Finding the right security partners for your business isn’t always easy. The market is filled with tools, services, and third-party vendors that promise to take care of cybersecurity on your behalf. 

You think you’ve found the right ones. On paper, they’re perfect.

But then you start noticing red flags. The solutions feel overly complicated. Your “partner” is spending more time upselling than actually mitigating risk. They don’t take the time to understand what your business needs. 

The right cybersecurity partners should make your life easier, not more complicated. If the red flags below resonate, it’s OK to walk away. Because when it comes to protecting your business, you deserve partners that put your security first.

1. They don't specialize in cybersecurity

Keeping up with the threat landscape is a full-time job. You can’t afford to outsource the most sophisticated elements of your cybersecurity strategy to a partner that isn’t on the frontlines of digital risk.

Large organizations dedicate entire teams to cybersecurity, with numerous people and vast resources aimed at protecting their IT systems from digital threats.

You may not have a village to conquer cyber threats. But you do have a reliable managed services provider (MSP) that supplements your IT management. They might even help with some security initiatives, too.

Even the most cyber savvy MSPs may need an extra hand to keep your business safe from new digital threats. The bulk of their time is spent supporting operational functions, not protecting them. Cybersecurity is a specialized task for a reason — it takes a lot of work!

Cybercriminals count on small businesses to be underprepared. There’s a big difference between a partner that understands IT, and one that lives and breathes ransomware gangs, risky technologies, and emerging threats. 

2. Their solutions are built for large enterprises

Many cybersecurity vendors today focus on selling tools and services built for enterprise businesses. But if you and your security partners have different-sized aspirations, how can you expect them to address your immediate needs?

Cutting-edge solutions are continuously being developed to combat the expanding universe of cyber threats, but they’re often expensive and require significant financial investment. On average, a large enterprise will invest an estimated $3.75 million toward cybersecurity, while small and midsize businesses (SMBs) invest just $150,000.

Sure, some best-in-class security products are offered at a discounted price for SMBs, but even this proposition presents a double-edged sword: How valuable can the “greatest” tool on the market be if you don’t have the resources to keep it operational?

On average, a large enterprise will invest an estimated $3.75 million toward cybersecurity, while small and midsize businesses (SMBs) invest just $150,000.

Most SMBs aren’t going to have the in-house capacity to independently manage a tool that requires continuous oversight, like endpoint detection and response (EDR). If your business spends all its time sorting through EDR alerts, you’ll end up neglecting other critical areas of your business. 

Don’t be confused by offerings that are designed for enterprise-sized teams, then repackaged for SMBs without the manpower to implement.

3. They don't help you make data-driven decisions

You wouldn’t trust a financial consultant who hasn’t analyzed your company’s books. If your cybersecurity partners aren't deeply familiar with your business’ unique cyber risks, how pointed can their advice be?

New critical vulnerabilities, brash ransomware gangs, and evolving social engineering tactics keep even enterprise security teams on their toes. There’s no shortage of advice on what your business could be doing better to mitigate risk. Realistically, it’s not possible to tackle everything. 

With data to point you in the right direction, you can focus on what matters most. 

For example, businesses that expose their technology login panels to the public internet are more than 3 times as likely to experience a cyber attack. Despite the risk proven by claims data, many security vendors aren’t pushing their clients to implement baseline preventive measures like multi-factor authentication or updating to the latest firmware. 

Decisions informed by real-world risks (and proven solutions) will move the needle, not guesswork. 

4. They sell vintage solutions for modern threats

Antivirus software was once cutting-edge cyber protection. The general public previously thought frosted tips were a good look, too. 

Consider how much the modern office has evolved. SMBs now depend on the cloud for data storage, work remotely, and access business networks from their phones. Yet, more than 90% of SMBs still rely primarily on antiquated security measures that are no longer sufficient against increasingly complex attacks.

We all must be constantly evolving: The right cybersecurity partners don't leave innovation exclusively to cybercriminals.

If your current security partners offer vintage solutions as the “be-all and end-all” of protection, you’re not adequately prepared for modern digital risk.

Antivirus and firewalls are best at protecting against low-hanging fruit. By relying primarily on signature-based detection and predetermined security rules, they can miss new or advanced threats, like zero-days and creative social engineering attacks. Firewalls can even be a point of entry for ransomware actors if unpatched.  

We all must be constantly evolving: The right cybersecurity partners don't leave innovation exclusively to cybercriminals.

5. They aren't invested in your security

Customer satisfaction and renewing the next contract shouldn’t be the only thing motivating your security partners. So ask yourself, what’s in it for them?

If there’s an exploitable flaw in a product your vendor resells, or they respond too slowly to a perceived threat, it’s your bottom line that’s impacted — not theirs. 

With most security vendors, your business is just a line on a sales spreadsheet. Imagine if your partner had a unique understanding of your business, your risk profile, and the threats facing your industry. 

Now, imagine that same partner is invested in your cybersecurity.

Many cybersecurity vendors will promise you a partnership, but no one will have your business’s back better than your cyber insurance provider.

Many cybersecurity vendors will promise you a partnership, but no one will have your business’s back better than your cyber insurance provider.

Green flag: A security solution built for SMBs

Coalition tracks and manages the cyber risk of more than 90,000 cyber insurance policyholders worldwide. We’ve seen first hand what drives losses at businesses like yours. We also know what security actions are most likely to keep you safe.  Coalition Security was built from the ground up by security experts deeply invested in the problems facing our policyholders. We offer a wide range of security products and services to help you build, manage, and maintain a cybersecurity strategy right-sized for your organization. 

• Coalition Control®: Identify vulnerabilities and mitigate threats with a unified cyber risk management platform

• Coalition Managed Detection & Response: Protect endpoints 24/7 with seasoned experts at the helm

• Coalition Security Awareness Training: Train employees to recognize and report suspicious email activity

• Coalition Incident Response: Respond to attacks faster and recover with minimal business disruption

Is it a match? To learn more about Coalition Security, visit coalitioninc.com/security or click here to speak with our team.

This blog post is designed to provide general information on the topic presented and is not intended to construe or the rendering of legal or other professional services of any kind. If legal or other professional advice is required, the services of a professional should be sought. The views and opinions expressed as part of this blog post do not necessarily state or reflect those of Coalition. Neither Coalition nor any of its employees make any warranty of any kind, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, product or process disclosed. The blog post may include links to other third-party websites. These links are provided as a convenience only. Coalition does not endorse, have control over nor assumes responsibility or liability for the content, privacy policy or practices of any such third-party websites.

Insurance products are offered in the U.S. by Coalition Insurance Solutions Inc. (“CIS”), a licensed insurance producer and surplus lines broker, (Cal. license # 0L76155) acting on behalf of a number of unaffiliated insurance companies, and on an admitted basis through Coalition Insurance Company (“CIC”) a licensed insurance underwriter (NAIC # 29530). See licenses and disclaimers. Copyright © 2025. All rights reserved. Coalition and the Coalition logo are trademarks of Coalition, Inc.

Coalition Incident Response services provided through Coalition’s affiliate are offered to policyholders as an option via our incident response firm panel. Coalition Security Services MDR services are provided by Coalition Incident Response, Inc., an affiliate of Coalition.