I recently completed two cybersecurity case studies for a cybersecurity services provider. They are two of the best case studies I’ve ever written.

Why?

Case studies tell a story, and these two are no exception. Case studies are part of a successful content marketing strategy. They influence tech audience decision-making. And they back it up with data from customer feedback, surveys, metrics from various tools, and overall value.

This is not the first time I’ve written cybersecurity content. To briefly touch on previous projects, I’ve written blog posts, white papers, and research reports for major cybersecurity companies. The more you practice, the better you get. And it shows in my latest work.

Let's get into the details.

Cybersecurity Case Studies Overview

My two recent case studies focused on cybersecurity solutions implemented for two prominent web hosting companies: 1) a managed WordPress hosting services provider and 2) a major digital infrastructure provider. Together, these two companies serve millions of hosting customers.

Each case presented distinct challenges, from mitigating sophisticated cyber threats and malware outbreaks, to establishing customer confidence.

The two web hosting providers outlined in these case studies use my client's cybersecurity services in different ways, so the goal was to showcase how each provider uses my client's services, the benefits they received internally, and the benefits to the web hosting companies’ customers––all presented in a way that's easy to understand for both technical and non-technical audiences.

Regardless of audience, each case study must include:

• Real Data Metrics using percentages, numbers, and use case results.
  
• Quotes from the SME (sometimes there could be more than one SME interviewed and yes, I include all SMEs interviewed).
  

Those are two of the most important elements in creating case studies. Let's take a closer look at my approach and methodology to writing cybersecurity case studies.

Cybersecurity Case Study Approach and Methodology

For me, writing an excellent case study is about storytelling. To tell a story that resonates with my client's customers, I take a thorough, methodical approach.

First, I conduct in-depth interviews with client stakeholders and subject matter experts (SMEs). Most interview questions are for my client's customer, but the conversation always starts with my client.

Once all my questions are answered, the next goal is to integrate factual insights and direct quotes to build credibility and authenticity into the case study.

To finish the case study, I include precise, data-driven metrics to illustrate my client's customer's outcomes and the benefits of my client's cybersecurity solutions.

Here’s how that approach came to life in two recent cybersecurity case studies.

Cybersecurity Case Studies Highlights

The two case studies highlight different use cases and the importance of tailored cybersecurity solutions in addressing real-world threats each provider faced:

• WordPress Hosting Provider: Needed stronger protection against malware threats introduced by third-party plugins and themes common in WordPress environments. Implemented behavior-based malware detection with automatic threat removal to reduce risk and build customer confidence, without affecting hosting performance or increasing support tickets.
• Digital Infrastructure Provider: Faced high CPU usage and increased customer complaints due to outdated malware detection relying on scheduled scans. Deployed a real-time threat detection solution that significantly reduced system resource load, identified over one million threats, and led to a drop in phishing incidents and support requests.

Here are some takeaways from the two cybersecurity case studies:

• Smooth Customer Adoption: One provider rolled out the new malware protection to their entire customer base with over 87% seamless adoption and 70% of customers reporting increased confidence in their website security.
• Performance and Stability: Both implementations maintained or improved performance. Neither deployment resulted in a rise in customer support volume, and one provider saw a clear drop in system strain.
• Operational Efficiency: Real-time detection helped reduce manual cleanup, lowered support ticket volume, and gave internal teams more bandwidth to work on longer-term improvements.
• Scalable Solutions: Each provider saw opportunities for growth. One provider is exploring self-service cleanup tools and more visibility into threat activity. The other is considering premium cleanup services and clearer reporting for customers. 

These case studies show that effective cybersecurity is about more than just detection: it’s about fit, execution, and results your customers can experience.

The stories give context, but metrics show what changed. Let’s take a look at how both case studies delivered measurable results.

Comparing Cybersecurity Case Studies: Demonstrating Impact Through Strategic Metrics

Case studies show the real-world value of cybersecurity solutions. Here’s a side-by-side look at how two providers, with different needs and systems, used behavior-based and real-time protection to solve real problems.

Aspect	Managed WordPress Hosting Provider	Digital Infrastructure Hosting Provider
Key Security Challenges	Vulnerabilities from third-party plugins and themes; needed a more proactive approach	Outdated scanning tools causing high CPU load and a rise in phishing incidents
Implemented Solution	Behavior-based malware detection with automatic cleanup	Real-time detection that runs quietly in the background without draining resources
Quantitative Outcomes	87% of users adopted the new protection with no issues; 70% said they felt more secure	Over 1 million threats detected early on; CPU load dropped after implementation
Operational Impact	Smooth rollout with no increase in support tickets or user issues	Fewer complaints, fewer support tickets, and less time spent chasing malware problems
Unique Insights Gained	Proactive threat detection can be added without hurting performance or user experience	Real-time tools can actually free up your team, not slow them down
Future Opportunities	Looking at self-service cleanup tools and giving users more visibility into threat activity	Exploring cleanup-as-a-service and ways to make threat data easier for customers to understand

These results back up what the stories already showed: good protection helps your customers and your team, not just your infrastructure.

Let’s look at how storytelling helps make that clear.

Why Case Studies Work: Building Trust Through Technical Storytelling in Cybersecurity

Organizations looking for cybersecurity solutions need to trust the provider. The same is true for their end users. Publishing case studies that show how your solutions helped customers (and how they helped your customers’ customers) is one of the most effective ways to build that trust. 

To prove this point, Customer Alliance Marketing, a community dedicated to supporting marketing professionals with resources, networking opportunities, and educational content, states that "case studies are a powerful tool for demonstrating the value of cybersecurity solutions." 

Technical buyers, like most buyers, want proof that your solution works. Case studies show how a customer solved a problem and achieved results—through data, quotes, and context decision-makers can relate to. They are an effective way to build trust in your solution and demonstrate both credibility and value.

When technical storytelling is done well, even complex implementations become clear. The right story, told the right way, makes it easier for stakeholders, both technical and non-technical, to understand the value of your solution.

In the two case studies I shared—whether dealing with AI-driven threats in WordPress environments or legacy malware detection in digital infrastructure—storytelling was the key. Instead of just listing features, each case study showed how the solution worked in practice and why it mattered to end users.

Your audience wants to know what your cybersecurity solutions can do for them and how your solutions have helped your customers. Let’s take a closer look at how storytelling supports the buying journey in B2B cybersecurity. 

The Role of Storytelling in B2B Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity can be complicated. There are many moving parts involved when providing a complete solution to help protect businesses and end users from malware and phishing attacks. The 2023 Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Internet Crime Report states that the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) received 880,418 complaints of cybercrime, with reported losses exceeding $12.5 billion. Phishing schemes were the most frequently reported, accounting for over 298,000 complaints, approximately 34% of all incidents.

With all the technology and resources required to prevent, mitigate, and respond to cyberattacks, cybersecurity companies need to clearly explain their offerings, and especially how these offerings align with what B2B customers already have in place.

After all the work of implementing my client’s cybersecurity solution is complete, my role is to tell the story: how their customer put the solution to use and how that made a difference for their end users.

Of course, a good story still needs proof. That’s where metrics come in. In cybersecurity case studies, showing the outcome through real numbers, including data on performance improvements, reduced incidents, and increased customer confidence, adds weight to the narrative and shows your solution delivers measurable value.

Implementing Cybersecurity Metrics into Case Studies

Cybersecurity solution metrics tend to be available in abundance. Experienced companies using these cybersecurity solutions already track certain metrics. The IT research firm Gartner created CARE (consistent, adequate, reasonable, effective) to show companies how these four metrics prove your cybersecurity program works.

CARE helps companies go beyond vanity metrics. Instead of just reporting threat volumes or blocked attacks, the framework encourages reporting meaningful metrics, like improved detection time, reduced response costs, or decreased customer support demand.

Cybersecurity companies can use CARE's four key attributes to track and communicate the performance of their security solution to help them make informed decisions while demonstrating due diligence to stakeholders.

But not every internal metric makes sense for a case study. The key is selecting data that speaks to the intended audience and provides metrics that show data like the impact of implemented solutions or how those solutions improved the end-user experience.

For example, in one case study, I highlighted an 87% customer adoption rate and a 70% increase in reported security confidence after implementation. These are the types of results that resonate with decision-makers.

As part of the interview process with my cybersecurity clients and their customers, I always request metrics. I know they have them and it's a must to include them in the case studies.

Simply put, metrics are a powerful piece of storytelling. 

The Power of Storytelling in Tech Communication

Forbes says that narrative techniques in business communication can differentiate a brand from its competitors.

Narrative techniques matter in technical content, especially when writing case studies, blog posts, and authoritative articles. All types of tech content benefit from clear, focused storytelling. The content needs to be relatable and meaningful to resonate with the audience, and this resonance happens through storytelling.

Here are five ways storytelling can influence tech communication:

1. Build emotional connections. A strong brand story shows people what you stand for and it gives your audience something to relate to beyond features or specs.
2. Highlight brand values and mission. When your content reflects your mission and values, it becomes easier for people to understand why your solution matters to them.
3. Create memorability. Stories are easier to remember than feature lists, although feature lists should be used when and where appropriate. When someone remembers your story, they remember your solution.
4. Stand out in a crowded market. Everyone says their solution is powerful. Storytelling helps you show what that actually means with real examples.
5. Build customer loyalty. When people connect with your message, they stay with your brand. And they talk about it to their colleagues, coworkers, and on social media.

Combined with the right metrics and SME insights, storytelling helps turn technical content, e.g., case studies, white papers, and more, into stories people will remember and trust.

But storytelling alone isn’t enough. The way the story looks on the page matters, too. Layout, design, pull quotes, and flow all contribute to how your audience reads and remembers the story.

Combining Well-Written Copy with Great Design

When you see these case studies, both branded to my client's specifications, you'll notice that the flow, the layout, the call-outs (or pull quotes depending on who you ask), the colors, and the fonts are all perfect. With my drafts (shared via Google Docs), I included comments on the call-outs, the key takeaways, and the summary points so the designer can know where to put what information. This makes the process simpler and easier for everyone.

Note that some clients already have a designer they use, and other clients let me manage the design. I have examples of both. If I manage design, my objective is to align with your current branding in addition to content design best practices based on the type of content I'm producing (cybersecurity case study best practices, in this case).

If my approach—clear writing, thoughtful structure, and careful attention to design—sounds like what you need for your cybersecurity case studies, read on to learn more and request examples of the case studies mentioned in this article.

Technical Copywriting Examples for Cybersecurity Services

The majority of my technical writing experience is for hosting, MSP, cybersecurity, IT, and SaaS-based B2B companies. That means I speak the language, I understand the technology, and I know how to communicate the story effectively.

If you're still not sure that cybersecurity case studies should be part of your content marketing plan, check out my Five Signs Your Tech Company Should Outsource Technical Copywriting post. I included statistics and references to help you discover if now is the time to have case studies written for your tech company.

To see my cybersecurity case studies, reach out to me at [email protected] and let's discuss how I can help your cybersecurity company or tech company reach your intended audiences and convey technical information in a way that attracts, motivates, and converts.