Many companies still perceive cybersecurity as a “cost center” – a necessary but unproductive expense. However, this perspective is unsustainable in today’s environment. Threats have shifted from amateur attempts at intrusion to sophisticated attacks orchestrated by organized groups or state actors. The consequences of a cyber incident today do not just mean a few hours of downtime, but can paralyze operations, cause loss of customer trust, and open the doors to legal disputes.

The impact of an attack can be measured not only financially but also reputationally. Ransomware can halt production for days, while data breaches can destroy years of built-up client trust. Companies that view security as an investment in risk management are therefore a step ahead. They address not just technology but also processes and people – factors that determine whether a company survives an attack without significant losses.

From experience, we know that organizations with a proactive approach to security can recover faster and at a lower cost. Instead of reactive fire-fighting, they account for the fact that an attack is a matter of time, not a hypothesis. Cybersecurity is thus not a guarantee against risk, but a part of a survival strategy. And the question is: can you estimate how much the first day after an attack would cost you?