Comparison
Clear comparison between executive IT advisor, MSP, IT freelancer, and virtual CISO.
Primary Focus
Strategic decisions, prioritization & Roadmap. Acts as fractional CTO/CIO
Ownership & Accountability
Leads direction & oversight; client decides; execution by MSP/vendors
Typical Deliverables
Roadmap, SOW/RFP specs, vendor oversight, executive reporting
Engagement
Monthly / quarterly, regular checkpoints
System Access
Read-Only, no production changes
Vendor Independence
Yes, fully independent – no commissions or product sales
Engagement Model
Monthly retainer or assessment + Roadmap project
Primary Focus
Day-to-day operations, maintenance & support. Replaces internal IT team
Ownership & Accountability
Executes operations; strategic direction limited or vendor-driven
Typical Deliverables
Support, monitoring, backups, ongoing maintenance
Engagement
Daily, 24/7
System Access
Full access, production changes
Vendor Independence
No, typically sells solutions and licenses
Engagement Model
Fixed monthly contract based on scope
Primary Focus
Technical execution of defined projects
Ownership & Accountability
Executes tasks; strategic accountability stays with client
Typical Deliverables
Code, configurations, migrations, fixes
Engagement
Per project, until completion
System Access
Access per project scope
Vendor Independence
Depends on expertise and relationships
Engagement Model
Hourly or fixed project price
Primary Focus
Information security, risk & Compliance
Ownership & Accountability
Leads security program; execution shared with IT/MSP
Typical Deliverables
Security policy, Risk Register, audit preparation
Engagement
Monthly / quarterly
System Access
Read access, guides changes
Vendor Independence
Usually yes
Engagement Model
Monthly / quarterly retainer
💡 In short: Executive Advisor = leads IT prioritization + vendor oversight. External CISO = leads security & Compliance.
When is each option right for you?
Executive Advisor (Me)
The right choice when:
- You need an objective assessment and decision prioritization
- You want a clear 90-day Roadmap
- You need someone to oversee your IT vendors and ensure you're getting value
- You want ongoing executive guidance without a full-time commitment
- You're growing fast and IT can't keep up
MSP
The right choice when:
- You need day-to-day operations and user support
- You don't have an internal IT team and need someone to manage everything
- You need 24/7 availability and Helpdesk
- You want to transfer full operational responsibility
IT Freelancer
The right choice when:
- You have a defined technical project with clear scope
- You need specific expertise (e.g., cloud migration)
- You have someone internal to manage and oversee the project
- You need fast execution at a competitive price
External CISO
The right choice when:
- You have clear Compliance requirements (ISO 27001, SOC 2)
- You're preparing for an audit or regulatory requirements
- You need formal security policy and risk program
- The focus is security only, not general IT
Not Sure What Fits?
Brief intro call to understand your needs and recommend the right path.