At HC Shield, our Virtual Leadership & Training service offers the strategic expertise of a Virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) and a Virtual Data Protection Officer (vDPO) to provide cost-effective, tailored guidance for navigating today’s complex security landscape. This service ensures your organsation benefits from expert oversight that aligns with industry best practices as well as regulatory requirements, bolstering your overall compliance and resilience.
In addition to executive leadership, we offer comprehensive training programs designed to empower your team. Our initiatives include realistic phishing campaigns to test and enhance your staff's ability to recognize malicious emails, as well as engaging security awareness training covering topics from social engineering to secure data handling. Together, these measures create a vigilant, informed workforce that plays a crucial role in safeguarding your organization against emerging threats.
Virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) Services
In today’s complex and ever-evolving cyber threat landscape, organisations often require strategic cybersecurity leadership but may not have the resources or need for a full-time Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). HC Shield’s Virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) service offers experienced cybersecurity expertise on-demand, providing your organisation with the leadership it needs at a fraction of the cost of a full-time hire.
Our vCISO experts bring years of experience across diverse industries to help you build and maintain a strong security posture. We work closely with your team to develop and implement tailored security strategies that align with your organisation’s goals, regulatory requirements, and risk tolerance. From creating robust policy frameworks to designing comprehensive incident response plans, our vCISO service ensures your organisation is equipped to navigate cybersecurity challenges with confidence.
Key Features of Our vCISO Service:
Strategic Security Leadership
HC Shield’s vCISO service provides expert guidance to help your organisation develop a comprehensive cybersecurity roadmap that aligns seamlessly with your business objectives. Our vCISO experts assess your current security posture, identify gaps or vulnerabilities, and recommend actionable strategies to strengthen your defences. Additionally, we offer executive-level insights and support for board presentations or audits, ensuring that your leadership team is well-informed and equipped to make sound cybersecurity decisions.
Policy and Compliance Support
Regulatory compliance and well-defined policies are critical to maintaining a strong security posture. Our vCISO experts work with you to develop and implement customised security policies and procedures tailored to your specific industry and regulatory requirements, such as GDPR, ISO 27001, and PCI DSS. By ensuring compliance with industry standards, we help your organisation reduce the risk of penalties, operational disruptions, and reputational damage.
Risk Management and Incident Response
Effective risk management and incident response are cornerstones of a resilient security programme. HC Shield’s vCISO service establishes a structured approach to identifying, prioritising, and mitigating risks across your organisation. We design and implement robust incident response plans to ensure you are prepared for potential security breaches and can respond effectively. To further strengthen readiness, we conduct tabletop exercises, allowing your team to test and refine their incident response strategies in a controlled, simulated environment.
Vendor and Third-Party Risk Oversight
With an increasing reliance on third-party vendors, managing external cybersecurity risks is more critical than ever. HC Shield’s vCISO service evaluates the cybersecurity posture of your vendors and supply chain, identifying potential vulnerabilities that could impact your organisation. We also develop and monitor compliance frameworks to mitigate risks associated with these external partnerships, ensuring a secure and trusted vendor ecosystem.
Cost-Effective Expertise
Access to experienced cybersecurity leadership doesn’t have to come with the expense of a full-time hire. HC Shield’s vCISO service offers flexible service models tailored to your organisation’s needs, whether you require short-term advisory support or ongoing strategic oversight. This cost-effective solution provides you with top-tier expertise to strengthen your security programme without exceeding your budget.
Ongoing Security Operations Support
Our vCISO experts provide hands-on guidance to your IT and security teams, ensuring they implement best practices for secure operations. From selecting and deploying essential security technologies—such as firewalls, SIEMs, and endpoint protection tools—to monitoring emerging threats, we deliver ongoing support to maintain and enhance your organisation’s security infrastructure.
Why Choose HC Shield’s vCISO Services?
With HC Shield’s vCISO service, your organisation benefits from comprehensive, affordable, and expert-led solutions that combine regulatory compliance, technical excellence, and practical strategies. We help businesses address immediate risks while building long-term resilience, ensuring they can operate securely and confidently in a complex cyber landscape.Partner with HC Shield to gain the expertise you need to stay ahead of cyber threats, without the commitment or expense of a full-time CISO. Let us help you transform your cybersecurity approach into a competitive advantage.
Virtual DPO Services (vDPO)
Why outsource your DPO?
Our vDPO services ensure your organisation stays compliant with data protection regulations like GDPR. With GDPR experts at your service, we conduct data audits, implement secure frameworks, and provide expert advice to safeguard sensitive information against unauthorised access and breaches. To empower your team, we offer tailored training, equipping them with the knowledge to manage data effectively while maintaining compliance. Our monthly rolling service provides ongoing support and ensures your organisation's data governance remains optimised and secure.
Why outsource your DPO?
Appointing a DPO is legally required for all public authorities and many private organisations under the GDPR and DPA 2018.
Even where the GDPR does not explicitly require a DPO appointment, it is highly encouraged to demonstrate compliance as a matter of good practice.Many organisations, find that the DPO responsibilities are a challenge to deliver, given the breadth of knowledge required of data processing and data security operations and the requisite familiarity with the legal aspects of the GDPR and DPA 2018.
The Regulation allows organisations to outsource the DPO role to an external provider. With a shortage of individuals trained to handle DPO responsibilities, a virtual DPO can help your organisation address its regulatory compliance demands quickly and cost-effectively.
Comprehensive GDPR and DPA 2018 Compliance Solution
Our outsourced Data Protection Officer (DPO) service ensures full compliance with your obligations under Articles 38 and 39 of the GDPR. The service includes:
- Official DPO Registration: Registration as your designated DPO with the relevant supervisory authority.
- Supervisory Authority Liaison: Acting as the primary contact point for all data protection matters.
- Dedicated Support: A dedicated Data Protection Officer providing unlimited guidance via email and telephone.
- Compliance Monitoring: Ongoing management of your GDPR/DPA 2018 compliance programme.
- Gap Analysis and Action Plan: Conducting a GDPR/DPA 2018 compliance gap analysis and implementing a remedial action plan (Year 1).
- Annual Compliance Audits: Comprehensive audits to assess and maintain compliance (from Year 2 onwards).
- Record Management Support: Assistance in creating and maintaining a personal data processing register in line with Article 30 requirements.
- Expert Advice: Guidance on data protection practices to ensure ongoing compliance with GDPR/DPA 2018.
- Staff Training: Facilitating awareness and training sessions for your team.
- Data Processing Verification: Identifying and verifying personal data processing activities to ensure compliance.
- Policy and Procedure Review: Reviewing GDPR-related documentation, including legal assessments and practical guidance.
- Specialist Assistance: Support with Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs), Data Subject Access Requests (DSARs), and data breach management and reporting.
- Regular Reporting: Monthly activity updates and quarterly management reports to keep you informed.
This tailored service provides all the necessary support to achieve and maintain GDPR and DPA 2018 compliance, giving you peace of mind and allowing you to focus on your core operations.
Get in touch today to explore how we can support your organisation's security and compliance journey.
Security Awareness & Training
Equip your team with the knowledge and skills to identify and mitigate security risks. At HC Shield, we believe that people are your first line of defence against cyber threats, and our training programmes are designed to empower your employees with the tools they need to maintain a secure organisation.
To reinforce training and ensure that security awareness becomes second nature, HC Shield can help you conduct phishing campaigns. These simulated phishing attacks are designed to:
- Assess your team’s ability to identify and respond to suspicious emails.
- Provide real-time feedback and targeted follow-up training for employees who may need additional guidance.
- Track improvement over time, helping you measure the effectiveness of your organisation’s security awareness programme.
Comprehensive Security Training for Employees
Our training programmes cover a wide range of essential topics, tailored to the needs of your organisation, including:
- Security Best Practices for Employees: Practical guidance on protecting sensitive data, managing passwords, and securely using technology in the workplace.
- Recognising and Avoiding Social Engineering Attacks: Train your team to spot and resist common tactics used in phishing, pretexting, baiting, and other forms of manipulation.
- Compliance with Data Protection Regulations: Ensure your employees understand their responsibilities under regulations such as GDPR, ISO 27001, and industry-specific standards, helping your organisation maintain compliance and avoid costly penalties.
- Safe Internet and Email Usage: Educate employees on identifying malicious links, attachments, and websites.
- Mobile and Remote Work Security: Provide best practices for securing mobile devices and working safely outside the office environment.
Tailored and Engaging Training Sessions
Our training sessions are designed to be engaging, practical, and relevant to real-world scenarios. We use interactive methods, such as:
- Workshops and Webinars: Interactive sessions that encourage discussion and hands-on practice.
- Scenario-Based Learning: Realistic simulations of cyberattacks to test and enhance decision-making skills.
- Gamified Learning Modules: Fun and competitive activities to make learning about cybersecurity both enjoyable and memorable.
Partner with HC Shield to create a well-informed, security-conscious workforce that serves as your strongest defence.
Phishing Simulation Campaigns
Phishing remains one of the most pervasive and effective cyberattack methods, exploiting human error to gain unauthorised access to sensitive information or systems. HC Shield's Phishing Simulation Campaigns are designed to proactively address this threat by transforming your workforce into a vigilant and informed line of defence.
What Are Phishing Simulations?
Phishing simulations are controlled, realistic exercises that mimic actual phishing attacks. These campaigns test employees' ability to identify and respond to malicious emails without putting your organisation at risk. The goal is to provide practical, hands-on training that reinforces cybersecurity awareness in a safe environment.
Key Features of Our Phishing Campaigns
- Customised Scenarios
Tailored simulations that mimic real-world phishing tactics relevant to your industry, including spear-phishing, credential harvesting, and malicious attachments. - Behavioural Insights
Detailed analytics provide insights into user behaviour, such as who clicked on links, opened attachments, or reported suspicious emails, enabling targeted follow-up training. - Progressive Difficulty Levels
Campaigns designed to grow in complexity over time, ensuring employees are prepared to recognise and respond to increasingly sophisticated threats. - Immediate Feedback
Real-time responses to employee actions during simulations, offering constructive guidance on what was done correctly and areas for improvement. - Comprehensive Reporting
Executive-level reports summarise campaign results, highlighting organisational strengths and identifying vulnerabilities to help guide future training efforts.
Why Are Phishing Simulations Important?
Phishing attacks are the gateway to many larger-scale cyber threats, such as ransomware and data breaches. Simulations not only reduce the likelihood of successful attacks but also instil a security-first mindset across your organisation. Employees who regularly participate in phishing simulations are significantly more likely to recognise and report actual phishing attempts.
Investing in HC Shield’s Phishing Simulation Campaigns helps turn your employees into active participants in your cybersecurity strategy, reducing risk and safeguarding your organisation against evolving threats.