Security pricing
How much does cybersecurity cost for a small business?
Cybersecurity for a small business usually costs $20 to $100 per user per month for the core tools and monitoring: endpoint protection, email filtering, backups, multi-factor sign-in and someone watching for alerts. A one-time security assessment typically costs $1,500 to $10,000, and a penetration test $4,000 to $25,000 or more. Many businesses get the basics bundled into managed IT.
Updated · by Jared Casper
Security for a small business is a short list of protections done well, not a big enterprise budget. What you pay depends on how many people and devices you have, what data you hold and whether a law or a client contract requires proof.
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Typical cybersecurity costs
| What you buy | Typical cost | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Core protection bundle | $20–$100 / user / month | Endpoint protection, email filtering, backups, MFA, patching, alert monitoring |
| Managed detection and response (MDR) | Often $10–$50 / device / month on top | People watching and responding to threats around the clock |
| Security risk assessment | $1,500–$10,000 one time | Finds your biggest gaps and gives a fix list |
| Penetration test | $4,000–$25,000+ | Ethical hackers try to break in; often required by clients or insurers |
| Security awareness training | $2–$10 / user / month | Phishing simulations and short training |
| Cyber insurance | Commonly $1,000–$5,000 / year for small businesses | Pays for recovery; insurers now require MFA and backups |
Ranges are typical US market prices in 2026 for small and mid-sized businesses. They vary by provider, region and scope, and they are not CasperB2B's prices.
What to buy first
- Multi-factor sign-in on email and banking. Cheap or free, and it stops most account takeovers.
- Backups you have tested. Backups are what let you recover from ransomware without paying. See backup and recovery.
- Endpoint protection and updates on every computer, managed centrally.
- Email filtering and phishing training, because most attacks start with an email.
- An assessment once the basics are in place, to find what you missed.
How it compares to the cost of a breach
For a small business, a breach means downtime, recovery work, notification costs and lost customers, and it often costs far more than years of protection. Our article on the cost of a data breach for a small business breaks it down, and is my business too small to hack? explains why small companies are targets.
CasperB2B provides small business cybersecurity services, alone or bundled with managed IT, and quotes per user on a 15-minute fit call. For the IT side, see what managed IT costs.
Cybersecurity cost questions
How much should a small business spend on cybersecurity?
Plan on roughly $20 to $100 per user per month for core protection and monitoring, plus an assessment every year or two. Regulated businesses such as healthcare, legal and finance should expect the upper end.
Is antivirus enough?
No. Antivirus misses most modern attacks, which use stolen passwords and phishing. See why antivirus isn't enough.
Is cybersecurity included in managed IT?
The basics often are: updates, endpoint protection, email filtering and backups. Round-the-clock monitoring, training, assessments and compliance work are frequently extra.
Do I need a penetration test?
If a client, insurer or regulation asks for one, yes. Otherwise start with an assessment and the basics; a penetration test is most useful once those are in place.
Does cyber insurance replace security?
No. Insurers now require MFA, backups and endpoint protection before they will cover you, and they may refuse claims if the controls were missing.
What does HIPAA compliance cost a small practice?
It varies with size, but expect a risk assessment, written policies, staff training and secure email and backups. Bundled with managed IT, the monthly cost is usually at the higher end of the ranges above.
What is the cheapest thing that helps most?
Turning on multi-factor sign-in for email, banking and your main business apps. It costs little or nothing and blocks the most common attacks.
Before you book
Common concerns, answered
“We're too small to be a target.”
Small businesses get hit by the same phishing, ransomware and password attacks as big ones. Here's why size doesn't protect you.
“What will this cost me?”
You get a fixed, written quote before any work starts. Nothing begins until you've seen the full price and signed the scope. How pricing works.
“I don't have time to manage another project.”
You don't have to. It's done for you: we build, set up and run it. See exactly what we handle.
“Will I actually reach a person?”
Yes. Founder Jared Casper reviews every new request and you get a personal reply within 1 business day. Or call or text 1-207-222-7737.
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Cybersecurity services
Small business cybersecurity services: a risk review of access, email, devices and backups, then MFA, EDR and tested backups. Request a…
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Cyber risk quiz
Free small business cyber risk assessment: answer 5 questions on remote access, backups, phishing, updates and IT management to see your risk profile.
Read next
The True Cost of a Data Breach for a Small Local Business
The real cost of a data breach for a small business: ransom, IT cleanup, downtime, legal liability and lost trust.
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