Cybersecurity Maturity Assessment
Board members, supervisory board members, and CEOs generally want a presentation of their cybersecurity maturity level that is simple and easy for laypeople to understand. Meaningful cybersecurity decisions can only be made with a comprehensive overview of the situation.
With the help of our Cybersecurity Maturity Analysis, your company is put through its paces and classified into a very easy-to-understand maturity model based on internationally recognized standards. Based on this, management can be shown what the current status is, where “peers” stand, and where the company wants to go.
Traditional methods can be dangerous
Traditional methods (e.g., in the banking sector) typically use first-line, second-line, and/or third-line reporting to establish governance over the company’s (cyber) risks.
Since these audits and control tests generally examine only isolated subject areas in a highly compartmentalized manner at a specific point in time, it is not possible to establish a comprehensive overall picture, which can be very dangerous for your company.
Furthermore, only individual problems are identified, and no comprehensive maturity level is determined.
Only with a comprehensive and continuous overview of the cybersecurity maturity level can reliable, long-term decisions be made for the company.
NIST Cybersecurity Maturity Model
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework is a comprehensive, internationally recognized, and well-established framework that can be used to assess, measure, and demonstrate the maturity of an organization’s cybersecurity across 23 categories.
We have further optimized this model to stay one step ahead of attackers. Years of experience have shown that all operational and auditing stakeholders highly value the use of this standard and this maturity model. This includes external auditors and regulators.
Of course, such maturity models can also be developed based on other standards (e.g., ISO 27001).
To give you an idea of our successfully completed projects and our expertise, we have compiled a few anonymized client testimonials for you.
Maturity Analysis: Reference Projects
Industry:
Banking / Finance
Position:
Project Manager
Areas of Responsibility:
- Cybersecurity Maturity Assessment:
Conducting a comprehensive maturity assessment in accordance with DORA and the NIS2 draft. - Stakeholder Communication & Reporting:
Regular presentation of analysis results to executive boards, supervisory boards, regulators, government agencies, and works councils. - Coordination with Control Bodies:
Close collaboration and maturity level alignment with the first and second lines of defense. - Management Recommendations & Action Planning:
Development of concrete recommendations for action, management action plans, and defined project packages to increase the maturity level. - Operational Support & Resolution of Identified Gaps:
Upgrading vulnerability scans to authenticated scans; reviewing and refining (threat-based) playbooks in the SIEM environment; evaluating frameworks and processes for risk assessment; Strategic analysis and evaluation of additional technologies to improve network security (IDS/IPS), EDR configuration and deployment; concepts for data at rest and data in transit.
Industry:
Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises
Position:
, Project Manager
Areas of Responsibility:
- IT security maturity analysis and benchmarking
- Identification of high-level cybersecurity gaps to improve cybersecurity, including prioritization and a rough estimate of effort (low, medium, high)
- Presentation of the cybersecurity maturity level results
- Development of a roadmap for addressing the identified gaps
- Based on the maturity analysis, work began immediately on addressing the findings, incorporating insights from past experience
- Development of an ISMS (Information Security Management System)
- Development of policies and documents
- Defining processes and an internal control system (ICS)
- Support in the implementation of the policies and the ICS
- Development and coordination of a project and action plan for the ISMS
- Support for an internal ISO 27001 audit
- Support for ISO 27001 certification
Industry:
Banking / Finance
Aviation
Position:
Project Manager
Areas of Responsibility:
- Initial cybersecurity maturity analysis in accordance with the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and BAIT
- Expansion of the framework and improvement of measurability, as well as annual maturity audits
- Regular reporting and presentation of the maturity level to executive boards, supervisory boards, regulators, government agencies, and works councils
- Coordination of maturity levels with an independent risk management body in the second line of defense
- Recruiting, onboarding, and developing employees
- Development of management action plans/recommendations and project packages to increase the maturity level
Industry:
Banking / Finance
Position:
Consultant
Areas of Responsibility:
- Collaborated on the development of a Cybersecurity Maturity Assessment based on the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) 2.0
- Contributed to the development of requirements definitions based on the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA)
- Contributed to the development of GAP analyses for NIST CSF 2.0 and DORA
- Assessment of maturity level and compliance
- Compiling the identified findings and creating a roadmap to improve maturity and compliance
Industry:
Insurance
Position:
Consultant
Areas of Responsibility:
- Cyber Security Maturity Assessment based on the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) 2.0
- Requirement definition based on the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) and the Insurance Regulatory Requirements for IT (VAIT)
- GAP analysis for NIST CSF 2.0, DORA, and VAIT
- Assessment of maturity level and compliance
- Compilation of identified findings and creation of a roadmap to improve maturity and compliance
Industry:
Leasing Company
Position:
Consultant
Responsibilities:
- Planning and conducting an assessment to analyze the maturity level of a SOC (Security Operations Center) and related capabilities
- Creation of an assessment catalog and conducting workshops to finalize it
- Analysis and evaluation of technical and procedural documentation
- Analysis of the maturity level, taking into account the SOC’s current capabilities and services
- Development of recommendations for action, taking into account criticality and the effort required for corrections
- Definition of “quick wins” for the prioritized implementation of corrective actions and dependencies within the work packages
- Development of a target operating model within the existing SOC
- Targeted presentation of results with a focus on relevant stakeholder groups (management / line managers)
Industry:
Small and Medium-Sized Businesses / Manufacturing / Utilities / Retail
Role:
Consultant
Areas of Responsibility:
- Design and implementation of a framework for assessing and continuously improving the level of cybersecurity maturity
- Development of the framework and audit checklist based on the controls from the NIST CSF (Cybersecurity Framework), NIST SP 800-53A, and ISO/IEC 27001
- Preparation of relevant documentation for conducting and reviewing the assessments
- Establishing the assessment program and planning assessments based on criticality
- Conducting assessments, documenting the results, and presenting them
- Facilitation of root-cause analyses to identify structural issues
- Deriving catalogs of measures and recommendations for action to improve the level of cybersecurity maturity
Industry:
Small and Medium-Sized Businesses / Retail
Position:
Consultant
Areas of Responsibility:
- IT Security Maturity Analysis and Benchmarking
- Overview of recommended protective measures to improve cybersecurity, including priority and estimated effort
- Recommendations for controls and processes (quick wins, short-, mid-, and long-term)
- Presentation of results regarding the cybersecurity maturity level
Industry:
Small and Medium-Sized Businesses / Manufacturing
Position:
Consultant
Areas of Responsibility:
- IT Security Maturity Analysis and Benchmarking
- Identification of high-level cybersecurity gaps to improve cybersecurity, including prioritization and estimated effort
- Recommendations for controls and processes (quick wins, short-, medium-, and long-term)
- Presentation of findings regarding the cybersecurity maturity level
We won't let you down
A Strong Partner
We don't just leave you to deal with the results of the maturity assessments on your own; we support you in addressing any issues and optimizing your cybersecurity maturity level.
Do you have any questions, would you like us to call you back, or would you like a quote?
Frequently Asked Questions About the Cybersecurity Maturity Assessment
A Cyber Security Maturity Assessment provides a structured evaluation of the maturity level of a company’s information security. It identifies strengths and gaps across all relevant areas and provides a solid foundation for prioritization and investment.
Depending on the objective, we use recognized frameworks such as the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) and ISO 27001, as well as regulatory requirements such as DORA or VAIT. This ensures that the results are comparable and compatible with certification and compliance requirements.
The assessment includes interviews, document reviews, and technical evaluations; a rating for each control area on a maturity scale; and a prioritized list of actions and a roadmap that outlines the effort and benefits.
It provides clarity: It objectively shows where you stand, makes progress measurable, and helps you allocate your budget specifically where it will yield the greatest security gains—ideal as a starting point for ISO 27001, DORA, or NIS2.
It is suitable for companies of all sizes—from small and medium-sized businesses to large corporations—especially before undertaking major security initiatives, certifications, or regulatory compliance efforts. SMEs also benefit from a clear assessment of their current status.
The effort required depends on the scope, the chosen framework, and the size of the company. After a brief preliminary discussion, we will provide you with a clear proposal outlining the effort involved and the benefits.