Fractional CISO: The Smartest Hire Never on Payroll

Introduction

In today’s threat landscape, cybersecurity leadership is no longer optional - but few growing businesses can justify a six-figure, full-time Chief Information Security Officer (CISO).

Enter the Fractional CISO - a strategic partner who delivers enterprise-grade security, governance, and compliance expertise without the full-time overhead.

At Phenomlab Ltd, we help organisations close the security leadership gap through flexible, on-demand CISO services that scale with your business.

What Is a Fractional CISO?

A Fractional CISO (Chief Information Security Officer) provides the same high-level strategic guidance as a traditional CISO but operates on a part-time, retained, or project basis.

Instead of adding another permanent executive to your payroll, you gain an experienced security leader who:

• Designs and implements your cybersecurity strategy

• Ensures compliance with frameworks like SOC 2, ISO 27001, NIST, and DORA

• Guides risk management and data protection initiatives

• Interfaces with auditors, regulators, and boards

• Coaches teams and builds a culture of security by design

The result? CISO-level leadership at a fraction of the cost.

Why Businesses Are Turning to Fractional CISOs

1. Cost Efficiency Without Compromise

A full-time CISO often commands £120,000 - £200,000+ per year. A Fractional CISO delivers the same strategic value for a predictable monthly fee - no recruitment costs, bonuses, or benefits required.

2. Instant Access to Expertise

Fractional CISOs bring decades of hands-on experience across multiple industries.
They’ve already solved the challenges your organisation is facing - from regulatory compliance and vendor risk to cloud security and incident response.

3. Scalable Security Leadership

Whether you need short-term guidance, ongoing oversight, or project-based leadership, a Fractional CISO adapts to your pace and priorities.

4. Compliance Made Practical

Navigating SOC 2, ISO 27001, or DORA requirements can overwhelm even seasoned IT teams.
A Fractional CISO translates frameworks into practical, right-sized controls - ensuring you stay audit-ready without red tape.

5. A Trusted Voice at Board Level

Security is now a business risk, not just a technical one. Fractional CISOs communicate in business terms, enabling informed decisions and clear accountability at the top.

When to Consider a Fractional CISO

You may not need a full-time CISO, but if any of these sound familiar, you’ll benefit from one:

• Clients are asking about your security posture or SOC 2 readiness

• You handle sensitive or regulated data (finance, health, SaaS, legal, etc.)

• You’re scaling quickly and need security governance to match

• Your investors or board are demanding cyber assurance

• You’ve experienced an incident and want to prevent the next one

What a Fractional CISO Engagement Looks Like

At Phenomlab Ltd, we tailor each engagement to your business maturity, goals, and budget. Typical activities include:

• Cybersecurity strategy & roadmap development

• Security policy and control framework creation

• Risk assessment and remediation planning

• Vendor and third-party risk management

• Compliance alignment (SOC 2, ISO 27001, DORA, GDPR, NIST CSF)

• Awareness training and incident-response planning

• Regular board and leadership reporting

You decide the cadence - from a few days per month to ongoing oversight.

The ROI of Strategic Security Leadership

Security isn’t just a defensive cost - it’s a competitive advantage.
Businesses with a clear security and compliance posture:

• Win enterprise deals faster

• Reduce audit fatigue and regulatory risk

• Increase client trust and investor confidence

• Protect brand reputation and operational resilience

A Fractional CISO pays for itself by preventing breaches, reducing fines, and enabling growth through trust.

Why Phenomlab Ltd?

Led by Mark Cutting, a cybersecurity and technology leader with over 30 years’ experience, Phenomlab Ltd bridges the gap between enterprise-grade security and SME practicality.

We’ve built and managed SOC 2, ISO 27001, and DORA-aligned frameworks for organisations across the UK, US, and EU, translating complex compliance requirements into actionable, measurable results.

With Phenomlab Ltd, you gain:

• Deep, cross-sector cybersecurity and compliance expertise

• Straight-talking, outcome-driven leadership

• Flexible engagement models that fit your growth stage

We don’t sell fear. We build confidence.

Conclusion

Hiring a Fractional CISO may be the smartest hire you’ll never put on payroll - giving you strategic cybersecurity leadership when you need it most, without the executive cost.

In a world where trust is currency, security is your differentiator.

Looking to strengthen your cybersecurity and compliance posture? Let’s talk.