Security awareness training is often dismissed as unquantifiable. Here's how to calculate concrete ROI from your phishing simulation program — with numbers your CFO will respect.
Every CISO faces the same budget conversation: 'How much does a breach cost vs. how much does training cost?' This article gives you a concrete ROI framework — with real figures — to present to your CFO or board.
The Cost of a Phishing-Caused Breach in India
The average cost of a data breach in India is ₹17.9 crore (IBM 2024). Phishing is the initial attack vector in 36% of all breaches.
The ROI Formula
A real example
500-person org. Pre-training breach probability: 12%. Post-training: 3%. Breach cost: ₹17.9 crore. Risk reduction: (0.12 − 0.03) × ₹17.9 crore = ₹1.61 crore/year. PhishShield Pro cost: 500 × ₹1,200 = ₹6 lakh/year. ROI = 2,583%.
Metrics That Demonstrate Program Value
- PPP trend: a consistent downward slope is the clearest proof of reduced risk
- Report rate trend: increasing reporting means employees actively defend your org
- Training completion rate: above 90% shows the program is taken seriously
Written by
Vikram Nair
CISO Advisor at PhishShield
