A virtual Chief Information Security Officer is an outsourced executive who sets security strategy, policies, and governance without the cost of hiring a full-time CISO.

How long does SOC 2 readiness take?

Typical SOC 2 readiness engagements take 6–12 months depending on maturity and remediation needs.

Do you provide managed detection and response?

FWS partners with MDR/MSSP providers and offers managed security services and vendor-managed detection options as part of our ongoing programs.

Does Framework Security perform post-incident forensics?

Yes — we provide incident response and digital forensics to investigate root cause, scope, and remediation after breaches or ransomware.

What is SOC 2 and why would we need it?

SOC 2 is an independent audit that shows your company protects customer data using strong security and operational controls. Many enterprise customers make it a contract requirement before they’ll sign.

What is NIST CSF 2.0?

It’s a framework from NIST that organizes cybersecurity into six functions: Govern, Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover. It’s often used as a roadmap to measure maturity and prioritize improvements.

How do SOC 2 and NIST CSF fit together?

NIST CSF can guide how you build your security program; SOC 2 is the external attestation you can hand to customers. Companies often use both: CSF internally, SOC 2 for external proof.

If you don’t have senior security leadership but need to meet compliance requirements, manage risk, or respond to customer security reviews, a vCISO is a practical option.

What’s the difference between a vulnerability assessment, penetration test, and red team?

A vulnerability assessment is a broad scan for weaknesses. A penetration test is a scoped simulation where testers exploit issues to show real-world impact. A red team is a full adversary simulation, often across multiple attack paths, designed to test detection and response.

How often should we do security testing?

At least once a year and whenever systems change significantly. More frequent testing is recommended for internet-facing applications or regulated industries.

What happens if we fail a pentest?

There is no 'pass/fail.' You get a report showing vulnerabilities, their severity, and how to fix them. After remediation, a retest confirms the issues are closed.

Do you help with regulatory frameworks other than SOC 2?

Yes, common ones include CIS 18, NIST, ISO 27001, HIPAA, PCI DSS, and others depending on your industry requirements.

Where do we start if we’re new to security programs?

Schedule a call with us to determine your organization’s best path forward.

What’s included in your vCISO packages?

Tiered options include governance, risk management, compliance roadmap, AI risk strategy, and quarterly QBRs. Each tier can bundle SOC 2 readiness and pentesting.