Why SMBs Are the Primary Target
The UK Government's Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2024 found that 50% of businesses experienced a cyber breach or attack. But it is SMBs that suffer disproportionately: Verizon's 2024 DBIR found that 43% of breaches target small businesses, while 60% of small businesses that suffer a significant cyber attack close within six months according to the US National Cyber Security Alliance. The reason is simple — SMBs hold valuable data (customer records, financial information, intellectual property) but lack the dedicated security teams and budgets of enterprises. Attackers know this and target accordingly.
Layer 1: Endpoint Protection (Coro)
Your first layer must protect every device that touches your data. Traditional antivirus is not enough — you need endpoint detection and response (EDR) that uses AI to detect unknown threats, not just signature-matched known malware. Coro provides unified endpoint protection covering EDR, email security, network security, and data governance in a single platform. It handles 95% of incidents automatically, which is critical for SMBs without a dedicated SOC. Coro protects Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android from a single console, and its AI-driven detection means you are not waiting for signature updates to catch new threats.
Layer 2: Attack Surface Management (Hadrian)
You cannot protect what you cannot see. Shadow IT, forgotten subdomains, exposed cloud storage, and misconfigured services are the entry points attackers look for first. Hadrian provides continuous, automated attack surface management — it discovers all of your internet-facing assets and tests them for vulnerabilities 24/7. Unlike annual penetration tests that show where you were vulnerable last year, Hadrian shows where you are vulnerable right now. It prioritises findings by actual exploitability, not theoretical CVSS scores, so you fix what matters first.
Layer 3: Anti Data Exfiltration (BlackFog)
This is the layer most SMBs are missing entirely. Layers 1 and 2 focus on keeping threats out and detecting them if they get in. Layer 3 ensures that even if an attacker bypasses everything else, they cannot extract your data. BlackFog's ADX technology monitors all outbound data flows on every endpoint and blocks unauthorised transfers in real time. With 93% of ransomware attacks now involving data exfiltration, this is the layer that prevents a security incident from becoming a data breach — and a data breach from becoming a regulatory catastrophe.
Layer 4: Third-Party Risk (Panorays)
Your security is only as strong as your weakest vendor. The MOVEit breach proved this: thousands of organisations were compromised through a single supplier's vulnerability. Panorays provides automated, continuous third-party risk management. It assesses your suppliers' security posture, monitors for changes, and alerts you when a vendor's risk profile deteriorates. For SMBs that lack the resources to conduct manual vendor audits at scale, Panorays replaces annual questionnaires with real-time risk intelligence.
Layer 5: Managed Security (Kyanite Blue)
Tools are only as effective as the team operating them. Most SMBs cannot afford a dedicated security team — the average UK security analyst salary exceeds 55,000 pounds, and you need several for 24/7 coverage. A managed security provider like Kyanite Blue deploys, configures, monitors, and responds across all four technology layers. We handle the daily operations so your team can focus on running the business. Our assessment starts with a free 30-day BlackFog data exfiltration assessment that shows exactly what data is leaving your network today.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a cybersecurity stack cost for an SMB?
A managed cybersecurity stack from Kyanite Blue typically costs significantly less than a single full-time security hire. The exact cost depends on the number of users and endpoints. Contact us for a quote — the BlackFog assessment is free.
Do I need all five layers?
Each layer addresses a different part of the attack lifecycle. Endpoint protection alone leaves you blind to attack surface exposures, supply chain risk, and data exfiltration. We recommend all five layers for comprehensive protection, but we can prioritise based on your risk profile and budget.
What if I already have antivirus?
Traditional antivirus uses signature-based detection, which means it can only catch known threats. Modern attacks use zero-day vulnerabilities, AI-generated malware, and living-off-the-land techniques that bypass signatures entirely. Coro's AI-driven platform detects threats based on behaviour, not signatures.
How long does deployment take?
BlackFog deploys in minutes per device. Coro and Hadrian can typically be fully operational within one to two weeks. Panorays begins assessing your third-party ecosystem immediately after onboarding. Full stack deployment is usually complete within 30 days.