Three ways to handle cybersecurity. Only one makes sense for most SMBs.
You could hire someone, buy the tools yourself, or call a big security vendor. Each path has real trade-offs. This page helps you figure out which one fits your business — honestly.
The Three Options
Every business lands in one of these camps. Understanding the trade-offs is the first step to making the right call.
DIY / Internal IT
"The cheapest option that often costs the most"
You buy the tools, your IT person (or yourself) manages everything. Works for very small operations with low risk profiles — but the gaps add up fast, especially when incidents happen after hours.
- Low upfront commitment
- Full control over tools
- No 24/7 monitoring coverage
- Security expertise gaps
- Incident response falls on you
Big-Brand MSP
"Built for Fortune 500, priced for it"
Enterprise security vendors offer comprehensive coverage — and enterprise-level complexity, contracts, and price tags. If you have 200+ employees and complex compliance requirements, this may be the right fit.
- Comprehensive coverage
- Strong compliance support
- Minimum 12–36 month contracts
- $3,000–$10,000+/month typical
- SMBs often feel like an afterthought
Kapacyber
"Enterprise-grade tools, SMB-sized engagement"
We built Kapacyber specifically for 5–50 person businesses that need real security but don't have the budget or complexity of an enterprise. No lock-in contracts, plain-English reporting, dedicated advisor.
- 24/7 monitoring & incident response
- Dedicated security advisor
- From $425/month, month-to-month
- Onboarded in 2–3 weeks
- Reports written for business owners
Side-by-Side Comparison
✓ Included · partial Coverage varies · ✗ Not included
| Feature | DIY / Internal IT | Big-Brand MSP | Kapacyber |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost (typical 10-user SMB) | $800–$2,500+ | $3,000–$10,000+ | From $425 |
| Setup time | Weeks to months | 4–12 weeks | 2–3 weeks |
| 24/7 monitoring | No | Yes | Yes |
| Dedicated security advisor | No | Partial | Yes |
| Endpoint detection & response (EDR) | Partial | Yes | Yes |
| Security awareness training | No | Yes | Yes |
| Incident response support | No | Yes | Yes |
| Plain-English reporting | No | No | Yes |
| Cyber insurance ready | Partial | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum contract length | None | 12–36 months | Month-to-month |
Which Option Is Right for You?
Answer these three questions to find your best fit.
"We have an internal IT person and the budget to buy our own tools."
DIY may work for you — especially if your risk profile is low and your IT person has security experience. That said, you'll likely have coverage gaps: after-hours monitoring, specialised threat detection, and incident response still tend to fall through the cracks. Worth auditing what's actually covered.
"We have 200+ employees and complex compliance or regulatory requirements."
A big-brand MSP or enterprise security vendor is probably the right call. At that scale, you need the depth, certifications, and compliance infrastructure that enterprise vendors are built for. The premium is usually justified. We'd happily say so rather than take a client we can't serve well.
"We have 5–50 employees. Security is critical but it's not our speciality."
That's exactly who we built Kapacyber for. You get enterprise-grade protection — the same tools and monitoring used by large organisations — without the enterprise price tag, long contracts, or the need for an in-house security team. We handle the complexity; you focus on your business.
Book a Free Assessment"We're not sure what we need yet."
That's completely normal. Most business owners haven't had to think about this before. Our free 30-minute assessment helps you understand your current risk exposure and what protection level makes sense — with no pressure and no commitment.
What Does It Actually Cost? (Annual TCO)
Total cost of ownership for a 10-person business. These are illustrative estimates — your numbers may vary.
DIY / Internal IT
Excludes breach risk and gaps in coverage
Big-Brand MSP
Lock-in means limited flexibility as needs change
Kapacyber
All-in, no surprises. Cancel anytime.
Go Deeper — Head-to-Head Comparisons
Weighing managed security against a specific alternative? These honest, detailed comparisons break down each option side by side.
Managed Security vs In-House IT
Should you build security around an internal IT person, or outsource the operations? Cost, coverage, and the after-hours gap.
Read comparisonManaged Security vs EDR-Only Providers
Endpoint-focused providers cover one layer. See why email, identity, and cloud coverage matter just as much.
Read comparisonManaged Security vs DIY Security Software
Self-service platforms give you the tools. Managed security gives you the team that operates them.
Read comparisonSMB-Focused vs Enterprise MSSP
Big-brand vendors are built for large organisations — and priced for them. When that fits a small business, and when it doesn't.
Read comparisonAn Arctic Wolf Alternative for Small Business
Comparing enterprise-grade MDR platforms for a 5–50 person company? How SMB-focused managed security compares on price, contracts, and engagement.
Read comparisonA Huntress Alternative for Small Business
Want to buy security directly rather than through an IT partner? How direct-to-SMB managed security compares to channel-delivered MDR.
Read comparisonA Blackpoint Cyber Alternative for Small Business
Need a single MDR layer, or the whole stack? How full-stack, direct managed security compares to channel-delivered detection and response.
Read comparisonA Sophos MDR Alternative for Small Business
Prefer not to standardise on one vendor's products? How vendor-neutral managed security compares to ecosystem-tied MDR.
Read comparisonStill Not Sure Which Path Is Right?
Book a free 30-minute assessment. We'll look at your current setup, identify your biggest risks, and give you an honest recommendation — even if the answer isn't Kapacyber.