Training often feels like a rite of passage—a PowerPoint in a conference room, a yearly phishing test, “awareness” sessions to check the compliance box. Yet when your inbox dings with a demand letter, no one asks how many training modules you deployed. They’ll ask: “Can you prove your training matches the protections you claimed to have in place?” 

Most executives assume that once an employee is hired, they know the rules. They assume policies are read and understood. They assume common sense prevails. But assumptions don’t hold up in court. When a breach happens, you’ll be asked for proof. Proof that users were trained. Proof that they acknowledged the risks. Proof that they understood their responsibilities. If you can’t produce that evidence, it’s your neck on the line. 

As a vCSO, your job isn’t just to recommend security measures—it’s to ensure that when clients refuse them, you’re protected. A signed Risk Acceptance is more than paperwork. It’s a legal shield, compliance evidence, and a wake-up call that forces clients to take cybersecurity seriously. Here’s five reasons why no vCSO should operate without one.