Best Fractional Chief Information Security Officer Services in Canada

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Canada Outsourced Chief Information Security Officer Agencies

Looking for the best fractional Chief Information Security Officer (fCISO) providers in Canada? You’re in the right place. Whether you're a scaling SaaS startup, a PE-backed portfolio company, or a regional enterprise navigating complex compliance waters this guide is for you.

We’ve curated the standout vCISO agencies and consultants operating across Canada who deliver strategic, security-first leadership without the cost of a full-time hire.

These providers offer the flexibility of fractional engagement with the full power of decades of experience helping companies improve cybersecurity posture, meet regulatory demands, respond to incidents, and build trust with customers and stakeholders.

Our Methodology - Fractional, Outsourced, & Virtual CISO Services in Canada

We built this list using three pillars:

• Client-Centric Results: We looked for firms with a reputation for driving tangible outcomes measured in real risk reduction, improved compliance, and leadership in incident response.
• Founder-Led Excellence: Every provider here is either founder-led or built around a seasoned security leader. You’ll see the human stories and philosophies behind each company.
• Canada-Focused Reach: All of these firms are based in Canada and serve a range of industries from coast to coast, some niche, some national.

Each spotlight below includes insights on what makes the company unique, who they serve, and a look at the person behind the strategy.

Canadian Fractional CISO Services 🔦 Provider Spotlights

Fractional Business Partners Inc.

🔗 Website: http://www.fractionalbp.com

Fractional Business Partners Inc. provides executive-level cybersecurity and IT risk leadership to Canadian mid-market businesses. They operate across several industries, with a focus on professional services, retail, and tech-driven SMBs. Their model is built around fractional leadership engagements that feel full-time leveraging embedded relationships, tailored frameworks, and hands-on delivery.

💡 Why they stand out:

• Deep industry expertise in compliance-heavy verticals (e.g. legal and finance)
• Practical CISO frameworks adapted to SMB scale
• Strong emphasis on executive alignment and communication
  
  

Alan Makins, Founder, Fractional Business Partners Inc.

🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/alan-makins-745a6328

Alan Makins brings over 25 years of cybersecurity, risk management, and governance experience to the table. His background spans both large enterprise and fast-growing private firms. Alan’s leadership style is direct, values-driven, and rooted in business alignment—not just technical control. He’s known for translating cyber risks into boardroom language and crafting security programs that scale.

Biswanger Consulting Group

🔗 Website: https://www.itsabouttrust.com

This boutique firm centers its entire brand on one principle: trust. Biswanger Consulting delivers fractional and interim CISO services, governance consulting, and security strategy development to clients in energy, infrastructure, and tech. The firm is known for helping clients move beyond compliance toward cultural transformation in their security posture.

💡 Why they stand out:

• Founder is an award-winning security leader and speaker
• Extensive experience with critical infrastructure security
• Trusted by boards and executive teams across multiple sectors

Steve Biswanger, Founder, Biswanger Consulting Group

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itsabouttrust

Steve Biswanger is a recognized voice in Canadian cybersecurity. With a background in executive security leadership, Steve brings both technical depth and governance clarity to his clients. He’s known for speaking plainly, acting decisively, and placing trust at the heart of his client relationships.

Lighthouse Data Consulting

🔗 Website: https://lighthousedata.ca

Lighthouse Data Consulting offers strategic advisory services for data governance, cybersecurity, and compliance. Their sweet spot? Bridging the gap between information security and data stewardship. Lighthouse works with organizations in healthcare, education, and research-intensive sectors where privacy regulations and sensitive data intersect.

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💡 Why they stand out:

• Niche specialization in data-sensitive industries
• Advisory-driven approach with scalable delivery models
• Emphasis on governance and privacy alignment

Andrew Milne, Founder, Lighthouse Data Consulting

🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/andrewcmilne

Andrew Milne combines 15+ years of data strategy and cyber leadership across public and private sectors. His focus is on actionable insight building governance models that drive real behavior change. Andrew is respected for his calm, pragmatic approach and his ability to integrate policy, tech, and operations.

Looking Glass IT Advisors

🔗 Website: https://lookingglassit.ca/

Looking Glass provides strategic security leadership with a distinctively human tone. They work primarily with mission-driven organizations including nonprofits, higher ed, and startups bringing clarity to cloud risk, compliance, and policy frameworks. They emphasize storytelling, risk framing, and accessible language in all engagements.

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💡 Why they stand out:

• Specialized in small teams with complex cloud environments
• Human-first security philosophy
• Known for clear reporting and actionable roadmaps

Rahim Addetia, Founder, Looking Glass IT Advisors

🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rahimaddetia

Rahim Addetia is a consultant with a background in IT governance and enterprise risk. His work stands out for its accessibility; he's known for making complex concepts understandable to non-technical stakeholders. Rahim believes in empowering organizations through knowledge and collaborative security culture.

SeekingFire Consulting Inc.

🔗 Website: https://www.seekingfire.com

Based in British Columbia, SeekingFire Consulting delivers vCISO services with a strong orientation toward cloud-native businesses and small enterprises. They’re known for their practical, no-fluff approach, and their strong local footprint in Western Canada. From incident response readiness to policy design, their work is outcome-focused and business-friendly.

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💡 Why they stand out:

• Specialization in startups and growing tech firms
• Emphasis on practicality, not perfection
• Strong customer loyalty and long-term partnerships

Tillman Hodgson, Founder, SeekingFire

🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/seekingfire

Tillman Hodgson is a seasoned technologist and vCISO with a track record in cloud security, DevSecOps, and governance. He’s also a recognized advocate for ethical leadership in the cybersecurity space. Tillman brings radical transparency and a pragmatic mindset to every client engagement.

DG Consulting

🔗 Website: https://dgc-security.ca/

DG Consulting works across critical industries like healthcare, manufacturing, and energy delivering strategic cyber advisory, compliance audits, and CISO-as-a-Service offerings. The firm excels at combining technical security insights with stakeholder alignment, especially for regulated enterprises.

💡 Why they stand out:

• Strong understanding of regulatory and audit requirements
• Tactical and strategic planning expertise
• Trusted by mid-sized enterprises and regional government orgs
  
  

Daneige Gagnon, Founder, DG Consulting

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daneige-gagnon-57469a2/

Daneige Gagnon brings a mix of technical depth and policy fluency to the table. Her professional focus is on building cybersecurity programs that are measurable, defensible, and sustainable. She’s known for leading complex engagements with calm confidence and for being a trusted advisor to boards and audit committees.

IRM Consulting & Advisory

🔗 Website: https://irmcon.com/

IRM Consulting & Advisory specializes in cybersecurity governance, risk management, and compliance for medium to large organizations across Canada. With an emphasis on integrated risk frameworks and regulatory alignment, IRM partners with clients in sectors like financial services, government, and healthcare to design and implement robust, scalable security strategies.

💡 Why they stand out:

• Expertise in enterprise risk frameworks (e.g. NIST, ISO, COBIT)
• Strong focus on cybersecurity maturity assessments and roadmap planning
• Builds executive-ready reporting and board-level communication

Victoria Arkhurst, Founder, IRM Consulting & Advisory

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arkhursv/

Victoria Arkhurst is a seasoned governance and risk management expert with over 15 years of experience spanning IT audit, compliance, and security strategy. Known for her ability to align cybersecurity initiatives with business goals, Victoria brings a practical, compliance-informed lens to CISO engagements. Her leadership emphasizes transparency, structure, and long-term value creation for clients navigating complex regulatory landscapes.

🏹 Final Thoughts - The Need for CISOs is Growing

Canada has no shortage of cybersecurity talent—but finding the right fit at the right time can be a challenge. Whether you're seeking a hands-on fractional CISO, a compliance advisor, or a strategic security partner, this list is designed to give you a confident head start.

At Digital Reference, we believe in radical authenticity. That’s why we don’t just highlight firms, we spotlight the people behind them. These are the leaders helping Canadian companies approach cybersecurity with clarity, integrity, and momentum.

If you’re ready to strengthen your security posture without the cost or complexity of a full-time hire, these fractional CISOs represent some of the best in the country. They’re not just advisors they’re enablers of trust, resilience, and smarter growth. 

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