Global organization maintains cybersecurity leadership continuity with interim Group CISO
Yearling Solutions is providing interim Group Chief Information Security Officer leadership within a global automotive services organization, delivering executive-level cybersecurity oversight across multiple continents during a critical leadership transition.
The Challenge
A global automotive services organization with operations spanning the US, Canada, UK, Europe, and Australia/New Zealand faces a critical leadership gap following the departure of their permanent CISO. The organization needs to maintain uninterrupted cybersecurity leadership across a complex, multi-national environment while recruiting a permanent replacement.
The stakes are significant. The organization operates under multiple regulatory frameworks including SOC-1/SOC-2 (Type II), GDPR, CPRA, NIS2, and DORA, with active audit cycles and Board-level reporting obligations. Any gap in executive cybersecurity leadership risks regulatory exposure, loss of Board confidence, and operational disruption across global security operations, incident response, and vendor management.
Key Objectives:
- Maintain uninterrupted executive leadership of global cybersecurity operations
- Sustain compliance posture across SOC-2, GDPR, NIS2, DORA, and other regulatory obligations
- Preserve Board and executive confidence throughout the transition period
- Prepare a structured handover for the incoming permanent CISO
Our Approach
Yearling Solutions has placed a senior cybersecurity executive as interim Group CISO, reporting directly to the Global CTO. The placement brings proven CISO-level experience in global, multi-national organizations with the ability to operate decisively across ambiguous, high-pressure environments. The role is delivery-focused, prioritizing execution, risk management, and leadership continuity over new strategy creation.
Leadership Scope:
Operational Continuity and Risk Stabilization
Maintaining leadership of global security operations, incident response, and crisis management. Acting as executive decision-maker for material cyber risks and maintaining oversight of security tooling, vendors, and MSSP relationships.
Governance, Compliance, and Regulatory Assurance
Sustaining global compliance posture across SOC-1/SOC-2 (Type II), ITGC readiness, GDPR, CPRA, NIS2, and DORA. Ensuring audits, regulatory interactions, and third-party risk activities continue without disruption.
Executive and Board Engagement
Serving as the senior cyber executive interfacing with the Global CTO, Chief Privacy Officer, executive leadership teams, and Board/Audit Committee. Translating cyber risk into clear business impact and executive-level decisions.
Incident Response and Resilience Leadership
Overseeing incident response readiness, tabletop exercises, escalation paths, disaster recovery, business continuity, and ransomware preparedness activities.
Team Leadership and Transition Support
Providing steady, visible leadership to the global cyber team, retaining talent during the transition, and preparing a structured handover pack for the incoming permanent CISO.
Fractional Leadership Delivery Model
This engagement exemplifies Yearling's Fractional Leadership model at the highest level. Rather than a traditional interim staffing placement, Yearling is delivering an executive who brings CISO-level experience from global organizations, deep regulatory knowledge, and the credibility to engage directly with Board members and audit committees from day one.
Early Results
The interim CISO placement is providing seamless executive leadership continuity. The organization has experienced no disruption to cybersecurity operations, regulatory compliance, or Board-level confidence.
Outcomes to Date:
- Cyber operations remain stable across all global regions throughout the transition
- Regulatory, audit, and compliance obligations being met without exception across SOC-2, GDPR, NIS2, and DORA
- Executive and Board confidence maintained through consistent, credible leadership presence
- Global cyber team retained with stable morale during leadership change
- Structured handover pack in development covering risk posture, active initiatives, regulatory commitments, and stakeholder mapping
- Incident response readiness being validated through tabletop exercises and playbook updates
Impact
This active engagement demonstrates the value of Yearling's Fractional Leadership model for organizations facing executive cybersecurity transitions. Rather than accepting the risk of a leadership vacuum during a lengthy CISO search, the client is maintaining full operational control, regulatory standing, and Board confidence through a placement that brings immediate credibility and executive presence. When the permanent CISO is hired, they will receive a clean, well-documented handover designed to accelerate their transition into the role.
Organization Profile
Domains Covered
Regulatory Scope
Need Executive Cyber Leadership?
Our Fractional Leadership model delivers CISO-level expertise for organizations navigating transitions or building security programs.
Explore Talent on Demand