Virtual CISO · DIFC, VARA licence holders and growing Dubai companies
Virtual CISO (vCISO) Services in Dubai
Intello provides vCISO services in Dubai: an experienced security leader who works with you part time to own your security strategy, run your compliance programme and report to your board. You get the judgement of a CISO without the cost of a full-time hire.
- Dubai-based since 2003
- 500+ clients
- 99% client satisfaction
What is a virtual CISO?
A virtual CISO (vCISO), also called CISO as a service or a fractional CISO, is an experienced Chief Information Security Officer who works for your company part time, usually a set number of days a month. They own the security strategy, manage risk and compliance, guide your IT team and report to management, just as a full-time CISO would.
| Typical time | A few days a month, adjusted as your needs change |
|---|---|
| Main duties | Security strategy and roadmap, risk register, policies, compliance programmes, incident readiness, board reporting |
| Frameworks | ISO 27001, SOC 2, UAE PDPL, the UAE IA Standard, VARA rules and the NIST Cybersecurity Framework |
| Best for | Companies that need senior security leadership but not a full-time executive |
| Reports to | Your CEO, management team or board, on an agreed schedule |
| Where we work | From our Dubai office in Al Qusais, on site anywhere in Dubai and remotely |
Virtual CISO services for Dubai companies
Dubai’s regulators increasingly expect a named security lead, and clients want someone accountable for security. A virtual CISO in Dubai gives you that senior security leadership at a fraction of the cost.
VARA licence holders
The VARA Technology and Information Rulebook requires virtual asset service providers to appoint a CISO. See VARA compliance.
DIFC firms
Banks, funds and fintechs regulated by the DFSA, where boards are expected to oversee cyber risk. See DFSA compliance.
Dubai Internet City and Dubai Silicon Oasis
SaaS and tech companies preparing for ISO 27001 or SOC 2 without a security lead.
DMCC and JAFZA
Trading and logistics groups whose clients and banks now ask who is responsible for security.
Government suppliers
Companies supplying Dubai government entities that must show an accountable security function.
Growing mid-sized companies
Firms that have outgrown "IT handles security" but are not ready for a full-time CISO.
Also available: vCISO in Abu Dhabi · Virtual CISO across the UAE · vCISO in Sharjah
Do you need vCISO services in Dubai?
A virtual CISO is usually the right fit if any of these apply to you:
- A regulator, such as VARA, expects a CISO-led security programme
- Clients, banks or investors ask who is accountable for security
- You are preparing for ISO 27001, SOC 2 or a regulatory audit with no one to lead it
- Your IT team is stretched and security decisions keep slipping
- Your board wants clear, regular reporting on cyber risk
- You need a full-time CISO eventually, but not yet
Not sure how much CISO time you need? Most Dubai companies start with a few days a month and adjust after the first quarter. We will suggest a level in the first call.
What our virtual CISO does in Dubai
Your vCISO takes on the responsibilities of a full-time CISO, scaled to your size.
Security strategy and roadmap
A clear, prioritised plan for the next 12 to 24 months, tied to your business goals and budget.
Risk management
A living risk register, reviewed regularly, so management knows the top risks and what is being done about them.
Policies and governance
A practical policy set and the governance to keep it working, not a binder nobody reads.
Compliance programmes
Leading ISO 27001, SOC 2, UAE PDPL, VARA or UAE IA work, and handling auditors and regulators.
Board and management reporting
Regular, plain-language reports on cyber risk, progress and decisions needed.
Vendor and third-party risk
Security reviews of key suppliers and cloud providers, and answers to clients’ security questionnaires.
Incident readiness
An incident response plan, tabletop exercises and a clear role when something goes wrong.
Guiding your IT team
Day-to-day guidance on security decisions, tools and priorities.
How our vCISO services in Dubai work
A clear start, then a steady monthly rhythm.
- 1
Discovery call
We understand your business, regulators, clients and current security set-up.
Week 0 · free
- 2
Baseline assessment
A review of your security posture, risks and obligations, with a prioritised roadmap.
First month
- 3
Agree the plan
Roadmap, budget and reporting agreed with management.
End of month one
- 4
Ongoing leadership
Your vCISO works with your team on agreed days, on site in Dubai and remotely.
Monthly
- 5
Quarterly board reporting
Progress, top risks and decisions needed, presented to management or the board.
Every quarter
- 6
Review and adjust
CISO time and priorities adjusted as you grow or regulations change.
Every 6–12 months
Your roadmap, risk register and programme records are kept up to date throughout, so a future full-time CISO can pick them up from day one.
What you get
- A named, experienced virtual CISO
- Security baseline assessment and roadmap
- Risk register, kept up to date
- Security policy set and governance
- Leadership of your compliance programmes and audits
- Quarterly board and management reports
- Incident response plan and tabletop exercise
- Answers to client security questionnaires
Choose your level of CISO support
vCISO essentials
A few days a monthBest for: Smaller companies and start-ups
- · Roadmap and risk register
- · Policies
- · Quarterly reporting
vCISO standard
More days a monthBest for: Regulated or certifying companies
- · Everything in essentials
- · Compliance programme leadership
- · Regulator and auditor contact
vCISO plus specialists
MonthlyBest for: Busy security or compliance programmes
- · vCISO leadership
- · Testing, SOC or compliance specialists
- · One point of contact
Need a CISO in Dubai, but not full time?
A 30-minute call is enough to work out how much CISO time you need and what it would cost.
Virtual CISO vs full-time CISO in Dubai
For many companies, a fractional CISO in Dubai gives the leadership they need without the cost of an executive hire.
| Virtual CISO | Full-time CISO | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | A monthly fee for the days you use | An executive salary, benefits and recruitment cost |
| Recruitment | None needed | Often months to recruit |
| Experience | Broad, across many companies and regulators | Deep in one company |
| Flexibility | Scale days up or down | Fixed |
| Best for | SMEs, start-ups, regulated firms building up | Large organisations with complex, constant needs |
What affects the cost of vCISO services in Dubai
You get a fixed monthly fee after the discovery call. These are the factors that move it:
- Days per month
- How much of your vCISO’s time you need.
- Regulation
- VARA, DFSA or UAE IA obligations add regulator-facing work.
- Compliance programmes
- Leading ISO 27001 or SOC 2 alongside the CISO role.
- Company size
- The number of staff, sites and systems.
- On-site time
- How often the vCISO needs to be at your Dubai office.
- Team support
- Whether we also provide testing, SOC or compliance consultants.
Why companies choose Intello for a virtual CISO in Dubai
23+
years in UAE cybersecurity
500+
clients served
99%
client satisfaction
Local regulation. We know VARA, DFSA, UAE PDPL and UAE IA expectations, not only global frameworks.
A team behind your vCISO. Testing, compliance, SOC and incident response specialists when your vCISO needs them.
Practical, not theoretical. Roadmaps sized to your budget and your team’s capacity.
Dubai-based. Your vCISO comes on site in Dubai for meetings that matter.
Frequently asked questions
How much do vCISO services in Dubai cost?
It depends mainly on how many days a month you need, and on your regulatory obligations. Most Dubai companies start with a few days a month on a fixed monthly fee, which is far below the cost of a full-time CISO. We give a fixed fee after a free discovery call.
Can a virtual CISO in Dubai meet VARA’s CISO requirement?
VARA requires virtual asset service providers to appoint a CISO. Whether a part-time or outsourced CISO meets that requirement is a question for VARA and your compliance team. A virtual CISO can lead the security programme, prepare the evidence VARA expects and support whoever you appoint.
What is the difference between a vCISO and a fractional CISO?
Nothing in practice. Virtual CISO, fractional CISO and CISO as a service all describe an experienced security leader who works for you part time.
Is CISO as a service in Dubai right for a start-up?
Often, yes. Start-ups facing their first enterprise security review, a funding round or a regulator usually need senior security judgement before they can justify a full-time hire. A few days a month is usually enough at that stage.
Does the vCISO work on site in Dubai?
Yes. Your vCISO comes to your Dubai office for workshops, board meetings and key reviews, and works remotely in between.
Can one person be both CISO and Data Protection Officer?
Sometimes, depending on the rules that apply and on conflicts of interest. VARA, for example, allows its CISO to also be the DPO. Your vCISO can advise on what fits your situation.
What happens when we are ready to hire a full-time CISO?
Your roadmap, risk register, policies and programme records are kept up to date throughout, so a new full-time CISO can take over from day one without starting again.
Related services
Get a virtual CISO in Dubai
Tell us a little about your company and what is driving the need. We will set up a free 30-minute call.
What happens next
- 1We get in touch to arrange a call
- 2A 30-minute discovery call
- 3A fixed monthly fee and a start date
Prefer to talk now? Call +971 55 355 6787