vCISO

Job Title vCisco / Virtual OT Security Advisor (Manufacturing Focus) Location Remote Engagement Type Part‑time, contract (approximately 160 hours total, flexible scheduling) Role Summary We are seeking an experienced vCisco / Virtual OT Security Advisor for our client, to provide strategic, executive‑level guidance for a precision manufacturing environment supporting drivetrain and powertrain systems. This role will focus on operational technology (OT) security governance, prioritization, and architectural guardrails, helping the organization improve its security posture without disrupting safety‑critical and availability‑driven manufacturing operations. This is a guidance‑first role — not tool‑centric and not day‑to‑day operational support — intended to help leadership answer “where do we start” with OT security while minimizing risk to production. Key Objectives • Establish clear OT security governance and ownership (IT vs OT alignment) • Provide practical, manufacturing‑aware security guidance • Define priorities and architectural guardrails that protect production • Reduce security risk without introducing operational instability • Serve as a trusted advisor to technology and manufacturing leadership Primary Responsibilities Manufacturing & OT Advisory • Provide security guidance tailored to precision manufacturing environments, including CNC machining, assembly cells, test stands, and industrial control systems. • Understand and respect OT realities such as uptime requirements, safety concerns, legacy systems, and vendor‑controlled technologies. • Advise on security improvements that do not disrupt production or introduce unnecessary operational risk. OT Security Strategy & Governance • Help define a clear OT security governance model, including ownership, accountability, and decision‑making authority. • Establish security principles and architectural guardrails appropriate for OT environments. • Provide a pragmatic roadmap to mature OT security in the absence of a formal framework. Prioritization & Risk Guidance • Assist leadership in identifying high‑impact, low‑disruption security improvements. • Help prioritize initiatives based on risk, feasibility, and operational impact. • Provide guidance on vendor concentration risk and third‑party dependencies. Executive & Stakeholder Engagement • Partner with IT, OT, security, and manufacturing leadership to align on approach. • Translate OT security risk into business and operational terms. • Support leadership decision‑making without driving tool‑centric solutions. Current Environment Context • Precision manufacturing environment supporting drivetrain and powertrain systems • OT systems include CNC machining, assembly cells, test stands, and control systems • No formal OT security framework currently in place • Previous penetration testing completed with limited findings • SOC and NOC services provided by third parties • Vendor concentration risk identified • OT security ownership currently unclear between IT and OT teams Top Skills & Experience Required Required • Deep understanding of manufacturing and OT realities (availability, safety, legacy systems) • Experience providing executive‑level OT security guidance • Strong background in governance, prioritization, and security architecture • Ability to guide organizations where to start with OT security rather than immediately deploying tools • Strong communication skills with both technical and non‑technical stakeholders Preferred • Experience in precision or discrete manufacturing environments • Familiarity with OT security standards (e.g., IEC 62443, NIST) applied pragmatically • Prior experience serving in a vCISO, or senior advisory role • Experience navigating IT/OT alignment challenges What Success Looks Like • Leadership has clarity on OT security ownership and governance • A prioritized, realistic OT security roadmap exists • Security improvements are implemented without production disruption • OT security risk is better understood and actively managed • Manufacturing teams feel supported—not constrained—by security efforts Apply Now Apply Now