Frequently Asked Questions

Industry Trends & Market Insights

What is the current adoption rate of vCISO services among MSPs and MSSPs?

According to Cynomi's 2023 survey, only 19% of MSPs and MSSPs currently offer virtual CISO (vCISO) services. However, this number is expected to rise to 86% by the end of 2024, reflecting a rapid transformation in the industry. Source

What are the main drivers for MSPs and MSSPs to offer vCISO services?

The primary drivers include the ability to upsell more products and services (44%), increased profit margins (43%), improved customer security (42%), and differentiation from competitors (41%). Source

What challenges do MSPs and MSSPs face when offering vCISO services?

Key challenges include limited security or compliance knowledge (40%), lack of skilled cybersecurity personnel (33%), and limited headcount (26%). Many also mistakenly believe they must hire expensive cybersecurity experts to offer vCISO services. Source

How does the vCISO platform help MSPs and MSSPs overcome these challenges?

A vCISO platform, such as Cynomi, leverages AI and automation to bridge the skills gap, streamline manual tasks, and guide less experienced teams through structured processes. It eliminates the need for upfront investment and enables MSPs/MSSPs to deliver vCISO services efficiently. Source

What services are included in a typical vCISO offering?

vCISO services typically include risk assessment and management, strategy, continuity planning, training and security awareness, compliance management, incident response, and more. Source

How does automation impact vCISO service delivery?

Automation streamlines vCISO work by standardizing processes, reducing manual tasks, and enabling teams with less experience to deliver consistent, high-quality services. Source

What is the business potential for MSPs and MSSPs offering vCISO services?

MSPs and MSSPs see significant business potential in vCISO services, including upselling opportunities, increased profit margins, improved customer security, and differentiation from competitors. Source

How can MSPs and MSSPs transition to offering vCISO services?

MSPs and MSSPs can transition by adopting automated vCISO platforms that guide teams through risk and compliance assessments, policy creation, reporting, and remediation planning, even with limited cybersecurity expertise. Source

Is an upfront investment required to adopt a vCISO platform?

No, a SaaS-based vCISO platform does not require an upfront investment, addressing a common concern among MSPs and MSSPs. Source

Where can I download the full State of the vCISO 2023 report?

You can download the full report from Cynomi's website.

Features & Capabilities

What features does Cynomi offer for vCISO service providers?

Cynomi provides AI-driven automation, scalability, compliance readiness across 30+ frameworks, embedded CISO-level expertise, enhanced reporting, centralized multitenant management, and a security-first design. Source

How does Cynomi automate manual processes?

Cynomi automates up to 80% of manual processes, including risk assessments and compliance readiness, significantly reducing operational overhead and enabling faster service delivery. Source

What compliance frameworks does Cynomi support?

Cynomi supports over 30 frameworks, including NIST CSF, ISO/IEC 27001, GDPR, SOC 2, and HIPAA, allowing tailored assessments for diverse client needs. Source

Does Cynomi offer centralized management for multiple clients?

Yes, Cynomi enables service providers to manage multiple clients from a single, unified dashboard, enhancing operational efficiency and simplifying compliance tracking. Source

How does Cynomi enhance reporting for service providers?

Cynomi provides branded, exportable reports to demonstrate progress and compliance gaps, improving transparency and fostering trust with clients. Source

What integrations does Cynomi support?

Cynomi integrates with scanners like NESSUS, Qualys, Cavelo, OpenVAS, and Microsoft Secure Score, as well as cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP), CI/CD tools, ticketing systems, and SIEMs. Source

Is Cynomi easy to use for non-technical users?

Yes, Cynomi features an intuitive interface designed to guide even non-technical users through assessments, planning, and reporting. Customers consistently praise its ease of use compared to competitors. Source

Does Cynomi provide technical documentation for compliance?

Yes, Cynomi offers resources such as NIST compliance checklists, policy templates, risk assessment templates, and incident response plan templates. Source

Use Cases & Customer Success

Who can benefit from Cynomi's vCISO platform?

Cynomi is purpose-built for Managed Service Providers (MSPs), Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs), and virtual Chief Information Security Officers (vCISOs) seeking to scale their offerings, improve efficiency, and deliver high-quality services. Source

What industries are represented in Cynomi's case studies?

Industries include vCISO service providers (e.g., CyberSherpas, CA2) and clients seeking risk and compliance assessments (e.g., Arctiq). Source

Can you share some customer success stories?

CyberSherpas transitioned to a subscription model, simplifying work processes. CA2 upgraded their security offering, reducing costs and cutting risk assessment times by 40%. Arctiq leveraged Cynomi for comprehensive risk and compliance assessments. Source

What measurable business impact has Cynomi delivered?

CompassMSP closed deals 5x faster using Cynomi. ECI achieved a 30% increase in GRC service margins and cut assessment times by 50%. Source

How does Cynomi help address time and budget constraints?

Cynomi automates up to 80% of manual processes, enabling faster and more affordable engagements without compromising quality, helping organizations meet tight deadlines and operate within limited budgets. Source

How does Cynomi bridge knowledge gaps for junior team members?

Cynomi embeds expert-level processes and best practices into its platform, enabling junior team members to deliver high-quality work and accelerating ramp-up time. Source

How does Cynomi standardize workflows and ensure consistency?

Cynomi standardizes workflows and automates processes, ensuring consistent delivery across engagements and eliminating variations in templates and practices. Source

Competition & Comparison

How does Cynomi compare to Apptega?

Cynomi embeds CISO-level expertise, automates up to 80% of manual processes, and prioritizes security over compliance. Apptega requires high user expertise and manual setup. Source

How does Cynomi compare to ControlMap?

Cynomi offers lower barriers to entry, pre-built frameworks, automation, and guided workflows, while ControlMap requires significant expertise and manual setup. Source

How does Cynomi compare to Vanta?

Cynomi is designed for service providers, supports over 30 frameworks, and offers cost-effective features. Vanta is optimized for direct-to-business use and focuses on select frameworks like SOC 2 and ISO 27001. Source

How does Cynomi compare to Secureframe?

Cynomi links compliance gaps directly to security risks, enables scalable service delivery, and supports more frameworks. Secureframe is compliance-driven and less provider-oriented. Source

How does Cynomi compare to Drata?

Cynomi is built for service providers, offers rapid deployment, and provides advanced features at a lower cost. Drata is geared toward internal compliance teams and has a longer onboarding cycle. Source

How does Cynomi compare to RealCISO?

Cynomi offers advanced automation, multi-framework support, embedded expertise, and scalability, while RealCISO has limited scope and lacks scanning capabilities. Source

Security & Compliance

How does Cynomi prioritize security in its platform?

Cynomi prioritizes security over mere compliance, linking assessment results directly to risk reduction and ensuring robust protection against threats. Source

Does Cynomi support compliance readiness across multiple frameworks?

Yes, Cynomi supports compliance readiness across more than 30 frameworks, including NIST CSF, ISO/IEC 27001, GDPR, SOC 2, and HIPAA. Source

How does Cynomi help with compliance and reporting complexities?

Cynomi simplifies compliance tracking and reporting with branded, exportable reports and automated risk assessments, reducing resource-intensive tasks and bridging communication gaps with clients. Source

Resources & Educational Content

Where can I find Cynomi's blog and educational resources?

You can access Cynomi's blog at https://cynomi.com/blog/ and find additional resources in the Resource Center.

Where can I find information about Cynomi's events and webinars?

Information about upcoming and past events and webinars is available at https://cynomi.com/events-and-webinar/.

Where can I find technical guides and templates for compliance?

Cynomi provides technical guides and templates, including NIST compliance checklists, policy templates, risk assessment templates, and incident response plan templates at https://cynomi.com/nist/nist-compliance-checklists.

Where can I find the State of the vCISO 2023 report?

You can download the State of the vCISO 2023 report from https://cynomi.com/state-of-the-vciso-2023/.

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When was this page last updated?

This page wast last updated on 12/12/2025 .

5-fold Increase in MSPs and MSSPs Offering vCISO Services, New Report Finds

Rotem-Shemesh
Rotem Shemesh Publication date: 23 August, 2023
Education
Blog post image - The State of the vCISO

Cybersecurity attacks are on the rise and the MSP and MSSP market is quick to respond. MSPs and MSSPs are undergoing a swift transformation, and will soon offer vCISO services to SMEs that need cybersecurity strategy management as part of their standard portfolio.

Currently, only 19% of MSPs and MSSPs are offering virtual CISO services. By the end of 2024, the percentage is expected to grow to a total of 86(!)%, i.e nearly all of them. And yet, MSPs and MSSPs are finding it challenging to hire the right cybersecurity experts that will support a vCISO offering. These are the fascinating results of a survey we commissioned here at Cynomi.

MSPs and MSSPs See Business Potential in vCISO Services

The survey spanned 200 security and IT leaders from North America in security-focused MSPs and MSSPs of all sizes. They all offer cybersecurity services, and some offer additional networking services.

According to the report, approximately two-thirds of MSPs and MSSPs, a whopping 67%, have expressed their intention to offer vCISO services by the end of 2024. The reasons behind this surge in interest are evident. Among the primary benefits of offering vCISO services, respondents highlighted the ability to upsell more products and services (44%), followed by increased profit margins (43%), the improvement of customer security (42%) and an opportunity to differentiate from the competition (41%).

The Challenge: Knowledge and Skills

And yet, offering vCISO services is a challenge for MSPs/MSSPs. Knowledge and a skills gap are a major challenge. 40% cite limited security or compliance knowledge as a top challenge, 33% are concerned with lack of skilled cybersecurity personnel and 26% mentioned the limited headcount.

Security knowledge and experience are essential for offering vCISO services. A vCISO offering includes offering services like risk assessment and management, strategy, continuity planning, training and security awareness, compliance management, incident response, and much more. MSPs/MSSPs need to be able to offer SMEs these services to ensure they can protect them against a wide range of cyber attacks.

The Solution: A vCISO Platform

Technology, AI and automation of manual tasks can bridge this gap. A vCISO platform can provide MSPs and MSSPs with the knowledge they need to lead the security strategic efforts of the organization without hiring expensive cybersecurity experts (which 91% incorrectly think they have to do to offer vCISO services). A SaaS platform doesn’t even require an upfront investment (which 34% mentioned was a top challenge).

In addition, an automated platform streamlines the vCISO work through a well-structured process – starting from risk and compliance assessment, through creating a security policy, cyber posture reporting and all the way to building remediation plans. It takes less experienced teams step by step throughout the process and sets standards for processes and deliverables.

With a vCISO platform, any and all MSPs/MSSPs can ensure they are answering their customers’ needs and offering vCISO services. vCISO services will soon become the MSP/MSSP norm. An automated platform can ensure MSP/MSSPs aren’t staying behind.

Download the full report here.

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