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 $375/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 $375 |
| 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.
Still 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.