By Anosha Shariq, Writer
As cybersecurity threats continue to rise, cybersecurity leaders are facing increasing pressure to manage their budgets effectively. A significant number of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) are looking for innovative strategies to maintain security without additional funding.
According to Deloitte’s Global Future of Cyber Report, 57 per cent of CISOs expect an increase in their cybersecurity budgets over the next one to two years. However, many still report budget constraints as a major challenge, with 36 per cent of enterprise leaders identifying “lack of budget” as a complicating factor in cybersecurity initiatives, according to CompTIA’s State of Cybersecurity 2025 report.
To navigate these financial challenges, cybersecurity leaders are exploring various methods to optimize their existing resources. Experts suggest several strategies that can help CISOs save costs without sacrificing service levels or reducing headcount.
One key approach is to establish or improve governance within cybersecurity teams. This can help spread accountability and clarify the total cost of ownership for security controls, allowing for better budgeting and planning. Additionally, optimizing and rationalizing existing tools can lead to significant cost savings by eliminating redundancies and maximizing the use of current resources.
Implementing automation and artificial intelligence capabilities is another recommended strategy. By automating routine tasks, security teams can enhance efficiency and reduce the need for additional personnel. Increased scrutiny of vendor contracts can also yield savings, as itemized quotes and robust service level agreements can help identify unnecessary expenditures.
Furthermore, automating security questionnaires and third-party vetting processes can streamline operations and reduce costs associated with manual handling. Engaging a FinOps engineer to scrutinize spending can uncover overspending on cloud resources and other areas, leading to substantial savings.
Lastly, creating a security champions program that enlists employees across the organization can enhance the overall security culture, reducing the number of incidents that require attention from security teams and thus lowering costs.
These strategies reflect a proactive approach by cybersecurity leaders to navigate fiscal challenges while maintaining robust security postures in an increasingly complex threat landscape.
