Today's companies must consider cybersecurity as a strategic pillar within their financial planning. The growing sophistication of digital attacks requires well-structured budgets that address not only prevention, but also detection, response, and recovery from incidents.
This involves allocating resources to technologies such as threat detection systems, vulnerability analysis, continuous monitoring, and automated response solutions. Equally important is the ongoing training of staff and the implementation of policies that strengthen the security culture within the company. Allocating a specific and sustainable budget not only reduces risks but also positions the organization as resilient, prepared, and competitive in an increasingly digital and demanding environment.
What is a cybersecurity budget?
A cybersecurity budget is basically a plan that a company makes to determine how much it will invest (annually or quarterly) in protecting itself from digital threats. It is not just about buying software or paying for antivirus protection, but about deciding how and where resources will be used to prevent attacks, detect problems in time, and know how to react if something happens.
This budget usually includes things like technological tools (firewalls, cloud protection, intrusion detection systems), external services (audits, security testing, specialized consultants), team training, and compliance with important standards such as ISO 27001 or PCI DSS.
Ideally, it should be based on the reality of each company: how exposed it is, what industry it works in, how much information it handles, and how prepared it is in terms of security. This allows you to prioritize actions that really help reduce risks, keep the business running, and comply with what customers or regulators require.
Why does your company need to have a specific budget for cybersecurity?
Because cyberattacks are no longer a distant possibility: they are part of everyday life. They are becoming more frequent, more complex, and more costly. In addition, regulations and customer demands are also increasing, and not having adequate measures in place can leave you without contracts or in legal trouble.
Having a clear budget for this issue is not a luxury, it is a strategy. It means that you are taking the protection of your business, your data, and your customers' trust seriously. And it doesn't matter if your company is small or large, if you are in technology or another sector: today, all organizations are potential targets.
Cyber threats on the rise
It's not paranoia, it's reality: digital threats are evolving at breakneck speed. For example, according to data from Crowdstrike, vishing operations (the type of fraud where you receive a call to steal your information) grew by 442% between the first and second half of 2024 alone.
And it's not just the risks that are increasing. Expectations are too. A Thomson Reuters study showed that 80% of risk and compliance professionals already see these functions as strategic to the business. What's more, 74% say they directly help the company grow and perform better.
In addition, global spending on information security is expected to increase by 25% during 2025. What does this mean? It means that more and more companies are investing in protecting themselves, not just because “they have to,” but because it is an essential part of growing intelligently and sustainably.
How much should you really invest in cybersecurity?
One of the most common questions when putting together a cybersecurity budget is: how much is enough? And it's a valid question. Because it's not just about spending for the sake of spending, but it's also not about falling short. Does more investment mean more protection? Is there a magic number? The truth is that there is no single formula that applies to all companies, but there are useful references that can help you make a more informed decision, depending on your size, industry, and level of risk exposure.
What percentage of the IT budget is recommended?
According to data from Spiceworks, on average, companies are allocating 13.2% of their total IT budget to cybersecurity. Does that seem like a lot? Does it seem like a little? It all depends on the type of business you have and how digitized you are. For example, if you handle sensitive data, financial information, or intellectual property, you will most likely need to invest a little more.
It also depends on whether you have outsourced part of your security. Many companies hire managed services (such as monitoring or incident response), and in those cases, spending tends to focus more on services and compliance than on internal infrastructure. The key is to ensure that your budget is aligned with the real risks of your business and what you are trying to achieve.
Which industries are increasing their cybersecurity budgets?
Not all sectors face the same threats or have the same protection requirements. For example:
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Healthcare: faces many regulations and handles highly sensitive data, so it tends to invest more.
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Finance: with so many transactions and fraud risks, this sector also leads in investment.
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Retail and e-commerce: due to the amount of customer and payment data, they are increasing their budgets.
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Technology: being at the center of innovation, they are also frequent targets and allocate significant resources.
These data serve as a guide, but each company has its own reality. It is not about copying the percentage of another sector, but about understanding your risks, your priorities, and where you want to take your digital strategy.
Industries that are increasing their investment in cybersecurity (according to Spiceworks)
How to create a cybersecurity budget?
Where to start? Key categories that should not be overlooked
A comprehensive budget should cover both technical and human aspects. Here are the essential areas you should consider:
- Technology and security tools: This includes everything you need to protect your systems: antivirus, firewalls, EDR solutions, SIEM platforms, identity management (IAM), multi-factor authentication (MFA), etc. Check whether they are annual licenses, monthly subscriptions, or per-user costs. Not everything is a single invoice.
- Professional services and consulting: From security audits to penetration testing (pentesting) or external services such as SOC (Security Operations Center). Don't have a cybersecurity team within your company? A good option may be to hire a SOC as a Service such as TecnetOne, which provides monitoring and response to threats with specialized support without having to set up the entire operation from scratch.
- Compliance and certifications: Does your company need to comply with standards such as ISO 27001, SOC 2, or PCI DSS? This includes the cost of implementation, internal/external audits, and specialized support. Important: this is not only technical, it also involves documentation and processes.
- Internal staff and equipment: If you already have a cybersecurity team, include here the salaries, training, tools, and software they need to do their job well. In small companies, it may be the same IT team with shared responsibilities. That should also be reflected.
- Incident response and business continuity: No one wants it to happen, but if an attack does occur, you need to be prepared. Include drills, backups, disaster recovery plans (DRPs), and crisis management tools here.
Allocating your budget by category not only gives you a clearer view of your security program, it also allows you to quickly spot if you are leaving anything important out.
Don't underestimate invisible (but essential) costs
One of the most common mistakes when planning a cybersecurity budget is forgetting about those expenses that don't seem so obvious, but are just as critical. Here are some you shouldn't overlook:
- Training and awareness: Human error remains one of the main causes of incidents. Investing in ongoing training for your team is key: phishing drills, online courses, in-person workshops, etc. A well-executed awareness campaign can prevent many problems.
- Backups and secure storage: Having backups is not a luxury, it's a necessity. Be sure to include automated backup systems, secure storage, and periodic recovery tests. Because if you can't recover your information, everything else is meaningless. One option to consider is TecnetProtect Backup, a robust solution that uses Acronis technology, recognized worldwide for its reliability. In addition to backup, it offers centralized device management features, making it easy to control and protect equipment from a single platform. Ideal if you are looking for a complete solution that combines security, efficiency, and ease of administration.
- Cyber insurance: More and more companies are taking out policies that cover everything from data breaches to digital extortion or operational losses. It is not mandatory, but it is a very useful tool for mitigating the financial impact of a serious attack.
- Management and governance tools (GRC): These platforms help centralize policies, controls, risks, and evidence. They are extremely useful when audits come around or you need to demonstrate regulatory compliance. They may seem like an administrative expense, but they save you headaches down the road.
Often, what causes gaps or cost overruns is not what you included, but what you forgot to budget for. A good cybersecurity plan not only covers the obvious, but also anticipates what normally goes unnoticed. Prevention is much cheaper than reaction.
So, when putting together your budget, don't limit yourself to the technical aspects. Think also about the human, legal, and operational aspects. It all adds up to protect your business.
Read more: How to build a culture of cybersecurity in your company?
Step by step guide to putting together your cybersecurity budget
For your cybersecurity budget to really work, you need to follow a logic that helps you make decisions based on what really matters: the real risks you face, how prepared you are today, and where your company is headed.
Here we share a practical process that is useful whether you are just starting out or already have something advanced in place. It doesn't matter if your company is large or small: these steps are adaptable.
1. Take stock of what you already have
Before thinking about new expenses, it's worth reviewing what tools, processes, and people are already in place. This inventory saves you headaches, prevents you from buying what you already have, and helps you see where the gaps are.
Review things like:
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What security tools you already use (and whether they are still active).
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What roles exist in your team and who is responsible for what.
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What policies, manuals, or controls are already documented.
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Whether you have current certifications or are working on any.
This point is your starting point. From here, everything will be clearer.
2. Assess your risks and obligations
It's not about guessing possible attacks, but about understanding what assets you need to protect, what threats are most likely, and what the consequences of an incident would be. Also, consider the legal or customer requirements you are already obligated to comply with.
Ask yourself:
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What information is critical to my business? And what would happen if it were lost or stolen?
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What threats are most common in my industry?
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Am I required to comply with regulations such as ISO 27001, SOC 2, or data protection laws?
This step gives you clarity on the “why” behind every dollar invested. It helps you justify and prioritize it.
3. Define what you want to achieve with the investment
Don't invest just for the sake of investing. Think about what your company needs to achieve in terms of security. This allows you to focus resources, avoid dispersion, and measure the impact of each action.
Some examples of objectives:
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Obtain certification that opens doors to new customers.
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Reduce critical risks such as poorly controlled access or lack of monitoring.
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Put together an incident response team.
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Purchase cyber insurance.
Having clear objectives also makes it much easier to talk to management or the finance department.
4. Allocate the budget by key categories
Now, with all of the above in mind, organize the budget by area. Some common categories:
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People (salaries, training, team tools).
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Technology (protection tools, licenses, software).
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External services (consulting, audits, pentesting).
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Compliance (certifications, documentation).
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Continuity (backups, incident response, recovery plans).
A good practice is to divide expenses into three levels:
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Critical: the bare minimum to avoid exposure.
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Strategic: what helps you strengthen your security posture.
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Desirable: what adds value but can wait if the budget is limited.
5. Design different investment scenarios
Not all companies can cover everything from day one, and that's okay. That's why putting together different scenarios allows you to be more flexible when making decisions, especially if you have to present the budget to other areas or a steering committee.
Here are three useful scenarios you can work with:
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Minimum viable scenario: the basics to meet essential requirements and reduce the most urgent risks.
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Optimal scenario: the ideal scenario to cover the main needs, strengthen the team, and meet important requirements.
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Strategic scenario: a more robust version that includes improvements such as automation, innovation, or secure digital transformation projects.
Showing these scenarios also allows you to negotiate better: if there are no resources for the strategic scenario today, at least you can secure the essentials.
How can TecnetOne help you create an effective cybersecurity budget?
At TecnetOne, we understand that planning a cybersecurity budget is not always easy. It is not just a matter of adding up the costs of tools or services, but of aligning each investment with the real risks, business objectives, and demands of the digital environment.
That's why at TecnetOne we offer comprehensive cybersecurity solutions ranging from advanced backups such as TecnetProtect Backup to professional services such as SOC as a Service, monitoring, consulting, regulatory compliance, and incident response. Our approach combines high-level technology with close, practical, and results-oriented advice.
We help you identify your main vulnerabilities, structure a realistic budget, and design a roadmap to strengthen your security without affecting your company's operations or growth. If you want to protect your information strategically and efficiently, TecnetOne is ready to accompany you.
