CISO as a Service (CISOaaS)

CISO as a Service (CISOaaS) - Strategic cyber security leadership for Australian and New Zealand organisations facing unprecedented threats, regulatory pressure, and director liability.

Critical Context for 2025-26

As Australian and New Zealand boards face unprecedented cyber security challenges, three critical realities have converged: escalating state-sponsored threats targeting trans-Tasman critical infrastructure, $12.5 billion in espionage costs to Australia alone in FY23-24, and mounting personal liability for directors under tightening regulations. Meanwhile, 78% of organisations in our region suffered ransomware attacks in the past year, and finding qualified cyber security leadership remains a persistent struggle with Australia facing a shortfall of 30,000 cyber security professionals. Insicon Cyber's CISOaaS delivers immediate access to seasoned security leadership without the 6-12 month recruitment cycle or $300,000+ annual commitment of a full-time CISO.

For Board Members and CEOs: Why CISOaaS Now

In discussions with Australian and New Zealand boards throughout 2025, four consistent themes emerge:

Director Liability & Regulatory Pressure

The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) CPS 234 obligations, Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018, and New Zealand's evolving privacy and critical infrastructure frameworks place direct accountability on boards. Our CISOaaS provides documented evidence of board-level cyber governance, critical for demonstrating due diligence.

Cyber Insurance & Premium Pressure

With 78% of Australian and New Zealand organisations suffering ransomware attacks in 2024-25, insurers now mandate evidence of security leadership before issuing or renewing policies. Our vCISO service provides the strategic oversight and documentation insurers require, with clients averaging 15-25% premium reductions.

Customer & Vendor Requirements

Enterprise customers and government procurement increasingly require ISO 27001, SOC 2, Essential Eight maturity assessments, or cyber security attestations. CISOaaS accelerates compliance while building reusable security programme assets that enable faster sales cycles.

Speed to Market Without Compromise

Traditional CISO recruitment takes 6-12 months with total compensation packages of $250,000-$400,000+. Our engagement begins within 48-72 hours, providing immediate strategic oversight during critical periods such as incident response, audit preparation, or market entry acceleration.

Choose Your Engagement Model

Insicon Cyber offers two distinct CISOaaS models to match your organisation's needs and maturity stage. Both deliver executive-level cyber security leadership without the overhead of a full-time hire.

Aligned with 2025-26 Board Priorities

Our CISOaaS directly addresses the critical areas highlighted in the Australian Signals Directorate and Australian Institute of Company Directors' 2025-26 guidance for boards of directors:

1. Secure by Design & Secure by Default

We evaluate your technology stack and customer-facing services against modern secure architecture principles, ensuring you're not creating vulnerabilities through poor design choices. This includes reviewing development practices, cloud configurations, and third-party integrations.

2. Event Logging & Threat Detection

We implement and oversee comprehensive logging strategies that enable rapid threat detection and provide evidence for regulatory investigations and cyber insurance claims. Our approach ensures logs are collected, protected, and actionable.

3. Legacy IT Risk Management

We develop pragmatic roadmaps for replacing unsupportable legacy systems that represent unacceptable risk exposure in today's threat environment. Our focus is on risk-based prioritisation aligned with business operations and budget realities.

4. Cyber Supply Chain Security

We establish vendor risk management programmes that address supplier cyber security posture, contractual requirements, and ongoing monitoring. This is particularly critical for organisations with operations across both Australia and New Zealand, or those in regulated industries.

5. Post-Quantum Cryptography Planning

We help boards understand the long-term implications of quantum computing threats and develop transition plans for quantum-resistant cryptography. This includes cryptographic inventory, vendor engagement strategies, and roadmap development.

6. Essential Eight Implementation

For Australian organisations, we provide strategic guidance and implementation oversight for achieving and maintaining Essential Eight maturity levels aligned with your risk profile, from foundational Level 1 through to advanced Level 3.

Source: Australian Signals Directorate & Australian Institute of Company Directors, Cyber Security Priorities for Boards of Directors 2025-26

Seamless Trans-Tasman Cyber Security Leadership

For organisations operating across Australia and New Zealand, cyber security governance complexity multiplies. Different regulatory frameworks (APRA vs Reserve Bank of New Zealand, SOCI Act vs NZ critical infrastructure requirements, Australian Privacy Act vs NZ Privacy Act 2020), combined with separate threat landscapes and reporting obligations, create significant governance challenges.

Insicon Cyber's Trans-Tasman CISOaaS Advantage

• Single Strategic Framework: Unified security strategy adapted to both regulatory environments, eliminating duplication and inconsistency
• Coordinated Incident Response: Integrated response capability across trans-Tasman operations with understanding of notification requirements in both jurisdictions
• Harmonised Security Policies: Security policies that meet both Australian and New Zealand requirements without creating separate governance structures
• On-site Capability: Physical presence in major cities across both countries when fractional engagement requires it
• Regional Threat Intelligence: Relationships with ACSC, CERT NZ, and regional threat intelligence communities providing early warning of emerging threats
• Regulatory Navigation: Expertise in APRA CPS 234, Reserve Bank of New Zealand requirements, Security of Critical Infrastructure Act, NZ Privacy Act 2020, and industry-specific frameworks

Why Insicon Cyber for CISOaaS

Comprehensive Partnership

Unlike pure consulting firms, we're your complete cyber security partner. Our CISOaaS isn't just strategic advice. When your vCISO recommends implementing MDR, establishing a SOC, or achieving ISO 27001, we have the operational capability to deliver. Single partner, end-to-end accountability.

Trans-Tasman Regional Mastery

Deep expertise across both Australian and New Zealand regulatory environments, threat landscapes, and compliance requirements. We don't just understand APRA or the Reserve Bank of New Zealand in isolation. We understand how to create unified governance that works across both jurisdictions.

Board Advisory Heritage

Our dedicated Board Cyber Advisory service means our CISOs are practiced at board-level communication, risk translation, and governance reporting. We speak the language of boards, not just technical teams. Your vCISO will make your board more effective, not just better informed.

Future-Ready Solutions

We're not just solving today's problems. Our AI Compliance (ISO 42001) capability, emerging threat research, and regulatory monitoring ensure your security programme evolves with the threat landscape. We prepare you for quantum computing risks, AI-driven attacks, and evolving regulatory obligations.

What is CISO as a Service (CISOaaS)?

CISO as a Service (CISOaaS) is a cyber security consulting model that provides organisations with the high-level experience and leadership of a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) on a part-time basis. Here are the key points:

1. Flexible Leadership: CISOaaS offers a flexible and efficient alternative for companies with cyber security needs. Rather than hiring a full-time CISO, organisations can access experienced security leaders on-demand.

2. Why Choose CISOaaS?

   • Cost-Effective: Hiring a full-time CISO can be expensive. CISOaaS allows organisations to benefit from CISO expertise without the high cost.
   • Quick Integration: With no lengthy hiring process, you can plug an experienced security leader into your organisation promptly.
   • Customised Work: CISOaaS performs only the necessary cyber security tasks, adapting to your organisation’s specific needs.

3. Benefits of CISOaaS:

   • Risk Management: CISOaaS helps manage your company’s cyber security risk profile.
   • Compliance Guidance: Experienced leadership ensures compliance with security regulations or global compliance such as ISO 27001 for InfoSec, or ISO 42001 for AI Governance..
   • Vendor Reputation: Many large companies expect good security and compliance programs from vendors. CISOaaS helps you deliver on those expectations and grow.
   • Business Continuity Planning (BCP): Creating a sound roadmap for an organisation to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disruptions to its operations.