Cybersecurity Budgeting for SMBs: How to Prioritize, Phase, and Afford What Matters

Quick take

No budget? Start small, start smart. Lock down endpoints first (AV/EDR), add a real firewall with security services, and use a few savings levers (VoIP, e-fax) to fund the rest. Plan for ongoing costs (licenses, support) and lifecycle refreshes (laptops 3–5 years, firewalls ~5 years). Your goal isn’t perfection on day one—it’s risk reduced every month.

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Step 0: Baseline first, then budget

Before spending a dollar, get a quick assessment:

• What devices exist (age/specs/OS)?

• What protections already run on endpoints?

• Where is data stored (local drives vs. cloud)?

• What’s the “edge” (modem/router/firewall) and is it supported?

This tells you what’s critical vs. nice-to-have.

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If money is tight, do things in this order

1) Protect the endpoints (non-negotiable)

What: Business-grade Antivirus + EDR (Endpoint Detection & Response).
Why: Most attacks start at the PC. If you buy only one thing, make it this.
Tip: Turn on automatic updates and weekly scans. Enforce device lock + strong passwords.

2) Add a real firewall (with security services)

What: An entry-level business firewall (e.g., UTM features, subscription services).
Why: Blocks bad traffic before it reaches your PCs; gives you visibility and controls.
Plan: Budget for the hardware and the annual security subscriptions.

3) Secure your cloud accounts

What: Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace with MFA everywhere. Use OneDrive/Drive to stop saving business files only on local PCs.
Why: MFA thwarts most account-takeover attempts; cloud storage reduces “my laptop died and so did our data.”

4) Backups (email + files)

What: SaaS backups for M365/Google and image-level backups for key PCs/servers.
Why: Accidental deletion, insider error, and ransomware all require restore points.

5) Plan for OS and device lifecycles

What: Older machines may not support current OS/security standards (e.g., Windows 10 support ended in Oct 2025).
Why: Out-of-support systems stop getting security patches.
Plan: Create a rolling replacement schedule (laptops every 3–5 years; firewalls ~5; switches/APs ~5–7).

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Where to find budget (quick savings levers)

• Switch to VoIP: Moving phones off your ISP bundle to a dedicated VoIP provider often cuts monthly cost significantly and improves features (mobile apps, call recording, auto-attendant).

• Use e-fax (fax-to-email): Kill the dedicated line and the paper jams. Send/receive securely from anywhere.

• Buy multi-year security subscriptions: Many vendors discount 2–3-year terms.

• Standardize drivers/printers: A single print server and one approved driver family reduce “mystery downtime.”

• Be selective with used gear: Okay for non-critical items if you accept the warranty trade-off. Avoid refurbs for core security (firewalls) unless vendor-certified.

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A simple, phased roadmap (small office, 3–10 people)

Month 1: Contain risk

• Deploy AV/EDR on all endpoints

• Enforce MFA on email and admin accounts

• Enable OS and application auto-updates

Month 2: Harden the edge

• Install a firewall with security services

• Lock admin passwords; document internet/failover

Month 3: Protect data

• Turn on SaaS backups (email/SharePoint/Drive)

• Migrate local “only on C:\” files into OneDrive/Drive

Month 4: People & process

• 20-minute phishing awareness module + quarterly micro-training

• Create a 1-page incident checklist (who to call, what to unplug, how to isolate)

Month 5+: Refresh plan

• Inventory devices; schedule replacements over 12–24 months

• Review licenses, support, and warranties annually

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What your yearly budget should include (the “four buckets”)

1. Security software & services (recurring)

   • AV/EDR, firewall subscriptions, email security, backups

2. Hardware lifecycle (capital or financed)

   • Laptops/desktops, firewall, switches, Wi-Fi APs

3. Cloud productivity & identity (recurring)

   • M365/Google licenses, MFA/SSO tools

4. People & support (recurring)

   • MSP services/helpdesk, quarterly training, incident response allowance

Helpful rule of thumb: expect steady subscription spend plus a planned refresh line for hardware each year. Smooth, predictable spend beats surprise “oh-no” purchases.

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Sample starter budget (5-person office) — concept, not quotes

• AV/EDR: all endpoints

• Firewall + security services: 1 device + annual services

• SaaS backup for M365/Google

• MSP helpdesk/maintenance package

• Quarterly awareness training

• Hardware reserve: set aside a monthly amount toward laptop/edge replacements

(Your exact numbers depend on vendors, models, and service depth. We’ll scope it and give you precise options.)

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Common questions we hear

“We can’t do everything—what’s the absolute minimum?”
EDR on every endpoint + MFA + a basic firewall. Then add backups.

“Can we phase this across the year?”
Yes—start with endpoint + MFA, then firewall, then backups, then training, then lifecycle planning.

“Refurb laptops to save cash?”
Possible for non-critical roles; weigh the shorter warranty and battery wear. For finance/executive/engineering roles, buy new.

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The takeaway

• Prioritize endpoints, edge, and identity first.

• Fund the plan using savings levers (VoIP, e-fax, multi-year security terms).

• Budget as a habit—subscriptions + a rolling hardware reserve—so security improves every month, not just after a scare.

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Want a line-item plan for your office?

We’ll map your current state, propose a phased, right-sized budget, and handle rollout without disrupting your team.

📞 570-215-8888
🌐 www.slickcybersystems.com