If you’re like most growing companies, especially in the defense or tech sectors, you’ve probably asked this question at some point:
“Do we need to bring in a third-party cybersecurity partner? Or can we handle this ourselves?”
It’s a fair question. After all, cybersecurity isn’t new. You likely already have IT support, some security tools, and policies in place. However, as requirements evolve and threats become more sophisticated, many companies underestimate what’s involved.
In this article, we’ll walk through when it makes sense to handle cybersecurity in-house, when it doesn’t, and how to decide whether a third-party partner is right for you.
What a Third-Party Cybersecurity Partner Does
First, let’s clarify: a cybersecurity partner is not just another IT vendor or help desk provider. The best third-party cybersecurity partners provide:
In short, they offer strategic and technical leadership to help you meet real-world security and compliance demands.
When In-House Might Be Enough
If your organization meets these criteria, you may not need external support (yet):
- You have a dedicated, full-time security team with compliance experience.
- You’ve already implemented a documented and audited control framework.
- Your systems and infrastructure are relatively simple (one environment, low volume of sensitive data)
- You’re not currently pursuing government contracts or regulated work.
- You conduct regular security reviews and have an incident response plan in place.
If that’s you, your in-house setup may be sufficient for now. But most growing companies don’t check all those boxes.
Warning Signs You Need Outside Support
Here are some signs that it’s time to bring in a third-party cybersecurity partner:
1. You’re Preparing for a Government Contract
If your contract includes DFARS, CMMC, or other federal clauses, you will need documentation, technical controls, and proof of compliance beyond antivirus software.
2. You Don’t Know Your Security Posture
If no one can clearly explain your current risks, how controls are enforced, or what your incident response process looks like, you have blind spots. Attackers love blind spots.
3. Your IT Team Is Already Overloaded
Most in-house IT teams are focused on user support, keeping systems running, and putting out fires. Expecting them to stay on top of evolving compliance standards, threat intelligence, and risk frameworks is unrealistic.
4. You’ve Had a Breach or Near Miss
A ransomware scare, phishing incident, or failed audit is often the wake-up call that DIY cybersecurity isn’t enough.
5. You’re Scaling Fast
Growth is great. However, gaps will appear if your systems, vendors, and users expand faster than your security program. A partner helps ensure security scales with your business.
How Third-Party Partners Add Value
Third-party cybersecurity partners aren’t just extra hands. They’re a force multiplier.
They help you:
They also bring tools, templates, and repeatable processes that save you time and budget.
Final Thought
Cybersecurity isn’t something you can afford to take lightly. Especially if you’re working in the federal space, handling sensitive data, or growing rapidly.
The question isn’t whether you could handle it yourself, it’s whether doing so is the best use of your team, your time, and your resources.
At Black Rock Engineering & Technology, we work with businesses across the defense and tech sectors to deliver cybersecurity support that’s right-sized, strategic, and aligned with where you’re headed.
Want to know if a cybersecurity partner is the right next step?
Schedule a quick call and we’ll help you figure it out. No pressure, just perspective.