Objective: Strengthen cybersecurity posture by implementing more advanced security controls and improving compliance.

Coverage Focus: Compliance readiness, security operations & incident response

Estimated vCISO Hours: 20-30 hours/month

Pricing: $4,000 – $6,500/month

Contract Duration: 6-month minimum commitment

Ideal For: SMBs aiming to improve cybersecurity maturity and meet compliance requirements

✅ Everything in the Essential plan, Plus

✅ Formalized Security Governance

Establish a structured approach to security governance, ensuring clear accountability and oversight of cybersecurity activities.

🔹 Define security roles and responsibilities within the organization, including executive oversight, IT security management, and operational security tasks.

🔹 Establish Security SLAs (Service Level Agreements) to ensure timely response to security incidents, vulnerability remediation, and compliance tracking.

🔹 Implement policy frameworks that align with industry standards (NIST CSF, CIS Controls) to govern risk management, data protection, and compliance efforts.

🔹 Define reporting structures and escalation procedures for security incidents, ensuring senior leadership is informed of critical risks and mitigation efforts.

🔹 Conduct regular governance reviews, including security audits, compliance assessments, and risk management evaluations to improve security maturity over time.

✅ Threat & Vulnerability Management Implementation

Proactively identify, assess, and remediate vulnerabilities to minimize security risks and prevent breaches.

🔹 Deploy continuous vulnerability scanning tools (e.g., Qualys, Tenable, Rapid7) to detect security weaknesses in networks, applications, and cloud environments.

🔹 Establish automated patch management processes to ensure timely updates for operating systems, software, and third-party applications.

🔹 Implement a threat intelligence program to stay ahead of emerging threats, leveraging feeds from sources such as MITRE ATT&CK, ISACs, and government advisories.

🔹 Conduct regular penetration testing and red team exercises to identify security gaps before attackers do.

🔹 Develop a risk-based remediation strategy, prioritizing vulnerabilities based on exploitability, business impact, and regulatory compliance.

✅ Identity & Access Management (IAM) Policy Development

Strengthen authentication and authorization processes to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive systems and data.

🔹 Implement Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) to ensure users only have access to the resources necessary for their job functions.

🔹 Enforce Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for all privileged accounts, remote access, and critical applications to reduce the risk of credential compromise.

🔹 Deploy Privileged Access Management (PAM) solutions (e.g., CyberArk, BeyondTrust) to secure and monitor administrative accounts and sensitive system access.

🔹 Regularly review and audit access permissions to ensure compliance with the principle of least privilege (PoLP).

🔹Establish automated provisioning and de-provisioning processes to ensure access rights are promptly granted and revoked based on employment status changes.

✅ Incident Response & Business Continuity Planning

Develop structured response strategies to quickly contain and recover from security incidents while maintaining business operations.

🔹 Develop incident response playbooks for various attack scenarios (e.g., ransomware, phishing, insider threats, DDoS).

🔹 Establish a Security Operations Center (SOC) or Managed Detection and Response (MDR) service to monitor threats and enable rapid response.

🔹 Define communication and escalation protocols, including notification procedures for regulatory compliance (e.g., GDPR, CCPA, HIPAA breach notification).

🔹 Conduct tabletop exercises and simulated cyberattacks to ensure teams are prepared to handle real-world incidents.

🔹 Integrate business continuity and disaster recovery (BC/DR) planning with incident response to minimize downtime and ensure rapid restoration of critical services.

✅ Quarterly Security Reporting

Provide transparency into security performance, risks, and compliance for MSPs and their clients.

🔹 Generate executive-level security reports summarizing key metrics, including security incidents, compliance status, and risk assessments.

🔹 Provide detailed vulnerability reports highlighting detected threats, remediation actions, and outstanding security gaps.

🔹 Offer compliance audit reports to demonstrate adherence to industry standards (e.g., NIST CSF, CIS, ISO 27001, HIPAA).

🔹Include trend analysis and risk forecasting, leveraging past incidents and threat intelligence to predict and mitigate future risks.

🔹 Present security reports to MSP and client executives, offering insights into security program effectiveness and areas for improvement.

Deliverables:

✅ Advanced security policies (including third-party risk management)

✅ Security awareness training program

✅ Endpoint protection and network security configurations

✅ Backup and disaster recovery plan

✅ Incident response playbooks

✅ Monthly security assessment reports

Key CIS v8.1 Controls Implemented (Includes Essential Plan + Additional Controls)

✅ Email & Web Browser Protections – Implement email security measures (anti-phishing, SPF, DKIM, DMARC) - CIS Control 9

✅ Malware Defenses – Deploy endpoint protection solutions - CIS Control 10

✅ Data Recovery – Implement backup and recovery strategies - CIS Control 11

✅ Network Infrastructure Management – Secure and segment networks - CIS Control 12

✅ Security Awareness & Skills Training – Conduct security awareness training for employees - CIS Control 14

✅ Service Provider Management – Assess and manage third-party security risks - CIS Control 15

✅ Security Operations Center (SOC) & Threat Detection – Enhance monitoring and response capabilities - CIS Control 8 & 16 & 17

Conclusion

The Intermediate Information Security Plan provides a structured and proactive approach to cybersecurity, addressing key governance, detection, protection, response, and reporting functions. By implementing these components, MSPs and their clients can strengthen their security resilience, reduce risks, and align with industry standards and best practices. This plan serves as a vital step toward achieving a mature and robust security posture in an increasingly complex threat landscape.