The number of cyberattacks and threats is growing every day, and serious vulnerabilities are being discovered even in the systems of the largest IT service providers. In Europe, the NIS2 directive is also coming into force, requiring companies to establish systems that reliably protect their infrastructure and data. Yet, there is a shortage of qualified professionals with relevant experience. Recruiting and retaining them is both complex and financially demanding. For this reason, more and more organizations are choosing to outsource a CISO (Chief Information Security Officer) as well as other cybersecurity specialists.

Why is the CISO role crucial?

The CISO is responsible for the overall cybersecurity strategy of the organization. They ensure compliance with regulations, establish processes, and oversee the company’s ability to respond quickly to incidents. Their role goes beyond implementing technical measures—it also includes managing security processes and maintaining regular communication with executive leadership.

Benefits of outsourcing a CISO

An external CISO and a team of specialists bring several advantages. The first is access to experts with experience across different industries. While hiring a full-time CISO may be financially unfeasible for small and medium-sized companies, outsourcing offers a flexible model—organizations pay only for the services they truly need.

Another advantage is eliminating the inefficiency of a full-time role. In many companies, the CISO’s agenda is not extensive enough to justify the high cost of a senior professional on a permanent contract. Outsourcing helps avoid overpaying for an underutilized employee. Instead, the company gains optimal capacity based on current needs—for example, intensive support from a specialist during audit preparation, followed by periodic oversight and reporting.

A further benefit is faster onboarding. Recruitment and hiring of qualified employees can take months, while external capacity can be engaged almost immediately. Outsourcing also provides an objective outside perspective, helping to uncover weaknesses that an internal team might overlook.

Typical Roles and Use Cases

In addition to outsourcing the CISO role itself, companies often turn to staff augmentation—reinforcing their teams with specialists based on current needs. This allows organizations to bring in an auditor, a security systems architect, a supplier risk management specialist, or an incident response expert. Common scenarios include preparing for an audit, implementing NIS2, or achieving ISO 27001 certification. In these cases, external support accelerates the process and minimizes the risk of errors.

What does it look like in practice?

Consider a mid-sized energy company subject to the NIS2 directive. Internally, it lacks the capacity and expertise to handle complex cybersecurity regulations. By outsourcing a CISO and engaging an external team, the company can conduct a gap analysis, prepare the necessary documentation, and establish risk management processes. To support these efforts, we developed AuditMaster.ai—an AI-powered tool that simplifies the entire compliance journey with current legislation. As a result, the company can meet its obligations on time, without chaos, and at a lower cost than building a full in-house department.

What to watch out for

Outsourcing delivers significant benefits, but it requires careful partner selection. An external CISO must not only have technical expertise but also a strong understanding of regulations and the ability to communicate effectively with company leadership. Confidentiality, clearly defined SLAs, and transparent reporting are essential. Only under these conditions will outsourcing serve as real support rather than a new source of risk.

Outsourcing a CISO and cybersecurity specialists is a solution tailored to today’s labor market challenges and stricter regulatory requirements. It offers companies flexibility, access to expertise, and cost savings. At a time when cybersecurity is a strategic priority and the shortage of specialists continues to grow, this model represents an effective and sustainable path forward. For organizations preparing for NIS2 or aiming to strengthen their resilience against threats, outsourcing can be a decisive step toward a safer future.