CIOs grapple with budget pressures: New playbook offers fresh take on network security ROI

With security budgets under strain and complexity on the rise, CIOs are rethinking how they measure the true cost—and value—of network protection. A new framework for evaluating total cost of ownership (TCO) helps tech leaders navigate smarter, more sustainable investments.

The expanding perimeter is squeezing budgets

Today’s hybrid workforce spans offices, homes, and public networks—accessing SaaS, cloud, and legacy systems from anywhere. But traditional security architectures weren’t built for this kind of sprawl. As a result, security leaders are facing mounting pressure to protect more endpoints, users, and environments without proportionally growing their budgets.

According to research cited in the report, 35% of organizations say their security budgets are inadequate to meet current threats.

Why total cost of ownership matters more than ever

Many legacy solutions come with hidden operational costs that erode ROI. The new CIO playbook outlines the most overlooked contributors to security TCO:

Harmony SASE redefines cost efficiency

Check Point’s Harmony SASE platform is built to reduce both visible and hidden costs. It offers:

Shifting from cost control to value creation

For CIOs, the real opportunity lies in reframing security not just as a cost center, but as a driver of operational efficiency. A simplified, modern SASE approach enhances user experience, reduces administrative load, and enables innovation at scale—delivering tangible ROI.