The implementation of cybersecurity programs should be a top priority for anyone who wants to start and maintain a major business. However, as all businesses do, it comes with its costs albeit major benefits. For some of the cost you would first have to budget your initial investment. This would include investments in technology, infrastructure, firewalls and antivirus, and other programs to get started. Then you would have to think about personnel, including the hiring process, training, diversification between engineers, consultants, analyst, etc., and budgeting salaries for them. Next would be your maintenance costs like the procurement of certain licenses, subscriptions, software updates and regular audits/compliance checks. This would also include physical maintenance on equipment to ensure that all the properties are working at peak condition. Another cost, although mentioned above, would be training. This would include monthly, quarterly, and annually, to ensure all employees are up to date with current or new regulations or if new programs/software is released and is chosen to be implemented within the business. And finally, would be the extra expenditures like compliance requirements or third-party services that may need to be outsourced for certain service needs or consulting.

Although we only scratched the surface of the costs that would be observed within the creation of a business, there are many benefits after everything is said and done. One of the most beneficial outcomes is overall risk reduction. Through the implementation of a fortified cyber security program, data breaches, cyber theft and ransomware attacks are mitigated and many times, stopped altogether. Digital assets are then protected, stopping unauthorized access or destruction preserving the integrity of the information. While touching on integrity, having a bolstered system will help continue healthy production within a business while maintaining a positive perception on the company as well. This leads to customer trust and loyalty which will amount to returning customers and more new customers as well.