Interim CISO or ongoing GRC advisory

Interim CISO or ongoing GRC advisory – which fits you?

When does an interim CISO fit and when is ongoing GRC advisory enough? How to choose the right form of support.

Summary: “We need CISO support” can mean different things – an interim CISO who steps in operationally and holds the security work together, or ongoing GRC advisory that strengthens an existing function. Here we untangle the difference so the engagement is clear from the start.

“We need CISO support” can mean several different things.

Sometimes you need someone who steps in operationally and holds the security work together for a period. In other cases there is already an internal owner, but the organisation needs an experienced sounding board on risk, governance, regulatory compliance or management reporting.

The difference matters. Choose the wrong form and the engagement often becomes unclear from the very start.

When does an interim CISO fit?

An interim CISO often fits when there is a clear leadership gap or a larger effort that needs to be held together.

For example, when:

  • a CISO or security lead has left
  • a replacement is not yet in place
  • the organisation is starting a larger NIS2, ISO 27001 or security programme
  • management needs someone who can drive priorities and reporting
  • you want to test what the role should look like before recruiting permanently

In those cases the support is often about operational leadership, structure and momentum.

When is ongoing GRC advisory enough?

Ongoing GRC advisory is a better fit when an internal function already exists, but the organisation needs reinforcement.

It can involve support with risk assessments, audits, supplier reviews, governance documents, management reporting or interpreting requirements from, for example, ISO 27001, GDPR or the Swedish Cybersecurity Act/NIS2.

Here the goal is not to take over the role. The goal is to help your own organisation become more confident, clearer and more consistent in its work.

How we choose the right setup

We start by understanding your current situation. Does the role already exist internally? Is the need temporary or long-term? Do you need someone who drives the work, or someone who supports and quality-assures it?

Based on that, the support can be shaped as an interim CISO, ongoing GRC advisory or a combination during a transition period.

Unsure which form fits best? Read more about our Manager as a Service and our work with information security and governance, or contact us and we will gladly help you think through the options.