Key metrics such as a reduction in security incidents, improved incident response times, and increased user productivity can be powerful indicators of security effectiveness, and there are various tools that can provide the insights you need to communicate this ROI. Security information and event management (SIEM) tools can collect, analyze, and correlate security event data from various sources, providing valuable insights into potential threats and security incidents. Vulnerability scanning tools regularly scan your systems to identify and assess vulnerabilities in your systems and applications. Endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools detect and respond to threats on endpoints, such as workstations and servers, to reduce the impact of attacks and minimize downtime.
Whichever tools you use to capture these insights, you need to go beyond raw numbers and provide context to ensure stakeholders fully grasp the significance of the data. Easy-to-understand visuals can help you tell a story with data and demonstrate the true ROI of security investments. For example, stakeholders often respond well to comparative visualizations, such as trend lines that show risk reduction over time or heat maps that highlight areas of vulnerability. These visuals can provide a clear and concise picture of the impact of your security measures, making it easier to justify future investments and secure the necessary resources.
“I use spider charts to show our board what our inherent risk would be if we had no security controls. Then I show them where we are now with our current set of controls and where we want to be,” Domboski explains. “This shows them that our Identity platforms are exactly what we need to implement Zero Trust and keep our business secure.”
