Should You Hire Your Own IT Security Team?
Calculate the true cost of building an in-house team versus our professional managed security service
Adjust these based on your local market and expectations. We'll show you how realistic your numbers are.
Hiring Your Own Team
Hidden Costs Not Included Above
What You Get With Mainstream Technology
The Cybersecurity Talent Crisis
1.5 million unfilled cybersecurity positions globally. Even large corporations with big budgets struggle to find qualified candidates. Small and mid-sized businesses face an impossible challenge.
Unemployed candidates use AI to generate impressive resumes that mask their lack of real experience. Without deep technical knowledge yourself, how do you spot the difference?
We've trained IT teams at businesses acquired by our clients. Even "professional" teams often lack fundamental security knowledge. How do you evaluate expertise you don't have?
Reality: Unless you have 100+ computers, hiring and managing an in-house security team costs more and delivers less protection than our professional service.
Why This Calculator Matters
The Hiring Challenge Nobody Talks About
We've worked with dozens of businesses acquired by our clients. In every case, we had to train their "professional" IT teams on proper security practices. Why? Because the previous owner didn't have the expertise to evaluate who they were hiring.
Here's the uncomfortable truth: If you don't have deep cybersecurity expertise yourself, how can you evaluate whether a candidate is truly qualified? In today's market, with AI-generated resumes and 1.5 million unfilled cybersecurity positions, finding real talent is nearly impossible for small and mid-sized businesses.
The AI Resume Problem
Unemployed workers use AI tools to create impressive resumes that significantly over-state their experience and capabilities. Without being a cybersecurity expert yourself, these candidates look legitimate. You won't discover the truth until months after hiring, when a security incident reveals their lack of real knowledge.
The Talent Shortage
With over 1.5 million unfilled cybersecurity positions globally, even Fortune 500 companies with unlimited budgets struggle to find qualified candidates. Small businesses competing for this talent face an uphill battle they simply can't win.
What The Calculator Shows
- •Break-even point: Around 100+ computers before hiring makes financial sense
- •Hidden costs: Turnover, training, tools, benefits often double the base salary cost
- •Time cost: 4+ months to hire and 3+ months to train = 7 months of vulnerability
- •Knowledge gaps: One person can't cover all specialties (network, endpoint, email, compliance, incident response)
- •Vacation & sick time: What happens to your security when they're out? Threats don't take breaks.
Our Track Record
We've been protecting businesses since 2003, with founder Craig Peterson bringing 35+ years in cybersecurity.
When you work with us, you get immediate access to a team of 5+ specialists covering every aspect of security: network protection, endpoint security, email filtering, compliance documentation, incident response, and ongoing monitoring. No hiring risk, no training delays, no knowledge gaps.
Get a Personalized Security Assessment
Let's discuss your specific situation and whether managed security or an in-house team makes sense for your business. No pressure, no sales pitch—just honest advice.
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