What SMBs Want in a Cybersecurity Vendor

In a new Bredin survey of 600 U.S. SMB decision-makers, 47% cite total cost as an important factor when choosing a cybersecurity provider, making it the top consideration overall. Cost matters much less as businesses grow, however. It’s important to 48% of very small businesses and only 23% of midsize ones. Larger SMBs instead put more weight on cybersecurity expertise, reputation, and experience working with businesses their size. Ease of use is a priority for every segment, especially the smallest businesses (39%).

What SMBs consider when choosing a cybersecurity provider

How priorities shift by company size

• Very small businesses (1–19 employees) focus on price and simplicity. Total cost (48%) and ease of use (39%) top their list. Only 8% care whether a provider has experience with businesses their size.
• Small businesses (20–99 employees) still put cost first (38%). Their other priorities are spread evenly: ease of use (25%), cybersecurity expertise (22%), reputation (17%), and experience with similar-sized firms (17%).
• Midsize businesses (100–1,000 employees) weigh several factors almost equally. Ease of use (29%), cybersecurity expertise (26%), and experience with businesses their size (24%) edge out total cost and reputation (23% each).
• Cost matters less as companies grow. It falls from 48% among very small businesses to 23% among midsize ones.
• Relevant experience matters more as companies grow. Experience with businesses their size triples, from 8% to 24%.

For the information SMBs want early in the buying process, see The Information SMB Cybersecurity Buyers Want Most.

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