NIS2 Leadership
Strategic leadership for cybersecurity
CISO as a Service from Sectio Aurea is a Chief Information Security Officer outsourcing service designed for organizations that need mature security governance without the costs and rigidity of an in-house CISO.
We take over or augment cybersecurity responsibility at the organizational level, integrating security directly into corporate governance, business processes, and executive decisions.
We don't deliver theoretical recommendations. We operate security daily, with clear accountability, management visibility, and auditable results.
What does it mean, specifically?
In practice, CISO as a Service means that the cybersecurity function is professionally assumed, governed and operated, not informally distributed between IT, compliance and management.
For the organization, this translates into the fact that security:
it is clearly assumed, with a single point of responsibility, not fragmented between roles that "also have security" in addition to other duties;
it is integrated into management and governance, being treated as a control and decision function, not as a purely technical subject;
operates continuously and predictably, day in and day out, not just reactively or during periods of audit, incident or external pressure;
supports informed executive decisions, through real visibility into risks, impacts and treatment options, not just technical checklists.
Sectio Aurea acts either as the organization's CISO or as a direct extension of the existing team, with clearly defined authority, assumed operational responsibility, and structured reporting to management and the Board.
In this model, security is no longer a “set of requirements” but an active tool for business governance, control, and resilience.
Outsourcing the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) function for organizations that need to manage cyber risks and the requirements of the NIS2 Directive.
CISO as a Service provides security program coordination, risk management, and management reporting, without the need to hire an in-house CISO.
What do you get?
Informed decisions, supported by business cases
Investments in security are economically justified, correlated with business risks and objectives.
Demonstrable compliance (NIS / NIS2, ISO, GDPR)
The security framework is auditable, documented and operational, not just stated.
Predictable costs and flexibility
Access to very high-level expertise at a fraction of the cost of an in-house CISO.
Outsourcing the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) function for organizations that need to manage cyber risks and the requirements of the NIS2 Directive.
CISO as a Service provides security program coordination, risk management, and management reporting, without the need to hire an in-house CISO.
What we actually do for your organization
As an outsourced CISO, we directly deal with:
defining and maintaining the cybersecurity strategy, aligned with business objectives;
establishing policies, roles and responsibilities, assumed at management level;
operating cyber risk management, correlated with financial, operational and reputational impact;
coordinating the implementation of technical and organizational controls;
the relationship with auditors, authorities and critical partners;
periodic reporting to management, in decision-making language, not technical.
How do we work?
The Sectio Aurea approach is structured, pragmatic and oriented towards real results, not theory or useless documentation.
We operate security, not just design it
We monitor and coordinate the implementation of key controls:
asset inventory, access control, logging, segmentation, encryption, patching, hardening, awareness.
We report clearly and consistently to management
We define and calibrate relevant KPIs/KRIs for the Board and top management, with continuous visibility.
We prepare the organization for audits and incidents
We ensure traceability, evidence and permanent control over the security function.
Do you want to see what the concrete implementation of this model could look like in your organization?
Schedule a discussion to analyze the security context and priorities
Why the Golden Section?
Uniqueness built on real experience
The CISO as a Service service is delivered exclusively by senior experts with real experience in CISO roles, security governance, and risk management in complex and regulated organizations.
We do not delegate critical responsibilities to junior consultants or mediate decisions through commercial roles. You work directly with professionals who have been involved in real security decisions, audits, incidents, and relationships with management and authorities.
Flexible model, based on microservices
The Sectio Aurea model provides access to very high-level expertise exactly when needed, without the rigidity of permanent employment or oversized contracts.
The CISO function is delivered modularly, adapted to the maturity of the organization and the real context, allowing for the scaling of involvement depending on risk, operational pressure and compliance requirements.
Proven experience in critical and regulated environments
We work with organizations for which cybersecurity is an operational and strategic responsibility: critical infrastructures, regulated sectors, high-risk and audit environments.
We know how to manage audit pressure, incidents, relations with authorities and sensitive management decisions in a coherent, credible and defensible way.
Quality delivered consistently
Quality is not a promise, but a working principle.
We don't deliver standard solutions, we don't produce documents without operational value, and we don't "check" requirements without impact. Each intervention is carefully calibrated, delivered by seniors, and tracked over time to ensure consistency, traceability, and measurable results.
Discover how practical experience and a pragmatic approach can accelerate the implementation of your security program.
Talk to a Sectio Aurea expert
What are we doing?
Through the CISO as a Service service, Sectio Aurea ensures the operation, coordination and continuous improvement of the organization's Information Security Management System (SMS), in accordance with the NIS 2 Directive, ISO/IEC 27001:2022 and the internal corporate governance framework.
We act as an integrated extension of IT governance and operations, combining strategic decision-making with tactical execution so that security is managed coherently, traceably, and permanently prepared for audits, incidents, and external controls.
Security governance and strategy
We ensure the governance of the security function at the organizational level, aligning the security strategy with business objectives and regulatory requirements.
We define, maintain and update security strategy, policies and standards, integrating security into corporate decision-making processes and maintaining the constant involvement of executive management.
We support management through:
business cases for security investments;
clarifying roles, responsibilities and lines of authority;
continuous adaptation of the strategy according to risks, legislative changes and operational context.
We establish and operate a framework of continuous, not punctual, compliance.
We coordinate accreditation processes, maintain the security accreditation map, and permanently monitor the degree of compliance of the IT and OT ecosystem.
We achieve:
NIS 2 / ISO 27001 self-assessments and internal audits;
identifying and remedying non-conformities;
corrective action plans followed through to closure;
structured reporting to management, risk committees and authorities.
Reporting risks and security indicators
We define and operate an executive reporting system, based on relevant performance and risk indicators (KPI / KRI), that reflects the real state of security, not just formal compliance.
The indicators are:
correlated with strategic objectives;
integrated into ITSM, GRC, IGA and PAM platforms;
visualize through clear, decision-oriented dashboards.
Risk management and continuous improvement
We manage IT and OT risks in a structured, documented and traceable way.
We maintain the risk register, treatment plans and monitor the effectiveness of the implemented measures, so that decisions regarding the acceptance or reduction of risks are assumed and defensible.
We are rolling:
periodic risk and vulnerability assessments;
internal audits and annual reviews;
Annual Continuous Improvement Plan, based on measurable results and emerging risks.
We coordinate information risk management and critical suppliers to maintain exposure within the organization's risk appetite.
We cover:
classification of information assets;
risk assessments dedicated to suppliers;
integrating security requirements into procurement and contracts;
monitoring technological, legislative and geopolitical changes;
periodic security checks for critical suppliers.
Business Impact Analysis (BIA) and continuity
We coordinate and consolidate Business Impact Analysis (BIA), correlating critical processes, applications and IT/OT infrastructure with continuity requirements.
The result is:
a clear map of critical processes;
validated and realistic RTO and RPO indicators;
identifying discrepancies between requirements and capabilities;
concrete support for continuity and investment plans.
Security incident management
We provide a complete incident management capability: detection, analysis, response, recovery and post-incident improvement.
We review and operate:
incident response plans;
roles and responsibilities;
internal and external communication processes;
periodic testing, tabletop exercises and simulations;
incident reporting according to NIS 2 requirements.
Continuous operational coordination
We monitor the functioning of the SMS framework on a daily basis and coordinate the activities of the IT Security Ops, IT Operations and SOC teams, ensuring procedural coherence and complete traceability.
We digitize and oversee processes in operational platforms, validate the integration of technical controls, and provide constant feedback to increase maturity and efficiency.
We analyze the organization's context and identify the mechanisms necessary for real cyber risk management.
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Signs that your organization needs an outsourced CISO
In many organizations, cybersecurity is predominantly managed at a technical level, without strategic coordination at the management level.
As regulatory requirements become more complex and cyber risks increase, the need for a role to coordinate the security program at the organizational level arises.
An outsourced CISO model becomes relevant when situations arise such as:
Low retention of a CISO recruited from very mature organizations
Many experienced CISOs come from large and very mature organizations from a security perspective.
In smaller or early-stage organizations, the difference in context can frequently lead to low retention and rapid role changes, which affects the stability of the security program.
An experienced CISO typically involves high salary costs and can be difficult to justify for organizations that do not need a full-time role.
The CISO as a Service model allows access to senior expertise without the cost and rigidity of a permanent position.
Lack of internal experience in security governance
In many organizations, internal teams have strong technical skills but limited experience in governance, risk management, or relationship with executive management.
An outsourced CISO can coordinate the security program and, at the same time, educate the internal team in an applied way, transferring experience and best practices.
Security is managed exclusively by the IT department
Security responsibilities are concentrated in the IT team, without a function to strategically coordinate the security program and cyber risk management.
Security decisions are based on fragmented technical information, without clear indicators of the level of risk or the impact on the organization's business.
Security processes exist, but they are not coordinated
The organization may have policies, technical controls, or security projects, but these are not integrated into a coherent security program.
Compliance requirements are becoming more complex
Regulations such as the NIS2 Directive impose direct managerial responsibility and the need for a clear security governance framework.
Do you find yourself in one or more of these situations?
An outsourced CISO can provide the organization with the leadership needed to coordinate security and manage cyber risks.
Schedule a discussion to analyze whether the CISO as a Service model is right for your organization
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it mandatory for the organization to have a CISO?
The NIS2 Directive does not explicitly require the existence of a CISO role.
However, organizations must demonstrate that cybersecurity is managed at a managerial level and that there are clear responsibilities for coordinating the security program.
In practice, the CISO role is the mechanism through which this responsibility is organized.
NIS2 consultancy has the role of defining the processes and security governance framework.
CISO as a Service intervenes after this stage and involves ongoing coordination of the security program, risk management, and reporting to management.
Does CISO as a Service replace the IT team?
Not.
The CISO role is one of leadership and governance, not of technical operation of the infrastructure.
The IT team continues to operate the systems, while the CISO coordinates the security program and risk management.
How long is the CISO as a Service required?
The duration depends on the maturity of the organization and the complexity of the security program.
In many cases, the service is used in the medium or long term to ensure ongoing security coordination and reporting to management.
Link to the NIS2 Directive
The NIS2 directive changes how organizations must manage cybersecurity.
Security is no longer just a technical responsibility of the IT department.
The directive introduces direct responsibility at the management level for managing cyber risks and implementing security measures.
Organizations must be able to demonstrate that:
cyber risks are systematically identified and managed
security processes operate continuously
incidents are detected and handled appropriately
management has visibility over the level of risk.
In many organizations, however, these responsibilities are distributed among multiple teams, without unified strategic coordination.
The role of a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is to ensure this coordination.
The CISO leads the organization's security program, manages cyber risks, and provides management with visibility into the level of security and necessary decisions.
For organizations that do not have an internal CISO, the CISO as a Service model provides the same leadership and governance function in a flexible way.
The organization thus benefits from the expertise of an experienced CISO who can:
coordinate the security program
oversee cyber risk management
report periodically to management
support compliance with the requirements of the NIS2 Directive.
Through this model, cybersecurity becomes a strategic management function, not just a technical responsibility.
Outsourcing the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) function for organizations that need to manage cyber risks and the requirements of the NIS2 Directive.
CISO as a Service provides security program coordination, risk management, and management reporting, without the need to hire an in-house CISO.
Sectio Aurea Team – real experience, not theory
The Sectio Aurea team consists of professionals with advanced technical capabilities and recognized certifications in the field of security auditing.
They have in-depth knowledge of Romanian or European legislation applicable to auditing and meet, or even exceed, the minimum legal requirements for accredited security audit service providers.
References that can be validated directly
Sectio Aurea's relationship with clients is built on transparency and verifiable results, not on generic "testimonials". Upon request, we can facilitate validation of references through direct discussions with project beneficiaries, at levels relevant to your decision: General Manager / Board, CIO / IT Director, Technical Directors and operational managers.
This openness comes from the way we work: senior involvement, direct collaboration with management, and deliverables that remain within the organization in the form of functional governance, operational processes, and auditable records.
Would you like to discuss the role of CISO in your organization?
The Sectio Aurea model of NIS2 implementation
A gradual and sustainable approach
This model allows organizations to implement the requirements of the NIS2 Directive in a phased manner, depending on maturity, resources and level of risk.
Instead of sudden and costly implementations, the organization gradually builds a coherent security system that can be operated and supported over the long term.
Program dedicat organizațiilor care trebuie să înceapă implementarea cerințelor directivei, dar dispun de resurse limitate.
Organizația primește:
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documentația de securitate aliniată NIS2
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manual practic de implementare
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ghidaje operaționale
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suport prin agent AI specializat.
Scopul acestei etape este crearea cadrului documentar și a structurii inițiale de implementare.
The audit provides an independent assessment of the organization's level of security and compliance.
The assessment analyzes:
governance framework and security documentation
implementation of operational processes
technical architecture of IT infrastructure
the level of alignment with the requirements of the NIS2 Directive.
The result is a maturity and compliance report, accompanied by a structured plan of measures to remedy the identified deficiencies.
Implementing security technologies transforms NIS2 Directive requirements and governance processes into real technical controls and operational systems.
In this stage, Sectio Aurea designs the security architecture and implements the technologies necessary to protect the IT infrastructure. The intervention includes the selection and integration of security solutions, the configuration of technical controls, their integration with risk management processes and the implementation of monitoring and control mechanisms.
Process implementation
In this stage, the operational processes and governance mechanisms necessary for managing cybersecurity are built.
The intervention includes:
defining organizational responsibilities
implementing risk management processes
integrating security into operational processes
establishing monitoring and reporting mechanisms.
The result is a functional security operational model, integrated into the organization's activity.
Process digitalization
După definirea proceselor, acestea trebuie integrate în platforme și mecanisme digitale care permit controlul și trasabilitatea activităților de securitate.
Această etapă poate include:
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digitalizarea registrelor NIS2
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configurarea fluxurilor de aprobare și raportare
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integrarea proceselor în platforme GRC / ITSM
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dashboard-uri de monitorizare pentru management.
Digitalizarea permite monitorizarea continuă și auditabilitatea proceselor de securitate.
Continuous leadership and governance
The CISO function provides strategic leadership of cybersecurity within the organization.
The role includes:
security program coordination
cyber risk management
reporting to management and Board
relationship with authorities and auditors.
Through this model, the organization benefits from specialized leadership without the cost of an internal CISO.
Daily security operation
Această etapă introduce operarea continuă a controalelor tehnice de securitate.
Activitățile pot include:
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managementul vulnerabilităților
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administrarea controalelor de securitate
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gestionarea identităților și accesului
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operarea proceselor de securitate definite.
Securitatea devine astfel o funcție operațională stabilă, nu doar o inițiativă punctuală.
Incident monitoring and response
The last stage introduces continuous detection and response to security incidents.
The SOC offers:
permanent monitoring of security events
alert analysis and correlation
incident investigation support
coordination of the operational response.
Through this stage, the organization gains permanent visibility into cyber threats and the ability to react quickly.
The gradual model allows for controlled implementation of security, without organizational bottlenecks or unjustified investments.
Identify the right stage for your organization
Schedule a strategic discussion
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