Ultimate cybersecurity roi playbook
Struggling to justify cybersecurity spend?
Build your case with confidence. Quantify risk, model cybersecurity ROI and secure the budget you need with this board-ready guide.
With the right approach, cybersecurity investment can deliver 261.8% ROI based on risk reduction alone. All detailed in the playbook.
The challenge is real
Cyber threats are rising. Budgets are tightening. And yet, many cybersecurity leaders still lack the tools to frame investment in a language the board understands.
Whether you’re pitching new investment or defending existing spend, this guide helps you do what spreadsheets and security dashboards can’t:
Tell a business story that wins executive support.
What’s inside?
- A step-by-step template for building your cybersecurity ROI business case
- How to quantify risk in business terms. Not technical jargon
- Real-world ROI modelling (including a 261% return example)
- Cost comparisons of internal vs. external approaches
- Guidance to align your ask with board expectations
- Ready-to-use formulas and messaging frameworks
Preview ‘The Ultimate Cybersecurity ROI Playbook’
Who it’s for?
This guide is built for IT leaders and cybersecurity professionals who need to:
Secure budget from the board or finance
Align security strategy with business outcomes
Justify renewals, upgrades or SOC investment
Communicate risk and cybersecurity ROI with credibility
Perfect for:
🧑💻 CISOs and Heads of Security
💼 IT Managers and Directors
📊 Finance-aligned Technology Leads
🧠 Anyone building or refreshing a business case for cyber investment
Why it matters
- Downtime costs UK businesses at least £2,949 per day. The average breach causes 12 days of disruption.
- Most security teams never present ROI. Even though investment can deliver 261% returns based on risk reduction.
- Boards now expect more than checkboxes. They want outcomes, aligned to business value.
Start building a business case your board will back.
Complete the form to download the guide.
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About the author
Matt, co-founder and CEO of CloudGuard, is an IT industry veteran with 35 years of senior experience. He has held pivotal roles at major organisations including Microsoft, Severn Trent Plc, Perot Systems, Computacenter, Digica, Pulsant, BCN, SmarterMed and SoftwareONE. He has been a Microsoft Certified Technical Architect since 2003 and was honoured as a CIO100 member in 2015, 2018, 2020, and 2021.
Since 2008, Matt has led advancements in AI and automation. Under his guidance, his team pioneered the use of machine learning to analyse extensive datasets across industries such as cybersecurity and utilities. His deep understanding of these technologies has driven innovation and positioned him as a thought leader on their ethical implications. He has shared his expertise at global conferences, discussing the transformative potential and ethical considerations of AI and automation.
Beyond his IT career, Matt has been a significant investor in renewable energy since 2010, reflecting his commitment to sustainable development.
Matt Lovell
Co-founder and CEO
CloudGuard
Still have questions about cybersecurity ROI?
Cybersecurity ROI (return on investment) is a way to measure the value of security spend in terms of reduced risk, avoided losses and operational resilience. It’s crucial for getting leadership buy-in.
Yes. The frameworks and examples are designed to work for organisations of all sizes, especially those needing to justify spend with limited in-house resources.
It does. The guide includes examples like downtime cost (£2,949/day), breach duration and a model showing how cybersecurity investment can deliver 261% ROI based on risk reduction.
Absolutely. Many teams use the guide to refine existing cases, add clearer ROI modelling or reframe their pitch for board-level alignment.
Yes. The guide is written to help security leaders translate technical value into financial outcomes. It includes board-ready messaging and structure templates.
Still deciding? Download the guide and see the framework for yourself.