I get that question regularly at the table. Often with an undertone of: "Can we tick this file off now?"
The honest answer? No, we can't.Cyber maturity is not an end point, but a development process.
Cyber maturity is about control
Cyber maturity is essentially about control. Control over digital risks, vulnerabilities in systems, and human behavior. It means that an organization not only knows where the risks lie, but also understands what the impact could be on business operations, customers, and reputation.
This requires more than technical measures. Of course, firewalls, backups, and multi-factor authentication are essential. But let's be honest: technology is often the easy part. Without clear responsibilities, committed leadership, and conscious behavior on the part of employees, the organization remains vulnerable. I still see too often that cyber is "IT's problem" until something goes wrong.
Cyber maturity arises from the interplay between technology, processes, and culture. And culture cannot be installed with a software update.
From incident-driven to strategic
In practice, I see that many organizations only take action after an incident has occurred. This could be due to a cyberattack in the industry, new customer requirements, or stricter acceptance conditions from an insurer. That is understandable, but it remains reactive.
True cyber maturity begins when cyber risks become a structural part of broader risk management. Not because the insurer demands it, but because the board itself wants to know where it stands. When management periodically gains insight into digital vulnerabilities. When suppliers and chain partners are included in the policy. And when testing, evaluating, and improving are fixed parts of business operations, not just something for audit moments.
Then cyber shifts from operational concern to strategic theme.
And then the management's conversation also changes.
When are you "good enough"?
"Good enough" does not mean that incidents will no longer occur. That is an illusion, and anyone who promises that is selling a fairy tale.
It means that risks are demonstrably manageable and that the organization is prepared for the unexpected. That you know what your crown jewels are. That you know who makes the decisions when things get tense. And that you don't have to figure out who is responsible for what during a crisis.
A cyber-mature organization:
- has demonstrably implemented basic measures
- knows its critical processes and dependencies
- practices with scenarios and incident response
- reports on cyber risks at management level
- actively strives for improvement
The key lies in resilience, not perfection.
Perfection does not exist. Resilience does.
Cyber maturity and insurability
The relationship between cyber maturity and insurability is becoming increasingly strong. Insurers are imposing stricter requirements in terms of prevention, monitoring, and governance. Cyber insurance is no longer a standalone product, but part of a broader risk strategy.
At the same time, I am also seeing another trend in the market: coverage is becoming more comprehensive, premiums are stabilizing or falling, and acceptance is less tense than it was a few years ago. But that does not mean that content has become less important. On the contrary.
Organizations that have demonstrably established their cyber maturity find that they are better eligible for appropriate coverage and more stable conditions. But more importantly, they actually reduce the risk of major damage. And that's what it should be about, not the policy itself.
Schouten Zekerheid organizations through this process from an independent role. Not only by advising on appropriate cyber insurance, but also by discussing risk awareness, maturity levels, and growth steps together.
Where do you really stand today?
What does the market demand? And what developments are in line with the company's ambitions and size?
These are often more interesting questions than: "How much does the premium cost?"
A continuous process
Cyber threats are constantly changing. Laws and regulations are evolving. Customers are setting new requirements. Those who are 'up to speed' today may be lagging behind tomorrow.
Cyber maturity therefore requires constant attention. Not out of fear—which rarely leads to good decisions—but out of control and responsibility. Organizations that structurally embed cyber in their strategy build resilience.
And ultimately, that may be the most realistic definition of "good enough." Not that you have everything under control, but that you know where you are vulnerable and consciously manage that.
