Security LeadershipWithout the $400K Salary
Get enterprise-grade security leadership without the enterprise cost. Close funding rounds, pass audits, and deploy AI responsibly - with executive-level confidence.
Trusted by Fortune 500 Leaders
Sound Familiar?
Security threats are evolving faster than most organizations can adapt. AI is reshaping risk landscapes overnight. And finding security leadership that understands both the technical depth and business context? Nearly impossible.
The cost of waiting
$10.2M
Avg. U.S. data breach cost (IBM 2025)
287 days
Avg. time to identify and contain a breach
$250K+
Avg. enterprise deal lost without SOC 2
Organizations without dedicated security leadership pay 2.4x more in breach costs.
Growing Companies
You need SOC 2 to close that enterprise deal, but hiring a $350K CISO for a 200-person company doesn't make sense.
AI-Forward Teams
Your AI initiatives are moving fast, but governance and security are afterthoughts. The EU AI Act deadline is approaching.
Boards & Investors
You're asking portfolio companies about their security posture and getting blank stares or jargon. You need translation.
Fluent in the frameworks that matter:
What You'll Achieve
Whether you're raising capital, navigating compliance, or deploying AI - your security challenges have clear solutions.
Fractional CISO
Security leadership that scales with you
Pass your next audit, close your funding round, and sleep at night. You get a seasoned CISO who works for you 2-4 days per month, builds your security program, mentors your team, and presents to your board.
Learn more about Fractional CISOWhat you get
Not sure where to start?
Get personalized recommendationsBuilt for Leaders, Not Everyone
This practice is designed for organizations at a specific stage. Here is how to know if we are a match.
50+ employees or scaling rapidly.
You have outgrown ad-hoc security and need structured leadership to match your growth trajectory.
Preparing for an audit, funding round, or acquisition.
You need someone who has been through this process dozens of times and can get you there efficiently.
Board needs cyber oversight and risk reporting.
Your directors are asking questions about cyber risk and you need someone who speaks their language.
Deploying AI at scale and need governance.
You want to move fast with AI while staying compliant with emerging regulations like the EU AI Act.
Under 50 employees with no compliance requirements.
At this stage, a fractional CISO may be premature. I can recommend lighter-weight alternatives.
Looking for a one-time penetration test only.
I partner with excellent pen test firms and can refer you, but standalone testing is not my focus.
Need checkbox compliance with no strategic intent.
If you want a rubber stamp, we are not a match. I build programs that actually reduce risk.
Want 24/7 SOC operations or managed detection.
I design the security strategy; I do not run a SOC. I can help you select and manage one.
The CISO Accelerator Framework
From zero to security program in 90 days. Every engagement follows this framework, refined across 50+ client engagements and 20+ years of building security programs from the ground up.
Assess
Days 1-14Rapid security posture assessment. Asset inventory, gap analysis, risk quantification, stakeholder interviews. You get a clear picture of where you stand and what needs to happen first.
Architect
Days 15-45Build the roadmap. Policy framework, control selection, compliance mapping, vendor evaluation. Every decision tied to business outcomes, not checkbox compliance.
Accelerate
Days 46-90Execute and measure. Deploy controls, prepare audit evidence, train teams, establish board reporting cadence. Measurable progress every sprint, not a report that gathers dust.
50+ organizations have used this framework to achieve SOC 2 in 4 months, ISO 27001 in 6 months, and FedRAMP authorization in 12 weeks.
See PricingWhat Your Peers Achieved
Real outcomes from companies like yours. Here's what working together looks like.
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Top InfoSec Professional (OnCon Icon)
“Adil transformed our security posture while preparing us for our Series B due diligence. His ability to translate technical risks into board-level language was invaluable.”
Sarah Chen
CTO, Healthcare Technology Company
“Working with Adil on our AI governance framework gave us the confidence to deploy ML models responsibly. His NIST AI RMF expertise is exceptional.”
Michael Torres
Chief Data Officer, Financial Services Firm
“As a growing SaaS company, we needed security leadership without the full-time cost. Adil's fractional CISO services gave us exactly that - and helped us achieve SOC 2 certification.”
Jennifer Park
CEO, B2B SaaS Startup
“Adil helped us navigate a complex M&A security assessment. His due diligence framework identified critical risks before they became deal-breakers.”
David Martinez
Operating Partner, Private Equity Firm
“Our board needed someone who could explain cyber risk without the jargon. Adil's quarterly briefings transformed how our directors engage with security.”
Lisa Anderson
Board Director, Regional Healthcare System
“We were failing enterprise security questionnaires and losing deals. Adil built us a compliance program that turned security from a blocker into a sales enabler.”
Ryan Patel
VP Sales, Enterprise Software Company
Ready to achieve similar results?
Book a free 30-minute strategy call to discuss your security challenges and goals.
Book Your Free Strategy CallFrequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to the questions leaders ask before engaging a fractional CISO.
How does fractional CISO pricing work?
You get dedicated security leadership on a retainer basis, typically 2-4 days per month. No recruiting fees, no benefits overhead, no equity dilution. You pay a fraction of what a full-time CISO costs and get the same strategic output.
What's the typical engagement timeline?
Most engagements start with a 2-week security assessment, then move into ongoing advisory. SOC 2 readiness takes 3-5 months. AI governance frameworks take 4-8 weeks. Board advisory is typically quarterly.
Do you work with startups or only enterprise?
Both. The sweet spot is companies with 50-5,000 employees. Startups preparing for SOC 2 or their Series A/B, and mid-market firms needing board-level security strategy without the full-time hire.
How is this different from a consulting firm?
Consulting firms deliver a report and leave. As your fractional CISO, I embed with your team, attend your board meetings, and own the security roadmap. I am accountable for outcomes, not deliverables.
Can you help us pass a specific audit?
Yes. SOC 2 Type I and II, ISO 27001, HIPAA, PCI DSS, and CMMC. I have guided 50+ organizations through certification. The process includes gap analysis, remediation planning, evidence collection, and auditor coordination.
What does AI governance actually involve?
It means building policies, risk assessments, and technical guardrails for your AI systems. I align your AI program with NIST AI RMF and EU AI Act requirements so you can deploy models responsibly without slowing innovation.
Do you replace our internal security team?
No. I complement your team by providing strategic leadership they may lack. I mentor your security engineers, interface with your board, and handle the CISO-level decisions so your team can focus on execution.
What industries do you specialize in?
Healthcare, financial services, SaaS/technology, and professional services. Each has distinct compliance requirements and threat profiles. My 20+ years span all four verticals.
How quickly can you start?
Most engagements begin within 1-2 weeks of signing. If you have an urgent audit deadline or board meeting, I can do an accelerated onboarding in 48 hours to address immediate needs.
Ready to Transform Your Security Posture?
Join the ranks of Fortune 500 companies who trust Adil Karam for strategic cybersecurity leadership and AI governance.
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