Why Your IT Person May Not Be Enough: The Critical Difference Between IT and Cybersecurity
In the final installment of our April series on dangerous cybersecurity myths, we explain why having an IT department doesn't automatically mean you're secure.
"Hello! Your files have been stolen and encrypted. All you need to do is pay."
This was the chilling message that greeted a local business owner as they walked into their office one morning. Despite having an in-house IT person who they assumed was handling security, their entire system had been compromised.
The forensics investigation revealed a troubling timeline:
- Initial breach occurred nearly a year earlier
- Security alerts had been going to a folder that no one monitored
- Weak passwords were being used across critical systems
- Backups existed but were unusable because no one had the encryption key
This cautionary tale illustrates one of the most dangerous myths in business cybersecurity: "I have an IT person/department that handles my cybersecurity."
IT and Cybersecurity: Related But Fundamentally Different
Think of the relationship between IT and cybersecurity like general medicine and cardiology. While both disciplines involve healthcare, you wouldn't want your family doctor performing open-heart surgery.
IT professionals excel at:
- Keeping systems operational
- Installing and configuring software
- Troubleshooting technical issues
- Managing network infrastructure
Cybersecurity professionals focus on:
- Identifying and mitigating security threats
- Implementing defensive controls
- Monitoring for suspicious activity
- Responding to security incidents
- Staying current on evolving attack methods
The Anatomy of a Breach: When IT Expertise Isn't Enough
Let's revisit our earlier example. The forensic investigation revealed that security alerts had been going to multiple people for months, but no one was checking them because they went to a "security folder" that no one monitored.
When the company discovered the breach, their internal IT team started restoring systems, unaware that attackers still had complete access. This actually overwrote critical evidence and allowed the criminals to maintain their foothold.
The timeline was devastating:
- Initial breach occurred 11 months before detection
- For nearly a year, attackers quietly extracted confidential company and customer data
- This data was sold on the dark web to a second criminal gang
- The second criminal group executed the actual ransomware attack
- Inadequate backup procedures left critical systems unrecoverable
Five Warning Signs Your IT Coverage Leaves You Vulnerable
- No dedicated security monitoring: Security tools generate alerts, but someone must actively monitor and respond to them
- Outdated systems remain in use: Legacy software and older operating systems create security gaps
- No formal security policies: Without documented procedures, security becomes inconsistent and reactive
- Lack of regular security testing: Without penetration testing and security assessments, vulnerabilities remain undiscovered
- No incident response plan: When (not if) a breach occurs, every minute without a plan increases the damage
The Military Approach to Cybersecurity
At IT Architeks, a leading Managed IT Service Provider in Frisco Tx, our veteran-owned team approaches cybersecurity with the same disciplined, multi-layered defense strategy we applied in military operations when we served our country in uniform.
Our comprehensive small business cybersecurity solution includes eight core protections working together as a unified defense system:
- SaaS Backups for Email: Ensuring critical communications remain recoverable
- EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response): Providing real-time threat monitoring and response
- Email Security with Spam Filtering: Blocking the most common attack vector
- Remote Monitoring and Patch Management: Ensuring systems remain current and protected
- Security Password Management: Eliminating the risk of weak credentials
- Multi-Factor Authentication: Adding an essential second verification layer
- Employee Training with Phishing Simulation: Transforming your team into a human firewall
- Help Desk Support: Providing expert assistance when you need it
The Cost of Waiting
The average small business breach now costs $108,000—but the true cost often extends far beyond financial impact:
- Lost customer trust
- Damaged reputation
- Business interruption
- Regulatory penalties
- Legal liability
When you compare this to the cost of proper cybersecurity protection, the investment becomes obvious.
Making the Transition to True Security
If you rely solely on IT support for security, you're not alone—it's one of the most common gaps we find. But recognizing this vulnerability is the first step toward addressing it.
As we conclude our series on dangerous security myths, remember:
- You're not too small to be targeted
- Your cloud data isn't automatically protected
- IT support isn't the same as cybersecurity expertise
Ready to see exactly where your security stands? Contact IT Architeks, top Cybersecurity Provider in Frisco Tx, today for a complimentary cyber strategy session—our veteran-led team will help you identify vulnerabilities before criminals do.








