A new Webroot survey of 300 IT decision-makers highlighted many small and medium-sized business (SMB) cybersecurity gaps and the benefits of outsourcing IT security to a managed service provider (MSP).

Dan Kobialka, Contributing writer

December 16, 2015

2 Min Read
Cybersecurity

A new Webroot survey of 300 IT decision-makers indicated many small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) intend to increase their security budgets next year. 

The survey, titled “Are Organizations Completely Ready to Stop Cyberattacks?,” revealed 81 percent of respondents said they plan to increase their annual IT security budget for 2016.

In addition, 81 percent noted they believe outsourcing IT solutions (including cybersecurity endeavors) would increase their bandwidth to address other areas of their business.

“SMBs play a pivotal role in helping drive the economies of all the countries polled, but past experiences have taught them they face an uphill battle when it comes to cybersecurity,” said George Anderson, Webroot’s director of product marketing, in a prepared statement. “This perception must change.”

The survey also showed managed service providers offer numerous advantages for SMBs that want to bolster their IT security, including:

  1. Extensive resources — Nearly 60 percent of respondents said they believe their businesses are more prone to cyber attacks because they lack the resources to maintain their defenses. Conversely, an MSP possesses the skills and know-how to minimize such issues.

  2. Better preparation — 48 percent noted they are unprepared to deal with insider threats, while 45 percent said they are unprepared for unsecured internal or external networks. An MSP can help an SMB understand and manage these problems. 

  3. Specialization — 32 percent said they juggle security along with their other IT responsibilities. However, an MSP can focus exclusively on security and ensure an SMB gets the cybersecurity support it needs at all times.  

Webroot added MSPs that offer platforms that leverage cloud-based security architecture are becoming increasingly important because they allow SMBs “to implement protection without investing in new infrastructure or being burdened by upfront deployment and management costs.”

What are your thoughts on IT security? Share your thoughts about this story in the Comments section below, via Twitter @dkobialka or email me at [email protected].

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About the Author(s)

Dan Kobialka

Dan Kobialka

Contributing writer, Penton Technology

Dan Kobialka is a contributing writer for MSPmentor and Talkin' Cloud. In the past, he has produced content for numerous print and online publications, including the Boston Business Journal, Boston Herald and Patch.com. Dan holds a M.A. in Print and Multimedia Journalism from Emerson College and a B.A. in English from Bridgewater State College (now Bridgewater State University). In his free time, Kobialka enjoys jogging, traveling, playing sports, touring breweries and watching football (Go Patriots!).  

See more from Dan Kobialka
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