Cyber Security Strategy

Without a strategy, organizations act reactively — purchasing the next technology after the latest incident without knowing whether it addresses the greatest risk. According to the IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report 2023, a single data breach costs an average of USD 4.45 million. Companies with a defined security strategy and regularly tested incident response plans save an average of USD 1.49 million per incident. A strategy is not an expense — it is an investment with a measurable ROI.

We assess your organization across 12+ security domains through document analysis, interviews with key personnel (CISO, IT management, business units), and technical spot checks. Each domain is rated on a 5-level scale (1=Initial to 5=Optimizing). The assessment typically takes 3–

4 weeks and results in an executive report with a heatmap, domain comparison against industry benchmarks, and a prioritized action plan.

A maturity assessment including strategy development for a mid-sized company (500–2,

000 employees) typically costs between EUR 40,

000 and EUR 80,000. This includes the assessment, strategy document, 3-year roadmap, and business case. The investment pays off quickly: industry benchmarks show that companies investing strategically spend 30–40% less on incident response than those acting reactively.

The frequently cited rule of thumb of 10–15% of the IT budget for security varies significantly by industry and risk profile. Financial services firms often invest 15–20%, while manufacturing companies invest 8–12%. What matters is not the percentage, but risk-oriented allocation: where is the likelihood of occurrence and potential damage greatest? ADVISORI develops a quantified risk picture as the basis for your budget decisions.

We recommend a full strategy revision every 2–

3 years. Quarterly strategy reviews ensure that the roadmap is adapted to new threats, regulatory changes (e.g., NIS 2 implementation, DORA deadline), and business developments. After significant events — a security incident, an acquisition, or a new regulatory requirement — an unscheduled review should take place.

ADVISORI combines three strengths: First, deep industry knowledge in regulated sectors — banking, insurance, pharma, and KRITIS. Second, our own ISO 27001 certification and approximately

150 consultants with hands-on experience in frameworks such as NIST CSF, ISO 27001, and BSI IT-Grundschutz. Third, our technology portfolio: with our multi-agent AI platform and partnerships with Microsoft Azure, AWS, and Google Cloud, we connect strategic consulting with concrete implementation.