In this interview, Carlos Rodriguez, an experienced vCISO and founder of a thriving security consultancy, shares his journey from IT leadership to becoming a vCISO. Carlos discusses the pivotal moments that shaped his career, the challenges of transitioning to a security-focused role, and the strategies he used to build a successful independent practice. With a deep specialization in law and insurance industries, Carlos provides valuable perspectives on the evolution of the vCISO space, the impact of AI and compliance, and actionable advice for aspiring vCISOs.
Understand why you want to become a vCISO because it’s not an easy path. Build repeatable processes, automate tasks, and focus on your niche—this will allow you to scale efficiently and deliver consistent results.
Why Watch
- How can you transition from IT to cybersecurity and what factors should drive your decision to launch a vCISO practice?
- What challenges might you face when becoming a CISO, and how can you effectively overcome them to build a successful security leadership role?
- How can you specialize your vCISO practice, and what services should you offer to different industries to meet their unique needs?
- What strategies can help you build trust with clients by translating complex technical security issues into actionable business discussions?
- What trends and predictions should you consider for the future of the vCISO space, including the role of AI and the growth of rationalization?
About Carlos Rodriguez
Carlos Rodriguez is a senior technology and security officer with a proven track record of identifying critical problems and risks, which he translates into programs that support the urgent and long-term needs of the business. He achieves this by building trust with peers and executive leadership through engagement and transparency.
Over the last fifteen years of his career, Carlos has led and built security programs and teams in the legal, real estate, insurance, and SaaS startup sectors while being an active member and thought leader within those communities. During his time in the legal industry, he founded and built the strategy for LegalSEC®, the first information security sharing organization in the legal sector.
Today Carlos functions as the CEO and Fractional Chief Information Security Officer of CA2 Security, serving various organizations by building and leading the execution of a long term incremental, adaptable, and actionable cybersecurity risk management strategy.
About the Path to Becoming a vCISO
The Path to Becoming a vCISO is a curated collection of insights from some of the most respected voices in the virtual CISO space. Through in-depth interviews, these industry leaders share their journeys, challenges, and hard-earned lessons on building and scaling successful vCISO practices. The hub offers practical tips, real-world strategies, and proven advice to help service providers scale effectively, differentiate their services, and deliver measurable value to clients.
At Cynomi, we’re committed to supporting the growth of the vCISO community. This hub is our way of spotlighting the people shaping the future of cybersecurity leadership—and providing valuable guidance for MSPs, MSSPs, and aspiring vCISOs looking to elevate their services.