The Forrester Wave™: Cybersecurity Consulting Services In Europe, Q4 2025

Cybersecurity Consulting Services In Europe Vendor Product Comparisons 2025

Key features and pros and cons of top Cybersecurity Consulting Services In Europe products:

Accenture - Leaders

Pros:

Flexibility and broad cybersecurity coverage
Adaptability across client needs
Structured staffing process for engagement resource allocation
Technology-driven vision with focus on innovation, advanced AI, and quantum technologies
Strong partner ecosystem driving co-innovation
Supply chain expertise with AI-driven scenario planning for resilience testing
Technology consolidation change management capabilities

Cons:

Inconsistent skills across teams
Customers hope for more proactive use of emerging technologies in cybersecurity consulting engagements

KPMG - Leaders

Pros:

Pragmatic approach and quick response
Embeds itself in and partners with client teams
Delivers value beyond original scope
Cyber Risk Insights (CRI) SaaS product for budget optimization
Strong GRC services integrating advanced tech assessments
Tailored data residency offerings
Innovation roadmap based on threat intelligence and client priorities
Six Pillars framework for talent development

Cons:

Pragmatic approach not consistently adopted across broader organization beyond security domain

PwC - Leaders

Pros:

Delivers large, complex projects quickly with skilled talent
Talent spans all cybersecurity domains and seniority levels
Vision positions cybersecurity at core of value creation
Strategic workforce planning with predictive analytics and ML
Board and executive coaching services for CISOs
MCR and CRE platforms for GRC services
Pan-European presence with over 2,000 professionals
Strengthens collective defense through community engagement

Cons:

Some customers want more proactive addressing of emerging problems with innovative solutions

Capgemini - Strong Performers

Pros:

European roots and regulatory expertise
Pan-European delivery bridging strategy and execution
Professional, reliable, and adaptable
GRC Control Center with automated real-time risk management
Adaptive data handling approach with digital traceability tools
Focus on data handling, cyber resilience, and transparency

Cons:

Doesn't share insights proactively
Heavy reliance on tools for knowledge transfer with partial emphasis on cultural adoption

EY - Strong Performers

Pros:

Role in defining cyber risk roadmaps
Whole-firm approach integrating cybersecurity with tax, risk, and compliance
Partnership with Dell in Intelligent Enterprise Cyber Resilience alliance
Identity strategies aligned with business continuity
Modular co-sourcing platform with industry expertise
2025 reorganization into three European super regions to improve innovation

Cons:

Talent retention challenges may affect engagements
Shifting from long-term partnerships to flexible network still evolving

NCC Group - Strong Performers

Pros:

Bespoke solutions and diverse technology skills
Strong multisector threat intelligence
Transparent and controlled data handling
Research in ML and threat intelligence shaping resilience services
Deeply technological and operational offensive security teams
Dedicated capacity for open-source security research
Tech stack optimization to reduce tool sprawl

Cons:

Customers call for greater investment in specialist resources like architecture and engineering
Skill level and availability of resources uneven depending on engagement
Lacks methodology to measure budget optimization outcomes

Wavestone - Strong Performers

Pros:

Bespoke approach and expertise in high-risk, regulated environments
Ability to challenge status quo and align with client needs
Combines resilience, risk, and operational excellence
Deploys regional experts across borders
Adds sustainability element to cybersecurity strategies
Expanded European presence via acquisitions

Cons:

Lack of clarity around future direction making alignment with long-term strategy difficult
Board and executive influence services used only on ad hoc basis
Alignment between talent, aspirations, and client needs can be inconsistent
Client innovations achieve limited scale in broader rollouts

Deloitte - Strong Performers

Pros:

Deep expertise and broad portfolio
Strength in offensive and resilience services
Realistic hacker methodologies and IT/OT expertise
Skill in M&A scenarios for technology stack consolidation
Partnership with Corporater for GRC services in Benelux
Strategic alliance with Thales for hybrid/multicloud security

Cons:

Slow responsiveness and coordination issues
High pricing with limited flexibility and cost transparency
Recent cybersecurity incidents eroded client trust in data handling
Breach reduced trust in data handling and transparency practices

HCLTech - Strong Performers

Pros:

Technological capabilities and deep expertise
Technology consolidation expertise spanning data center operations
Industry-specific tailoring (e.g., AI of things in manufacturing)
Offensive security simulating hybrid attack paths
System for knowledge transfer to clients

Cons:

Critical feedback on postsale support and project management
Gaps in client understanding
Project management lacks communication, coordination, and process discipline
Knowledge transfer sometimes left to final project phase
Limited public community engagement

IBM - Strong Performers

Pros:

Expertise in security operations centers, penetration testing, cryptography, and quantum computing
Advanced quantum security capabilities with NIST-standardized algorithms
Quantum Experience cloud platform for democratizing quantum computing
Cryptography Bill of Materials for quantum-safe migration
Partnership emphasis with AWS, Microsoft, and SAP

Cons:

Low proactivity and unclear contacts
Inconsistent project management
Board and influence services lack personalized executive coaching
Project management results in unnecessary rescoping and unclear delivery expectations
Limited delivery quality in some engagements

I-TRACING - Contenders

Pros:

Operational support and audit expertise
Strong technological and operational execution by engineers
Tech stack optimization to streamline security tools
Security budget optimization services
Financial backing from Eurazeo, Oakley Capital, and Sagard NewGen

Cons:

Inadequate project planning resulting in delivery delays and abrupt changes
Vision lacks distinctive or market-shaping stance
Talent strategy centers on certification with little innovation visibility
Innovation remains incremental
Recognized more for technical execution than strategic consulting

Orange Cyberdefense - Contenders

Pros:

Threat hunting and operational expertise
Deep threat research and proprietary threat intelligence
Pragmatic resilience advice
Optimization services for operational efficiency and ROI
Gamified culture services modules

Cons:

Customers would like to see strengthened strategic consulting services
Vision remains largely technical with limited focus on driving client growth
Innovation strategy is reactive and incremental
Tightly curated partner ecosystem lacks diversity and startup integration
Culture services place less focus on lasting habits and reinforcement
Limited community strategy and network nurturing

Wipro - Contenders

Pros:

Domain expertise and automation-driven security
AI application in resilience services (predictive risk scoring, real-time detection)
GRC services with AI automation across compliance domains
Consulting-led, AI-first strategy since 2024
Focus on industries with strongest value delivery (healthcare, manufacturing, technology)
Nonprofit foundation structure reinvesting in philanthropy

Cons:

Gaps in training, quality, and communication that hinder outcomes
Innovation currently incremental
Culture services raise awareness but fall short of sustaining behavior change

FAQs

Q: Which vendors are Leaders in 2025?

A: Accenture, KPMG, PwC

Q: What does "Leader" mean in Forrester Wave terms?

A: Leaders in the Forrester Wave demonstrate the strongest current offering and strategy. They excel across the evaluation criteria, showing superior capabilities in delivering cybersecurity consulting services aligned with client needs, strong strategic vision for the market, and consistent execution. Leaders typically combine operational excellence with innovation, have robust European presence, deliver across all core and extended business scenarios, demonstrate strong customer satisfaction, and show clear vision for how cybersecurity drives business value. In this evaluation, Leaders show particular strength in resilience services, emerging technology capabilities, data governance, and the ability to translate complex cybersecurity challenges into boardroom priorities while maintaining transparency and trust.

Q: How do I interpret a Forrester Wave?

A: https://www.forrester.com/policies/forrester-wave-methodology/

Report:

Top Vendor Products for Cybersecurity Consulting Services In Europe in 2025

Cybersecurity Consulting Services In Europe Vendor Product Comparisons 2025

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FAQs

Q: Which vendors are Leaders in 2025?

Q: What does "Leader" mean in Forrester Wave terms?

Q: How do I interpret a Forrester Wave?

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