GDPR, ISO 27001, NIS 2 and rules for single sectors have made the Information Security Officer (ISO) a key role. So the big question is: should you hire one in house or bring in an external ISO? For many firms, and above all for mid-sized ones, the external option is the better choice. It costs less and works better in day-to-day practice.
What Does an Information Security Officer Do?
The ISO is the main contact for all matters of information security. The core tasks are:
- Build and maintain the ISMS.
- Run risk analyses.
- Own the set of security policies.
- Plan and steer audits and certifications.
- Drive security awareness.
The ISO links top management, IT and the business units. The ISO also makes sure that security is part of each process from the start, not bolted on at the end.
Why Hiring In House Is Hard
Skilled ISOs are rare, so they earn high salaries. On top of salary and social costs come training, certificates, events and tools. All in, the cost can easily top €120,000 per year. There is also a risk built into the role. An internal ISO is part of the same company they are meant to audit. Blind spots and conflicts of interest are common.
Seven Strong Reasons for an External ISO
1. Broad Know-How Across Industries
An external ISO works with many firms at the same time. They bring best practices, know the usual weak spots and have fixes that have proven themselves in the field. A single company can hardly build up this kind of know-how on its own.
2. A Neutral, Independent View
Independence is the biggest advantage. The external ISO is not part of your internal chain of command. They can point out hard truths in plain words. And they have no internal conflicts of interest. This is worth a lot in risk assessments and audits.
3. Lower Costs
You pay only for the services you really need. There are no costs for hiring, onboarding, training, certificates, social charges or tools. Many mid-sized firms would not keep an internal ISO busy full time. For them, this is the path that makes sense in terms of cost.
4. Ready Right Away
Filling an internal role often takes months. An external ISO can start at short notice and brings their skills and tools along. That is worth a great deal when a legal deadline or an incident calls for speed.
5. Knowledge That Stays Up to Date
For an external ISO, ongoing training is part of the business. It is not a cost you pay as the client. New threats, new rules and new tech flow straight into the work they do for you.
6. Grows and Shrinks with Your Needs
Your needs change over time: a certification phase, an audit, an incident, normal operations. An external ISO adjusts to each phase. It can be a few hours per month for ongoing support, or full-time work during critical phases.
7. A Network of Experts
Pen testers, data protection officers, forensic analysts, auditors: an external ISO brings a ready-made network. Building the same network in house would take a lot of effort.
When Is an External ISO the Right Choice?
- Mid-sized firms that do not need a full-time ISO.
- Firms facing legal deadlines in the short term.
- Companies that are building an ISMS or preparing for a certification.
- Teams that need to back up an internal security team with too few staff.
- Firms that want an independent second opinion on their current strategy.
Conclusion
Internal or external ISO is not a matter of principle. It is a trade-off. For many mid-sized firms, the external option wins. It brings know-how, a neutral view, flexibility and lower costs in a mix that is hard to build in house. In both models, one rule applies. The ISO needs a real mandate, direct access to top management and a budget that matches the task. If not, the role is just a fig leaf.