Case 01 Zero Trust — CFO — Budget Approval Financial Concept Zero Trust Audience CFO Context Budget approval request Plain-Language Explanation Zero Trust is a security approach based on one simple rule: never assume anyone inside or outside the company network is automatically trustworthy. Every user, device, and system must continuously prove it has the right to access what it's requesting — even if they've logged in before. 💰 Financial Risk Average breach cost: $4.45M. Zero Trust limits lateral movement that makes breaches expensive. 📋 Compliance Supports SOC 2, ISO 27001, and cyber insurance requirements, reducing premium costs. If We Don't Act A single compromised account gives an attacker unrestricted access to all systems. One incident could trigger regulatory fines, customer churn, and reputational damage far exceeding the cost of this investment. Recommended Decision Approve the $280K Zero Trust implementation budget for Q3. Expected ROI: 3x in breach cost avoidance within 18 months. Analogy "Our current security is like a hotel where anyone with a key card can access every room. Zero Trust gives each room its own lock — and checks your ID every time, even if you're a guest."