September 24, 2025
Dive into the insights from a captivating episode of the One Step Beyond Cyber Podcast, hosted by our Founder and CEO, Scott Kreisberg. To suit your preference, we've transcribed the key takeaways into this blog post. If you prefer to watch the video version, the full podcast episode is linked at the end of the intro for your convenience. Podcast clips have been included following each section.
Today, many small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) are still below the “cybersecurity poverty line.” They struggle with tight budgets, reactive strategies, and a lack of talent or tools.
The cybersecurity poverty line (CPL) splits organizations into two groups. One group can achieve a strong security posture, while the other cannot. Wendy Nather, former Head of Advisory CISOs at Cisco, first used the term in 2011. The idea shows that security problems often come from more than just not having enough money.
Organizations below the line typically face insufficient IT budgets, limited expertise, or a lack of influence within leadership. This includes different types of organizations.
- Schools with limited funding.
- Small and medium businesses without security teams.
- Underfunded IT departments in state and local government.
But the problem doesn’t stop there. Even well-established companies with low profits can feel stuck. This includes industries where safety is more important than security, such as aviation and healthcare. It also applies to businesses that do not have control over their supply chain.
Like economic poverty, cyber poverty is complex. Adding more money or free help won't change the result. These problems include poor technology design, weak market incentives, and incorrect cultural views on security. The result: many organizations remain vulnerable, even when they appear to be “investing” in cybersecurity.
As Scott explained, “Throwing money at cybersecurity won’t save you if your people aren’t trained, if your processes are broken, and your strategy is reactive instead of resilient.”
Defense in Depth: Why Layers Matter More Than Ever
Tim Derrickson, CISSP and One Step Secure IT Director of IT & Security Services, emphasized that the fundamentals matter most. Many businesses overlook important steps like patch management, endpoint detection and response (EDR/MDR), and multifactor authentication (MFA). These measures can be the key to preventing problems instead of facing a crisis.
That’s where Defense in Depth (DiD) comes in. DiD is a method that protects data, networks, and systems. It uses several layers of security that work together.
Each layer helps slow down attackers. It also finds intrusions and stops harmful activities. This happens before they reach important business assets. The goal is resilience: if one layer fails, another is ready to catch the threat.
Traditional security models rely on the idea of a "fortress wall." This wall protected everything inside the network from outside attackers. However, remote work, cloud use, and advanced phishing tactics change that assumption.
Think of Defense in Depth like a medieval castle. Castles weren’t defended by just one wall. They had moats, high towers, guards on patrol, and fallback positions inside the walls. Even if attackers breached the first layer, each additional barrier gave defenders more time and more opportunities to respond.
Your IT environment works the same way. Instead of moats and drawbridges, you rely on patching, MFA, endpoint protection, encryption, monitoring, and backups. Together, these layers create redundancy. If one fails, the others give your business the breathing room to respond before damage spreads.
As Tim Derrickson noted, “You can buy the latest and greatest, but without patching or monitoring, you’re still wide open.”
The Human Factor: Fear, Budgets, and Misconceptions
For many SMBs, the challenge is as much emotional as it is technical. Leaders balancing payroll and growth often feel IT security is “for the large corporations.” That mindset leaves them vulnerable until a crisis forces action; often after a business email compromise or ransomware attack.
Scott compared this to home maintenance: "If the roof leaks, you fix it before the whole house suffers. Cyber hygiene works the same way: ignore the basics, and small cracks can become catastrophic failures."
Education and awareness remain the most powerful tools, as Tim explained, “Ignorance is the opposite of education. Once you understand why security matters, you’re better able to protect your business.”
Above vs. Below the Poverty Line
So, what does it actually look like when an organization operates below or above the cybersecurity poverty line? The contrast often comes down to the fundamentals: technology, tools, and information.
| ASPECT | BELOW THE POVERTY LINE | ABOVE THE POVERTY LINE |
| Technology |
Relies on older devices with outdated security and limited patching. Organizations stretch IT resources thin, and they experience inconsistent networks that rely on unsecured personal devices. |
Maintains up-to-date hardware and software, making it easier to apply patches and updates. Stable, business-grade networks ensure consistency and security. |
| Security Tools |
Budgets restrict access to quality tools. Free or low-cost services create a false sense of safety. Firewalls and antivirus may be present but misconfigured or unmonitored. |
Invest in layered protections such as MDR/EDR, advanced anti-malware, secure networking tools, and well-configured firewalls. All of these are supported by active monitoring. |
| Information & Training |
Knowledge is often informal, based on word-of-mouth or ad hoc fixes. Employees may not be trained on phishing, MFA, or safe practices. |
Provides structured training, reliable threat intelligence, and consistent awareness programs through workplace initiatives or expert partners. |
Operating above the cybersecurity poverty line doesn’t mean perfection—it means preparation. Businesses that invest in layered defenses, employee training, and incident response planning sleep easier knowing recovery is possible.
For Scott and Tim, the difference comes down to one shift: moving from reactive firefighting to proactive planning. As Scott concluded, “Cybersecurity isn’t just about how much you spend. It’s about what you prioritize, how you lead, and who you trust to guide you.”
Key Takeaways
- The cybersecurity poverty line isn’t just about money. Budget matters, but so do expertise, influence, and the ability to execute the basics well.
- Organizations below the line are reactive. Outdated technology, misconfigured tools, and informal training leave them vulnerable.
- Organizations above the line are proactive. They apply a Defense in Depth strategy, layering protections while training people to recognize and respond to risks.
- Education is the ultimate game-changer. Awareness and practical survival strategies help businesses make the most of what they have.
- Resilience is the goal. Resilience is the goal. Moving above the line means having confidence. When an incident happens, your organization can recover.
The bigger message: cybersecurity poverty is solvable. By taking small, careful steps, layer by layer and quarter by quarter, SMBs can improve their situation. This helps reduce fear and uncertainty and protects their future.
Tune in to the One Step Beyond Cyber Podcast on:
BuzzSprouts | Spotify | Apple Podcast | Amazon Music | YouTube
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