Did you think ransomware and cybersecurity attacks were only for the Apples and Googles of the world? Perhaps one of the biggest misconceptions about ransomware attacks is that they target large enterprises only, hoping for a big payout from these mega-corporations. In reality, small and mid-size businesses (SMBs) have become prime targets, with nearly a third of companies that were attacked reporting annual revenues of less than $10 million.
According to Abnormal Security’s (a cloud email security company) The Evolution of Ransomware: Victims, Threat Actors, and What to Expect in 2022 Threat Intelligence Report, most ransomware victims were SMBs, not enterprise companies—only 10% were enterprises with revenues over $1 billion. The point being: anyone is susceptible to ransomware attacks. And with a 1,070% increase in year-over-year attacks, it’s best to be prepared.
Your existing security and IT teams have their hands full with day-to-day duties, responding to threats, managing security updates, and more. Sure, they can find time to build a solid security strategy and execute a plan in between everything else, but why risk millions and the trust of your customers when you can contract an IT security consultant instead? Consultants can come in every year to strategize, execute, and monitor your security to best mitigate ransomware attacks.
Let’s explore a few reasons you should work with an IT security consultant:
1. You want to set up your security the right way
Do you want to wait for your next cybersecurity attack or do you want to have a plan in place to combat these attacks in the first place? Probably the latter. https://www.forbes.com/advisor/education/become-a-cyber-security-consultant/.
While many companies deploy an anti-virus, it’s no longer enough. Does your tech team know how to prevent hackers from stealing data or holding it ransom? Do they know which best practices to follow before or after an attack? Is everything properly configured? If you’re unsure or the answer is “no,” it may be time to find a consultant.
IT consultants can dedicate the time required to handle your security needs, with some specializing in a particular area and others acting as talented generalists. When you hire an IT consultant—especially one who specializes in cybersecurity—you’re working with someone who will make your business less vulnerable to attacks and more secure by setting up your security structure and practices correctly.
2. They can train your employees to put security first
Let’s be honest about security training. As employees, we watch the trying way too hard videos once a year, typically ignoring most of the content, just waiting until we can click the Next button. The training is a thing to check off our lists, not anything we are eager to learn.
But when you bring in a consultant to help you build a security framework that’s easy to follow, your employees can get the basics, and even identify viruses or other malware, and follow those rules instead of being blissfully unaware of the risks. The IT security consultant can also provide a more hands-on approach.
Instead of self-paced courses or online tutorials, employees can learn straight from the consultant and ask questions. If nothing else, getting answers to unique questions that most training doesn’t cover improves competency and putting security measures into practice.
3. They can provide a fresh take on your strategy
Sometimes, we’re so close to something that we get lost in all the little details instead of seeing the big picture. An IT security consultant who comes into your organization has fresh eyes and can offer a new perspective or help you take a step back to see the big picture again.
Work with a tech consultant to rework your strategy to ensure, foremost, security. Your consultant can also help you realize business potential by dealing with specific problems and offering solutions.
4. They stay on top of trends and make quality recommendations
Does anything change as fast as technology? Almost every year, a new iPhone or car technology comes out—the same goes for business software and hardware. Chief Technology Officers (CTOs) and Chief Information Officers (CIOs) can’t keep up with day-to-day tasks, managing operations, and emerging trends.
But your IT consultant can do the research and ignore all the hype about new products. Instead, they can focus on the technology, its capabilities, and if it makes sense for your organization. Because consultants are very well-versed in the latest technologies, they can find the ones that best suit your needs and have the lowest level of disruption. They can even help your team adopt the new technology.
5. They’re cost-effective
It’s easy to fall into the trap that all consultants are expensive, and you can “figure things out” without their help. But when you consider a consultant is far more cost-effective than a full-time hire, the savings are obvious. Think, too, about the mitigated risks that could save you thousands or millions in ransom for your data.
Most businesses typically hire a consultant for a set period—often a few months—which helps ensure they’ll be efficient, as they have a limited time to deliver on what they promised.
6. They have the experience you need
Dataprise, an IT infrastructure and cybersecurity services company, highlights a few ways a consultant’s experience can benefit your business:
- They know how to improve efficiency by understanding what processes you can eliminate based on their experience with similar aspects of previous projects.
- They can recommend solutions that best fit your business based on what has worked for similar clients. This also gives them the knowledge of implementing a new solution or technology, what pitfalls to avoid, and more.
Consider that their vast experience allows consultants to suggest improvements to your current tech stack (and recommendations) and processes, knowing what has and hasn’t worked for similar clients in the past.
Looking for an IT security consultant?
With ransomware attacks showing no signs of slowing down, isn’t it time you hired an IT consultant to ensure your organization is safe and secure? Having a consultant come in once or twice a year to help optimize your security strategies, make tech stack recommendations, and more can be a game changer for both the enterprise and SMBs.
Are you ready to contract out a consultant? At SSI People, we work with some of the best! Contact us to learn more about how we can connect you with the security consultant you need.
