Recent analysis shows that building a robust internal security team costs around £300,000 annually whilst delivering protection worth more than 2,000x that investment. As digital threats evolve, forward-thinking organisations are discovering that proactive defence strategies not only safeguard operations but actively strengthen competitive position and accelerate sustainable growth.
The business landscape has changed dramatically. Digital infrastructure now sits at the heart of commercial success, making cybersecurity less about defence and more about enabling growth with confidence. Marks & Spencer’s recent experience provides valuable insights into why leading organisations are prioritising strategic security investments.
The retailer’s adjusted pre-tax profit declined from £413 million to £184 million over six months following a cyberattack in April. Online operations paused for nearly eight weeks, with click-and-collect services unavailable for almost four months. The episode highlights an important truth: robust digital defences have become essential business infrastructure, comparable to reliable supply chains or effective customer service.
Turning Prevention into a Competitive Edge
The good news is that organisations can take concrete steps to protect themselves whilst strengthening their market position. Whilst M&S worked through its recovery, competitor Next reported a 10.5% rise in full-price sales and raised its profit forecast to £1.1 billion through early 2026. This pattern reveals an opportunity: companies with strong digital foundations can continue serving customers seamlessly, building loyalty even as others face disruption.
“Cyberattacks don’t just shut down systems, they stall growth and let competitors rush ahead, no sector is immune. When a business goes offline, someone else is online taking its place.” Phill Brown, Global Head of Market Intelligence, Robert Walters.
The encouraging perspective is that businesses can control their position in this dynamic. Robert Walters’ Market Intelligence research shows that extended cyber disruptions typically cost between 1% and 3% of annual revenue whilst reducing growth by around 3.2%. For high-volume retailers, these impacts can exceed the cost of a dedicated security team by more than 2,000 times, making prevention not just prudent but remarkably cost-effective.
Building Your Security Foundation
Creating effective digital protection is more accessible than many organisations realise. A core cybersecurity team requires three key roles with clear, complementary functions and straightforward compensation structures based on current London market rates.
A Senior Information Security Analyst, earning between £80,000 and £110,000 annually, provides strategic oversight and identifies emerging threats before they materialise. A Security Engineer, compensated between £85,000 and £115,000, builds and maintains the protective systems that keep operations running smoothly. A Business Continuity Analyst, earning £65,000 to £85,000, ensures the organisation can maintain service even during unexpected challenges.
Together, these three specialists cost approximately £300,000 per year in base salaries. This is a clear, manageable investment that delivers substantial returns. For organisations preferring flexibility, contract options exist with day rates between £530 and £780, though permanent positions typically build deeper expertise and better integration with business operations.
Internal Expertise Delivers
The real advantage of building an internal security capability goes well beyond threat prevention.
“Proactive investment in cybersecurity pays for itself many times over. An internal team trained to build, monitor, and defend infrastructure can avoid costly downtime and protect consumer trust. Indeed, with an experienced cybersecurity team safeguarding infrastructure, the ripple effects of cyberattacks are minimised or even entirely prevented.”
Ajay Hayre, Principal (Cybersecurity), Robert Walters
Internal teams develop intimate knowledge of how the organisation operates, understanding which systems matter most and where vulnerabilities might emerge. This familiarity enables faster responses, more precise solutions, and security strategies that support rather than hinder business objectives. External consultants can provide valuable expertise, but embedded specialists who understand the company’s unique context deliver superior long-term results.
A Positive Investment Case
The conversation around cybersecurity is shifting from necessary expense to strategic enabler. Organisations that build strong digital foundations position themselves to pursue growth opportunities with confidence, knowing their operations can withstand the threats that increasingly affect their sectors.
“Cutting back on cybersecurity expertise can look like a short-term saving, until a single breach wipes out years of growth. With after-effects lasting months, even years.”
Phill Brown, Global Head of Market Intelligence, Robert Walters
Yet the opposite also holds true. Organisations that invest early in capable security teams protect their growth trajectory, maintain customer trust during industry disruptions, and often find themselves gaining market share as less-prepared competitors face challenges.
The M&S situation demonstrates that recovery extends beyond technical fixes. Customer relationships shift during extended outages, competitors naturally fill the gap, and momentum becomes difficult to rebuild. However, this reality creates opportunities for well-prepared organisations. Companies with robust security can continue operating smoothly, serving customers reliably and building reputation whilst others navigate recovery.
For business leaders evaluating priorities, it seems that an annual investment in a core security team provides protection against disruptions that could eliminate hundreds of millions in profit. More importantly, it enables confident pursuit of digital opportunities, knowing the foundation is secure. It’s a smart business strategy that pays dividends across every aspect of operations.