Can Your Internal IT Team Keep Up With Today’s Threat Landscape?

Cybersecurity threats are evolving faster than ever. For small to mid-sized businesses (SMBs), the risks are not just theoretical—they’re real, rising, and often financially devastating. Despite these growing threats, many companies continue to rely solely on small internal IT teams to defend against cyberattacks. The problem? Most internal teams simply don't have the capacity or specialization required to manage today’s complex threat landscape. 

Let's outline why in-house IT teams are falling behind on cybersecurity and explore what growing businesses must do to close the gap. 

The State of Cybersecurity for SMBs 

Hackers are no longer just targeting large enterprises. In fact, 43% of cyberattacks now target small businesses, according to a report by Verizon. And yet, only 14% of SMBs are prepared to handle a cyberattack, according to Accenture. 

Ransomware attacks in particular are hitting SMBs hard. A 2024 Sophos report found that 66% of mid-sized companies experienced a ransomware attack in the last 12 months, with average ransom demands exceeding $750,000. Recovery costs—including downtime, data loss, and reputation damage—often total much more. 

Why Internal IT Teams Are Struggling to Keep Up 

1. Too Many Tools, Not Enough Time 

Managing cybersecurity requires more than just antivirus software. It demands a layered approach that includes: 

• Real-time endpoint detection and response (EDR) 

• Patch and vulnerability management 

• Network monitoring and traffic analysis 

• Employee training and phishing simulations 

• Incident response planning and testing 

A typical internal IT team of one or two generalists simply cannot manage all these responsibilities effectively—especially while also handling day-to-day tasks like user support and hardware issues. 

2. Manual Patching Leads to Gaps 

Unpatched software is a leading cause of breaches. But patching across multiple systems, applications, and devices requires time, consistency, and automated workflows. Internal teams often rely on manual processes, leading to missed updates and prolonged exposure to known vulnerabilities. 

According to Ponemon Institute, 60% of data breaches could have been prevented with available patches, but many SMBs delay updates due to lack of time or testing infrastructure. 

3. Endpoint Management Is Fragmented 

Today’s workforces are mobile, hybrid, and device-diverse. Without a centralized endpoint management system, securing every laptop, phone, and tablet becomes nearly impossible. Internal teams frequently lack the tools to enforce encryption, multifactor authentication (MFA), and remote wipe capabilities—exposing the business to risks if devices are lost, stolen, or infected. 

4. Inadequate Threat Detection and Response 

Cyber threats don’t keep business hours. Most internal IT teams aren’t monitoring systems 24/7, which allows attackers to exploit after-hours vulnerabilities. Without around-the-clock threat detection, containment, and remediation tools, SMBs face longer response times and greater damage from intrusions. 

Sophos found that 90% of organizations with proactive threat response saw significantly reduced attack impact, yet few internal teams are equipped for real-time detection and rapid containment. 

5. Limited Cybersecurity Training and Awareness 

Human error remains a top cause of data breaches. But most internal IT teams don’t have the bandwidth to deliver regular security awareness training or phishing simulations. Without education, users are more likely to click on malicious links, use weak passwords, or mishandle sensitive data—leaving your organization exposed. 

Outsourcing Cybersecurity: A Strategic Advantage 

To keep up with the modern threat landscape, many businesses are partnering with managed security service providers (MSSPs) or managed IT providers offering security as a service. Benefits include: 

• 24/7 threat monitoring and response 

• Automated patching and endpoint management 

• Regular phishing simulations and employee training 

• Proactive vulnerability scanning and risk assessments 

• Compliance reporting and audit readiness 

By augmenting or replacing an overwhelmed internal team, outsourced cybersecurity partners provide depth, speed, and resilience—key traits needed to defend against modern attacks. 

Don't Risk a Breach; Rethink Your Approach 

Your internal IT team plays an essential role in keeping your business running—but cybersecurity today requires specialization, scale, and nonstop vigilance. With limited time, tools, and resources, small IT departments can’t keep pace with increasingly sophisticated threats. 

Rather than risk a breach, lost data, or compliance fines, it's time to rethink your approach. Augmenting your internal team with external cybersecurity expertise is not just a smart move—it may be the only way to protect your business in today’s digital age.