In 2024, according to an IBM report, the average cost of a data breach was $4.88 million, and small businesses are far from immune. In fact, smaller businesses are often targeted more often because thieves perceive them as less well protected.
Businesses of all sizes face increasingly complex security risks, especially as generative AI allows for deep fakes and improves the efficiency of scripts and such things as ransomware-as-a-service. At the same time, too many business owners see cybersecurity as an afterthought or, worse, a nice-to-have.
Cybersecurity must be baked into every aspect of your business, ideally from day one. This is where cybersecurity consultants come in. Cybersecurity consultants can audit your existing cybersecurity and/or help build new systems to protect your business, employees, and customers. Having a security-positive stance can also help your bottom line by making customers more comfortable and more likely to choose your business. It can also help employees feel safer and more secure. Cybersecurity is not just a technical issue but a key enabler of your business.
What is Cybersecurity Consulting?
A cybersecurity consultant is anyone a business brings in from outside to help with cybersecurity issues. There are a variety of types, with different specialties and different services. These include:
- Generalists. Generalists provide overall advice to improve your cybersecurity systems, audit existing systems, and work with in-house IT to improve things. They may also provide training to employees.
- Incident response. Incident response consultants help you recover from an incident and prevent the next one. You can also call one in ahead of time to provide services such as incident response planning and risk management.
- Compliance experts. Often industry-specific, compliance experts audit your systems to ensure that you are complying with security and privacy laws, especially laws like PIPEDA.
- Network security. Specialize in protecting your networks from unauthorized access. They help set up firewalls, VPNs, and intrusion detection systems. They may conduct penetration tests to see if your network keeps out a real thief.
- Information security. These experts focus on your policies, procedures, and other measures to secure information. They provide risk management, know compliance, and develop information security systems as well as conducting audits and training staff.
- Cloud and application security. This specialty is about making sure that your cloud architecture and applications are secure and work hard to build security in from the base. They mitigate the risks of cloud computing and work with app development teams to make sure the apps you provide to employees and/or customers are secure.
What kind of specialist you need depends on what services you need. Cybersecurity consultants do everything from risk assessments to compliance support to helping secure your website.
Signs Your Business Needs a Cybersecurity Consultant
Most businesses can benefit from help with cybersecurity. Trying to do it all in-house means having full-time employees with all the skills needed. Also, an outside perspective will see the things that have been normalized but are a problem.
Here are some signs you should consider calling in a consultant:
- You’ve recently experienced a data breach or security incident and need an incident response specialist to track down the cause and keep it from happening again.
- You aren’t sure if your current security posture is good enough.
- You handle sensitive customer or financial data.
- You are preparing for a compliance audit.
- You don’t have a cybersecurity specialist on your internal team.
- You’re growing rapidly.
All of these are signs you may need some extra help.
When To Engage a Cybersecurity Consultant
There are also several situations in which you really should engage a consultant to provide the extra, short-term help you need. These are:
- After a breach or close call. Thieves are savvier these days, but you need to quickly understand how they got in and how to keep them out.
- During digital transformation or other major IT upgrades. This allows you to build security into your new systems.
- Before or after a regulatory deadline…before to get ready, after to deal with any issues the audit pulled up.
- As part of your regular security strategy reviews.
Consultants are people you can bring in when and as you need them, so don’t be afraid to call on them when your company needs help. You can get the expertise you need within your budget.
How to Choose the Right Cybersecurity Consultant
A low-quality consultant will not provide you with actual security and may lull you into false peace of mind. Start by checking for certifications such as CISSP, CISA, CISM and CEH. This gives an objective assessment of a consultant’s skills and shows that they care about their job.
You also want a cybersecurity consultant with experience in your industry, especially in healthcare, finance, and other fields with sensitive data and complicated compliance needs. Look for a consultant who deals with businesses of your size and in your stage of growth.
Talk to them and assess their process and communication style. Make sure you choose a consultant you are comfortable working with and get on well with. The best consultant can’t do their job if their communication style sets your teeth on edge. Talk about your business goals and budget. You need somebody you can afford but who is still competent, and somebody who understands and goes along with your goals and values.
Cybersecurity is not just a technical add-on, but a key part of your business. Hiring a quality cybersecurity consultant can help you focus on growth, not dodging cyber threats.
Is it time for your business to bring in a cybersecurity expert? Contact Yobihouse for a free consultation.
