The CSO Who Defended the Bank of the Innovation Economy
Strategic advisory for cybersecurity product companies, PE/VC firms, and boards, from the only advisor who's lived both sides: defending the world's most innovative companies AND shaping the products that protect them.
Former Chief Security Officer (2007–2021) at Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), Global Bank of the Innovation Economy
Design partner for next gen Cybersecurity Product Companies
Board-level cybersecurity advisory to Fortune 500 & high-growth companies
Cybersecurity Assessments paired with vCSO Strategic Oversight
Cyber Security Executive Placement from our Network
Former Chief Security Officer (2007–2021) at Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), Global Bank of the Innovation Economy
Design partner for next gen Cybersecurity Product Companies
Board-level cybersecurity advisory to Fortune 500 & high-growth companies
Cybersecurity Assessments paired with vCSO Strategic Oversight
Cyber Security Executive Placement from our Network
Former Chief Security Officer (2007–2021) at Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), Global Bank of the Innovation Economy
Design partner for next gen Cybersecurity Product Companies
Board-level cybersecurity advisory to Fortune 500 & high-growth companies
Cybersecurity Assessments paired with vCSO Strategic Oversight
Cyber Security Executive Placement from our Network
Core Service Overview
Our core services are built on executive experience and practical frameworks that scale with the complexity of modern enterprises.
Fractional vCSO Advisory
On-demand CSO leadership.
- Program and governance oversight
- Business-aligned security strategy
- Executive advisory + policy/vendor/risk management
Cybersecurity Assessments
Security, compliance, and audit readiness checks
- Frameworks: NIST, ISO, SOC 2
- Executive summary + roadmap
- For audits, funding, and scaling companies
Product & Partnership
Advisory for cybersecurity vendors.
- Roadmap, GTM, and capital strategy
- Buyer and market insight
- CSO/investor feedback + network introductions
Executive Placement
Trusted hiring for cybersecurity and tech leaders.
- Full-time or interim CSOs, CTOs, CIOs
- 25+ years of vetted industry network
- Confidential executive search
Leadership You Can Trust
Expertise You Can Measure
vCSO.ai was founded by Nick Shevelyov, cybersecurity executive, speaker, and author of Cyber War and Peace.
With over three decades of experience advising Fortune 500 companies, boards, and government agencies, Nick bridges technology, governance, and business strategy to help organizations thrive securely.
Achievements
- 25+ years in cybersecurity, risk management, and leadership.
- 15 years as CSO for Silicon Valley Bank (2007–2021), the bank of the innovation economy.
- Deep network across cybersecurity, venture capital, and startup ecosystems.
- Recognized speaker, advisor, and thought leader in cybersecurity governance.
- Author: "Cyber War…and Peace"
Why Security Is Personal
At five years old, I learned our apartment in Moscow had been bugged by the KGB. My family developed hand signals to move to the bathroom where we'd run the faucet as white noise to mask sensitive conversations. When my father was taken by agents for publishing information the Soviets didn't want shared, I understood something fundamental: security isn't abstract, it's personal. That childhood forged my approach to cybersecurity. For 15 years as Chief Security Officer at Silicon Valley Bank, I defended the bank of the innovation economy, protecting the firms that fund and build the future. Today, I bring that same vigilance to helping cybersecurity product companies win, and helping investors and boards navigate an increasingly hostile digital landscape.
MEDIA & INSIGHTS
In the Media
I regularly share insights on cybersecurity, leadership, and resilience through podcasts, interviews, and articles.
The Supper Club
For Cybersecurity Leaders Who Shape the Future
Why VCSO.ai
Why Organizations Choose vCSO.ai
Executive Insight
Led by former CSOs with Fortune 500 experience.
Flexible Engagements
Advisory, Projects, or Retainers.
Compliance-Ready Frameworks
Aligning with SOC2, NIST, and ISO.
Proven Results
Risk reduced, audits passed, value protected.
Testimonials
What Our Clients Say
"They say culture eats strategy for breakfast… Nick and team provide a unique value blending cultural enablement and a risk-focused cyber risk management strategy. Their approach helped our team rapidly improve the effectiveness of our cyber risk program with quantifiable results."
Alexander Trafton
SVP Technology Risk and Compliance of G42
"Nick and team have been amazing partners to Pixee. Their knowledge, relationships, and industry experience have been a core part of our go-to-market strategy & refinement."
Surag Patel
CEO of Pixee
“I connected with Nick during the exciting ideation phase of our startup journey. He invested his time in regular meetings, where we discussed various pains and the ability to address them in an innovative way. With his invaluable support, as a product advisor and an investor, Kodem was marching forward. His profound expertise and extensive network have been instrumental in propelling our progress. I highly endorse his services to companies, regardless of their scale or objectives.”
Aviv Mussinger
CEO , Kodem Security
"Nick has been an invaluable partner in elevating Audubon’s cybersecurity strategy. His ability to provide clear, level-headed advice has been instrumental during tough moments, and his executive-level communication skills have been particularly effective for the org to plan for right-sized investments in cybersecurity. Nick consistently demonstrates a deep understanding of our unique challenges as a nonprofit and offers tailored, thoughtful recommendations that align with our mission and needs."
Marco Carbone
Chief Technology Officer, National Audubon Society
“Nick has been a friend and industry colleague for many years. Starting from my time as Senior Director for Cybersecurity – National Security Council for the White House where he participated in our strategy development workshops, to the early days of StackRox as an investor and advisor, to present day Act Zero. He truly is a trusted partner and cybersecurity industry leader.”
Sameer Bhalotra
Founder and CEO, ActZero.ai
“Nick did an amazing job rapidly and effectively improving our cybersecurity posture leveraging his breath of experience and expertise. What’s is particular impressive about our work with Nick is his ability to set out a strategic vision and get into the details to drive execution. He operates at both the executive level and as a hands-on practitioner. He is a trusted advisor, and we love working with him.”
Kan Kotecha
CEO, Gale Healthcare Solutions
“Nick helped ETZ build security into our product from the design phase. He also connected us with elite consulting services at friends and family discount rates. He has an amazing global network and these connections are critical for an early-stage startup. Since then, he has become a friend and trusted advisor to the company expanding his role to include raising capital. We hope to have him as a partner for many years to come.”
Jiazi Gua
CEO, ETZ
Book
Books by Nick Shevelyov
Cyber War... and Peace
In Cyber War... and Peace, I explore how ancient lessons of resilience and warfare apply to the modern digital battlefield.
It's part memoir, part leadership guide, an invitation to think differently about how we defend, lead, and grow in an age of constant change.
Latest Insights
Latest Insights from the Cyber Frontier
Misconfigurations Beat Zero Days: An Edge Security and Attack Surface Playbook for 2026
Jan 8, 2026
SEC Cybersecurity Disclosure and Regulation S-P: How to Become Disclosure Ready Without Overbuilding
Jan 8, 2026
AI Regulation Fragmentation: How Startups Build an AI Compliance Program Without Guessing the Future
Jan 8, 2026