How Much Does a vCISO Cost in Ireland? A Pricing Guide for SMEs

As an Irish business owner, you know cybersecurity is no longer a concern just for large corporations. But when you look at the cost of hiring a full-time Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), the figures can be staggering. The good news is, there’s a more affordable and flexible solution: the Virtual CISO, or vCISO. But what does a vCISO cost in Ireland? And what is a typical vCISO Ireland price? Let's break it down.

This guide provides transparent pricing information for Irish SMEs, with guidance from sources like the NCSC Ireland. We'll explore the different engagement models, what factors influence the cost, and how to calculate the return on investment for your business. No jargon, no scare tactics—just a clear, practical overview to help you make an informed decision.

The Problem: Big Business Security on an SME Budget

Every Irish business, regardless of size, is a target for cybercriminals. The threat of ransomware, phishing attacks, and data breaches is real. You need strategic security leadership to navigate these threats, comply with regulations like GDPR and the NIS2 Directive, and protect your hard-earned reputation.

Free Tool: Not sure if a vCISO is worth the investment? Use our vCISO ROI Calculator to see the potential return for your business — it takes less than 2 minutes.

The problem is that a full-time CISO is a significant financial commitment. In Ireland, a senior security leader can command a salary well over €150,000, plus benefits and bonuses. For most SMEs, that's simply not feasible.

The Consequence: Ineffective, Reactive Security

Without dedicated security leadership, many SMEs fall into a reactive, ad-hoc approach to cybersecurity. They might have some antivirus software and a firewall, but there's no overarching strategy. This can lead to:

• Wasted Spend: Buying security tools without a clear plan or integration.
• Compliance Gaps: Failing to meet legal and regulatory requirements, leading to potential fines.
• Increased Risk: Missing critical vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers.
• Business Disruption: Significant downtime and financial loss in the event of an incident.

The Solution: The Virtual CISO (vCISO) Model

A vCISO is a seasoned cybersecurity expert who provides strategic leadership and guidance to your business on a part-time, flexible basis. You get the benefit of their extensive experience and knowledge without the cost and commitment of a full-time executive. A vCISO can help you:

• Develop and implement a cybersecurity strategy aligned with your business goals.
• Conduct a risk assessment to identify and prioritise your biggest threats.
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations.
• Develop and test your incident response plan.
• Provide security awareness training for your staff.

vCISO Cost Ireland: A Look at the Numbers

So, how much can you expect to pay for a vCISO in Ireland? The cost varies depending on the engagement model. Here are the three most common models and their typical price ranges in the Irish market:

1. Monthly Retainer

This is the most common model for ongoing vCISO services. You pay a fixed monthly fee for a set number of hours or a defined scope of work. This provides you with consistent, proactive security leadership.

• Typical Cost: €2,500 - €7,000+ per month
• Best for: Businesses that need ongoing strategic guidance and a long-term security partner.

2. Project-Based

If you have a specific, one-off security need, a project-based engagement might be the right fit. This could be a risk assessment, a penetration test, or help with achieving a certification like ISO 27001.

• Typical Cost: €5,000 - €20,000+ per project
• Best for: Businesses with a defined, short-term security objective.

3. Hourly Rate

For ad-hoc advice or smaller tasks, you can engage a vCISO on an hourly basis. This is the most flexible option, but it can also be the most expensive for ongoing needs.

• Typical Cost: €150 - €300+ per hour
• Best for: Businesses that need occasional access to security expertise.

What Affects vCISO Pricing?

Several factors will influence the final vCISO cost Ireland for your business:

• Company Size and Complexity: A larger, more complex business will require more time and effort to secure.
• Industry and Regulatory Requirements: Businesses in highly regulated industries like finance or healthcare will have more complex compliance needs.
• Current Security Maturity: A business with no existing security program will require more upfront work than one with a mature program.
• Scope of Work: The specific services you require from the vCISO will impact the cost.

The ROI of a vCISO

While there is a cost to engaging a vCISO, it's important to consider the return on investment. A vCISO can help you:

• Avoid Costly Breaches: The average cost of a data breach for an SME can be crippling. A vCISO helps you prevent these incidents from happening in the first place.
• Improve Efficiency: A vCISO can help you streamline your security processes and make better use of your existing technology.
• Win New Business: Many larger organisations now require their suppliers to have a robust cybersecurity program in place. A vCISO can help you meet these requirements and win new contracts.
• Access Funding: Some government grants and funding opportunities are available to Irish SMEs to improve their cybersecurity posture. A vCISO can help you identify and apply for these. For more on this, see our guide on cybersecurity grants and funding for Irish SMEs and our article on calculating vCISO ROI.

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vCISO vs. Full-Time CISO: A Cost Comparison

As you can see, a vCISO offers a significant cost saving compared to a full-time CISO, while still providing the strategic leadership your business needs.

Related Reading

• What is a vCISO and Why Do Irish SMEs Need One?
• The vCISO Engagement Model: Retainer, Project, or Fractional?
• vCISO Cost Ireland 2026: An Honest Answer

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Ready to Strengthen Your Security?

If the vCISO cost in Ireland is a concern for your business, a structured review will give you a clear picture and a prioritised action plan — without requiring a large budget or a full-time IT team.

Book a free 30-minute strategy call with our vCISO team. We work with small and medium businesses across Ireland — no jargon, no scare tactics, just clear actionable advice.

Book Your Free Strategy Call

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Sources: RiskAware, BH Consulting, ENISA, GDPR.ie