--- title: Is it critical for CFOs to understand cybersecurity? description: Cybersecurity is no longer just an IT issue. It has become a board-level concern. Find out why the CFO of today needs to understand cybersecurity. image: https://insights.comforte.com/hubfs/analysis-banking-businesswoman-%20v1.3.png --- [![Hubspot_blog_logo](https://insights.comforte.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Hubspot_blog_logo.png?width=295&name=Hubspot_blog_logo.png)](http://www.comforte.com) [![Subscribe](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/4026697/ba125972-4bdc-4e47-b9a9-81df496120a0.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4026697/ba125972-4bdc-4e47-b9a9-81df496120a0) [![analysis-banking-businesswoman- v1.3](https://insights.comforte.com/hubfs/analysis-banking-businesswoman-%20v1.3.png)](https://insights.comforte.com/is-it-critical-for-cfos-to-understand-cybersecurity) [Felix Rosbach](https://insights.comforte.com/author/felix-rosbach) l Aug 6, 2019 l [Data Protection](https://insights.comforte.com/tag/data-protection), [Compliance](https://insights.comforte.com/tag/compliance), [Data Breaches](https://insights.comforte.com/tag/data-breaches) # Is it critical for CFOs to understand cybersecurity? Looking at the impact a data breach can have in terms of regulatory fees, customer trust as well as loyalty and as a consequence, shareholder value, cybersecurity is no longer just an IT issue.  It has become a board-level concern. Furthermore, if an attack doesn’t mean the complete end of your business, even recovery can be extremely expensive and protracted. Whoever is in charge of cybersecurity at a company level must have the budget available to not only minimize the risk of a breach but also to create a sophisticated incident response plan. **1. Is it typical for a CFO to have a good grasp on how the organization manages cybersecurity?** ![Question ](https://insights.comforte.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Question%20.png?width=239&name=Question%20.png)Traditionally cybersecurity was in the hands of CIOs or CISOs. However, when organizations undergo a digital transformation and shift to data-driven, data becomes one of the main company assets and often the most valuable asset. Data is the new gold. Since the CFO is responsible for keeping the company financially viable, cybersecurity is on top of almost every budget plan right now. A modern CFO will have an excellent grasp on how an organization manages cybersecurity and will be able to ask the right questions. **2. Should CFOs be more involved in choice/deployment of “cybersec tech” when it comes to funding approvals?** ![mika-baumeister-Wpnoqo2plFA-unsplash](https://insights.comforte.com/hs-fs/hubfs/mika-baumeister-Wpnoqo2plFA-unsplash.jpg?width=241&name=mika-baumeister-Wpnoqo2plFA-unsplash.jpg) As investments and budgets for cybersecurity grow, more and more technology investment decisions are being made at board level. CFO’s don't need to be cybersecurity experts – but bringing their perspective to the table allows organizations to find solutions that are sustainable and help to secure an organizations growth. **3. Are there risks to a CFO not being more invested in the cybersec process?** Every day without the right security solutions in place leaves a company vulnerable to a cyber attack. The CFO is critically important to protect a company's valuable treasure – it’s data. As a CFO also sees the direction of a company in terms of mergers, acquisitions and structural changes (s)he is able to make decisions that are sustainable. Way too often companies overspend on security solutions that aren’t flexible enough to support a company's growth. Sometimes this expenditure creates a false image of security as management and maintenance are extremely important factors when it comes to security. An outdated security solution might not be secure at all. In terms of ROI and sustainability, a CFO should not risk being under-invested in the cybersecurity process. **4. Are cybersec leaders resistant to planning security with the CFO?** ![adult-brainstorming-businesspeople-1532191](https://insights.comforte.com/hs-fs/hubfs/adult-brainstorming-businesspeople-1532191.jpg?width=241&name=adult-brainstorming-businesspeople-1532191.jpg)We see a change here. More and more CISOs are starting to tell the right security story when communicating to the board. When it comes to complex topics like cybersecurity – with all its pitfalls and hundreds of options to decipher – the board demands greater accountability from their experts and professionals. Whether you are resistant to planning security with your CFO - or not, this hard fact doesn’t change. **5. How can the CFO and cybersec team work better together?** ![bump-collaboration-colleagues-1068523](https://insights.comforte.com/hs-fs/hubfs/bump-collaboration-colleagues-1068523.jpg?width=256&name=bump-collaboration-colleagues-1068523.jpg) While technical experts sometimes struggle to demonstrate business insights and ROI of a cybersecurity project to business executives, there is an urgent need for both parties to work together more closely. Both sides have to be proactive – finding the right language to communicate benefits, needs as well as ROI. A comprehensive security strategy requires the appropriate budget and needs to be tailored to every individual company dependant on their business objectives. Some organizations see security solutions as an inconvenient cost item. Nonetheless, there are solutions available, which facilitate future projects, allow organizations to leverage previously unmonetizable data and that help to keep systems out of the scope of regulations. The most effective way to plan together is to focus on the benefits of protecting an organization’s crown jewels – its data. --- | Share this:  | [![LinkedIn](https://insights.comforte.com/hubfs/Social%20Icons/linkedin%20icon.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://insights.comforte.com/is-it-critical-for-cfos-to-understand-cybersecurity&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin) | [![Bluesky](https://insights.comforte.com/hubfs/Social%20Icons/bluesky_logo.png)](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?url=https://insights.comforte.com/is-it-critical-for-cfos-to-understand-cybersecurity&utm_medium=social&utm_source=Bluesky) | ![Twitter](https://insights.comforte.com/hubfs/Social%20Icons/twitter_x_logo-1.png) | [![XING](https://insights.comforte.com/hubfs/Social%20Icons/xing-color2.png)](https://www.xing.com/spi/shares/new?url=https://insights.comforte.com/is-it-critical-for-cfos-to-understand-cybersecurity&utm_medium=social&utm_source=xing) | [![Email](https://insights.comforte.com/hubfs/Social%20Icons/email%20icon.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://insights.comforte.com/is-it-critical-for-cfos-to-understand-cybersecurity&utm_medium=social&utm_source=email%20&body=Check%20out%20https://insights.comforte.com/is-it-critical-for-cfos-to-understand-cybersecurity&utm_medium=social&utm_source=email) | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ## Want to learn more? comforte helps companies to secure their growth with protecting their crown jewels: data See what KuppingerCole, an independent cybersecurity research and analyst firm, says about comforte's enterprise data protection solution. [![Download Report](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/4026697/2ed3645c-cf2d-4990-ae80-05ea9b58cb4a.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4026697/2ed3645c-cf2d-4990-ae80-05ea9b58cb4a) ### Related posts ![Reuse, Reward: How Banks Can Safely Unlock the Value of Their Data](https://insights.comforte.com/hubfs/comforte%20AG_%20Reuse%20Reward_%20How%20Banks%20Can%20Safely%20Unlock%20the%20Value%20of%20Their%20Data_03.2025.png) Mar 12, 2026 l [Data Protection](https://insights.comforte.com/tag/data-protection) , [Payments Transformation](https://insights.comforte.com/tag/payments-transformation) , [Business Value](https://insights.comforte.com/tag/business-value) ### [Reuse, Reward: How Banks Can Safely Unlock the Value of Their Data](https://insights.comforte.com/reuse-reward-how-banks-can-safely-unlock-the-value-of-their-data?hsLang=en) The financial world is awash with data. But too few organizations are able to use it effectively. In [Bank Director’s *2025 Technology Survey*](https://www.bankdirector.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2025TechReport-OpenVersion.pdf), one-third of US banking leaders cite an inability to harness data as a top technology challenge facing their... [Read more](https://insights.comforte.com/reuse-reward-how-banks-can-safely-unlock-the-value-of-their-data?hsLang=en) ![Delivering a Secure, Trusted Foundation for Cloud Growth at LGT](https://insights.comforte.com/hubfs/comforte%20AG_Delivering%20a%20Secure%2c%20Trusted%20Foundation%20for%20Cloud%20Growth%20at%20LGT_01.2026.png) Jan 15, 2026 l [Data Protection](https://insights.comforte.com/tag/data-protection) , [Business Value](https://insights.comforte.com/tag/business-value) ### [Delivering a Secure, Trusted Foundation for Cloud Growth at LGT](https://insights.comforte.com/delivering-a-secure-trusted-foundation-for-cloud-growth-at-lgt?hsLang=en) There’s a world of difference between retail and private banking. While the former is transactional and focused on the mass market, the latter is built on trust and personal relationships. That trust can be hard won, but is easily lost, especially... [Read more](https://insights.comforte.com/delivering-a-secure-trusted-foundation-for-cloud-growth-at-lgt?hsLang=en) ![Top Indicators You Have a Cybersecurity Problem—and What to Do About It](https://insights.comforte.com/hubfs/comforte%20AG_Top%20Indicators%20You%20Have%20a%20Cybersecurity%20Problem_and%20What%20to%20Do%20About%20It.png) May 22, 2025 l [Data Protection](https://insights.comforte.com/tag/data-protection) , [Digital Enablement](https://insights.comforte.com/tag/digital-enablement) ### [Top Indicators You Have a Cybersecurity Problem—and What to Do About It](https://insights.comforte.com/top-indicators-you-have-a-cybersecurity-problem-and-what-to-do-about-it?hsLang=en) Data is both blessing and curse to the modern enterprise. Yes, when analyzed effectively it can surface intelligence to improve decision making, customer engagement, process efficiency and, ultimately, drive revenue. But it also represents a major... [Read more](https://insights.comforte.com/top-indicators-you-have-a-cybersecurity-problem-and-what-to-do-about-it?hsLang=en) ### Service - [Contact](https://www.comforte.com/contact/) - [About us](https://www.comforte.com/company/) - [Blog](https://insights.comforte.com/) - [Press Releases](https://www.comforte.com/company/press-releases/) - [Career](https://www.comforte.com/company/career/) - [Resources](https://www.comforte.com/resources/) ### Germany comforte AG Abraham-Lincoln-Str. 22 65189 Wiesbaden Germany Phone: + 49 611 93199 00 Fax: + 49 611 93199 05 ### Australia comforte PTY Suite 20, 1 Rivett Road North Ryde NSW 2113 Australia Postal Address: PO Box 1710 Lane Cove NSW 1595 Australia Phone: +61 2 8197 0272 ### USA comforte Inc. 30 Wall Street, 8th Floor New York, NY 10005-2205 USA Phone: +1-646-438-5716 ### Singapore comforte Asia Pte. Ltd. 1 Raffles Place, #19-61 Tower 2  Singapore 048616 Phone: +65 6808 5507 - [Sitemap](https://www.comforte.com/sitemap/) - [Legal Notice](https://www.comforte.com/legal-notice/) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.comforte.com/privacy-policy/) © comforte AG 2026