Provider Directory - FAQ

No, these two areas are separate:

in CyberCompare client projects, we at CyberCompare always have access to all security providers on the global market and work with our clients to draw up a long list, followed by a short list based on a comparison of proposals. The CyberCompare provider directory offers CISOs, CIOs, CEOs, IT managers and anyone interested in security an opportunity to identify the security providers on the market and thus gain an overview. It is in no way connected to the tender projects.

• Participation and listing in the CyberCompare Community is free of charge with the ‘Starter Package’. From the ‘Advanced’ tier onwards, there is a charge for the service, as we incur costs for creation and maintenance (e.g. for producing video interviews) and the packages include preferential terms for our conferences. The various pricing models can be viewed transparently here.
• At CyberCompare, we are committed to providing our end customers with high-quality consultancy services – always from a vendor-neutral perspective. Our CyberCompare Community helps us to gain a thorough understanding of the vendor market in the D/A/CH region, as well as globally. What are the strengths and weaknesses? Which innovations are suitable for our customers? Which solutions are disappearing from the market? Thanks to the membership fees paid by security providers, we can set aside time specifically for this, arrange demos and speak with customer references. At the same time, it is in the interests of all parties involved if we, for example, share market insights with the providers and take the time to provide feedback. In this way, we play our part in ensuring that the vital and highly innovative cybersecurity market can continue to develop in the right direction.

• Independence in the cybersecurity market is our most valuable asset. Our clients trust us and work with us for this very reason. Any breach of this independence would therefore have direct and far-reaching negative consequences for our reputation and, ultimately, our business.
• That is why we leave no room for doubt and always operate on the dual-control principle internally. In a typical project, we suggest 5–10 suitable providers to the client – providing a brief profile, but without making any premature recommendations. Based on the tender and a transparent comparison, our client then decides on a shortlist and, later, the final winner. We make recommendations – always based on the facts – and are also happy to put clients in touch with other customers who are already using the provider in question.
• In all our service comparisons, customers receive not only our evaluation documents—which include scores and weightings for each criterion—but also all the providers’ complete original information, including their contact details. This ensures that our independent assessments are methodologically transparent and that there is no favouritism towards any provider. This transparently documented decision-making process is also important for ensuring compliance with our clients’ regulatory guidelines.

No, membership fees serve as a contribution towards our advertising and operating costs and range from €2,500 to €7,500 per year. This means that no single provider is of any ‘business-sensitive’ relevance to us, and any short-term favouritism would therefore offer no advantages whatsoever. In all market research, tender comparisons and tenders carried out on behalf of clients, CyberCompare is paid exclusively by the clients and receives no referral fees, commissions or other remuneration from providers.

1. The CyberCompare community offers you, as a provider, a platform to showcase your portfolio. Our community comprises more than 2,000 CISOs, CIOs and IT decision-makers. So you’ll be seen.
2. You will receive priority access to exclusive networking opportunities at our conferences, enabling you to further develop your portfolio and your business.
3. Your profile helps with accurate categorisation and can spark the interest of potential customers.

1. In public tenders, all interested suppliers are free to submit bids. CyberCompare supports the client behind the scenes, for example with the tender specifications or the evaluation process.
2. In CyberCompare tenders, CyberCompare usually draws up a long list of suppliers and discusses it with the client. The client ultimately decides on the final selection.
3. CyberCompare bases its recommendations primarily on its internal provider database: Who can do what? Using what technology? Do they have the necessary qualifications? Who fits the client’s budget? What has been the track record on previous projects (has Provider X performed well in similar projects?

The provider must have a generally positive reputation, be active in the field of cybersecurity, and undergo an onboarding interview with a CyberCompare Solution Manager. The assessment is at the discretion of CyberCompare. CyberCompare reserves the right to revoke memberships following a review. Should there be serious quality issues in projects (e.g. unfair conduct, relevant security or data protection breaches, significant discrepancies between the tender phase and implementation, etc.), CyberCompare also reserves the right to revoke memberships in such cases.