What Happens When You Call Pragmatic Security: The Honest Answer to Every Question We Get Asked.

How much does it cost?

That's often the first question we hear. And the honest answer is: it depends. But that isn't a dodge. The cost of engaging a cybersecurity partner is directly related to the size and complexity of your business, the level of risk you face, and the specific outcomes you need to achieve. A small retail business in Sligo will have a different risk profile to a mid-sized fintech company in Dublin, and the solutions will differ accordingly. We don't sell off-the-shelf packages because cybersecurity isn't a one-size-fits-all problem.

Instead, we provide a tailored proposal after our initial free strategy call. This proposal outlines a clear scope of work, specific deliverables, and a fixed price for the engagement. There are no hidden fees or surprise charges. You see the full cost upfront, allowing you to make an informed decision without pressure. Our goal is to provide clarity, not to obscure pricing in complex contracts.

Do I Really Need This?

The short answer is, almost certainly, yes. In 2023, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) of Ireland recorded a significant increase in reported incidents, with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) being prime targets [1]. Cybercriminals see SMEs as soft targets because they often lack the dedicated security resources of larger corporations. They might have basic antivirus and a firewall, but they rarely have the expertise to manage the complex, evolving threat landscape.

Think of it like this: you wouldn't build a house in a flood-prone area without proper foundations and drainage. In the digital world, every business is in a flood-prone area. A cyber incident isn't just a technical problem; it's a business catastrophe. It can lead to financial loss, reputational damage, and regulatory fines. For instance, a ransomware attack on a Donegal-based logistics company in 2022 resulted in a week of operational downtime and significant recovery costs. Investing in cybersecurity isn't an expense; it's a critical business continuity measure.

Can't My IT Provider Do This?

This is a common and understandable question. Your IT provider is an essential partner, responsible for keeping your systems running, managing your network, and providing technical support. They are experts in IT operations. However, cybersecurity is a distinct and highly specialised field. It requires a different skillset, a different mindset, and a different set of tools.

An IT provider’s primary focus is on availability and performance—making sure you can access your data and applications. A cybersecurity expert’s primary focus is on confidentiality, integrity, and availability—protecting your data from unauthorised access, ensuring it isn't tampered with, and making sure it's available when you need it. The table below highlights the key differences:

Your IT provider is your GP; your cybersecurity partner is your heart surgeon. You need both, but for different reasons. A good cybersecurity partner works with your IT provider, not against them. We provide the strategic direction and specialised expertise, and they help implement the necessary technical controls. It’s a partnership designed to provide comprehensive protection.

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Not sure where your business stands on cyber risk? Download the Irish SME Cyber Survival Guide — a free, plain-English guide to the 10 controls every Irish business needs. No jargon, no sales pitch.

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How Long Does It Take?

The timeline for an engagement varies, but our process is designed for efficiency and clarity. The first step is always the free 20-minute strategy call. This is a no-obligation conversation where we learn about your business, your concerns, and your goals. We don't do a hard sales pitch. We listen.

After that call, if we both agree there's a good fit, we move to the next stage. This typically involves a more in-depth risk assessment, which can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the size of your organisation. From there, we develop a strategic roadmap with clear priorities. Some actions will be immediate quick wins, while others will be part of a longer-term plan.

Our aim is to deliver tangible security improvements within the first 90 days. We focus on the most critical risks first, ensuring you get the maximum return on your investment as quickly as possible. This isn't a never-ending project; it's a structured engagement with a clear beginning, middle, and end.

What If I'm Not Ready?

Feeling unready is a normal reaction. The world of cybersecurity can seem overwhelming, filled with technical jargon and frightening headlines. Many business owners we speak to in places like Sligo and across the northwest feel they are too small to be a target, or that the cost of security is out of reach. This is often where analysis paralysis sets in, and the decision to do nothing becomes the default choice.

But doing nothing is the most dangerous choice of all. The threat is real. The Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau regularly issues warnings about the very real threats facing Irish businesses [2]. The good news is that you don't have to solve everything at once. The first step is simply to understand your risk. That’s it. You don’t need to be a technical expert or have a big budget to have a conversation.

Our process is designed to meet you where you are. We explain the risks in plain English and help you prioritise the actions that matter most. The most important step is the first one: starting the conversation. You are not expected to be an expert. That's our job. We provide the map and the compass; you just need to be willing to take the first step on the journey.

What a Typical Engagement Looks Like

A typical engagement with Pragmatic Security follows a clear, three-phase process. First, we Assess. This involves a deep dive into your current security posture, identifying vulnerabilities and quantifying your specific risks. We look at your technical controls, your policies and procedures, and your people. This phase culminates in a detailed report that outlines your risk profile in clear, business-friendly terms.

Second, we Advise. Based on the assessment, we build a strategic roadmap. This isn't a generic checklist; it's a prioritised plan of action tailored to your budget and business objectives. We work with you to define what success looks like and establish clear metrics for measuring progress. This roadmap becomes our shared plan for improving your security posture over time.

Finally, we Act. This is where we roll up our sleeves and get to work. This might involve developing new security policies, training your staff, working with your IT provider to implement new technical controls, or managing your security programme on an ongoing basis as a virtual CISO. We handle the heavy lifting, providing regular updates and ensuring the plan is executed effectively.

Related Reading

• CyFUN, Cyber Essentials, Cyber Essentials Plus, and the Essential 8: A Complete Small Business Guide
• The Cybersecurity Conversation Every Donegal Business Owner Should Have With Their IT Provider.
• Patch Tuesday: Why Ignoring Software Updates Is the Most Expensive Mistake You Can Make.

Ready to find out exactly where your business stands? Book a free 20-minute strategy call with our vCISO team at pragmaticsecurity.ie/book-a-call. No sales pitch. No jargon. Just clarity on your cyber risk — and a clear plan to address it.

References

[1] NCSC Ireland Annual Report 2023 [2] Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau