By Reg Harnish, CEO of
OrbitalFire Cybersecurity
By now, most small business owners and leaders understand that cybersecurity is a must-have, not a nice-to-have. Ransomware, email scams, compliance requirements and customer questionnaires are no longer reserved for big corporations; they’re the new reality for smaller businesses in our own communities.
But when it comes to accountability, there’s still a lot of confusion about who’s actually in charge of managing and improving your company’s security.
If you’re like many small businesses, you probably have a part-time IT person or are working with a Managed Service Provider (MSP)—a third-party IT company that handles things like computer updates, hardware support, networking, and maybe even managing your cloud applications.
But here’s the uncomfortable truth:
Your MSP is not your cybersecurity provider. And they were never meant to be.
The IT vs. Cybersecurity Divide
It’s easy to lump IT and cybersecurity together. After all, they both deal with technology and data. But they are not the same and treating them like they are can be a costly mistake.
Think of it like this: your accounting software runs on technology, but you wouldn’t ask your IT provider to do your taxes.
Specialties are the norm in every aspect of your life, and cybersecurity is no different. And while it’s true that some technology can help improve your security, it can also create vulnerabilities, risks and problems when it’s not managed adequately.
Let’s be clear: MSPs are essential. They manage backups, patch your systems, and keep employees from throwing laptops out the window. Many also offer security-related tools like antivirus, spam filtering, and firewalls. These are all helpful, even necessary, but they’re tools, not a strategy. And these tools are just a small part of your cybersecurity program.
Effective small business cybersecurity has changed dramatically in recent years. It now involves:
• Risk assessments and mitigation planning
• Regulatory compliance (HIPAA, CMMC, NYSDFS, FTC Safeguards, etc.)
• Policies and plans
• Awareness training and employee behavioral change
• Threat monitoring and incident response
• Governance, accountability, and long-term planning
Doing all of this well requires experience, expertise and focus.
Whose Job Is Cybersecurity, Really?
But here’s the real kicker: Cybersecurity is ultimately your responsibility.
Yes, even if you engage with cybersecurity experts and buy a cyber insurance policy. Your prospects, customers, supply chain partners, and employees all expect that you’re doing the things you need to do to protect your business.
This isn’t about blame—it’s about accountability.
That’s why it’s so important for small businesses to stop assuming someone else is “taking care of it.” Cybersecurity isn’t a service you can throw over the fence and forget. You need to own it, understand it, and be involved in how it’s handled, which is often through a partnership between someone within your organization who has signed up to be the internal point person and a dedicated cybersecurity partner.
What Does “Accountability” Actually Look Like?
The idea of being “cyber accountable” might sound overwhelming. But it’s not about becoming an expert; it’s about making informed decisions and owning the outcomes.
Here’s what accountability can look like:
• Engaging with qualified experts for all areas of your program – legal, insurance, compliance, communications, technology and cybersecurity in general. There is no one entity that can handle all your “cybersecurity”.
• Addressing the “risks” your business faces. Are you at greater risk of a power outage, late paying customers or ransomware?
• Knowing what sensitive data you handle. Do you interact with financial accounts, healthcare records, or defense-related secrets—and how do you protect it?
• Treating cybersecurity as a business function, not just an IT issue. Is leadership involved in your cybersecurity strategy and direction?
It’s not about doing everything yourself. It’s about knowing where the gaps are and making sure they get filled by the right experts.
The Bottom Line
If you’re running a small business, you already know how many hats you wear. But when it comes to cybersecurity, the most important one might be labeled “accountable.” Not because you’re a cybersecurity expert—but because it’s your name, your reputation, and your business on the line.
Your MSP can and should be a trusted partner. But they are a small (and shrinking) percentage of your cybersecurity strategy. That’s where a cybersecurity services provider comes in: a specialized partner with the credentials, experience, and expertise to help you.
At the end of the day, the only one answering to regulators or customers if something goes wrong will be you. So, ask hard questions. Get clarity. And don’t wait for an incident to find out whether you have an adequate cybersecurity program. If you don’t, now’s the time to start building one—with the right support in place.