who provides fractional strategic leadership. Instead of hiring a full-time CISO, you access senior expertise on a monthly basis adapted to your needs. At InfoSec, this includes board advisory, security program development, risk translation, and team coaching.
How much does a vCISO cost?▾
Our vCISO engagements are offered in three tiers: Essential for IT directors needing strategic support, Strategic for CISOs wanting a trusted partner, and Full Program for organizations in major transformation. Each engagement is tailored to your reality. Contact us for a customized proposal.
What's the difference between a vCISO and a cybersecurity consultant?▾
A consultant works on one-off projects (audits, implementations). A vCISO acts as your ongoing security executive: attending leadership meetings, advising the board, developing your security program, and ensuring strategic continuity. It's the difference between a family doctor and a specialist you see once.
Does my organization need a vCISO?▾
Organizations of all sizes benefit from a vCISO. Whether you're a growing SMB, a public sector body, or a mid-size enterprise, if you have real risks and compliance obligations but not the budget or need for a full-time CISO, a vCISO gives you strategic leadership scaled to your reality.
How quickly will I see results?▾
You'll see results within 30 days. Our 30-60-90 onboarding plan delivers an initial risk assessment and quick wins in the first month, a strategic roadmap by month two, and a running program by month three.
Can a vCISO help with Bill 25 (Loi 25) compliance?▾
Absolutely. Your vCISO oversees the entire process: privacy officer appointment, impact assessments, incident management processes, and internal policies, all integrated into your security program.
What frameworks do you use?▾
We adapt to your context: NIST CSF for risk management, ISO 27001 for certification needs, CIS Controls for pragmatic security. We never force a framework. We choose what serves your business objectives.
Do you replace our IT team?▾
We work alongside your IT team. A vCISO provides the strategic direction and coaching; your IT team executes. We build their security capabilities over time to make your team more autonomous.
Ready for Strategic Security Leadership?
Let's discuss how a vCISO can close the gap between your risk exposure and your security capabilities.