“We’re too small for cyberattackers to worry about.” I hear that line often from business leaders at small organizations. And it worries me, because the truth is the exact opposite.
Cybercriminals may find big fish tempting, but they also know that breaching the defenses of a multinational corporation is much more difficult (and that a successful hack is more likely to attract the attention of federal or international authorities).
Cybercriminals want easy paydays. They increasingly see small businesses as prime targets: less protected, less prepared and often more likely to pay a ransom just to stay operational. According to recent data, more than half of small businesses hit by a cyberattack close their doors within six months.
Small business IT leaders know all of this; it’s the business managers at their organizations that tend to labor under the misperception of safety.
The good news: I think that’s changing. Over the past year, I’ve noticed a sharp uptick in small businesses seeking out managed security service providers. This isn’t a coincidence. It’s the result of growing awareness around three converging realities: the sophistication of modern cyberthreats, the deepening shortage of cybersecurity talent, and the operational demand for 24/7 monitoring and response.
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The Cyberthreat Landscape Grows More Complex
As the threat landscape gets more complex, small businesses feel more overwhelmed. And the landscape is as broad and terrifying as I have even seen it.
Cyberattacks have evolved far beyond basic viruses or opportunistic phishing emails. Today’s attackers use coordinated, multistage tactics. Automated scanning tools scour the internet for system errors and exposed credentials. If you’re vulnerable, you’ll be found — no matter your size or industry.
EXPLORE: Do self-healing networks offer more security for small businesses?
Even if by some miracle you’re overlooked by cybercriminals, you still must maintain compliance with an ever-growing web of laws and regulations designed to protect data security and privacy. These include the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard for processing payments, Europe’s General Data Protection Regulation, the California Consumer Privacy Act and many industry-specific regulations.
The cybersecurity skills gap, meanwhile, is a greater challenge for small businesses than for enterprises. Hiring a single security analyst — if you can find one — can easily cost six figures annually. And they’re constantly being headhunted by bigger rivals.
How big is the shortage of qualified cyberdefense professionals? According to ISC2, a training and certification organization, the global workforce gap was 4.8 million in 2024, on a total of just 5.5 million professionals. That means the cybersecurity workforce would have to grow by more than 87% just to meet current needs.
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How MSSPs Work With Small Businesses
Enter managed security service providers. These third-party organizations can help you navigate requirements, perform regular risk assessments and maintain the documentation needed to demonstrate compliance. Better yet, they’ll do it in a way that’s rightsized for your organization — no overkill, no unnecessary complexity.
Too expensive, you say? Working with a partner isn’t nearly as expensive as a successful cyberattack, and it’s far more cost-effective than building even a modest internal security function. Cybersecurity shouldn’t be treated as a line item you’d rather not spend on. It should be seen as a core enabler of your business’s resilience and long-term success.
DIVE DEEPER: A cyber resilience strategy that supports business growth.
But don’t settle for a generic partner. Look for one that understands the unique pressures and constraints of small businesses generally and your business specifically. The right service provider isn’t just a “vendor.” It’s an extension of your team.
