Here's how you can assert yourself when advocating for Information Security budget increases.

When advocating for Information Security budget increases, focus on tangible risks and potential impacts of underfunding. Present clear examples of recent security incidents or vulnerabilities that could have been prevented with adequate resources. Emphasize the importance of proactive investment in technology, training, and personnel to mitigate future risks effectively. Highlight compliance requirements and industry standards to strengthen your case. Lastly, demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the organization's strategic goals and align security initiatives with overall business objectives for maximum impact.

Most security leaders/practitioners focus on the risk reduction aspect of cybersecurity, measuring cost in terms of risks. The challenge with this approach is that it attempts to measure the unknowns and prevent things that haven't happened yet. While not wrong, it will continue to have friction in budget discussions. Security can be a business enabler. Business is about top line and bottom line. We can tie security outcomes to actual business results -- for example, getting FedRAMP could add $X million dollars of ARR, implementing security in CI/CD could result in faster production deployment, aligning security with IT to reduce operational cost, reducing attack surface could also lower cloud infrastructure cost, etc. etc.

Start by conducting a comprehensive assessment of current security measures, identifying vulnerabilities, and determining the resources needed to address them. This includes assessing software, hardware, and personnel training requirements. With a clear understanding of what is necessary, you can craft a compelling case that outlines the direct benefits of investing in these areas. Remember, specificity is key; vague requests are easily dismissed, whereas detailed proposals demonstrate professionalism and a proactive approach to risk management. By presenting a well-researched and detailed plan, you increase the likelihood of securing the necessary resources to bolster your organization's security posture effectively.

Framing any requests in terms of business value is the key to having budgetary increases approved. C-Level executives respond to requests that are tied to the bottom line. I have found that using fear, uncertainty, and doubt to compel executives is not effective unless the organization has recently been breached. More robust security controls lead to more uptime of IT systems. It's always good to research the monetary loss of extended downtime and present that number to senior management, since quantifying expected losses is usually persuasive.

Align business functional units to cyber objectives. This helps the security function better understand business needs and allows for potential business efficiencies to be built in to cyber objectives, while simultaneously creating allies for expanded cyber initiatives and budget conversations. It can also help to create documentation demonstrating value add with increased time efficiencies and lowered user friction.

To secure budget increases for Information Security, it is most important to ensure you understand organizational needs, align security goals with business objectives, leverage risk assessments, present clear solutions aligned with organizational goals, communicate effectively with proper measurables, and build internal support. Additionally, emphasize regulatory compliance, highlight potential cost savings from prevented breaches, and demonstrate the competitive advantage of robust security measures.

Understanding your organization's specific InfoSec needs is essential before requesting a budget increase. Begin by thoroughly assessing current security measures to identify vulnerabilities and determine necessary resources, including software, hardware, and personnel training. With a clear understanding, you can create a compelling case highlighting the direct benefits of these investments. Specificity is crucial; detailed proposals demonstrate professionalism and a proactive approach to risk management, making them more likely to be approved than general requests.

My perspective. It's essential to demonstrate how enhancing security measures can facilitate the achievement of these goals, whether it's through protecting intellectual property, ensuring regulatory compliance, or maintaining customer trust. Speaking the language of decision-makers involves translating technical requirements into business outcomes.This means framing your request in terms of return on investment, competitive advantage, and long-term cost savings, which are more likely to resonate with executives and finance teams.By clearly illustrating how investing in InfoSec aligns with strategic business objectives and delivers tangible value to the organization, you increase the likelihood of securing the necessary budgetary resources.

Executive and Business Alignment is strategic alignment. If you focus on the success of the business and where security helps the organization to ensure it achieves it's goals, then you all win and it's a much easier conversation than pushing product or fear.

In many cases, everyone has heard the reasons presented before... so returning to those again, and overstressing their importance / lack of funding rarely gets you far. Instead, you need to find other organisational goals that provide a fresh perspective and to appropriately / fairly lever those. An example might be a shift in the way that products are sold or consumed, and highlighting that this is a whole new set of demands that require addressing, and that they are different and beyond the scope of previous investments. And it always helps if the new security finding aids and accelerates these new endeavours.

To drive a better understanding, it’s important to quantify parameters. Use quantitative data to calculate the potential financial losses. Demonstrate the ROI of the proposed budget. Develop detailed what-if scenarios to show the impact of different types of security incidents. Use risk modeling techniques to assess the impact of various security threats. Tailor your communication to address the specific concerns of different stakeholders. Show how a strong security posture enables strategic business initiatives. Emphasize how robust cybersecurity can differentiate your organization. Present data-driven insights from past security incidents.

Assert yourself when advocating for Information Security budget increases by framing your proposal around tangible risks and potential costs of a breach. Present a thorough analysis of current threats and vulnerabilities, highlighting gaps in defenses. Use real-world examples or industry benchmarks to illustrate the consequences of underinvestment. Engage stakeholders with clear communication, focusing on the importance of proactive investment in mitigating risks and protecting the organization's assets and reputation.

Communicating the potential impact of security breaches in a compelling manner involves not only highlighting the risks but also explaining how an increased budget can effectively mitigate these risks. Using real-world examples of security incidents helps paint a vivid picture of the consequences of underfunding InfoSec, making the potential consequences more tangible for stakeholders. By emphasizing the cost of inaction and the potential financial, reputational, and operational impacts of security breaches, you can create a sense of urgency that compels stakeholders to allocate resources to strengthen the organization's security posture.

Utilizar a abordagem de alavancagem de risco é uma estratégia eficaz para justificar um aumento orçamentário em Segurança da Informação (InfoSec). É imprescindível comunicar o impacto potencial de eventuais violações de segurança de maneira persuasiva para as partes interessadas. Isso não se limita a destacar os riscos, mas também a explicitar como um orçamento ampliado pode eficazmente mitigá-los. Recorra a exemplos concretos de incidentes de segurança para ilustrar de forma vívida as consequências do subfinanciamento em InfoSec. Ao enfatizar os custos da inação e os riscos inerentes, você cria um senso de urgência que pode compelir as partes interessadas a tomar medidas proativas.

You need to explain about current challenges and then explain how the solution would provide tangible benefit like in term of improving performance, accessibility, usability and so on. Then justify return of investment of such improvements and request for the fund.

When advocating for more funds, it’s crucial to focus on actionable solutions rather than just highlighting problems. Present a clear plan that details how the increased budget will enhance security measures through new technologies, policies, and training programs. Show how these solutions directly address identified vulnerabilities and contribute to a more secure infrastructure. This solution-oriented approach demonstrates that you’re not merely asking for more money but investing in the company’s long-term resilience and security.

Ao pleitear um aumento orçamentário, é crucial ir além da identificação de problemas e apresentar soluções estratégicas/acionáveis. Isso envolve delinear um plano detalhado sobre como os recursos adicionais serão utilizados para reforçar as medidas de segurança. Proponha um roteiro abrangente que aborde a implementação de novas tecnologias, políticas robustas e programas de capacitação. Demonstre claramente como essas soluções mitigam as vulnerabilidades identificadas e contribuem para a criação de uma infraestrutura de segurança resiliente e robusta. Essa abordagem focada em soluções evidencia que a solicitação de recursos visa não apenas o aumento do orçamento, mas um investimento estratégico na resiliência e na segurança organizacional.

When seeking additional funding, I believe it's crucial to offer tangible solutions, not just highlight problems. Provide a clear roadmap outlining how the budget will be utilized to enhance security measures, including new technologies, policies, and training programs. Demonstrate how these solutions address specific vulnerabilities, contributing to a more secure infrastructure. This solution-oriented approach shows that you're invested in the company's resilience, not just seeking additional funds." Here are a couple of bullet points to complement the text: - Offer a detailed breakdown of budget allocation - Highlight key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure solution effectiveness

Atualmente temos diversas soluções para segurança, porém quero destacar ferramentas voltadas para núvem, pois a grande parte das empresas está ligada diretamente ou indiretamente com as nuvens publicas hoje como AWS, Azure, Google entre outros. Para proteger nossas empresas e essencial ter ferramentas de vulnerabilidades como Microsoft Defender para proteger nossos servidores e corrigir vulnerabilidades como também usar o Defender for Cloud para proteger simultaneamente diversas nuvens no mercado usando as recomendações do CIS.

I strongly agree that clear communication is vital when discussing InfoSec budgets with non-technical stakeholders. Avoiding jargon and explaining technical concepts simply is crucial. By translating complex challenges into relatable information, you build credibility and trust, increasing the likelihood of budget approval. I believe preparation and articulation are key to success. Practice your pitch, anticipate questions, and prepare concise answers to demonstrate your expertise and secure support for your InfoSec initiatives." I agree with this point because effective communication is essential for conveying the importance of InfoSec investments to non-technical stakeholders.

This is the most important part which often gets messed up. In a recent interaction with a CFO and CISO, I could see there was a huge disconnect in terms of expectations vs what was approved. This often happens when the CISO’s miss communicating the need of the tool and the type of risk it mitigates. From a CFO’s standpoint it’s a cost, but without understanding what are they paying for, most times the approval is rejected. My last step while concluding the deal is to have a call with CFO and other stake holders and ensure I explain why a certain tool is being considered and what are the risks it is mitigating for us. Along with that, emphasis on the long term strategy and the plan is just icing of the cake.

Comunicar-se de forma clara e eficaz é crucial ao discutir orçamentos de Segurança da Informação (InfoSec) com partes interessadas não técnicas. Evite o uso de jargões técnicos e traduza conceitos complexos em termos compreensíveis. A habilidade de descrever desafios complexos de InfoSec em uma linguagem acessível pode ser determinante para a aprovação do orçamento. Pratique sua apresentação, antecipe possíveis perguntas e elabore respostas claras e concisas. Estar bem preparado e articulado ajuda a construir credibilidade e confiança, elementos essenciais para garantir o apoio necessário às suas iniciativas de segurança.

Uma comunicação clara é essencial ao discutir orçamentos de InfoSec com partes interessadas não técnicas. Evitar jargões e traduzir conceitos técnicos em termos simples pode ser a chave para a aprovação do orçamento. Pratique seu pitch, antecipe perguntas e prepare respostas concisas para construir credibilidade e confiança. Ser articulado e bem preparado ao apresentar desafios complexos de InfoSec de forma clara e relacionável é fundamental para obter o apoio necessário para suas iniciativas de segurança.

Ter uma comunicação clara é vital e assertiva para conseguir um orçamento, ainda mais no mundo que estamos vivendo onde diversos ataques de segurança estão ocorrendo e precisamos melhorar nossa postura de segurança e para isso precisamos de orçamento para expedir nossos recursos. Treine seu pitch várias vezes, reformule perguntas que serão questionáveis para você com isso você irá construir uma credibilidade e passar uma maior confiança, conseguindo seu orçamento.

Present a detailed, data-driven budget proposal, emphasizing the cost-benefit analysis and alignment with industry standards and regulatory requirements. Use metrics and KPIs to illustrate current shortcomings and expected improvements. Enhance your proposal by providing real-world case studies and aligning it with the organization’s strategic goals. Additionally, build internal support by engaging key influencers within the organization. These allies, such as department heads and legal teams, can champion your cause and help persuade decision-makers. Cultivating a network of supporters who understand the importance of robust security measures will amplify your message and increase the likelihood of securing the necessary funds.

Criar suporte interno para sua proposta de orçamento de InfoSec é crucial para o sucesso. Identifique e envolva influenciadores chave, como chefes de departamento e equipes jurídicas, que entendem a importância de medidas de segurança robustas. Cultivar uma rede de aliados que valorizam o InfoSec pode amplificar sua mensagem e persuadir os tomadores de decisão a alocar os fundos necessários. Um coro de vozes internas que defendem sua causa aumenta significativamente suas chances de obter o apoio necessário.

Alinhe a solicitação com os objetivos de negócios mais amplos Mostre como as melhorias em segurança facilitam o alcance das metas organizacionais Destaque a proteção da propriedade intelectual Garanta a conformidade normativa Mantenha a confiança do cliente Traduza requisitos técnicos em resultados de negócios Enquadre a solicitação em termos de retorno sobre o investimento Enfatize a vantagem competitiva Demonstre economia de custos a longo prazo Use a linguagem dos tomadores de decisão para ressoar com executivos e equipes financeiras

Securing internal support for your InfoSec budget proposal is like fortifying a strategic stronghold within your organization. Identify influential allies—such as department heads and legal experts—who understand the critical importance of cybersecurity. By uniting these voices, you build a unified front that speaks to business resilience and convinces stakeholders to allocate necessary resources. This collaborative approach ensures your proposal isn't just approved but strengthens the organization's defenses against cyber threats.

Shortage of Resources and Skills in Cyber - With the growing demands of Cyber skills in various domains like Security Engineering, Forensics, Security Operations, Architecture, Compliance, Privacy and AppSec, it can be tough to hire and retain skilled talent in these multiple cyber domains. To address, the shortage of skills, internal/external trainings are very critical, looking to hire people with positive approach where they can learn on job is also an another alternative to grow team faster and provide opportunities to dynamic young individuals. Cyber Security is a passion and leader must foster this passion to grow the industry.

Avoid "selling fear" when articulating the need for increased investments in security. Whether the approach is ROI, RROI, or ROSI, security practitioners should delicately balance the risk/probability when requesting for budget while at the same time demonstrating return on existing capability and clearly defining the gaps.

💡 English and Portuguese English We are currently suffering from several attacks in the corporate world and a way to improve the internal security of your company and train your employees, so it is essential to invest in phishing training and lectures to increase security, as the weakest part of security is Identity . Portugues Atualmente estamos sofrendo diversos ataques no mundo corporativo e uma maneira de melhorar a segurança interna da sua empresa e treinar seus colaboradores, por isso é essencial investir em treinamentos de phishing e palestras para aumentar a segurança, pois o elo mais fraco dentro da segurança é a Identidade.

Alinhamento com objetivos de negócios Melhoria da segurança e metas organizacionais Proteção da propriedade intelectual Garantia de conformidade normativa Manutenção da confiança do cliente Tradução de requisitos técnicos em resultados de negócios Retorno sobre o investimento (ROI) Vantagem competitiva Economia de custos a longo prazo Comunicação eficaz com executivos