Introduction As cyber threats continue to evolve in sophistication and scale, Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) face the critical challenge of selecting, implementing, and managing the right security tools to protect their organizations. This comprehensive guide provides CISOs with the latest trends in security software spending, a tactical procurement guide, and a detailed directory of top security products across major categories.
This directory is designed to help CISOs understand the current security software landscape, evaluate options efficiently, and make informed decisions that align with their organization's specific security needs and budget constraints. Each product is tagged with key information to facilitate easy comparison and filtering.
CISO Software Buying Trends 2025
Budget Growth and Allocation
Overall Growth : Cybersecurity spending is expected to increase by 15% in 2025, from $183.9 billion to $212 billion globally, according to Gartner research.
Budget as Percentage of IT Spend : The security budget as a percentage of overall IT spending has steadily increased from 8.6% in 2020 to 13.2% in 2024, with continued growth projected for 2025.
Software Dominance : Security software now accounts for approximately 35.9% of global cybersecurity budgets, with hardware at around 18% and personnel costs at 30%.
Cloud Security Acceleration : Spending on cloud-native security products is projected to grow from $6.7 billion in 2024 to $8.7 billion in 2025, reflecting the continued shift to cloud environments.
Key Investment Areas for 2025
AI-driven Security Solutions : Investments in AI and machine learning for threat detection, analysis, and response are seeing the highest growth rate.
Identity-first Security : With the dissolution of the traditional network perimeter, identity-based security solutions are receiving increased budget allocation.
API Security : As organizations increasingly rely on APIs for business operations, API security has become a top priority investment area.
Supply Chain Security : In response to high-profile supply chain attacks, organizations are allocating more resources to vendor risk management tools.
Consolidated Security Platforms : CISOs are moving away from point solutions toward consolidated platforms that reduce complexity and integration challenges.
Resource Links
Step-by-Step Guide to Software Procurement for CISOs
1. Assess Security Needs and Gaps
Conduct Risk Assessment :
Identify your organization's crown jewels (most critical assets) Document existing security controls and capabilities Analyze threat models relevant to your industry Assess current compliance obligations
Perform Gap Analysis :
Map current capabilities against security frameworks (NIST CSF, ISO 27001, etc.) Identify control gaps and capability shortfalls Prioritize gaps based on risk impact and likelihood
Key Outputs : Prioritized security requirements document and business justification for procurement
2. Define Requirements and Success Criteria
Document Functional Requirements :
Core security capabilities needed Integration requirements with existing security stack Scalability needs for future growth Performance requirements
Document Non-Functional Requirements :
Usability and user experience requirements Support and maintenance expectations Total cost of ownership considerations Implementation and training requirements
Define Success Metrics :
Specific KPIs to measure tool effectiveness Baseline metrics for comparing before and after implementation ROI calculation methodology
Key Outputs : Detailed requirements document and evaluation scorecard
3. Research and Shortlist Vendors
Market Research :
Review analyst reports (Gartner, Forrester) Read industry publications and reviews Consult with peers in similar organizations Attend security conferences and vendor demonstrations
Preliminary Vendor Assessment :
Issue RFIs to potential vendors Assess vendor financial stability and market position Review product roadmaps and innovation trajectory Check customer references in similar industries
Key Outputs : Shortlist of 3-5 vendors that best meet requirements
4. Conduct In-Depth Evaluation
Proof of Concept (PoC) :
Develop clear PoC test cases aligned with requirements Run PoC in environment that mirrors production Test integration with existing security tools Validate performance claims under realistic conditions
Technical Evaluation :
Conduct security assessment of the product itself Evaluate data protection and privacy controls Assess deployment complexity and maintenance requirements Verify compliance with regulatory requirements
Stakeholder Evaluation :
Include security operations team in evaluation Gather feedback from end users when applicable Consult with compliance and legal teams
Key Outputs : Detailed evaluation report comparing vendors against requirements
5. Analyze Total Cost of Ownership
Initial Acquisition Costs :
License or subscription fees Implementation services Required hardware or infrastructure Initial training costs
Ongoing Costs :
Annual maintenance and support Upgrade costs Additional resources for management Training for new staff
Hidden Costs :
Integration costs with other security tools Potential productivity impacts during implementation Internal resources needed for management Professional services for advanced use cases
Key Outputs : Five-year TCO model for each vendor solution
6. Negotiate Contracts
Contract Review Focus Areas :
Service Level Agreements (SLAs) Data ownership and protection clauses Exit clauses and data portability Renewal terms and price protection Support and maintenance terms
Negotiation Strategies :
Use competing vendor quotes as leverage Negotiate multi-year discounts with annual opt-out clauses Secure price caps for renewals Include success-based pricing when possible Negotiate flexible licensing for scaling up or down
Key Outputs : Negotiated contract with favorable terms and clear SLAs
7. Plan Implementation and Adoption
Implementation Planning :
Develop detailed implementation timeline Define clear roles and responsibilities Create test and validation plan Establish rollback procedures
Integration Strategy :
Map integration points with existing security stack Develop integration testing approach Plan for data migration if applicable Address authentication and authorization requirements
Training and Adoption :
Develop role-based training program Create internal documentation and knowledge base Establish internal champions/experts Plan for ongoing skills development
Key Outputs : Implementation plan, integration strategy, and adoption roadmap
8. Measure Success and Continuous Improvement
Performance Monitoring :
Implement dashboards for key metrics Regular reviews against defined KPIs Track actual vs. expected ROI Document lessons learned
Continuous Improvement :
Schedule regular optimization reviews Stay current with product updates and new features Refine processes based on operational experience Reassess security posture improvements
Key Outputs : Performance reports and continuous improvement plan
CISO Software Directory
Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR/XDR)
| Product | Category | Budget Share | Key Competitors | Notable Customers | Key Information |
|---------------------------------|----------|-------------|---------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| CrowdStrike Falcon | EDR/XDR | 5-10% | SentinelOne, Microsoft Defender, Palo Alto Cortex | Goldman Sachs, Amazon, Rackspace | Cloud-native, AI-driven, Single agent architecture, $40-60 per endpoint/year |
| SentinelOne Singularity | EDR/XDR | 4-8% | CrowdStrike, Microsoft, Carbon Black | Aston Martin, Sysco, Neiman Marcus | Autonomous response capabilities, Storyline technology, $45-65 per endpoint/year |
| Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | EDR/XDR | 3-7% | CrowdStrike, SentinelOne, Trend Micro | BP, Siemens, KPMG | Native Windows integration, E5 license bundling, $5-15 per endpoint/month with E5 |
| Palo Alto Networks Cortex XDR | EDR/XDR | 4-8% | CrowdStrike, SentinelOne, Microsoft | Accenture, Royal Caribbean, Telstra | Integrates with Palo Alto firewalls, Analytics-based detection, $5-10 per endpoint/month |
| VMware Carbon Black | EDR/XDR | 3-6% | CrowdStrike, SentinelOne, Microsoft | Netflix, Samsung, Exxon | Behavioral analytics, Cloud-native architecture, $30-60 per endpoint/year |
| Sophos Intercept X | EDR/XDR | 2-4% | CrowdStrike, SentinelOne, Microsoft | NASDAQ, Pixar, Under Armour | Deep learning malware detection, Anti-ransomware capabilities, $30-45 per endpoint/year |
Security Information & Event Management (SIEM)
| Product | Category | Budget Share | Key Competitors | Notable Customers | Key Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Splunk Enterprise Security | SIEM | 8-15% | Microsoft Sentinel, IBM QRadar, Exabeam | Coca-Cola, Intel, Adobe | Advanced analytics, Extensive integrations, $25-45K per GB/day indexed |
| Microsoft Sentinel | SIEM | 7-12% | Splunk, IBM QRadar, Securonix | Rolls-Royce, T-Mobile, 3M | Cloud-native, Azure integration, Pay-as-you-go pricing at $2.46 per GB ingested |
| IBM QRadar | SIEM | 6-12% | Splunk, Microsoft Sentinel, Securonix | Airbus, Anthem, Deutsche Bank | On-premises or SaaS, Advanced analytics, QFlow technology, $20-45K per EPS (Events Per Second) |
| Securonix Next-Gen SIEM | SIEM | 5-10% | Splunk, Microsoft Sentinel, IBM QRadar | American Express, Verizon, Pfizer | Cloud-native, Behavior analytics, Flat pricing model, $20-35 per user/year |
| Exabeam Fusion SIEM | SIEM | 4-8% | Splunk, Microsoft Sentinel, IBM QRadar | Levi's, Boston Children's Hospital, Chipotle | User and entity behavior analytics, Cloud-based, $30-50 per user/year |
| LogRhythm NextGen SIEM | SIEM | 3-7% | Splunk, IBM QRadar, Securonix | NASA, U.S. Air Force, Salesforce | On-premises or cloud, User behavior analytics, $18-40 per user/year |
Identity & Access Management (IAM)
| Product | Category | Budget Share | Key Competitors | Notable Customers | Key Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Okta Identity Cloud | IAM | 4-8% | Microsoft Entra ID, Ping Identity, ForgeRock | Siemens, JetBlue, Slack | Cloud-native SSO, MFA, Lifecycle management, $2-6 per user/month |
| Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) | IAM | 3-7% | Okta, Ping Identity, ForgeRock | Coca-Cola, HP, United Airlines | Microsoft ecosystem integration, Conditional access, $6-9 per user/month with E5 |
| Ping Identity PingOne | IAM | 3-6% | Okta, Microsoft Entra ID, ForgeRock | Netflix, Chevron, TIAA | API-first architecture, Customer IAM focus, $3-7 per user/month |
| ForgeRock Identity Platform | IAM | 2-5% | Okta, Microsoft Entra ID, Ping Identity | Maersk, BMW, Philips | Flexible deployment models, IoT identity support, $5-10 per user/month |
| IBM Security Verify | IAM | 2-4% | Okta, Microsoft Entra ID, SailPoint | American Airlines, Bank of America, CVS | AI-powered risk assessment, Fraud detection, $4-9 per user/month |
| OneLogin | IAM | 1-3% | Okta, Microsoft Entra ID, Ping Identity | Airbus, British Red Cross, ARM | Multi-factor authentication, Directory integration, $2-6 per user/month |
Privileged Access Management (PAM)
| Product | Category | Budget Share | Key Competitors | Notable Customers | Key Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CyberArk Privileged Access Manager | PAM | 4-7% | Delinea, BeyondTrust, Centrify | Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Lockheed Martin | Market leader, Extensive ecosystem, $150-300 per privileged account |
| Delinea Secret Server | PAM | 3-6% | CyberArk, BeyondTrust, Centrify | Sony, Chevron, Epic Games | Cloud or on-premises, Session monitoring, $50-175 per user |
| BeyondTrust Privileged Access Management | PAM | 3-5% | CyberArk, Delinea, Centrify | Volkswagen, AIG, eBay | Endpoint privilege management, $40-180 per endpoint |
| Centrify Privileged Access Service | PAM | 2-4% | CyberArk, Delinea, BeyondTrust | ExxonMobil, Northrop Grumman, KPMG | Identity-centric approach, $60-120 per privileged user |
| Saviynt Enterprise PAM | PAM | 1-3% | CyberArk, Delinea, BeyondTrust | Western Digital, DocuSign, Aetna | Cloud-native architecture, $40-100 per privileged account |
| ARCON Privileged Access Management | PAM | 1-2% | CyberArk, Delinea, BeyondTrust | Standard Chartered Bank, HDFC Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank | Session recording, Password vaulting, $30-80 per privileged user |
Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM)
| Product | Category | Budget Share | Key Competitors | Notable Customers | Key Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wiz | CSPM | 3-6% | Orca Security, Palo Alto Prisma Cloud, Aqua Security | Morgan Stanley, Slack, Salesforce | Agentless scanning, Attack path analysis, $8-15 per workload/month |
| Orca Security | CSPM | 2-5% | Wiz, Palo Alto Prisma Cloud, Lacework | Adobe, Databricks, Robinhood | SideScanning technology, Agentless, $6-12 per asset/month |
| Palo Alto Networks Prisma Cloud | CSPM | 3-5% | Wiz, Orca Security, Aqua Security | Accenture, Splunk, Pinterest | Full-stack cloud security, CSPM, CWPP, CIEM in one, $8-16 per workload/month |
| Lacework | CSPM | 2-4% | Wiz, Orca Security, Palo Alto Prisma Cloud | Snowflake, VMware, Cloudera | Machine learning-based anomaly detection, $5-10 per workload/month |
| Aqua Security Cloud Native Security Platform | CSPM | 2-4% | Wiz, Orca Security, Palo Alto Prisma Cloud | PayPal, Intuit, Telstra | Container security, Kubernetes security, $7-14 per node/month |
| Trend Micro Cloud One | CSPM | 1-3% | Wiz, Orca Security, Palo Alto Prisma Cloud | Fujitsu, Ricoh, NTT | Integrated platform, Multiple security capabilities, $6-12 per workload/month |
Security Orchestration, Automation & Response (SOAR)
| Product | Category | Budget Share | Key Competitors | Notable Customers | Key Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palo Alto Networks Cortex XSOAR | SOAR | 3-6% | Swimlane, Splunk Phantom, IBM Security SOAR | McKesson, PwC, Deloitte | 450+ integrations, Threat intelligence management, $25-45K per year base license |
| Swimlane | SOAR | 2-5% | Palo Alto Cortex XSOAR, Splunk Phantom, IBM SOAR | ServiceNow, Equifax, Lowe's | Low-code automation, Case management, $20-40K per year base license |
| Splunk Phantom | SOAR | 2-5% | Palo Alto Cortex XSOAR, Swimlane, IBM SOAR | Cisco, Boeing, U.S. Department of Defense | Splunk integration, 350+ app integrations, $20-40K per year base license |
| IBM Security SOAR | SOAR | 2-4% | Palo Alto Cortex XSOAR, Swimlane, Splunk Phantom | Cargill, Highmark Health, Bharti Airtel | Advanced analytics, AI investigation assistance, $18-35K per year base license |
| Google Security Operations (formerly Siemplify) | SOAR | 1-3% | Palo Alto Cortex XSOAR, Swimlane, Splunk Phantom | Allegiant Air, Caesars Entertainment, Coupa | Cloud-native, Google Cloud integration, $20-35K per year base license |
| D3 Security NextGen SOAR | SOAR | 1-2% | Palo Alto Cortex XSOAR, Swimlane, Splunk Phantom | Western Union, Scotiabank, AIG | MITRE ATT&CK framework integration, $15-30K per year base license |
API Security
Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC)
| Product | Category | Budget Share | Key Competitors | Notable Customers | Key Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ServiceNow GRC | GRC | 4-7% | MetricStream, Archer, OneTrust | American Express, Deloitte, Adobe | ServiceNow platform integration, $50-100 per user/year |
| MetricStream GRC | GRC | 3-6% | ServiceNow GRC, Archer, OneTrust | Societe Generale, USAA, Optus | Cloud or on-prem, Modular architecture, $40-90 per user/year |
| Archer GRC | GRC | 3-6% | ServiceNow GRC, MetricStream, OneTrust | JPMorgan Chase, AIG, St. Jude Children's Hospital | Extensive risk frameworks, $45-95 per user/year |
| OneTrust GRC | GRC | 2-5% | ServiceNow GRC, MetricStream, Archer | Aston Martin, Oracle, Marketo | Privacy integration, 300+ compliance frameworks, $35-80 per user/year |
| LogicGate Risk Cloud | GRC | 1-3% | ServiceNow GRC, MetricStream, Archer | Lucid Motors, Cision, SoFi | No-code workflow builder, $30-70 per user/year |
| StandardFusion | GRC | 0.5-2% | ServiceNow GRC, MetricStream, Archer | Casper, Druva, Hootsuite | User-friendly interface, SMB focus, $20-50 per user/year |
Third-Party/Vendor Risk Management
| Product | Category | Budget Share | Key Competitors | Notable Customers | Key Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prevalent | Vendor Risk | 2-4% | ProcessUnity, RiskRecon, SecurityScorecard | Blue Cross Blue Shield, Broadcom, Pfizer | Unified risk monitoring, $25-50K per year base license |
| ProcessUnity VRM | Vendor Risk | 2-4% | Prevalent, RiskRecon, CyberGRX | Toyota, Lowe's, Fiserv | Automated assessments, $20-45K per year base license |
| RiskRecon (Mastercard) | Vendor Risk | 1-3% | Prevalent, ProcessUnity, SecurityScorecard | Mastercard, T-Mobile, Intercontinental Exchange | Passive vendor assessment, $15-40K per year base license |
| SecurityScorecard | Vendor Risk | 1-3% | BitSight, RiskRecon, Black Kite | Goldman Sachs, Symantec, Swiss Re | Rating system, Compliance mapping, $15-35K per year base license |
| BitSight | Vendor Risk | 1-3% | SecurityScorecard, RiskRecon, Black Kite | Moody's, AIG, Liberty Mutual | Security ratings, Benchmarking, $15-35K per year base license |
| Black Kite | Vendor Risk | 0.5-2% | SecurityScorecard, BitSight, RiskRecon | MassMutual, Dun & Bradstreet, Collibra | Financial impact quantification, $12-30K per year base license |
| CyberGRX | Vendor Risk | 0.5-2% | Prevalent, ProcessUnity, UpGuard | ADP, PayPal, CBRE | Exchange model, Pre-completed assessments, $15-35K per year base license |
Threat Intelligence Platforms
| Product | Category | Budget Share | Key Competitors | Notable Customers | Key Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recorded Future | Threat Intelligence | 2-5% | Mandiant, CrowdStrike Intel, DarkOwl | Accenture, Fujitsu, Pfizer | Machine learning analysis, $100-200K per year base license |
| Mandiant Threat Intelligence | Threat Intelligence | 2-5% | Recorded Future, CrowdStrike Intel, DarkOwl | HSBC, Estée Lauder, GoDaddy | Google Cloud integration, Advanced research, $75-150K per year base license |
| CrowdStrike Intelligence | Threat Intelligence | 2-4% | Recorded Future, Mandiant, DarkOwl | Goldman Sachs, Rackspace, Sony Pictures | Falcon platform integration, $60-120K per year base license |
| DarkOwl | Threat Intelligence | 1-3% | Recorded Future, Mandiant, CrowdStrike Intel | Fortune 500 financial institutions, Healthcare providers | Dark web focus, Automated data collection, $50-100K per year base license |
| Flashpoint | Threat Intelligence | 1-3% | Recorded Future, Mandiant, Intel 471 | PwC, Adobe, Fox | Deep & dark web intelligence, $40-90K per year base license |
| Intel 471 | Threat Intelligence | 1-2% | Recorded Future, Mandiant, Flashpoint | Microsoft, Target, Citibank | Adversary intelligence, Malware intelligence, $50-100K per year base license |
Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs)
| Product | Category | Budget Share | Key Competitors | Notable Customers | Key Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CrowdStrike Falcon Complete | MSSP | 8-15% | Arctic Wolf, Sophos, Trustwave | Hyatt, Shutterstock, Pegasystems | 24/7 monitoring, Proactive hunting, $25-50 per endpoint/month |
| Arctic Wolf | MSSP | 7-12% | CrowdStrike, Sophos, Trustwave | Seattle Seahawks, Meritage Homes, TrueCar | 24/7 SOC, Concierge security, $15-35 per user/month |
| Sophos Managed Threat Response | MSSP | 6-12% | CrowdStrike, Arctic Wolf, Secureworks | Lenovo, Columbia Sportswear, Epson | 24/7 threat hunting, Incident response, $15-30 per endpoint/month |
| Trustwave Managed Security Services | MSSP | 5-10% | CrowdStrike, Arctic Wolf, Secureworks | FedEx, GreyOrange, BBVA | 24/7 monitoring, Global SOCs, Custom pricing, starts at $20K/year |
| Secureworks | MSSP | 5-10% | CrowdStrike, Arctic Wolf, Trustwave | Wendy's, Norfolk Southern, Carter's | Dell Technologies company, Taegis XDR, $18-40 per endpoint/month |
| IBM Security Services | MSSP | 4-8% | CrowdStrike, Arctic Wolf, Trustwave | Westpac, Cemex, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank | Global scale, Advanced AI, Custom pricing, starts at $25K/year |
Making the Right Selection
Selecting the right security tools requires balancing multiple factors beyond the product features alone. Consider these key elements when making your final decisions:
Integration Capabilities
Ecosystem compatibility : Choose tools that integrate well with your existing security stackAPI availability : Ensure robust APIs for custom integrations and automationsData sharing : Verify how easily threat intelligence and event data flow between systems
Total Cost of Ownership
Implementation costs : Factor in deployment, configuration, and integration expensesOperational overhead : Consider the staffing and expertise required to maintain the solutionTraining requirements : Include costs for initial and ongoing team training
Deployment Model
On-premises vs. cloud : Choose deployment models aligned with your broader IT strategyHybrid options : Consider solutions that offer flexible deployment to accommodate future changesScalability : Ensure the solution can grow with your organization's needs
Vendor Stability and Support
Financial health : Assess the vendor's financial stability and market positionSupport quality : Evaluate support hours, response times, and geographical coverageCommunity resources : Consider available documentation, forums, and user communities
Compliance and Security
Compliance certifications : Verify relevant certifications (ISO 27001, SOC 2, etc.)Security practices : Assess the vendor's own security practices and transparencyData handling : Understand how your data is stored, processed, and protected
By systematically evaluating these factors alongside the product features, CISOs can make more comprehensive and informed decisions that deliver long-term value to their organizations.
This CISO Software Directory and Buying Guide was compiled by Vink.ai, a specialized B2B solution that helps technology vendors better engage with CISOs and CIOs through deep contextual intelligence and targeted outreach. For more information, visit https://vink.ai .
