Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) Practice Exam 2026 – All-in-One Guide to Mastering Your Certification!

Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) refers to the comprehensive assessment of all costs associated with the acquisition, operation, and maintenance of a particular asset or system over its entire lifecycle. This includes not only the initial purchase price but also ongoing operational costs such as maintenance, support, training, and any other related expenditures that accumulate over time.

In the context of cybersecurity, TCO specifically addresses the cumulative cost of implementing and maintaining a safeguard or security measure. This perspective is crucial, as organizations must consider the long-term financial implications of their security investments, beyond just the upfront costs. Understanding TCO allows organizations to make informed decisions regarding their security posture, ensuring they allocate resources effectively while maximizing return on investment.

When comparing TCO to the other options, it becomes clear that the revenue generated from a project, the profit from a successful security measure, and total expenses incurred by an organization do not capture the essence of TCO, which centers around a holistic view of costs related to ownership over time, especially concerning safeguarding systems and data.