SAFE’s Recognition in Gartner Hype Cycle for Cyber Risk Management Is a Big Win for CRQ

Cyber risk quantification comes to the fore as a foundation for strategic decision-making

by Jeff Copeland

The 2025 Gartner® Hype Cycle™ for Cyber Risk Management recently named SAFE a “Representative Vendor,” for the second year – a milestone for our company but also a clear signal that cyber risk quantification (CRQ) is finally reaching the forefront of modern enterprise strategy. And the timing couldn’t be better.

This decision by Gartner validates an ongoing shift in the way organizations perceive and manage cyber risks. We have moved beyond color-coded risk matrices and vague “high, medium, low” assessments. Instead, we now speak the universal language of business: dollars and cents. 

Here’s why Gartner Hype Cycle recognition — that charts on a curve product emergence from inspiration to maturity — matters, for SAFE, for enterprises, and for the evolution of cybersecurity risk management as a discipline.

Cyber Risk Quantification Is the Future

For years, cybersecurity teams have struggled to gain a seat at the executive table because traditional risk reporting failed to address the bottom line. Business leaders don’t want technical jargon; they want decision-making clarity. How does a specific cyber risk impact revenue? What’s the financial cost of inaction? Where should limited budgets be invested to maximize protection?

This is where CRQ shines. By translating cyber risks into measurable financial terms, it bridges the communication gap between CISOs and other cybersecurity leaders and the C-suite. SAFE has been at the forefront of this movement, advocating for CRQ not just as a tool for quick wins but as a foundation for strategic decision-making.

Take ransomware as an example. Organizations know there’s a risk, but pinning down the likelihood or the financial impact has been a guessing game. By leveraging platforms like SAFE, businesses quantify the probable costs of a ransomware attack—from downtime to reputational damage. This allows decision-makers to plan defensive measures while justifying the investments with data, not gut feelings.

Gartner’s recognition clarifies for a wide audience what many in the industry already know. CRQ isn’t just a “nice-to-have.” It’s a mission-critical capability for businesses navigating today’s complex threat landscape.

Cyber risk scenario analysis, SAFE One platform

Why SAFE Stands Out in the Crowd

Reality check: There are plenty of cybersecurity solutions on the market that claim to run on risk quantification, but not all are created equal. Some “CRQ” solutions are overly simplistic, limited in scope or legacy solutions repackaged. 

In contrast, SAFE benchmarks against widely accepted standards like FAIR and MITRE Att&ck, garners validation from leading research firms like Forrester and Gartner, and is actively adopted by enterprises worldwide. 

What sets SAFE apart is our complete command of what matters in a CRQ solution:

• Accuracy through Data: SAFE combines objective telemetry with robust FAIR standards, the industry-leading model for measuring risk quantitatively. This creates a foundation of trust and defensibility for its quantification models.
• Automation Powered by Agentic AI: Managing cyber risks manually, especially in interconnected supplier ecosystems, is a monumental challenge. SAFE’s use of Agentic AI enables businesses to automate complex, repetitive tasks like evaluation and continuous monitoring of vendors
• Third-Party Risk Focus: With cyber risk increasingly introduced by third-party vendors, SAFE’s ability to extend CRQ to third-party risk management is a game changer. It transforms vendor management from a compliance checklist to a strategic function.

This mix of innovation and practicality means SAFE isn’t just helping enterprises react to cyber threats. It’s empowering them to take proactive, data-driven steps that align security programs with overarching business goals.

A Call to Action for CISOs and other Security and Risk Management Leaders

SAFE’s recognition in the Gartner Hype Cycle should inspire security and risk leaders everywhere to think differently. If your organization is still managing risks with spreadsheets, gut feelings, or superficial metrics, it’s time to evolve.

By adopting CRQ not just as a tool but as a philosophy, you’ll be better positioned to:

• Build resilience against emerging threats.
• Optimize cybersecurity budgets without wasted spend.
• Gain board-level buy-in through data-driven storytelling.
• Protect your organization not just for today but for the uncertain risks of tomorrow.

The recognition for SAFE underscores one clear fact: the future of cyber risk management lies in quantifiable, actionable insights. The question is, will your organization be ready to thrive in this new paradigm? 

Experience the future now. Schedule a personalized demo of SAFE’s CRQ solution.