Defense Note

In an increasingly digital world, it’s no surprise that cybercrimes are on the
rise. The financial toll on businesses is also skyrocketing. A 2022 IBM report
shows that the average cost of a data breach in the U.S. is $9.4 million.
These high financial stakes are driving big demand for cybersecurity services.
Large companies have the budget to hire cybersecurity staff. But small and
midsized businesses typically can’t afford full-time cybersecurity employees.
This is where your cybersecurity expertise can turn into a successful security
solutions business.
You can help protect these smaller companies from cyber risks like data
breaches, cyberattacks, malware, phishing scams, and other digital threats.
According to data from PayScale, businesses are paying $150 per hour or
more for experienced cybersecurity consultants to help defend systems and
networks from cybercrime.
If you’re thinking of starting a cybersecurity firm, you can apply your skills and
grab a piece of this profitable market. But first, you should follow these steps
to lay the groundwork for a successful business.
Get the right professional certifications
Before someone will hire you, they need to trust you to get the job done right.
A bachelor’s degree in information technology, computer science, or a similar
field is a good indicator you have the skill set to start a cybersecurity or
ITrelated business.
But degrees don’t provide the real-world experience clients crave.
Certifications offer another way to build your credibility and signal your skills
are practical and relevant.
Here are some of the most popular cybersecurity certifications available:
Certified Ethical Hacker Certification: The EC-Council issues this certification to
cybersecurity professionals who test networks or systems and look for
security weaknesses. The exam costs $100, consists of 125 questions, and
takes about four hours to complete.
GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC): This certification is offered by
Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC) and validates the
information security knowledge of IT professionals. The test takes about five
hours to complete, covers 180 test questions, and costs $150.
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP): (ISC)² issues the
CISSP, which shows your ability to design, implement, and maintain an
effective cybersecurity program and security systems. The test has a
maximum of 150 questions, takes three hours, and costs $699.
Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP): The (ISC)² also issues this
certification, which shows potential clients that you have the skills to design,
maintain, and secure cloud data, applications, and infrastructure. This exam
costs $599, consists of 125 questions, and takes four hours to complete.
CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CompTIA CySA+): The CompTIA CySA+ exam
assesses candidates’ threat detection skills, ability to analyze and interpret
data, and ability to find security issues. The test takes a little under three
hours, consists of up to 85 questions, and costs $359.
ISACA's Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT): The CGEIT
certification demonstrates test-takers’ ability to audit, control, and secure
information systems. For non-ISACA members, the exam costs $760, but ISACA
members pay $575. The exam takes four hours and is 150 questions long.
ISACA’s Certified Information Security Manager (CISM): ISACA also issues the
CISM. This certification conveys that you have the technical expertise to
manage information systems and IT security. The test costs $760 for
nonmembers and $575 for members. It consists of 150 questions and takes
four hours to complete.
While skills and certifications are critical, they are just one element of a
successful strategy for starting a cybersecurity business. You must also create
a business plan and set it in motion.
Develop a business plan tailored to
cybersecurity
A business plan provides a basic blueprint for your business. It should outline
your company’s structure, strategy, objectives, budget, and more. The U.S.
Small Business Administration (SBA) has compiled these useful guidelines for
what your business plan should include:
An executive summary that summarizes what your cybersecurity business is
and why it will be successful
A detailed description of your company
A competitive market analysis to define your target market and identify
your competitors, which may be dedicated cybersecurity consultants or
providers of general IT services
A legal structure for your business
The products or services you plan to offer
Your marketing and sales strategy
Your funding/budget plan
Financial projections of when your company will reach profitability
Let’s take a closer look at some of the key components of this business plan.
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Define your target market and analyze it
Early on, you need to choose the focus of your cybersecurity business.
Some businesses opt to become an authority for a certain field or industry.
For example, do you want to target a specific industry, such as finance or
healthcare?
Others choose to present themselves in a particular area of cybersecurity.
They may want to be known for their deep knowledge of access control or
network security regardless of industry.
This decision should be based on your skill set, but also on a market analysis.
If you know the competition, you can identify potential opportunities.
Inc. has identified these critical questions to help you evaluate the
competition:
Who are your current competitors?
What are your competitors’ strengths and weaknesses?
How are you different from the competition?
How can you take market share away from competitors?
How might competitors react when you enter the market?
You can also run through a SWOT exercise, which stands for strengths,
weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. This is a tried-and-true method for
assessing a company, product, or service in the marketplace. It's like a risk
assessment for your new cybersecurity solutions.
After choosing a focus and evaluating the competition, you must decide on a
legal structure for your business

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In an increasingly digital world, it’s no surprise that cybercrimes are on the

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