MARBER SECURITY
Interim CISO
Operating authority for a defined term. We step into the seat, take the accountability, and build a program designed to be inherited.
When companies call
- The CISO has departed and the board needs continuity before a permanent hire
- A newly formed company is operating under regulatory supervision and needs a security executive before it has a security team
- A private equity sponsor has closed on an acquisition and needs security leadership from Day 1
- An integration is underway and the existing team does not have the bandwidth or the authority to lead it
- A regulatory examination is imminent and the organization needs an executive who can speak to the program
How an interim mandate works
01
Scoping
We meet with the CEO, board, and relevant stakeholders to understand the situation, the timeline, and the outcome required. We agree on scope, authority, and reporting structure before we begin.
02
Transition in
We assess the existing program, meet the team, and establish operating cadence. We take the accountability from Day 1: board reporting, vendor relationships, regulatory engagement.
03
Build and lead
We run the security function for the duration of the engagement: strategy, operations, hiring, and board communication. We build the program to be inherited, not to create dependency.
04
Transition out
We recruit or prepare the permanent CISO, document the program, and execute a structured handover. The organization is stronger at the end of the engagement than at the beginning.
A REPRESENTATIVE ENGAGEMENT
A private-equity-backed financial services company, newly formed and operating under state regulatory supervision, needed a security executive before it had a security team. Marber served as Interim CISO for approximately one year, designing the information security program from inception, achieving regulatory readiness, leading vendors and early hires, and reporting to the board, then transitioned the function to a permanent, full-time CISO.
Marber Security does not disclose client identities. Engagement details are described without identifying information.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a typical interim CISO engagement last?
Most engagements run between six months and eighteen months. The right duration depends on the situation: a vacancy with a clear permanent hire timeline is typically shorter; a build from inception is typically longer. We scope each engagement individually and do not extend mandates beyond what the organization needs.
What authority does an interim CISO carry?
We operate with the same authority as a permanent CISO: board reporting, vendor and budget authority, and direct access to the CEO and senior leadership team. We do not operate as a consultant who advises from the outside. We carry the accountability.
How does the transition to a permanent CISO work?
We build the program to be inherited. That means documented policies, a clear operating model, and a team that understands the program. We can assist with recruiting the permanent hire, and we execute a structured handover, typically over four to six weeks, so the incoming CISO inherits a running program, not a blank page.
Begin with a confidential conversation.
Tell us the decision in front of you. We will tell you honestly whether we are the right firm to help make it.