CISO-Led Security Program Management and Risk Services

A vCISO (virtual Chief Information Security Officer) is a senior security leader who directs an organization's security program on a retained, part-time basis instead of as a full-time hire. Yes, that is Pronoetic's core service. You get CISSP/CISO-led strategy, governance, risk management, and executive reporting on a recurring cadence, working alongside your existing IT team.

No. Pronoetic is preventive, advisory security leadership. We do not run a Security Operations Center, monitor a live alert queue, deliver Managed Detection and Response, or command active incident response. When those capabilities are needed, we help you select and direct the right provider and hold the results to standard.

The retainer is one monthly engagement that keeps your security program moving: executive security reviews, risk register management, GRC and audit evidence readiness, Microsoft 365 posture oversight, vendor review cycles, threat impact briefings, incident response plan readiness, and remediation follow-through with your IT director.

The Security Posture Review is a fixed-scope entry engagement. It gives you a written read on your current priorities, evidence gaps, vendor exposure, and Microsoft 365 posture, with a prioritized recommendation. It stands on its own, and it naturally leads into the retainer when ongoing guidance is needed.

First-line framework assessments include GLBA, HIPAA, FERPA, PCI DSS, ISO 27001, NIST CSF 2.0, and CIS 18. We also support SOC 2, CMMC, COBIT, EDUCAUSE, and other client-specific frameworks, including importing and mapping existing assessments. Each assessment includes a detailed write-up, gap analysis, evidence notes, a prioritized roadmap, and an executive summary.

We build your vendor inventory from the sources you already use (Microsoft 365 or Intune, MDM, vulnerability scanners, directory context, or spreadsheets), categorize each vendor, assign risk tiers, and run CISO-backed reviews with evidence. It is available as an On-Demand Vendor Review or as a fully Managed Vendor Review Program under the retainer.

Pronoetic provides incident response planning and executive readiness: current, tested plans with named roles, so a bad day starts from a script instead of a blank page. We do not run live incident command. During an active incident we coordinate with your IT team, MSP, MDR, cyber insurer, and incident response provider.

Pronoetic serves small and mid-market organizations that face enterprise-grade security questions from regulators, insurers, customers, and boards without enterprise staffing. We speak to CEOs and CFOs first, and we empower the internal IT director rather than replacing or bypassing them. Common fits include professional services, healthcare, financial services, education, nonprofits, and growing SMBs.