Mid-sized businesses face growing demands for cybersecurity amid limited resources. Balancing in-house capabilities with external expertise allows companies to focus on priorities while leveraging specialized support to gain advantages and avoid missteps along the way. Here’s how to decide when and how to best partner with a cybersecurity provider. 

Mid-sized businesses face the challenge of balancing demands for robust security measures with limited internal resources. With increasingly sophisticated threats, complex regulatory requirements, and the growing pressure to protect sensitive data, deciding which aspects of your cybersecurity program to manage in-house and which to outsource in an increasingly tough decision for IT leaders. 

The question isn’t just about what security measures to implement, but also how to balance internal resources with external expertise to build a robust security posture.  

Most organizations, especially those with smaller teams, struggle to cover all the bases internally, which is why the concept of a hybrid model—blending in-house efforts with outsourced cybersecurity services—could be a smart option for a lot of organizations. 

By outsourcing specialized tasks like 24/7 monitoring, compliance management, and incident response, you can achieve a mature and resilient cybersecurity posture more quickly and efficiently. This approach allows internal teams to focus on high-priority areas while bringing in external partners to advise on strategic decisions as well as handle day-to-day operational demands of cybersecurity. 

But how do you decide when to call in a cybersecurity specialist, and what they should work on? 

Here, we’ll explore how to answer these questions, starting with how to evaluate your organization’s cybersecurity needs, what to keep in-house, and how to leverage external providers to augment and enhance your security efforts.  

Why More Companies are Augmenting Cybersecurity With the Help of Providers  

Adoption of hybrid security management —where businesses maintain key cybersecurity functions in-house while outsourcing others—reflects the realities of today’s security demands. The complexity of managing cybersecurity across diverse environments, from on-premise networks to cloud infrastructures, has made it increasingly difficult for internal teams to cover every facet. Simultaneously, the shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals has left many organizations without the expertise needed to handle advanced threats. 

Outsourcing allows companies to tap into specialized talent, gain access to cutting-edge tools, and ensure 24/7 coverage without the overhead of building these capabilities in-house. For many mid-sized businesses, especially those growing rapidly, the flexibility of a hybrid model offers the best of both worlds. You retain control over strategic, business-critical functions while trusted external partners manage day-to-day operations like threat detection, monitoring, and compliance reporting. 

At Seiso, we see hybrid models as a strategic advantage, not a compromise.

By selectively outsourcing specific security functions, organizations can achieve faster maturity in their cybersecurity programs, scale operations efficiently, and mitigate risks without overwhelming their internal teams. This approach ensures that your security measures are clear, manageable, and aligned with your business goals—a hallmark of Seiso’s philosophy of simplicity. 

Which Cybersecurity Functions Should I Outsource vs. Keep In-House?  

When deciding which cybersecurity functions to keep in-house and which to outsource, it’s essential to approach the decision with a clear understanding of your organization’s unique security needs. Each business has different priorities, capabilities, and risk profiles, so there’s no one-size-fits-all approach.  

That said, we recommend the following as guidelines that would apply to most businesses when choosing which functions and activities to get help with vs. managing exclusively with internal resources. 

Assessing Your Organization’s Security Risk Profile and Risk Tolerance 

This involves understanding the specific threats your organization faces based on your industry, size, and digital infrastructure. Companies in highly regulated sectors, such as healthcare, finance, and defense, may face greater scrutiny and stricter compliance requirements, whereas other industries may have more flexibility. 

Equally important is evaluating your risk tolerance—how much risk your organization is willing to accept. Some companies may have a higher tolerance for risk in certain areas, while others may need to minimize exposure across all operations. This understanding will help you identify the cybersecurity functions that are critical to keep in-house, especially those that involve sensitive data or high-priority business functions. 

Evaluating Your Internal Capabilities: Time, Talent, and Technology 

Do you have the time, talent, and technology necessary to manage a robust cybersecurity program in-house? For many mid-sized businesses, the answer is often no. Limited staff bandwidth, lack of specialized knowledge, and the ongoing need for investment in cybersecurity tools can make it difficult to keep up with the demands of a modern security program. 

Outsourcing certain functions can alleviate these pressures. For example, tasks such as 24/7 monitoring, incident response, and compliance management require dedicated, around-the-clock attention. If your internal team is already stretched thin, outsourcing these responsibilities can provide the coverage and expertise needed to safeguard your business without overwhelming your in-house resources. 

Deciding Based on Business Priorities 

Finally, consider your business priorities. What are the most critical aspects of your cybersecurity program that need to be fixed to support business imperatives? For many organizations, this might be a question that is hard to answer. 

Without clear guidance, companies may struggle to determine which risks are most critical to mitigate and which security functions are essential to maintain in-house. This is where an experienced cybersecurity provider can help you evaluate your existing security landscape, identify the most pressing vulnerabilities, and align your program with business goals.  

It is important to understand not only the technical aspects of security but also how these connect to broader business objectives.  

For example, a healthcare SaaS provider has to balance the imperatives of patient data protections with those of remaining competitive and profitable.  

Similarly, a bank aiming to expand its digital offerings by launching a new mobile app will face increased exposure to cyber risks from a huge expansion in entry points and third-party integrations. 

By working with a trusted partner, companies can ensure that they’re addressing the most relevant risks and building a cybersecurity program that supports their specific strategic goals, such as expanding into new markets or preparing for an upcoming audit. 

This partnership ensures that security decisions are not only technically sound but also aligned with business priorities, helping to protect the organization’s critical assets without stretching internal resources thin. 

Choosing Cybersecurity Functions Best Suited for Outsourcing 

Outsourcing cybersecurity functions can provide significant advantages for mid-sized businesses, but it’s crucial to understand which specific tasks are best suited for external providers. Not all cybersecurity activities need to remain in-house, and outsourcing the right ones can enhance your overall security posture, provide access to specialized expertise, and free up your internal team to focus on strategic priorities. 

Certain cybersecurity tasks are resource-intensive and require continuous monitoring or specialized knowledge that your internal team may not have. These are prime candidates for outsourcing. Commonly outsourced functions include: 

Compliance management and reporting 

Staying compliant with frameworks such as SOC 2, ISO 27001, and CMMC can be complex, particularly when you need to rationalize across multiple standards. Each compliance framework has its own set of controls, processes, and focus areas. Without an in-depth knowledge of each framework, your team will be challenged to interpret and align overlapping requirements, which can lead to duplicated efforts, inefficiencies, and increased costs. Likewise, staying abreast of regulatory changes, especially in highly regulated industries, is challenging even for organizations that have dedicated compliance teams. Outsourcing these tasks ensures that your organization stays audit-ready and compliant while reducing the burden on internal teams. Providers with expertise in these standards can manage the documentation and processes, ensuring that your compliance efforts are both streamlined and effective. 

Vulnerability management and penetration testing 

Regular scanning for vulnerabilities and conducting penetration tests are essential for maintaining a strong defense. Conducting these activities effectively requires specialized skills, up-to-date threat intelligence, and advanced tools—all of which can be challenging for in-house teams to maintain, especially if they are already managing multiple priorities. 

Outsourcing vulnerability management and penetration testing to a trusted provider offers several advantages: 

• Outside providers bring an objective, unbiased perspective to your assessments. 

• You get a team of experts who are well-versed in the latest tactics that attackers use.  

• Outside perspective not only ensures a more comprehensive evaluation but also brings a fresh set of eyes that can uncover hidden risks internal teams might overlook. 

• Quickly adopt a more proactive approach that identifies and mitigates vulnerabilities as they arise, rather than after the fact. 

• Avoid costly pitfalls of under-resourced testing.  

Security monitoring and incident response 

Monitoring for threats 24/7 is a fundamental part of cybersecurity, but it’s not always practical for an internal team to maintain this level of vigilance. Managed security service providers (MSSPs) can provide this coverage, leveraging advanced tools and talent to identify and respond to incidents in real time. 

Benefits of Working with a Provider to Augment Your Cybersecurity Functions 

When comparing the benefits and costs of expanding your internal security resources vs. outsourcing, there are lots of potential advantages to consider.  

Partnering with a trusted provider can offer the following advantages: 

• Cost efficiency: Outsourcing allows businesses to convert capital expenses (CapEx) into operational expenses (OpEx), providing more predictable costs and reducing the need for large upfront investments in technology and talent. 

• Greater capacity and specialized skills: External providers bring a wealth of experience and niche skills that may not exist within your internal team. By leveraging this specialized talent, your organization can tackle complex challenges—such as incident response, compliance audits, and vulnerability management—more effectively. 

• 24/7 coverage and faster response times: A key benefit of outsourcing functions like security monitoring and incident response is round-the-clock coverage, ensuring that threats are addressed in real-time, even when your internal team isn’t available. 

• Enhanced threat detection and intelligence: External providers often have access to larger datasets and more advanced threat intelligence, which can help your organization stay ahead of emerging threats and apply industry-wide best practices to protect your assets. 

• Faster time to build a security program and achieve a mature posture: While building an internal cybersecurity team takes time and resources, outsourcing allows businesses to immediately access the tools, processes, and experts they need. This can be especially valuable in situations where urgent security issues need to be addressed quickly. 

• Improved risk management and compliance: Managing risk and meeting compliance requirements is an ongoing process, including  continuous risk assessments, compliance reporting, and the automation of security controls. Cybersecurity providers are well-versed in managing compliance, reducing the administrative burden on your team, and ensuring you meet the necessary standards with minimal friction. 
• Enhanced strategic execution: Get additional resources and expertise needed to execute the right strategy effectively, with fewer gaps and faster implementation. 

Use Cases for Augmenting Your Cybersecurity Capabilities with a Fractional CISO / External Provider 

Working with an experienced cybersecurity provider can augment and enhance these functions, providing both expertise and additional capacity to ensure these functions are executed efficiently and effectively. 

Here are four scenarios in which an experienced cybersecurity provider can augment your capabilities as an extension of your team. 

Creating and Revamping Your Security Program  

Creating or revamping a security program from the ground up requires a clear strategy, comprehensive risk assessment, and an in-depth understanding of industry best practices—all of which can be daunting for an internal team juggling multiple responsibilities, and doing it for the first time.  

An experienced cybersecurity provider can serve as an extension of your team, bringing the structure, expertise, and resources needed to build or improve your program efficiently. By partnering with experts, you accelerate the process, avoid common missteps, and ultimately create a security program that supports business growth and reduces risks. 

Security Leadership and Strategy Development 

The role of the CISO and security leadership remains central to defining the company’s long-term cybersecurity vision and strategy. External providers can work alongside your leadership team to bring specialized knowledge, industry insights, and operational support, ensuring your strategy is aligned with best practices and evolving threats.  

Threat Modeling and Risk Assessment 

Your internal security team knows your business inside and out, but they may not have the time or tools to continuously assess new threats and evolving risks. Partnering with a provider can augment your team’s efforts by offering advanced threat modeling capabilities and up-to-date intelligence on the latest attack vectors.  

Data Governance and Policy Enforcement 

Maintaining control over sensitive data and enforcing security policies demand clarity in planning and seamless collaboration across a lot of departments—often involving legal, HR, IT, and multiple business units. For organizations implementing these processes for the first time, the task can quickly become overwhelming. Ensuring that data is secure, access is properly restricted, and policies are consistently enforced requires a well-coordinated effort and a solid understanding of regulatory nuances. 

This is where the right external partner can make a profound difference. A cybersecurity provider that has done this countless times can guide your team through the complexities of data governance, helping establish processes that not only protect sensitive information but also support business continuity and compliance.  

When Might it Make Sense to Not Use a Cybersecurity Provider? 

Business Strategy Constraints 

Your business strategy may dictate that some cybersecurity functions should be directed by your internal teams, particularly when they are crucial to the overall strategy and require intimate knowledge of your business. Even in these cases, your team doesn’t’ have to go it alone. You can still benefit from a provider’s valuable advice without hands-on involvement.   

Budgetary Constraints 

 For smaller businesses or startups with limited cybersecurity budgets, engaging a provider may feel like an unsustainable expense for ongoing needs. In such cases, investing in training and building an internal team might offer more value in the long run, as they can address security needs with fewer recurring costs.  

You Already Have Strong Internal Expertise 

If your organization has a well-established cybersecurity team with specialized expertise, full-time resources, and cutting-edge tools, handling cybersecurity functions internally can be effective. Still, you might discover capability gaps as the business expands and the regulatory landscape evolves. 

Evaluating Cybersecurity Outsourcing Partners 

When evaluating potential outsourcing partners, it’s important to ensure they possess the right combination of technical capabilities, industry experience, and a collaborative approach.  

A provider should not only bring technical expertise but also align with your business goals and be capable of scaling with your company as needs evolve.  

Here are the key factors to consider when evaluating a cybersecurity partner, including what questions to ask and how to ensure they are a good fit for your organization. 

• Industry experience and expertise: Look for providers with a proven track record in your industry, especially those with experience in managing compliance with relevant standards and frameworks such as SOC 2, ISO 27001, and CMMC. Industry-specific knowledge ensures they understand the unique challenges your business faces and can tailor their services accordingly. 

• Proven methodologies and compliance frameworks: A good provider should offer a structured approach to managing cybersecurity built around well-established frameworks and best practices. Ask whether they follow standards like NIST or ISO 27001, and ensure they have experience navigating the regulatory landscape that applies to your business. 

• Transparent pricing and flexible service models: Look for providers that offer clear, upfront pricing models and service-level agreements (SLAs) that can be customized to your specific needs. The ability to scale services up or down as your company grows or as cybersecurity threats evolve is also an important factor. 

• Proactive communication and reporting: Regular updates and insights from your provider are essential for maintaining oversight of your cybersecurity posture. Ensure they offer ongoing reporting, proactive monitoring, and clear communication channels so your internal team remains informed about key developments, risks, and performance metrics. 

Questions to Ask Cybersecurity Providers 

Here are some questions we recommend to help you evaluate whether a potential partner is the best fit: 

What experience do you have with companies in our industry? 

• Industry experience helps ensure that the provider understands your specific cybersecurity and compliance challenges. 

How do you manage compliance with frameworks like SOC 2, ISO 27001, and CMMC? 

• Ask for specific examples of how they’ve helped other companies achieve or maintain compliance with these frameworks. 

What is your process for responding to incidents and mitigating threats? 

• This question will give you insight into how the provider handles real-time security threats and their ability to scale response efforts quickly. 

How do you ensure transparency and accountability in your service delivery? 

• The provider should be able to explain how they track performance and provide visibility into their work, including how they report on service levels and outcomes. 

How do you collaborate with internal teams? 

• It’s important to understand how the provider will work alongside your internal team. Look for partners who emphasize open communication and a collaborative approach. 

Crafting a Partnership for Long-Term Success 

Once you’ve identified a provider that meets your criteria, the next step is crafting a strong, collaborative relationship that will deliver value over time.  

Here are a few tips for ensuring a successful partnership: 

• Align roles and responsibilities. Clearly define the roles and responsibilities of both your internal team and the provider. This ensures that there are no gaps or overlaps in your security efforts and helps maintain accountability. 
• Set clear expectations with SLAs. Service-level agreements (SLAs) should be detailed and specific, covering aspects such as response times, compliance management, and performance metrics. These agreements ensure that both parties are on the same page regarding expectations and outcomes. 
• Monitor performance and adjust as needed. Regularly review the performance of your cybersecurity provider, and adjust the scope of work as your business evolves. A good provider will remain flexible and adapt to your changing needs, ensuring that your security program continues to align with your business objectives. 

Final Thoughts 

Whether you’re building a security program from scratch or scaling an existing one, knowing when and how to leverage external expertise is crucial for staying ahead of threats and achieving long-term resilience. 

In areas where your internal team provides leadership and oversight, external providers like Seiso can play a crucial role in enhancing capabilities, improving execution, and ensuring your cybersecurity strategy is both proactive and aligned with business objectives.  

By working together, we can elevate your cybersecurity program without overloading your staff to achieve greater efficiency and resilience, without adding complexity and friction.  

That’s the Seiso Way. 

Seiso Cybersecurity Expertise on Demand 

Seiso’s flexible vCISO and vGRC services empower companies to strengthen their cybersecurity capabilities without the overhead of hiring full-time staff. Acting as an extension of your team, our engineers, compliance experts and former CISOs work closely with your team to identify risks, design and optimize robust security programs, and implement compliance frameworks and remediations that best fit your specific situation.  

What you get is flexible access to senior-level expertise, streamlined compliance management, and scalable cybersecurity solutions to enhance your security posture efficiently, reduce costs, and maintain focus on core business initiatives. 

Want to learn more? Get in touch for a free assessment.