“But We Already Have IT…” — Why That’s Not the Same as Cybersecurity

IT and Cybersecurity Teams should be perceived as complementary.

Every so often, I’ll start a conversation with a small business owner about cybersecurity. Before I can finish my sentence, I hear:

“Oh, we’re good — our IT guy handles that.”

It’s a response I’ve heard more times than I can count. Usually said with a polite smile, sometimes with a little impatience, and almost always with a quick change of subject.

It’s a bit like telling your dentist, “Thanks, but I already have a barber.” Both are important. Both work around your head. But you really don’t want one doing the other’s job.

Why the Confusion Happens

To be fair, IT and cybersecurity do sound like cousins. Both involve computers, networks, and jargon that makes most people’s eyes glaze over. And for a small business owner, the guy (or gal) who sets up the Wi-Fi, fixes printers, and resets passwords must surely be the same one keeping hackers out. Right?

Not exactly.

IT vs. Cybersecurity: The Short Version

• IT (Information Technology) is about keeping the lights on. Devices work. Email flows. Data is stored and backed up. It’s the operational side of technology.

• Cybersecurity is about keeping the bad guys out. Detecting threats. Responding to incidents. Protecting sensitive data from being stolen, encrypted, or manipulated. It’s defense and risk management, not just operations.

  
  

To borrow another analogy: IT is the builder who installs doors and windows. Cybersecurity is the guard who locks them, checks IDs, and sounds the alarm if someone climbs in through the window.

Both roles are critical. But they are not the same.

Why “Ignorance is Bliss” (Until It Isn’t)

I get it — cybersecurity can feel overwhelming. Headlines scream about ransomware, phishing, and data breaches. Regulators are asking about compliance frameworks you’ve never heard of. Insurance companies want proof you’re doing things right before they’ll even write a policy.

So, when someone says, “IT handles that,” it’s a form of comfort. An easy way to tuck cybersecurity under the same umbrella and move on.

But here’s the catch:

• Hackers don’t care if you’re small.

• Regulators don’t care if you thought IT was handling it.

• Your customers do care if their data leaks.

And when something happens, the difference between “we had IT” and “we had cybersecurity” becomes painfully obvious.

The Overlap (and Why It Matters)

Now, I’m not throwing shade at IT pros. Many are talented, dedicated, and genuinely want the best for their clients. In fact, a strong IT foundation makes cybersecurity easier to implement.

But most IT shops are not equipped (or staffed) to do:

• 24/7 threat detection and response

• Security awareness training and phishing simulations

• Compliance readiness (CMMC, HIPAA, PCI, etc.)

• Incident response planning and tabletop exercises

• Proactive vulnerability management

Those aren’t “keep the lights on” tasks. They’re protect your livelihood from disaster tasks.

A Whimsical Reality Check

Imagine this scenario:

• Your IT person sets up your shiny new server. ✔️

• They make sure it’s patched. ✔️

• They set up your backups. ✔️

Great! That’s IT doing IT things.

Now, meanwhile:

• A hacker sends a phishing email that tricks your bookkeeper.

• That email installs ransomware.

• The ransomware spreads across the network in minutes.

At this point, the question isn’t “Is the printer working?” It’s “How do we stop the bleeding, recover our data, and notify customers without going out of business?”

That’s cybersecurity.

So What Should Small Businesses Do?

1. Acknowledge the gap. IT and cybersecurity are partners, not duplicates. One doesn’t replace the other.

2. Ask better questions. Instead of “Do we have IT covered?” ask “Who is monitoring for cyber threats, and how?”

3. Start small. You don’t need a Fortune 500 budget. Simple steps — MFA, security awareness training, endpoint protection — can dramatically reduce your risk.

4. Engage experts. Just like you wouldn’t ask your barber to do a root canal, don’t expect IT alone to handle cybersecurity.

   
   

Wrapping Up

Cybersecurity isn’t about fearmongering. It’s about protecting the business you’ve worked so hard to build. The reality is that “we already have IT” doesn’t mean you already have cybersecurity.

The good news? You don’t have to choose one or the other. With the right approach, IT and cybersecurity can work hand in hand, giving you the reliability you expect and the protection you need.

So next time someone asks you about cybersecurity, resist the urge to say, “IT handles that.” Instead, think of it as a chance to say, “Yes, IT keeps us running. Cybersecurity keeps us safe.”

Written for small business owners who deserve peace of mind — and maybe a gentle smile when they realize their barber isn’t their dentist.