Cybersecurity
Protect what you've built before someone tests it.
Most small and mid-sized businesses know security matters but are unsure what they have, what they need and how to compare providers. We help you start with a clear picture of risk, then evaluate supplier options from assessments through 24/7 monitoring.
What to evaluate
Cybersecurity, in practical terms.
- Managed security services
- MDR and XDR (managed detection and response)
- Endpoint protection
- Firewalls and network security
- Security monitoring
- Identity and access management
- Risk and vulnerability assessments
- Security awareness training
- Compliance-related services where supported by suppliers
The right fit
Who should consider it?
- Businesses without a dedicated security team
- Companies handling customer financial or health data
- Organizations asked about security by insurers, lenders or partners
- Multi-location operations with many endpoints
Business objectives
What a well-scoped solution can support.
- A documented view of current risk
- Threats detected and responded to around the clock
- Better answers for insurers and auditors
- Security spending prioritized by actual risk
These are evaluation objectives, not promised results. Scope and performance depend on supplier agreements and implementation.
Compare before committing
Alternatives & tradeoffs
| Approach | Often best for | What to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Risk assessment | Knowing where you stand before buying tools | Identifies issues; does not fix them on its own |
| MDR / XDR | 24/7 detection and response without an in-house team | Scope of response varies widely between providers |
| Endpoint + firewall only | Baseline protection | Tools without monitoring can miss active attacks |
Buying checklist
Questions worth asking.
- 01Who is watching alerts at 2 a.m. on a Sunday?
- 02What exactly does the provider do when they detect a threat, and what is left to you?
- 03How is multi-factor authentication enforced across email and remote access?
- 04When was backup recovery last tested?
Clear answers
Frequently asked questions
What should a business compare when choosing a cybersecurity provider?
Compare what is monitored (endpoints, network, cloud, email, identity), whether monitoring is 24/7, what the provider will do on your behalf during an incident, response time commitments, reporting, and how pricing scales. Ask for a sample report and a description of a typical incident from detection to resolution.
How do managed IT and managed cybersecurity differ?
Managed IT keeps systems running: help desk, updates, devices and networks. Managed cybersecurity focuses on detecting and responding to threats, often through a security operations center. Some providers do both; many businesses use an IT provider plus a specialized security provider. The key is knowing who owns which responsibility.
What is MDR?
Managed Detection and Response (MDR) is a service where a security team monitors your environment, investigates suspicious activity and takes action to contain threats. XDR extends that visibility across more data sources, such as email, cloud and network, in addition to endpoints.
Practical buying guides
Explore the decision in depth.
Connected decisions
Related technology solutions
Connectivity & Networking
Internet, fiber, SD-WAN, SASE and failover for one site or hundreds.
Backup & Disaster Recovery
Managed backup, cloud backup, business continuity and DRaaS.
Managed IT
Managed service providers, outsourced IT support and network management.
Technology guidance by Duncan Smith · Supplier-specific capabilities must be confirmed during evaluation.
Your next move
Request a security conversation
Tell us what’s changing. We’ll help you evaluate what comes next.