How does the Business Case Builder work?

The Business Case Builder guides you through a 6-step process: Organization Profile, Risk Assessment, Breach Cost Analysis, Budget Planning, ROI Validation, and Executive Summary generation.

What data is used for the calculations?

Calculations are based on industry benchmarks from sources like the IBM Cost of Data Breach Report, Gartner security spending research, and NIST frameworks. We factor in your industry, size, and compliance requirements.

Is my data saved securely?

Your business case data is stored locally in your browser using localStorage. No data is sent to our servers unless you explicitly choose to generate a shareable link.

Can I export the business case to share with stakeholders?

Yes! The final step generates an Executive Summary that you can export as a PDF document. It includes all your analysis in a professional format suitable for board presentations.

How accurate are the breach cost estimates?

Breach cost estimates are based on industry averages. Actual costs can vary significantly based on breach scope, response time, regulatory environment, and reputational impact. Use these as starting points for discussions.

What if I want more detailed analysis?

Each step provides links to our standalone calculators for more detailed analysis. You can use the full Breach Cost Calculator, Security Budget Calculator, or ROI Calculator independently.

How often should I update my business case?

We recommend updating annually or whenever significant changes occur: major security incidents, regulatory changes, business growth, or shifts in threat landscape.

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Business Case Builder

Build a compelling cybersecurity business case with our guided wizard. Walk through risk assessment, breach cost analysis, budget planning, and ROI validation to create a comprehensive investment justification.

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No data is sent to any server. All processing happens locally on your device.

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Strategic Security Planning

Get C-level security guidance to align your security investments with business goals.

Learn About vCISO Services Explore Risk Assessment

Building a Compelling Cybersecurity Business Case

Security leaders face a persistent challenge: translating technical risks into language that resonates with business stakeholders. A well-constructed business case bridges this gap.

The Four Pillars of Security Investment Justification

1. Risk Quantification Abstract threats become tangible when translated to financial terms. By identifying your top security risks and assigning likelihood and impact scores, you create a foundation for analysis.

2. Financial Impact Analysis Understanding potential breach costs helps stakeholders appreciate what is at stake. Industry-specific benchmarks provide credible reference points.

3. Investment Sizing Budget recommendations grounded in industry benchmarks are more defensible than arbitrary requests. Demonstrate how investment levels relate to risk reduction.

4. Return Validation ROI projections transform security from a cost center into a value generator. Positive returns and strong NPV figures make the investment case compelling.

Best Practices for Presenting Your Business Case

Lead with risk, not technology: Stakeholders care about business outcomes
Use industry benchmarks: External validation strengthens credibility
Show the cost of inaction: Frame around risk exposure, not just spending
Provide options: Budget ranges give stakeholders flexibility
Quantify the upside: ROI projections demonstrate value

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about the Business Case Builder

A cybersecurity business case is a documented justification for security investments that demonstrates the value, necessity, and expected return of proposed security initiatives. It includes risk assessment, cost analysis, budget recommendations, and ROI projections.

ℹ️ Disclaimer

This tool is provided for informational and educational purposes only. All processing happens entirely in your browser - no data is sent to or stored on our servers. While we strive for accuracy, we make no warranties about the completeness or reliability of results. Use at your own discretion.