When running your own company, investing in cybersecurity is crucial.

The last thing you want is to have a data breach on your hands.

The best cybersecurity consulting services for small businesses create essential safeguards, building an impenetrable infrastructure that adheres to compliance regulations, fosters consumer confidence and strengthens your business in a competitive landscape.

Here is what to look for when selecting one, as well as the top options.

Things to Consider When Choosing the Best Cybersecurity Consulting Services

Choosing the right cybersecurity consulting service is a crucial investment, especially since you’re selecting a partner to protect your assets and reputation. A premier consultant is adamant about cultivating a long-term security culture that aligns with your business goals while gaining an understanding of your unique budget and operational needs.

Consider the following criteria when searching for and selecting a cybersecurity consultant:

• Experience: Has spent years working with businesses of your size and industry
• Scalable services: Offers a comprehensive suite of cybersecurity services, including project-based auditing and embedded strategic advisory
• Communication: Provides clear guidance, documentation and reporting that connects your security efforts to intended outcomes
• Pricing and transparency: Delivers several pricing models — hourly billing, per-project pricing and monthly retainers — and has no hidden fees
• Reputation: Maintains a reputation for excellence, as demonstrated by client reviews, online ratings, references and case studies

What Is the Difference Between an In-House Cybersecurity Team and Third-Party Cybersecurity Services?

An in-house cybersecurity team consists of full-time employees dedicated to your organization’s technological safety. Although they bring deep expertise to the table, you must contend with salaries, benefits, hiring, training and technology costs that could put a strain on your profitability.

Third-party cybersecurity services grant access to a broader team of experts with long-standing, up-to-date experience in handling threats across different industries. The approach is often more cost-effective, enabling you to pay only for the protection you need, whether it is for a single project or ongoing cybersecurity management.

Can a Cybersecurity Consultant Help Your Business Pass a Compliance Audit?

Top-rated cybersecurity consultants can help your small business meet and pass stringent compliance audits, including International Organization for Standardization (ISO), Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC), System and Organization Controls (SOC) 2, and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

They specialize in navigating complex frameworks, conducting analyses to identify areas for improvement, developing remediation plans, and implementing technical and policy controls. Although they cannot guarantee that you will pass — as it is your responsibility to uphold compliance — their expertise and documentation prove invaluable as you enter audit processes, boosting your chances of a successful outcome.

What Are the Best Cybersecurity Consulting Services for Small Businesses?

A reliable cybersecurity consulting provider for small businesses is right at your fingertips — you just need to know where to look. The following firms could be the partner you need to hire.

1.   CBIZ Pivot Point Security

CBIZ Pivot Point Security has a wealth of information technology (IT) experience, helping brands achieve maximum system security and compliance. Its team specializes in assisting companies in preparing for numerous certification processes, including ISO 27001, CMMC, SOC 2 and HIPAA.

It also conducts security testing and assessments to uncover vulnerabilities within your networks, applications and cloud infrastructure. You can opt for its ongoing security program management services and specialized consulting.

This provider recognizes the unique challenges small- to midsize businesses (SMBs) face in cybersecurity. The Virtual Chief Information Security Officer service is a standout benefit for your company, providing top-level security strategy and leadership without the high cost of hiring and staffing a dedicated cybersecurity team.

2.   Optiv

Optiv is a comprehensive, global cybersecurity integrator that delivers solutions and services to manage cyber risk. In its approach to being an end-to-end partner, it provides strategic consulting, technology implementation and managed services to meet your security needs.

This firm will help you prepare for compliance and certification and oversee merger and acquisition due diligence. It also conducts penetration testing and other threat management to strengthen ransomware readiness and incident response across all networks.

Although this firm appeals to large enterprises, its managed security services are ideal for SMBs. Your enterprise can leverage the same technology and around-the-clock security monitoring that bigger corporations use without a significant up-front investment.

3.   Atlant Security

Atlant Security tailors enterprise-level cybersecurity solutions to the specific requirements and budgets of SMBs. It customizes programs according to your teams, infrastructure and business objectives.

Throughout its suite of security consulting, you gain protection throughout numerous defense areas. These include password and access management, cloud and network security, vulnerability management and penetration testing, security policy development, and the implementation of zero-trust networking principles.

By working with Atlant Security, you can quickly safeguard your systems and assets. Its professionals pride themselves on securing businesses in 30 days or less. The consultants also have experience from working at Microsoft, Amazon and Google.

4.   Totem Technologies

As a veteran and minority-owned small business, Totem Technologies understands exactly what SMBs require from a cybersecurity expert. Its experts specialize in and can simplify compliance for those in the Department of Defense (DoD) supply chain.

Whether you need compliance consulting, gap assessments or policy development, its team can identify shortfalls and develop the appropriate strategy to drive improvements. You can also participate in its online workshops for CMMC readiness and generating your Supplier Performance Risk Score, which is a primary DoD requirement.

Its proprietary software helps clients manage their entire compliance journey, while its unique hardware solutions are preconfigured to handle sensitive information. Totem’s niche expertise makes it stand out from other cybersecurity consulting services.

5.   Dynamic Computing

Dynamic Computing is an outsourced managed IT and security service provider for small businesses. It can assist with threat defense and monitoring, proactive network penetration testing and security auditing, and compliance strategizing.

It also provides access and user security solutions, including awareness training, phishing protection, password management, data encryption and single sign-on services.

The experienced specialists will integrate cybersecurity with data backup, disaster recovery and help-desk support, while creating a multi-layered defense from the network firewall to the individual user.

Dynamic Computing offers fixed-fee IT support and IT budgeting services to help you better predict monthly pricing. This makes accessing enterprise-grade security consulting tools a more manageable and consistent operational expense.

Why Do Small Businesses Need Cybersecurity?

Although you might assume that cybercriminals would go after large corporations first, SMBs are particularly susceptible to data breaches. The issue is so prevalent that 60% of small businesses reported cybersecurity threats as their greatest concern in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Index Q1 2024 report. Most of the threats comprise phishing, malware and ransomware.

Cybercriminals often view SMBs as easier targets for obtaining valuable information, customer data, financial records and intellectual property. Just one breach could lead to devastating financial ruin, reputational damage and eventual closure. It could also pose a significant risk for its partners throughout the supply chain.

Investing in cybersecurity consulting services goes beyond protecting data. It is about ensuring business continuity, customer trust and competitiveness in the market.

How Can You Measure the ROI of a Cybersecurity Consulting Engagement?

You can measure the return on investment (ROI) in cybersecurity by assessing the costs avoided and the risks reduced. Tracking metrics such as lower security incidents, shorter time to detect and respond to threats, and reduced cyber insurance premiums are telltale signs that your efforts are successful.

Another financial metric is the money you save from potential noncompliance fines. ROI is measurable by consumer trust, unlocking new business, meeting your clients’ security requirements and creating a more resilient company overall.

Building a Resilient, Cyber-Secure Business

The best cybersecurity consulting services for small businesses are your ticket to future resilience and profitability. Expert guidance and cutting-edge tools will keep your venture running smoothly with optimal results for your bottom line. Avoid the risk of financial and reputation ruin by protecting yourself from cybercrime.