Cyber Strategy and Roadmap
Every organisation is different in how they operate and the digital assets they need to protect.
A cyber strategy and roadmap varies depending on your current maturity, the desired target state your leadership wish to reach and your available resources.
On this page
Secure your business.
Elevate your security, accelerate your growth. We take care of cyber security for high-growth companies, at every stage of their journey.
Get in Touch
What is a Cyber Strategy and Roadmap?
A cyber security strategy defines the approach and desired end state the organisation wishes to reach. It articulates what security posture is required, over what timeframe. One organisation might need to invest in Zero Trust Architecture to secure its IT network and assets, whilst another may need to adopt a more risk-based approach using a ‘Defence in Depth’ approach to cyber security. The correct approach depends entirely on your specific organisation’s goals, technology and business context.
A cyber security roadmap is a detailed plan that outlines the sequence of initiatives, projects and milestones required to achieve the defined strategic goals and desired target state for cyber security. It translates the high-level strategy into actionable steps, providing timelines, resources and dependencies for each initiative.
What's Included?
Business Alignment
We work with senior leadership to set clear objectives and gain top-level support for your cyber strategy – ensuring it underpins your organisation’s wider goals.
Risk & Gap Analysis
Our specialists assess your current security posture and identify critical risk areas. This helps prioritise where to allocate resources first.
Strategic Roadmap
We map out a phased plan of initiatives and milestones – each with clear targets, timelines and dependencies.
Architecture Review
We examine your existing infrastructure to recommend solutions suited to your strategic approach – from Zero Trust to Defence in Depth.
Budget Planning
Our team helps plan the required staffing, tools and budget. We ensure decisions align with both risk appetite and business priorities.
Metrics & KPI's
We set key performance indicators, giving you transparent ways to measure progress against the roadmap and your return on investment.
Challenges Addressed by a Cyber Strategy and Roadmap
Limited Time
You need to focus on your day job, not trying to work out the best way forward for cyber security. Many CxO’s who attempt to do this in-house, without the right expertise end up wasting company time and money having gone off in the wrong strategic direction for months or even years from the outset.
Lack Of Expertise
Resources & Budget
When organisations get their cyber strategy and roadmap wrong, they can spend years heading in the wrong direction. This wastes budget, frustrates people and most importantly, creates a prolonged window of risk upon which the company is vulnerable to cyber attack.
‘Boiling the Ocean’
The most common pitfall in defining a cyber strategy and roadmap is a lack of prioritisation. Cyber security can be overwhelming if you try to prevent all possible cyber attacks. A threat-based approach is needed to focus in on what matters the most.
Limited Time
You need to focus on your day job, not trying to work out the best way forward for cyber security. Many CxO’s who attempt to do this in-house, without the right expertise end up wasting company time and money having gone off in the wrong strategic direction for months or even years from the outset.
Lack Of Expertise
Resources & Budget
When organisations get their cyber strategy and roadmap wrong, they can spend years heading in the wrong direction. This wastes budget, frustrates people and most importantly, creates a prolonged window of risk upon which the company is vulnerable to cyber attack.
‘Boiling the Ocean’
The most common pitfall in defining a cyber strategy and roadmap is a lack of prioritisation. Cyber security can be overwhelming if you try to prevent all possible cyber attacks. A threat-based approach is needed to focus in on what matters the most.
What Our Clients Say
Benefits of a Cyber Strategy and Roadmap
Defining a cyber security roadmap and strategy will not only improve your cyber security capabilities, but if done correctly – it will super-charge your business growth too.
Aligned Business Objectives
Your cyber security strategy will depend on how you do business. Are you a AdTech business where data privacy is central to your product? Or a health insurer storing sensitive personal data? A well-defined cyber strategy and roadmap aligns your cyber capabilities with your overarching business goals.
Higher Return On Investment
You will discover what is important and importantly, what is not so crucial. Resources, people and funding now devoted to cyber security will have a higher return on investment as the funds used to build controls are now going to provide the best protection against your specific cyber threats.
Monitor Outcomes
Many see a cyber strategy and roadmap as a ‘blue sky thinking’ exercise with ill-defined outputs. Done correctly, your cyber strategy and roadmap will establish an annual mechanism for quantitatively measuring your strategic progress and give you the ability to measure your return on invested spend for cyber security.
Rapid Risk Reduction
As a cyber strategy and roadmap enables you to rigorously prioritise your risk remediation efforts, you will quickly be able to shift focus to establishing those controls which matter the most. The result? A high degree of risk reduction over a short amount of time.
Better Decision-Making
A cyber strategy and roadmap empowers your senior management and executive bodies with the data and information needed to periodically reassess your cyber security posture and make data-driven decisions on how best to utilise company resources.
Stakeholder Buy-In
Everyone sings from the same hymn sheet. Stakeholders across all functions get clarity on the direction of travel that the executive want cyber security to travel in, providing a ‘golden-thread’ for all subsequent decisions – new projects, new hires, new tools, etc.
Evidence Compliance
Radically improve your compliance against regulatory obligations and industry standards such as the UK Data Protection Act, GDPR, HIPPA, ISO 27001, SOC2, PCI DSS and Cyber Essentials. This reduces the likelihood of regulatory penalties.
Showcase Commitment
A strong cyber strategy and roadmap demonstrates your commitment to security, both to staff and as a market differentiator. Showcase to prospective clients, auditors, suppliers, shareholders and regulators your commitment to protecting digital assets.
Secure your business.
Elevate your security, accelerate your growth. We take care of cyber security for high-growth companies, at every stage of their journey.
Get in Touch
Case Study: Global Travel Company
Client Challenge
A London-based global travel company was facing increased pressure from industry regulators and its board of directors to strengthen its cyber security posture.
While the company had a broad technology strategy, it lacked a dedicated cyber strategy and roadmap to address growing cyber threats and regulatory compliance. The travel company’s global footprint and reliance on digital services exposed them to growing cyber security risks, and they did not have the internal expertise to develop and implement a cohesive cyber strategy that aligned with their business goals.
Our Approach
- Rapid Current State Assessment: a quick two week review of the organisation’s existing cyber security posture identified what approaches best aligned with business objectives.
- Cyber Threat Assessment: six cyber threat scenarios were found to be most relevant, identifying cyber controls would provide the highest level of protection against their specific cyber threats.
- Cyber Strategy & Roadmap Workshops: facilitated workshops with key stakeholders, including the CIO, CTO, and business unit leaders, to align the security strategy with business priorities and gain executive buy-in.
- Cyber Security Roadmap: developed a five year cyber security roadmap detailing the projects required to achieve the desired future state.
- Compliance Alignment Mapping: mapped the security initiatives in the defined cyber security roadmap to the travel company’s regulatory requirements and industry best practices to ensure the roadmap addressed both internal and external compliance obligations.
Value Delivered
Strategy Pivoted
It was discovered that the company was focusing on too cyber security controls and were wasting time and resources. We developed a cyber strategy and roadmap providing prioritisation and focus.
Advanced Security
The cyber strategy and roadmap established a foundation for a more resilient security posture, including the implementation of advanced threat detection and improved incident response.
Cost Efficiencies
Through careful planning of security investments with business priorities, CyPro helped them optimise their cyber security spend, focusing on high-impact initiatives that provided the greatest risk reduction.
Download Your Free Cyber Incident Response Plan.
Download our free cyber incident response plan (including Ransomware runbook) just in case the worst happens.
Download
Who Needs a Cyber Strategy and Roadmap?
Cyber security strategy is an essential service for businesses facing cyber threats. Below, we outline who benefits most from having a cyber strategy and roadmap defined and who may not find it as necessary.
- Organisations Starting Their Cyber Security Journey: Start-ups or scale-ups who are finding an increasing need for more robust cyber security would benefit greatly from a cyber strategy and roadmap being defined. It would help reassure stakeholders like prospective clients and investors, whilst also enabling them to robustly meet their increasing compliance requirements.
- Company’s With Stagnating Cyber Security Progress: As a result of poor leadership or just limited expertise, many organisations set off in the wrong direction for many years. This can result in a stagnated cyber security program and only incremental improvements in security posture. A new cyber strategy and roadmap would help ‘mid-course’ correct and get them back on the right path.
- Highly Regulated Environments: Companies operating in industries with strict regulatory and compliance mandates, such as insurance, financial services, healthcare and critical national infrastructure. These all require a strategic cyber framework to ensure ongoing compliance. Developing a roadmap helps align cyber security practices with industry standards and legal obligations, minimising the likelihood of embarrassing or costly fines from regulators.
- Technology-Driven Businesses with Rapid Growth: Start-ups and fast-growing technology companies often scale quickly, expanding their product line (technology), people and operations which all leads to gaps in security if not managed proactively. A clear roadmap provides a structured plan to embed security into the development lifecycle, maintain a strong security posture, and support sustainable growth.
- Businesses Undergoing Digital Transformation: Organisations adopting new technologies, migrating to the cloud, or investing in digital solutions need to reassess their security frameworks to ensure they are fit for purpose. A Cyber Strategy and Roadmap helps to align security initiatives with the broader digital strategy, ensuring that security is not a barrier but an enabler of transformation.
- Organisations With Legacy Systems or Technical Debt: Businesses that have long relied upon legacy systems or have accumulated a lot of technical debt often struggle with vulnerabilities that cannot be easily resolved through traditional security measures. A strategy and roadmap provides a pathway to modernise technology and security controls together, gradually reducing reliance on outdated and insecure infrastructure and becoming more resilient as a result.
Who Doesn’t Need a Cyber Strategy and Roadmap?
While a Cyber Strategy and Roadmap can be valuable to many organisations, there are some scenarios where it may not be necessary.
- Sole Proprietorship Businesses With Limited Digital Footprint: Businesses that operate on a very small scale such as sole traders or freelancers may not need a detailed cyber security strategy if they have minimal digital assets, no customer data, and low exposure to cyber threats. Their focus can remain on basic cybersecurity hygiene, like using strong passwords and secure devices.
- Short-Term Projects or Temporary Organisations: Entities such as temporary pop-up shops, seasonal businesses, or project-based firms may not require a detailed cyber strategy and roadmap since their operational duration is limited and they are unlikely to have long-term digital assets or complex IT environments for any prolonged period of time.
Our Approach
CyPro follows a systematic and client-focused approach to ensure that the Cyber Strategy and Roadmaps we design, offer maximum value for our clients.
Current Strategy Evaluation
Before one defines where you want to get to, first you need to understand where you stand today. We conduct rapid 2 week evaluations of a companies existing cyber security posture to determine what / if any strategy is in place today, how effective it is and any areas for improvement.
Cyber Threat Assessment
To ensure that the new cyber strategy and roadmap addresses the threats most pertinent to your company, a cyber threat assessment is conducted. This identifies which controls will provide the highest degree of protection against your specific threats.
Define Target State
Facilitate workshops with senior stakeholders (e.g. Founders/CEO, CIO, CTO, etc.) to define a desired target state for cyber security. Is there zero risk appetite for cyber attacks? Or, is there some appetite for some minor incidents and as such the desired future maturity can be more measured?
Cyber Security Roadmap
To reach the desired target state, we develop a cyber strategy and roadmap that articulates the projects, capabilities and controls to be implemented over a three to five year period. By definition, achieving all activities defined in the cyber security roadmap will ensure that the desired future state is achieved.
Compliance Mapping
We perform a regulatory requirement mapping against the cyber strategy and roadmap. This ensures that, as the roadmap is executed, you consistently meet your compliance obligations. By integrating these requirements, you minimise regulatory risks and strengthen adherence to security standards over time.
Secure your business.
Elevate your security, accelerate your growth. We take care of cyber security for high-growth companies, at every stage of their journey.
Get in Touch
Secure your business.
Elevate your security, accelerate your growth. We take care of cyber security for high-growth companies, at every stage of their journey.
Get in TouchYour Team
Jonny Pelter
Jonny is a Founding Partner at CyPro and executive group level CISO who has worked closely with the British intelligence agencies NCSC and GCHQ.
Originating from KPMG and Deloitte, Jonny has a wealth of experience across numerous sectors including technology, critical national infrastructure, financial services, oil & gas, insurance, betting, pharmaceuticals and utilities.
Jonny is a leading cyber security expert in the UK, having featured on national media for his professional commentary such as BBC News, iPlayer, Telegraph and Times Radio.
Additional Consultants
Rob is a Founding Partner at CyPro and a highly experienced CISO. Beginning his career with a successful tenure at Deloitte, Rob has since amassed a wealth of experience, notably serving as a cyber security advisor to the UK government and spearheading cloud security transformations for several global banks.
At CyPro, Rob leads the managed service business line, working extensively across multiple sectors including telecommunications, technology, higher education, travel, and retail. He is passionate about equipping small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) with robust cyber security strategies to fuel their growth.
Jamie is the former Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at Allianz Holdings, where he led cyber security strategy, operations, and delivery across Allianz UK’s financial services and insurance businesses, including Allianz Commercial, Petplan, and LV.
He provides cyber security advisory services to start-ups and high-growth businesses. In this capacity, he serves as an active board member at the Cyber Defence Alliance, a cyber advisor to CVC Capital Partners, and a member of several start-up advisory boards. He is also an established keynote speaker and event moderator.
He offers services such as vCISO, fractional CISO, board advisory, cyber advisory, keynote speaking, and event moderation, delivered on a modular basis to meet client needs.
Originating from Deloitte, Ellie brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her role as a Cyber Security Manager.
She specialises in the field of threat intelligence, enabling clients to proactively identify and respond to threats before they escalate into issues.
Technically adept and highly knowledgeable, Ellie excels at developing robust security strategies tailored to each client’s unique needs.
Known for her warm and collaborative approach, Ellie is a natural motivator and people person, making her a trusted partner in implementing and operating effective security controls.
A highly skilled DevOps and DevSecOps Engineer with extensive experience in cloud platforms, cyber security, and digital transformation, specializing in D365 Business Central, HR, Finance & Operations, Field Service, and CRM. Proficient in Azure, GCP, AWS, and GCVE (VMware Engine), with expertise in GCP VPC SC, AWS EMR, Azure Datalake, and Azure Databricks.
With over 80 successful cloud migration and digital transformation projects, extensive experience includes securing Kubernetes environments with OpenShift, Twistlock, Kops, Calico, and Weaver, along with implementing service mesh tools, restrictive firewalls, and least privilege permissions. Strong knowledge of TSA/TSR and CoP security frameworks for telecoms, as well as securing operational technologies such as PLCs, SCADA software, RTUs, HMI, and Distributed Control Systems. Well-versed in industry control frameworks, including IEC 62443, NERC CIP, and NIST.
Recognised as a Cloud Platform and Security Architect and Advisor, with deep expertise in risk assessment, compliance, and cyber security best practices. A member of IISP, ISACA, and OWASP, holding certifications including Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) R&S, Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), Cisco CIP Certified Engineer, and Checkpoint CCSA/CCSE.
Comparison: Virtual CISO vs Cyber Strategy and Roadmap
If deciding between a virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) and Cyber Strategy and Roadmap, it’s important to understand the distinct benefits each option offers.
Cyber Strategy and Roadmap
- Team of senior cyber security professionals, led by a dedicated CISO on a project basis.
- In-Depth – Provides the most detailed review and definition of an organisations cyber strategy and roadmap. Includes items such as Risk Modelling, Investment Option Modelling, etc. which wouldn’t normally be included as part of a vCISO service (see right).
- Highly Cost Effective – As it is project based and scoped specifically to design the new cyber strategy and roadmap, it is a highly cost-effective option for organisations who have that specific requirement alone.
- Who Is This Best For? Organisations with limited internal expertise that either want to ensure they set off in the right direction first time round, or have realised they are not where they want to be and need an expert to come in to help correct their course.
Virtual CISO
- A dedicated executive-level CISO, on a retained managed service basis.
- Scalable – Since you only purchase the capacity required, which can be used on demand and spread over the month.
- Broad Service Coverage – Includes defining a Cyber Strategy and Roadmap but also covers off a number of other services such as training and awareness, risk management and incident response.
- Security Operations – Will leave some gaps in day-to-day operational security, e.g. security testing, alerting, vulnerability scanning, incident response, etc.
- Who Is This Best For? Organisations who are in need of early strategic direction and/or have ample internal resources to implement and operate security controls.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a roadmap in cybersecurity?
A cybersecurity roadmap is a strategic plan that outlines an organisation’s approach to improving its security posture over time. It provides a structured framework for implementing security initiatives, identifying key priorities, setting milestones, and allocating resources effectively.
A well-defined cybersecurity roadmap ensures that security efforts are aligned with business goals and evolving cyber threats, helping organisations stay proactive rather than reactive. By providing a clear path for security improvements, a cybersecurity roadmap helps businesses mitigate risks, improve compliance, and enhance overall resilience against cyber attacks.
Our cyber strategy and roadmap services ensure organisations receive expert guidance to develop a customised and actionable security plan tailored to their specific risk landscape.
- What are cyber strategies?
A cyber strategy is a comprehensive plan that defines how an organisation will protect its digital assets, manage cyber risks, and respond to evolving security threats. It encompasses policies, procedures, and security controls designed to safeguard sensitive information, maintain business continuity, and ensure regulatory compliance.
A strong cyber strategy includes risk management frameworks that help businesses identify, assess, and mitigate cyber risks. It also incorporates security governance policies that establish best practices for secure operations, ensuring that security measures are implemented consistently across the organisation. Incident response planning is another crucial component, ensuring that businesses can respond effectively to cyber incidents and recover swiftly. Additionally, a well-defined cyber strategy allocates resources effectively, prioritising investments in technology and security personnel.
By implementing a robust cyber strategy, businesses can anticipate threats, strengthen security controls, and align security efforts with long-term business goals. Our cyber strategy services help organisations create customised security frameworks that drive resilience and innovation.
- What is a tech strategy and roadmap?
A technology strategy and roadmap is a broad, organisation-wide plan that aligns technology initiatives with business objectives. It focuses on how an organisation will adopt and implement new technologies to drive efficiency, innovation, and competitive advantage.
While a cybersecurity roadmap specifically addresses security-related initiatives, a technology roadmap may cover areas such as cloud adoption, digital transformation, automation, and software integration. The cybersecurity roadmap ensures that IT infrastructure, policies, and security measures are aligned with risk management objectives, while a broader technology roadmap helps organisations maximise their technological investments for operational efficiency.
For businesses that need holistic security and technology planning, our experts develop integrated security and IT strategies that ensure both security and innovation goals are met effectively.
- How often should a cyber security roadmap be updated?
Cybersecurity roadmaps should be reviewed and updated at least annually to ensure they remain aligned with new threats, evolving compliance requirements, and technological advancements. However, updates may be required more frequently when a major cyber security incident occurs, as businesses must revise their security plans to prevent recurrence.
Regulatory changes can also necessitate adjustments to the roadmap, ensuring compliance with new standards such as GDPR, ISO 27001, or industry-specific security requirements. Significant changes in business operations, such as mergers, acquisitions, or cloud migrations, may require organisations to reassess their security posture and make necessary modifications.
Emerging cyber threats and advancements in attack techniques also demand that organisations remain adaptable, updating their security measures accordingly. Regularly reviewing a cybersecurity roadmap ensures that security strategies remain relevant, effective, and aligned with business needs.
Our experts provide ongoing strategy reviews and enhancements to help businesses stay ahead of evolving cyber risks.
- What are the key components for a cyber security roadmap?
A well-structured cybersecurity roadmap includes several essential components to ensure effective risk management and long-term resilience. It begins with a thorough risk assessment to identify critical vulnerabilities and prioritise security initiatives.
Regulatory and compliance alignment is also a key element, ensuring that businesses adhere to frameworks such as GDPR, ISO 27001, and NIST. Security policy development provides governance frameworks, outlining best practices and procedures that employees and IT teams must follow. Another crucial aspect of the roadmap is technology implementation, detailing plans for deploying security tools, firewalls, endpoint protection, and monitoring solutions.
The roadmap also includes incident response planning, ensuring businesses have structured procedures for handling cyber threats and recovering from security incidents. Security awareness training is often incorporated to educate employees on best practices and reduce human error. Finally, performance monitoring and continuous evaluation ensure that security measures remain effective and aligned with evolving cyber threats.
By following a structured cybersecurity roadmap, organisations can ensure proactive threat management, regulatory compliance, and long-term security resilience.
- How does a cyber security roadmap help with compliance?
A cybersecurity roadmap aligns security initiatives with industry regulations and compliance standards, ensuring that businesses meet the legal and security requirements necessary to protect sensitive data and avoid penalties.
By integrating compliance frameworks such as ISO 27001, GDPR, and NIST, organisations can implement required security controls that reduce regulatory risks. A well-defined roadmap ensures that security audits and assessments are met with structured documentation and security controls that align with compliance mandates. Businesses that fail to maintain compliance can face legal and financial consequences, making it essential to integrate security roadmaps with regulatory frameworks.
Our cybersecurity roadmap services help organisations stay ahead of compliance changes, providing structured guidance for meeting industry and legal obligations.
- Can small and medium sized businesses (SMBs) benefit from a cybersecurity roadmap?
Absolutely. SMBs are often targeted by cyber criminals due to their perceived weaker security controls.
A cybersecurity roadmap provides SMBs with a strategic approach to strengthening their security posture while remaining cost-effective. Smaller organisations can benefit from clear security priorities that outline essential initiatives tailored to their risk exposure. A structured roadmap also enhances defences against cyber threats, reducing the risk of ransomware, phishing, and data breaches. Additionally, regulatory compliance can be streamlined, ensuring SMBs meet data protection requirements without excessive investment in security personnel. As businesses grow, a cybersecurity roadmap provides scalability, allowing organisations to adapt their security measures to changing needs.
Our customised cybersecurity roadmaps help SMBs build a strong security foundation while managing costs effectively.
Top 10 Free Cyber Security Tools for SMBs in 2024Introduction With the frequency and sophistication of cyber attacks continuing to rise, it’s essential for business owners, IT professionals, and…
How Much Does a Virtual CISO Cost in 2025?Many CxO’s, founders and established IT professionals struggle to get clarity on how much a vCISO service costs and the…
- Expert Guide to Technical Due Diligence for Startups
Unlock the secrets of technical due diligence for startups. This guide covers everything from assessing IT infrastructure to ensuring robust…
Secure. Scale. Succeed.
We handle your cyber security so you get your time back and focus on growth.
