IT Security For Small Businesses: Built-in or Third-Party?

All businesses face the risk of cyberattacks, but small businesses are especially vulnerable. In 2024, 94% of small and medium-sized businesses experienced at least one cyberattack, a sharp increase from 64% just five years prior. With fewer resources and limited in-house IT support, small and mid sized businesses often lack the layered defenses that larger enterprises rely on. And that makes them an easy and frequent target.

As threats grow in scale and sophistication, many small teams ask: Are built-in security tools adequate, or is it time to invest in a third-party IT security solution?

This article explains what's needed to protect a growing small business based on risk, team structure, and scale. You'll learn when built-ins are sufficient, where they fall short, and how to identify the best IT security tools for small businesses.

Why cybercriminals are targeting small businesses more than ever

3,049 small business cyber incident reports were listed in the Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report, and 93% confirmed data disclosure. System intrusion, social engineering, and basic web application attacks represent 96% of all breaches. In 99% of cases, the motive is financial.

Ransomware is a standout threat

One threat stands out above the rest: ransomware. Whether data is encrypted or simply exfiltrated and ransomed, these attacks disproportionately affect small businesses.

While ransomware affects organizations of all sizes, small businesses bear the brunt. Verizon's data shows that ransomware was involved in:

• 39% of breaches at large enterprises
• 88% of breaches at small businesses

The median ransom demand sits at $115,000, and although 64% of victims choose not to pay, recovery costs, downtime, and lost business data still hit hard.

Remote work is a growing attack vector

The shift to remote and hybrid work has opened new doors for attackers. Sophos reports a 50% increase in remote ransomware attacks year-over-year and a 141% increase since 2022.

Attackers are evolving fast, often gaining access to business systems using stolen credentials and by exploiting software vulnerabilities. Many now use machine learning to automate phishing campaigns or identify the fastest paths to steal information, making it even harder for small teams to keep up.

Poor visibility and unmanaged endpoints are a huge part of the problem. According to Verizon, 46% of compromised devices in SMB breaches were non-managed systems storing both personal and business credentials. This often results from Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies or informal shadow IT setups. These blurred boundaries between work and personal tech make remote teams an increasingly attractive target.

Built-in tools: A starting point, not a strategy

Most devices today ship with some level of security already included. Windows Defender, macOS Gatekeeper, browser-based protections, and basic firewalls all offer a helpful first line of defense, especially for very small teams or solo founders.

For small businesses just starting out, these built-in security features can be appealing. They’re free, easy to use, and require little to no setup. And for a local, in-office team with tightly managed devices, that might feel like enough.

But these native tools are just that: a starting point. And they don’t account for network-level risks either. Many small businesses still use default settings on their wireless access point or router, including the factory-set Service Set Identifier (SSID). If your Wi-Fi network isn’t properly secured, it can expose all connected devices, especially in shared office environments or home setups.

What built-in tools can offer

The following features are important, but they weren’t designed for modern, fast-moving teams operating across borders.

• Basic antivirus and malware detection
• Default firewalls and app access controls
• Security alerts and auto-updates
• OS-integrated features like FileVault (macOS) or BitLocker (Windows)

Where built-in security falls short

As soon as your team starts working remotely, growing across geographies, or handling sensitive data, the limitations become clear:

• No centralized visibility: You can’t see which devices are up to date or what threats have been flagged
• No audit logs or device tracking: There’s no reliable way to track activity, access, or device history
• No remote wipe: If a laptop is lost or stolen, there’s no guaranteed way to secure the data
• No enforcement: You can’t push updates, apply security policies, or revoke app access remotely

These gaps leave small businesses exposed, especially if you're managing a mix of employees, contractors, and freelancers on various devices.

When built-ins might be enough (and when they aren’t)

A five-person team working from the same office on company-owned devices? You might get by with built-ins, assuming everyone is diligent about updates and access hygiene.

A ten-person team spread across three countries, with remote freelancers using personal laptops? Built-in tools won't cut it. You need visibility, control, and security policies you can enforce wherever the device is.

Affordable, scalable protection: What third-party IT security offers small teams

Built-in protections may cover the basics, but they weren't designed to support a growing, distributed team or handle the kinds of security challenges most small and medium businesses face today.

Dedicated third-party security solutions are the solution here, offering a robust infrastructure that molds to the shape of your small business while plugging all your security gaps. Here are the main features and advantages of third-party IT security for small businesses.

• Centralized dashboards that show the status of every device in your organization, updated in real time
• Live threat monitoring, with alerts for suspicious activity and automated defenses to stop attacks early
• Remote security actions like locking or wiping a device that’s been lost or compromised
• Access control based on separate user accounts or groups, so people only use the apps and data they’re supposed to
• Built-in IT compliance features that support audit logging, encryption, and policy enforcement, all essential for meeting regulatory standards

Small business security requires more than antivirus software

Many small businesses rely on consumer-grade antivirus tools, assuming they’re rock solid options as they come from big-name brands. But most of these tools are reactive, meaning they’re designed to detect threats after they’ve already landed. They operate at the device level, so every employee becomes their own IT department.

That’s a risky setup. Consumer antivirus can’t help if an employee clicks the wrong link, installs unauthorized software, or unknowingly grants access to an attacker. And it offers no way for the business to intervene before damage is done.

Business-grade security flips that model. It assumes that not every user will make the right call and builds protections around them. These systems quietly handle risks in the background, preventing small missteps from snowballing.

Dedicated security solutions matter now more than ever

In early 2025, ransomware gangs impersonated IT support staff using Microsoft Teams. After flooding employee inboxes with spam, they followed up with fake IT help messages through Teams, convincing users to install remote access software. Once installed, the attackers deployed ransomware and locked down the network.

Even experienced employees fell for the scam simply because the attackers mimicked internal workflows and helpdesk language. In cases like these, no amount of good judgment is enough. Only endpoint controls and centralized monitoring can stop a convincing attacker from succeeding.

How to know what your business actually needs

No two small businesses are identical, so it follows that there’s no one way to keep your business secure.

If you're a founder or small business CEO, you might be looking around, assuming everything is pretty secure. Yet, you can't shake the feeling that the walls could fall down at any moment. Much depends on the specific workflows you use and how you control your devices and users.

Evaluate your risk: An IT security checklist for small business owners

When evaluating IT security services for small companies, it helps to step back and assess your current setup. The following questions double as high-impact cybersecurity tips for small businesses.

• Is your team remote or hybrid? If yes, you’ll need security that travels with your team. Built-ins won’t give you the remote visibility or control you’ll need.
• Are people using personal devices (BYOD)? That’s a red flag. Without device management, you can’t enforce security settings or guarantee compliance.
• Do you store or access sensitive information, like client financials, personal info, or IP? If yes, business-grade tools with encryption and audit logs are likely essential.
• Are you growing into new regions or markets? Scaling across geographies increases complexity. You’ll need centralized security that works across locations and platforms.
• Do you have an in-house IT team? If not, third-party tools can serve as your virtual IT, offering automated protection without manual oversight.

Built-in vs. third-party IT security for startups and small teams

Use the table below to translate your insights into action. See how different small business setups stack up when it comes to choosing between built-in tools and third-party solutions.

Cost comparison: Built-in vs. third-party security solutions

If you’re dubious that your current built-in security setup offers sufficient protection, your next concern is likely the cost of switching to a third-party alternative. But what is the financial impact of IT security solutions on small businesses?

Third-party security is more affordable than you think

Business-grade security tools are often within easier reach than expected. Most third-party solutions are priced on a monthly, per-user, or per-device basis, meaning you only pay for what you need.

Here’s what typical small business security might cost:

• Endpoint protection and antivirus: Up to $10 per device /month
• Email threat protection and anti-phishing tools: Up to $7 per user/month
• Mobile device management (MDM): Up to $10 per device/month
• Full-featured, bundled platforms (including remote wipe, access control, compliance logging): Up to $25 per user/month

So, while built-in tools might seem cost-free, a well-rounded third-party solution is typically a modest cost compared to the value it provides.

The real cost of using “free” built-in software

Built-in tools often come with hidden costs that don't show up on a budget line but hit your business elsewhere:

• Time: Without centralized tools, you or your team spend hours manually updating devices, troubleshooting issues, or reacting to alerts one by one.
• Lost productivity: Even minor security incidents slow people down and create uncertainty.
• Reputation: If client data is compromised, trust takes a hit. And in small business, trust is everything.

Example: Imagine a team member clicks on a phishing email that looks like it came from a client. Their login credentials are stolen, and before anyone notices, a hacker has accessed and externally shared their sensitive files.

With no alert system or audit logs in place, you're left investigating manually, notifying affected clients, and trying to assess the damage.

A breach of this magnitude can throw your small business entirely off course and put your client relationships on shaky ground. In hindsight, the cost of proper protection often feels minor.

Why layered security is best

Small businesses often assume that because they’re not a big target, they don’t need big protection. But that couldn’t be further from the truth, as Ollie Hayward, Security and Compliance Lead, puts it:

“Your business is never too big or small for a cyberattack. You cannot base your requirements for security measures on how many employees you have or how much money you make. Security is non-negotiable.

If there is one patch missed, one policy not implemented, one phishing email not picked up, it all comes tumbling down, you lose an unthinkable amount of data and/or money, all because you didn't think it would happen to you.”

Unfortunately, too many small businesses are stuck in the mindset of believing IT security is a binary choice: either the built-in tools are “good enough,” or it’s time to go all-in with an enterprise-grade stack. The reality is far more nuanced, which is where a layered approach comes in as the accepted standard for SMBs. Here’s what it looks like:

• Built-in tools: Your foundational layer includes tools like firewalls, operating system encryption, and default antivirus, which provide basic coverage, but on their own, they can't adapt to new threats or scale with your team.
• Third-party tools: Your active defense layer is both your alarm system and rapid response team. These tools add visibility, real-time monitoring, and the ability to act by locking or wiping a compromised device, flagging suspicious behavior, and centralizing control across your team.
• Identity and access controls: To secure entrance to your systems. Multi factor authentication (MFA,) password policies, and role-based access limit who gets in and what they can touch, which is especially useful when working with contractors, freelancers, or distributed teams.
• Policy and infrastructure support: This is the layer that holds everything together. Mobile device management, patch enforcement, and audit trails ensure all policies are followed system-wide and at scale.

How Deel IT secures small business devices

Deel IT is a full-stack platform that combines the hardware, software, visibility, and support needed to secure a global workforce without vendor sprawl or manual setup. Here's how Deel IT supports a layered, modern approach to IT security:

• Delivers devices with security built in: Every procured device arrives pre-configured with security settings already applied, including MDM enrollment and OS-level encryption, so teams are protected from day one.
• Supports all major platforms: Endpoint protection is available across macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android, ensuring consistent coverage regardless of device type or location.
• Controls access and apps at scale: With integrated mobile device management, businesses can enforce patching, provision apps, and restrict access centrally, no matter where employees work.
• Enables real-time visibility and audit-ready logs: Deel IT provides live tracking of devices and user activity, along with automated logging for compliance, offboarding, or incident response.
• Protects data through certified recovery tools: You can lock, wipe, or recover devices remotely, with certified data erasure built in to meet security and regulatory requirements.
• Offers global support around the clock: With 24/7 assistance across time zones, businesses can rely on responsive help when devices need repair or a security update.

Ready to achieve watertight security? Sign up for a free Deel IT demo today to protect your business from day one.