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Technology & Engineering · Updated 2026

How Much Does a Fractional CISO Cost?

Typical Range$3,000–$12,000 per month
The cost of a fractional CISO typically ranges from $3,000–$12,000 per month, depending on scope, experience level, and engagement structure. Below, we break down exactly what drives pricing and how to get the best value.

Cost Breakdown

Here's what Fractional CISO services typically include and what each component costs.

Service ComponentTypical Cost
Security program design & governance$3,000–$8,000/mo
SOC 2 or ISO 27001 readiness$5,000–$15,000 (engagement)
Risk assessment & gap analysis$4,000–$10,000 (one-time)
Incident response planning$3,000–$7,000 (one-time)
Board and investor security briefings$1,500–$4,000/quarter

What Affects Pricing

Several factors can move the price up or down. Here are the most important ones to consider.

1

Compliance target (SOC 2, HIPAA, ISO 27001, FedRAMP)

2

Size of engineering team and infrastructure complexity

3

Whether building a security program from scratch

4

Regulated industry requirements (healthcare, fintech)

5

Prior security incidents or audit findings

6

Vendor security review scope

Location Matters

CISOs with Fortune 500 or financial services backgrounds command $12,000–$18,000/mo. Startup-focused fractional CISOs experienced with compliance readiness typically charge $4,000–$10,000/mo.

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FAQs

Frequently asked questions about Fractional CISO costs and pricing.

How much does a fractional CISO cost?

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Fractional CISOs typically cost $3,000 to $12,000 per month. Companies primarily needing compliance readiness (SOC 2, HIPAA) tend toward $4,000–$8,000/mo; those needing active security program management pay toward the higher end.

What does a fractional CISO do?

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They design and manage your security program — risk assessments, compliance planning, policy frameworks, vendor security reviews, incident response preparation, and board-level reporting on security posture.

Do I need a fractional CISO or just a compliance consultant?

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If you only need to pass a one-time SOC 2 audit, a compliance consultant may suffice. If you need ongoing security leadership — managing risk, advising on architecture, and reporting to the board — a fractional CISO is the right fit.

At what stage should a startup hire a fractional CISO?

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Typically when enterprise customers start requiring SOC 2 compliance, when handling sensitive healthcare or financial data, or when raising a Series A/B where investors conduct security due diligence.