Executive cyber security leadership matched to
the business requirement.
Audit findings recur, cyber reporting does not support decisions, or security responsibilities are spread across teams without an accountable executive. I provide fractional CISO leadership where the business needs executive ownership for an agreed portion of time.
I am Mark Cutting. I delivered eight consecutive SOC audits with no material findings and reduced audit observations by 40% under concurrent CIO and CISO accountability. See the career examples.
WHEN ORGANISATIONS NEED A FRACTIONAL CISO
The right security leadership at the right time.
Cyber security becomes a business risk when accountability is unclear, governance is inconsistent and risk ownership is fragmented.
WHAT A FRACTIONAL CISO DOES
Executive ownership across cyber security.
A Fractional CISO provides accountable executive leadership across cyber security, governance and risk management, ensuring security priorities remain aligned with business objectives and regulatory expectations.
TYPICAL ENGAGEMENT OUTCOMES
What the mandate should make clear.
I examine risk ownership, assurance evidence, remediation and the decisions that security reporting needs to support. With an agreed mandate, I establish priorities, challenge control assumptions and oversee the work required.
A prioritised cyber risk and remediation agenda; named owners for material exposures; an assurance plan; and board reporting that explains evidence, gaps and decisions.
The scope, authority, time commitment and measures are agreed before work begins.
WHY ORGANISATIONS CHOOSE FRACTIONAL CISO LEADERSHIP
Executive accountability matched to the requirement.
The question is what level of executive ownership the situation requires, for how long, and with what mandate.
When each appointment fits
A permanent CISO suits an enduring full-time executive requirement. An interim appointment provides time-limited ownership through a transition or defined change. Fractional leadership suits an ongoing mandate that requires a proportion of executive time. Independent advisory support is appropriate when executive ownership already exists and the need is judgement or challenge.
The choice follows the scope, authority and continuity required. Compare engagement models.
Want to understand the financial impact of missing security leadership?
Use the Executive Vacancy Impact Calculator to estimate the governance, operational and risk impact of leadership gaps.
NEED ASSURANCE RATHER THAN ONGOING CISO LEADERSHIP?
Not every cyber challenge requires an ongoing executive mandate.
If an accountable CISO is already in place, executive advisory can provide independent challenge. If you need to understand the position before choosing a leadership arrangement, a cyber governance review can be a defined first step.
Discuss the responsibility you need covered. Timing and availability are confirmed against the mandate.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Common questions.
A Fractional CISO is a senior cyber security executive who carries defined security leadership and governance accountability on a part-time basis.
A Fractional CISO assumes executive accountability for security outcomes. Consultants typically provide recommendations without ongoing ownership.
A start date is agreed after the scope, time commitment and availability have been confirmed. The initial discussion establishes whether the requirement can be supported.
Typically regulated firms, investment managers, professional services organisations and growth-stage businesses.
Yes. The CISO provides governance, leadership and accountability while existing teams continue operational delivery.
Yes. The CISO provides executive security leadership, governance and risk ownership while existing IT and security teams continue to manage operational delivery.
LET'S DISCUSS YOUR PRIORITIES
A confidential conversation around your technology, cyber security, or governance priorities, and where my experience can help.
Any further work is agreed with you in advance, including scope, deliverables, fees, and timing.
✓ No obligation
✓ Confidential discussion
✓ Focused on your priorities
