5 Questions to Ask Your Cybersecurity Consulting Firms Before You Hire

Posted September 18, 2018

In Managed IT Service Providers, Managed IT Services, Managed Network Services, Managed Service Provider, Managed Services

There’s no denying that cybercrime is on the rise. The ever-increasing threat and acuity of those who wish to
hack or harm your private networks should be reason enough to work with cybersecurity consulting firms.
While keeping an in-house IT expert makes sense when it comes to running hardware and software, most do
not have the know-how that you’ll get from those trained in the field of cybersecurity. Sometimes, an antivirus
just isn’t enough to keep you safe.

When seeking out the perfect cybersecurity consulting firm for your business, it’s important to ask the right
questions. With the massive amount of tech jargon and technological advances, it can be difficult to parse out
who’s qualified and who’s just talking up a big game without the products to deliver.
We’ve compiled a list of a few questions that can help you get a better feel for what the firm is offering:

How do you determine my company’s most significant security risk?

The best cybersecurity firm is one that tailors the product to fit your needs. Too often, the focus is on a one-
size-fits-all piece of hardware or software that doesn’t adapt to changes in your network usage.
Great cybersecurity consulting firms are willing to put together tools together into customized solutions. If the
firm doesn’t talk about analyzing real-time data for vulnerabilities, they’re not the right fit for you.

What is required of my company and me?

Cybersecurity requires a working relationship between the business and the consulting firm. Often, the more
that they expect of you on the front end, the more thorough of a job they’re doing. That also helps you decide if
you’re willing to put the time and energy into working with the firm.

What kind of training do you offer?

The last thing that you want is for a cybersecurity firm to come in, establish rules and boundaries, then put the burden on you to train your employees in network safety and policy. The cybersecurity consulting firms that you want to work with are willing to provide training on the new technology and advise you on implementing policy necessary to keep your network safe.

What experience do you have with companies similar to mine?

This goes back to the “one-size-fits-all” approach that some consulting firms use. The security measures (and
budget) for a small company is going to be very different than those for a business with 1,000 employees. Be
sure that the firm you hire has experience working with companies similar to yours, and that they have been
successful in the past protecting those companies.

What is your average response time when something goes wrong?

Even the best firms are going to have things slip through the cracks sometimes. Adaptive technology does its
best to keep up with security threats, but it’s no match for human creativity. When something does happen–
whether a hacking attempt, a virus, or any other threat– it’s important to know how soon the problem will be
fixed. The longer the problem exists, the more vulnerable you become.

Verus Corp is more than happy to answer all of these questions and more. When you make the decision to
work with a cybersecurity consulting firm, you are making a choice to protect your data and your assets from
potential harm. We want to help you do that with confidence.

Kyle Vinar

Kyle Vinar is Partner / President of Verus Corporation. He oversees all business operations and coaches Verus teams to continually improve on their solutions from client experience to product development and overall solution implementation. He works with all Verus resources to increase efficiencies and excellence in every aspect of their organizational roles. Kyle believes that people are the last real competitive edge that a company can have and constructing a rich culture is a vital step in running a world-class organization. Therefore he strives to create a culture within Verus that allows everyone to show up authentically and grow both personally and professionally, which in turn allows Verus Corp team members to provide clients with top-of-the-line service. Kyle helps balance strategy, capacity, and culture in such a way that has allowed Verus Corp to achieve exponential growth since he joined the company in 2013. One of Kyle’s greatest professional achievements has been in helping lay the foundation upon which Verus Corporation could be named the 2nd Best Place to Work by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal. Kyle holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from St. Cloud State University. He lives in Champlin with his wife and 3 children. He has enjoyed volunteering as a soccer coach for over 6 years and was the former Director of Coaching for Rebels Soccer Club. If Kyle isn’t on the sidelines of one of his children’s soccer games or in the audience of his eldest’s musicals, he can often be found cruising scenic routes on his Harley, in a deer stand, or on the golf course.