Virtual Chief Information Security Officer

Remote
Full Time
Executive
Overview
We are a managed service provider specializing in Department of Defense contractor environments and CMMC 2.0 compliance. The vCISO will lead client security programs end-to-end, aligning cybersecurity strategy with CMMC requirements (Levels 1–3), NIST SP 800-171/172, and DFARS 252.204-7012. This role is responsible for designing and governing right-sized security programs for small to mid-sized organizations handling FCI and CUI, ensuring audit readiness, measurable risk reduction, and sustainable compliance.
 
Key Responsibilities
  • Program Leadership and Governance
    • Serve as the executive security leader for multiple client accounts; establish governance, KPIs, and roadmaps aligned to CMMC and business objectives.
    • Chair client security steering meetings and deliver QBRs, risk reports, and executive briefings.
  • CMMC Strategy and Readiness
    • Perform gap assessments against CMMC 2.0 practices and processes; produce SSPs, POA&Ms, and remediation plans.
    • Guide clients through SPRS scoring, readiness for C3PAO assessments, and ongoing compliance maintenance.
    • Advise on CUI data lifecycle, scoping and boundary definition, enclave strategies, and inheritance from MSP/MSSP services.
  • Risk Management and Policy Framework
    • Build and maintain risk registers; conduct risk assessments and business impact analyses.
    • Author and maintain policy, standards, and procedures mapped to CMMC, NIST SP 800-171, and applicable customer contracts.
  • Security Architecture and Controls Implementation
    • Design pragmatic control architectures for SMB environments leveraging Microsoft 365 (E5), Azure AD/Entra, Intune, Defender, Sentinel, and GCC High where appropriate.
    • Oversee implementation of access control, logging/monitoring, vulnerability management, patching, backup/restore, DLP, email security, endpoint hardening, and zero trust principles aligned to CMMC practices.
  • Incident Preparedness and Response
    • Establish IR plans/playbooks, conduct tabletop exercises, and coordinate response with clients and MSP/MSSP partners.
    • Ensure DFARS 252.204-7012 cyber incident reporting readiness and evidence collection procedures.
  • Audit and Evidence Management
    • Build evidence catalogs and objective artifacts mapped to CMMC assessment objectives.
    • Coordinate internal readiness reviews and act as liaison with C3PAOs, RPOs, and assessors.
  • Third-Party and Supply Chain
    • Assess and manage third-party risks, flow-down requirements, and sub-contractor compliance related to CUI handling.
  • Client Advisory and Enablement
    • Educate executives and technical teams on CMMC nuances, including scoping pitfalls, inheritance, assessment objectives, and sustainment.
    • Develop program budgets, roadmaps, and SOWs; prioritize remediation to maximize SPRS score improvements and audit outcomes.
Qualifications
  • 7+ years in cybersecurity with 3+ years in a CISO, vCISO, or senior security leadership capacity serving multiple clients.
  • Proven, hands-on experience building and sustaining CMMC 2.0 and NIST SP 800-171-aligned programs, including SSP/POA&M development, evidence management, and audit readiness.
  • Deep understanding of CMMC 2.0 levels, domains/practices, assessment objectives, and the DoD ecosystem (C3PAO process, RPO role, SPRS, eMASS concepts).
  • Demonstrated success leading security programs in SMB/manufacturing/DoD supplier environments handling FCI/CUI and DFARS 252.204-7012 requirements.
  • Bachelor’s degree in Information Security, Computer Science, or related field; equivalent experience considered.
  • Relevant certifications strongly preferred:
    • CISSP, CISM, CCISO, or CISA
    • CMMC-focused credentials such as CCP, RP, or CCA
    • Additional: ISO 27001 Lead Implementer/Auditor, CEH, GCCC/GCIH/GCLD (nice to have)
  • U.S. citizenship required; ability to work with ITAR/EAR-restricted information. Security clearance a plus but not required.
  • Consulting/MSP experience managing multiple concurrent client programs.
Core Skills
  • CMMC/NIST Expertise
    • CMMC 2.0 scoping, boundary definition, inheritance, assessment objectives, and POA&M constraints.
    • NIST SP 800-171/172 control interpretation and practical implementation in SMB environments.
    • DFARS cyber clauses, incident reporting expectations, and contractual flow-downs.
  • Technical Leadership
    • Designing and governing security controls across Microsoft 365, Azure/Entra, GCC High, SIEM/SOAR (e.g., Sentinel), EDR/XDR, vulnerability management, identity, and zero trust.
    • Data protection for CUI: data flow mapping, labeling/marking, DLP, encryption, key management, and secure enclaves.
  • Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC)
    • Policy/standard/procedure authoring; evidence collection; audit liaison; risk quantification; metrics/KPIs.
    • Hands-on with GRC platforms and evidence workflows.
  • Communication and Stakeholder Management
    • Executive-level storytelling, board-ready reporting, and the ability to translate assessment objectives into actionable workstreams.
    • Vendor management, SOW creation, and prioritization under budget/time constraints.
  • Operational Excellence
    • Building repeatable program playbooks for SSP/POA&M, change management, vulnerability/Patch SLAs, logging/retention, and backup testing.
    • Incident response readiness, tabletop execution, and post-incident corrective action governance.

 
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