In today's digital-first economy, cyber threats are no longer just an IT concern — they're a boardroom-level financial risk. At Forge, we’ve seen firsthand how even a single cyber attack can upend a company’s financial health, reputation, and long-term viability. If you're still thinking of cybersecurity as a back-office function, it's time to reconsider the numbers.
According to the IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report 2024, the average cost of a data breach now sits at $4.45 million, a 15% increase over the past three years. But what makes up this staggering number?
Downtime: Operational disruption leads to lost revenue and productivity.
Data Loss: Sensitive customer or intellectual property data can be costly to recover — or impossible to replace.
Reputational Damage: Lost customer trust can take years to rebuild, if ever.
Regulatory Fines: Non-compliance with data protection laws like GDPR or HIPAA can lead to six- or seven-figure penalties.
Ransom Payments: Paying off ransomware attackers may seem like a quick fix, but it rarely ends the nightmare.
Let’s break this down. For a mid-sized financial firm:
Downtime for one week could mean $500,000+ in lost revenue.
Legal and PR costs can top $250,000.
Customer churn post-breach might cost millions in lifetime value.
Now imagine this scenario unfolding during your busiest quarter. Could your business weather the storm?
Investing in cybersecurity isn’t just a defensive play — it’s a financial strategy. A proactive approach dramatically reduces the risk and potential severity of breaches.
Forge helps organizations of all sizes implement cost-effective, scalable, and future-proof security strategies that don't just defend — they deliver ROI:
Preventative measures (vulnerability assessments, pen testing)
Threat detection and incident response
Compliance support to avoid regulatory fines
Cyber insurance advisory to mitigate residual risk
Ask yourself: What’s your risk threshold? And more importantly, what’s your recovery plan?
If your organization hasn’t quantified the financial implications of a cyber incident, now is the time. Contact Forge for a consultation to build a cyber defense plan for your business that protects the bottom line.