CISO v. VCISO

Summary

The video script compares the roles of a CISO (Chief Information Security Officer) working for a large company versus a vCISO (virtual CISO), focusing on factors like flexibility, earning potential, job security, and risk. A vCISO offers greater control over work-life balance and earnings, with potential for significant growth, but requires entrepreneurial effort. In contrast, a CISO in a large company offers stability but carries risks, especially if a breach occurs. The speaker encourages trying both roles to find the best fit, highlighting the importance of personal choice and control in one’s career.

Takeaways

• 😀 As a vCISO, you control your own schedule and income by managing multiple clients, offering flexibility in work hours.
• 😀 Income potential for vCISOs can range from $200k to $10 million, depending on how much you want to work and grow your business.
• 😀 Working as a CISO at a large company offers stability but is limited in income potential and comes with a higher risk of job loss due to company-wide layoffs.
• 😀 vCISOs mitigate risk by having multiple clients, so losing one client doesn't necessarily mean losing all income, unlike a CISO who relies on one employer.
• 😀 Being a CISO can be riskier because if a breach occurs, you may be blamed, even if you were not at fault, leading to high turnover in the position.
• 😀 Despite the high risk, being a CISO for a Fortune 100 or Fortune 500 company can make you highly employable, with multiple offers likely if you lose your job.
• 😀 Entrepreneurship through vCISO work provides control over your financial destiny, allowing you to decide how much you want to work and how much you want to earn.
• 😀 Working for a big company no longer guarantees the job security it once did, as many companies now frequently lay off employees, undermining the perceived stability.
• 😀 While being a vCISO offers more flexibility, it also comes with added responsibilities like sales, marketing, and client management, which may not be enjoyable but are necessary.
• 😀 The speaker advocates for trying both roles—CISO and vCISO—possibly starting a small vCISO business on the side to see which path aligns with your goals and preferences.

Q & A

What are the main differences between working as a CISO and a vCISO?

The main differences lie in the level of control, flexibility, and responsibility. As a CISO, you work for one organization and are responsible for their security program. However, as a vCISO, you can work with multiple clients, set your own hours, and control how much you want to work and earn. vCISOs have more flexibility but also more responsibilities, including managing multiple clients and growing a business.

What are the earning potentials for a vCISO compared to a CISO?

A vCISO has the potential to earn a wide range, depending on how many clients they take on and how much time they devote. Some vCISOs can make $200,000 to $300,000 annually, while others can scale to even higher earnings, potentially running a business with employees and earning millions. In contrast, a CISO typically earns a salary with a fixed cap, and while it may offer more stability, the earnings are generally less flexible.

How does job stability differ between working as a CISO and a vCISO?

CISOs may have perceived job stability due to their position in a large company, but this stability is becoming less guaranteed as layoffs and restructuring occur more frequently in large organizations. On the other hand, vCISOs face less risk in terms of company layoffs, as they work with multiple clients. If one client is lost, they still have other clients, though their overall income might decrease.

What are the risks associated with being a CISO, especially in the event of a security breach?

The biggest risk for a CISO is the possibility of being blamed for a security breach, even if the CISO is not at fault. Many companies expect CISOs to ensure that no breaches occur, and if one does, the CISO might be held responsible, potentially losing their job. This makes the CISO role somewhat risky, especially in high-profile companies or industries.

Why is being a CISO sometimes considered riskier than being a vCISO?

While a CISO role might seem stable, it carries the risk of job loss if a company experiences a breach or a security failure. Unlike a vCISO, who works with multiple clients and has a diversified income stream, a CISO depends on one company for their income, which can make the position riskier if the company faces financial struggles, a breach, or restructuring.

How does the job of a vCISO differ in terms of business responsibilities?

As a vCISO, the individual not only provides cybersecurity services but also has to handle business aspects such as marketing, sales, and branding to acquire and retain clients. This makes the role more entrepreneurial compared to a traditional CISO, who can focus solely on cybersecurity without worrying about business operations.

What is the speaker's philosophy regarding wealth and entrepreneurship?

The speaker believes that everyone has the potential to achieve wealth and abundance and that, at some level, everyone is meant to be an entrepreneur. This is because being an entrepreneur offers control over one's destiny and income, unlike working for someone else where your income and work conditions are determined by others.

What advice does the speaker give to someone considering the CISO and vCISO roles?

The speaker suggests that individuals should try both roles to understand which suits them best. They recommend gaining experience in both positions and even moonlighting as a vCISO while working a full-time CISO job, if possible. This way, individuals can learn and decide whether they prefer the flexibility of being a vCISO or the stability (but potentially more risk) of being a CISO.

What are the challenges of working as a vCISO that may not be present as a CISO?

As a vCISO, there are added challenges such as acquiring and retaining clients, managing business operations (marketing, sales, branding), and ensuring consistent income. This requires skills beyond cybersecurity, such as business management. In contrast, a CISO focuses primarily on security and doesn’t need to worry about the business side of things, such as client acquisition or sales.

Why does the speaker recommend trying both CISO and vCISO roles?

The speaker recommends trying both roles because people often have limiting beliefs about what they would prefer. By gaining experience in both positions, individuals can better understand the pros and cons of each and discover which one aligns more with their goals and personal preferences.