Self-Service vs Managed Cybersecurity: Which Is Right for Your SME?
Should you handle cybersecurity yourself or outsource it to experts? This is one of the most common questions Belgian SME owners ask us. The answer depends on your resources, risk tolerance, and business goals. This guide breaks down both approaches honestly, including the hidden costs nobody talks about.
Understanding the Two Approaches
Self-Service (DIY)
You manage cybersecurity using tools, platforms, and resources. You make decisions, implement controls, and respond to incidents with your own team or IT partner.
- Using a compliance platform like Easy Cyber Protection
- Implementing security tools with guidance
- Following frameworks with documentation support
- Managing policies and training internally
Managed Security (Outsourced)
External experts handle your cybersecurity. They monitor, respond, and maintain security on your behalf. You receive reports but delegate the work.
- Managed Detection and Response (MDR) services
- Virtual CISO or security consultant
- Fully outsourced IT security
- Compliance-as-a-service offerings
Pros and Cons: Honest Assessment
Self-Service Advantages
- Lower direct costs
Monthly fees typically range from free to a few hundred euros, versus thousands for managed services.
- Full control
You decide priorities, timelines, and how deeply to implement each control. No waiting for external approval.
- Internal knowledge building
Your team learns security, making you less dependent on external parties over time.
- Flexibility
Scale up or down based on actual needs without contract renegotiations.
- Business context awareness
You understand your business better than any outsider. Self-service lets you apply that knowledge.
Self-Service Disadvantages
- Time investment
Expect 2-8 hours weekly depending on your starting point and target level. This is time not spent on core business.
- Learning curve
Security concepts can be complex. Mistakes during learning may leave gaps.
- No 24/7 monitoring
Unless you invest in tools, you may miss attacks happening outside business hours.
- Incident response limitations
When a breach occurs, do you have the skills to investigate and contain it?
- Keeping current
Threats evolve constantly. Staying updated requires ongoing attention.
Managed Service Advantages
- Expert knowledge
Security professionals who deal with threats daily bring expertise you cannot easily replicate.
- Time savings
Focus on running your business while experts handle security. Especially valuable for busy SME owners.
- 24/7 monitoring
Good providers watch your systems around the clock, catching attacks when you are asleep.
- Incident response capability
When something goes wrong, experts who have seen it before respond immediately.
- Compliance assurance
Providers often guarantee compliance outcomes, reducing your regulatory risk.
Managed Service Disadvantages
- Higher cost
Expect to pay 500-2000 euros monthly minimum. Premium services cost significantly more.
- Less control
Decisions may require provider approval. Priorities might not align with yours.
- Vendor dependency
Switching providers is painful. Knowledge stays with them, not you.
- One-size-fits-all risk
Some providers use templated approaches that may not fit your specific situation.
- Communication overhead
Explaining your business context repeatedly. Delays in getting answers to simple questions.
Hidden Costs Nobody Mentions
Hidden Costs of Self-Service
- Opportunity cost
Hours spent on security are hours not spent growing revenue. Calculate: your hourly rate x time invested.
- Mistake recovery
A misconfigured firewall or missed update can lead to breaches costing thousands to remediate.
- Tool accumulation
You may end up buying multiple tools that do not integrate well, creating gaps and complexity.
- Stress and distraction
Security worries weighing on your mind. Alert fatigue from tools you do not fully understand.
- Insurance impact
Insurers may charge higher premiums or deny claims if self-managed security is deemed inadequate.
Hidden Costs of Managed Services
- Scope creep fees
Base price often excludes incident response, compliance reporting, or on-site visits.
- Lock-in costs
Minimum contract terms, cancellation penalties, and migration costs when switching.
- Integration work
Getting managed services to work with your existing tools often requires additional setup.
- Internal coordination
Someone still needs to manage the vendor relationship and translate business needs.
- Audit preparation
Many managed services provide monitoring but not compliance documentation you own.
Decision Guide: Which Is Right for You?
Answer these questions honestly to guide your decision:
1 How much time can you realistically dedicate weekly?
If you can commit 4+ hours weekly consistently, self-service is viable.
If security always gets pushed aside, managed services prevent gaps.
2 What is your risk profile?
Lower risk businesses (no sensitive data, not in supply chains) can start with self-service.
Healthcare, finance, or critical supply chain roles benefit from expert oversight.
3 Do you have any IT capability?
Basic IT skills (can configure software, understand networks) enable self-service success.
No IT staff and uncomfortable with technology points toward managed services.
4 What is your budget reality?
Under 500 euros monthly? Self-service with good tools is your best option.
Over 1000 euros monthly budget opens quality managed service options.
5 How quickly must you achieve compliance?
Several months available? Self-service with a structured platform works.
Urgent deadline in weeks? Managed services accelerate the process.
The Hybrid Approach: Best of Both Worlds
Most successful SMEs do not choose purely one approach. They combine self-service and managed elements strategically:
Recommended Hybrid Model
| Element | Approach | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Compliance management | Self-service | You understand your processes. Use a platform to guide and document. |
| Daily security operations | Self-service + tools | Automated tools handle routine monitoring. You review alerts. |
| Incident response | Managed (retainer) | Have experts on call for when things go wrong. Pay for access, use when needed. |
| Annual security assessment | Managed (project) | External eyes catch blind spots. One-time engagement, no ongoing cost. |
| Employee training | Self-service | Platforms provide content. You know your team and culture best. |
| Technical implementation | IT partner | Your IT provider handles firewall, endpoint protection, backups. |
Recommendations by Company Size
1-10 employees
Self-service with platformBudget constraints make managed services impractical. CyberFundamentals Small level is achievable with guided self-service. Focus on basics: MFA, backups, awareness.
11-25 employees
Hybrid lightGrowing attack surface but still budget conscious. Self-service compliance platform plus IT partner for technical controls. Consider incident response retainer.
26-50 employees
Hybrid standardComplexity increases. Self-service compliance management. Managed endpoint detection. IT partner for infrastructure. Annual external assessment.
51-100 employees
Hybrid with vCISONeed strategic guidance. Self-service platforms for day-to-day. Part-time virtual CISO for strategy and oversight. Managed detection services.
100+ employees
Consider dedicated resourcesAt this size, internal security capability becomes viable. May warrant dedicated security staff or comprehensive managed services.
Where Easy Cyber Protection Fits
We built Easy Cyber Protection for SMEs who want the benefits of self-service with expert backing:
Our platform tells you exactly what to do next. No security expertise needed to start.
As you complete tasks, you automatically build compliance documentation.
Stuck on something complex? Our team helps you through difficult controls.
Share tasks with your IT provider. They handle technical parts, you handle organizational.
CyberFundamentals Small level is completely free. Upgrade only when you need higher assurance.
We are not a managed service provider. We empower you to manage your own security effectively, with support when you need it. This keeps costs low while building your internal capability.
Ready to Decide?
Start with a free assessment of where you are today. Our platform evaluates your current security posture and recommends the right approach for your situation.
No credit card required. See your security status in 15 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I switch from self-service to managed (or vice versa) later?
Yes. Many businesses start with self-service, then add managed elements as they grow. The reverse also works: some build internal capability and reduce managed services. Good platforms provide documentation that makes transitions easier.
What if I choose self-service and get breached?
Having a plan matters more than the approach. With self-service, ensure you have an incident response plan and know who to call. Many cyber insurers provide breach response services. Consider an incident response retainer even with self-service.
Are managed services worth the premium for compliance alone?
Often no. Compliance documentation and processes can be self-managed effectively with good platforms. Managed services add more value for monitoring, detection, and response than for pure compliance paperwork.
How do I evaluate managed service providers?
Ask about: response times (SLAs), what is included versus extra, their experience with Belgian regulations, how they document their work, exit terms and data ownership. Request references from businesses your size.
What is the minimum viable self-service setup?
At minimum: a compliance platform or framework guide, password manager, endpoint protection, backup solution, and basic security awareness for staff. This can cost under 50 euros monthly for a small team and covers CyberFundamentals Small requirements.