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Editorial & review

How the numbers are built and reviewed

SecurityBudget.com's cost models and benchmarks are built and maintained by the SecurityBudget Research Team against a public, versioned methodology and named data sources. Every figure is sourced and dated so you can check exactly where it came from and when it was last verified.

Documented, versioned methodology

Every figure is produced by a published, bottom-up model. The assumptions, formulas, and a changelog are public so you can audit or challenge any number.

Named, dated sources

Each cost and benchmark cites the public source it comes from — IBM, Verizon DBIR, Kaspersky, Deloitte/IANS, NIST, CISA, BLS — with a "verified" date.

Ranges and confidence, not false precision

Numbers are shown as ranges with an explicit confidence level. We never present a single point estimate as certainty.

Independent and ungated

Not affiliated with, sponsored by, or paid by any security vendor or MSSP. No email gates, no affiliate-ranked recommendations.

Named reviewers

Michael Reed Market Research Analyst | SaaS Pricing & Technology Cost Analysis
  • Pricing & market data
  • TCO modeling

Builds and maintains the unit-cost models and the security tooling price index, tracking public vendor pricing and negotiated-deal data so the numbers reflect what teams actually pay.

Last reviewed: Jun 2026

Daniel Carter Senior Research Editor | Data Accuracy & Research Review
  • Editorial
  • Data verification

Reviews every report, guide, and figure for sourcing and accuracy, and owns the methodology and source-verification standards that keep the site defensible.

Last reviewed: Jun 2026

Omar Al-Farsi Industry Analyst | IT Security Market Research
  • Industry research

Researches sector-specific spend ratios and benchmark inputs, and contributes the industry and company-size analysis behind the calculator.

Last reviewed: Jun 2026

Are you a security or compliance practitioner?

We are adding named external reviewers who will own specific models and date their sign-off. If you'd like to contribute your expertise, get in touch — there's no sales angle and no cost.

Become a reviewer