The Difference Between IT Support and Cybersecurity
"Can't my IT person handle security?"
It's one of the most common questions I hear from business owners. The answer is nuanced, but understanding the difference between IT support and cybersecurity is crucial for protecting your business.
IT Support: Keeping Things Running
IT support professionals focus on:
Day-to-Day Operations
- Setting up new computers and accounts
- Troubleshooting software issues
- Managing email and productivity tools
- Maintaining printers, networks, and servers
User Support
- Password resets
- Software installations
- Hardware repairs
- Help desk tickets
Infrastructure Management
- Network connectivity
- System updates
- Backup management
- Vendor coordination
Their goal: Keep the business running smoothly.
Cybersecurity: Protecting Against Threats
Cybersecurity professionals focus on:
Threat Detection & Prevention
- Identifying vulnerabilities before attackers do
- Implementing security controls
- Monitoring for suspicious activity
- Responding to incidents
Security Architecture
- Designing secure networks
- Implementing defense-in-depth
- Access control strategies
- Data protection
Compliance & Risk
- Regulatory requirements
- Risk assessment
- Policy development
- Security awareness training
Their goal: Prevent, detect, and respond to security threats.
The Overlap Problem
Here's the challenge: there's some overlap, and many IT professionals do handle basic security tasks. This creates confusion about who's responsible for what.
What IT Often Handles
- Antivirus installation
- Firewall configuration
- User access management
- Basic security settings
What Requires Security Expertise
- Penetration testing
- Incident response
- Threat hunting
- Security architecture
- Compliance audits
Why This Matters for SMBs
Small businesses often:
- Rely entirely on IT support for security
- Assume "secure enough" is good enough
- Don't know what they're missing
This isn't a criticism of IT professionals—they're experts at what they do. But asking your IT person to be a security expert is like asking your general practitioner to perform surgery.
The Right Approach
For Small Businesses
- Keep your IT support for daily operations
- Bring in security expertise periodically (assessments, pentests)
- Consider a virtual CISO for ongoing guidance
For Growing Businesses
- Define security responsibilities clearly
- Invest in security-specific tools and training
- Build a relationship with a security partner
Questions to Ask Your IT Provider
- "What security certifications do you hold?"
- "When was our last security assessment?"
- "What happens if we get breached?"
- "How do you stay current on threats?"
The answers will tell you whether you need additional security expertise.
Need help understanding your security gaps? Let's talk: m1k3@msquarellc.net