Which companies provide cybersecurity services as part of IT support?

Short answer: a lot of them. Long answer: not all in the same way, and not all are right for your business. If you run a UK company with 10–200 staff, the question isn’t just which companies offer cybersecurity as part of IT support, it’s which ones will actually reduce your risk without wasting your time or budget.

Who typically provides cybersecurity alongside IT support?

In the UK market you’ll generally find three types of providers:

• Local IT support firms — small regional teams that handle day-to-day IT, and bundle basic cyber protections (firewall management, antivirus, patching). They’re useful if you want a single point of contact and quicker, face-to-face support.
• Managed Service Providers (MSPs) — larger outfits that offer recurring services: monitoring, email filtering, backup, and some managed detection. MSPs suit businesses wanting predictable monthly costs and a more proactive approach.
• Specialist cybersecurity consultancies — firms focused purely on security: pen tests, incident response, advanced monitoring. They’re called in for projects or when you need expertise beyond what your day-to-day IT team handles.

Many companies blur the lines. An MSP might have a security team; a local IT supplier might partner with a specialist for complex tasks. In practice, your best fit depends on how much you want bundled and how much you want depth.

What services are commonly included with IT support?

When cybersecurity is part of an IT support package, expect a mix of the following — described in business terms, not tech-speak.

• Preventive measures — things that stop obvious attacks, such as managed firewalls, anti-malware, secure email filtering and regular patching of software. These reduce interruptions and protect customer data.
• Monitoring and alerting — someone watches the systems and spots unusual behaviour. The aim is early detection so a small issue doesn’t become a major outage or data breach.
• Backups and recovery — the practical ability to restore systems and data after ransomware or hardware failure. Good backups are the difference between an inconvenient morning and a week of lost revenue.
• User controls and training — managing access rights and basic staff training so employees don’t inadvertently open a door to attackers. This lowers human error, which remains the most common route in.
• Incident support — an escalation path for when things go wrong. Some providers include basic incident response; others will bring in specialists.

Note: full security programmes (24/7 SOC, threat hunting, compliance auditing) are more often sold by MSPs or security specialists rather than small local IT shops.

How do companies package these services?

Packaging tends to be one of three approaches:

• All-in-one support contract — IT support and a baseline of security included in one monthly fee. Good for predictable costs and small teams that want simplicity.
• Layered add-ons — core IT support with optional security modules (MFA, extended monitoring, phishing simulations) you can buy as needed. This works if you want to start small and scale up.
• Project-based security work — fixed-price projects for specific tasks (security audit, pen test, remediation). Useful when you need a one-off boost or compliance evidence.

Ask potential suppliers to explain where your responsibilities end and theirs begin — who handles patching, who manages backups, who deals with third-party software vulnerabilities? Clear boundaries avoid surprise bills and finger-pointing after an incident.

How much does it cost?

Prices vary widely depending on scope, location and risk profile. Expect a modest local IT support retainer to include basic antivirus and patching. For proactive monitoring, secure email and regular testing you’re likely looking at a higher monthly fee from an MSP. Specialist projects (e.g. penetration testing) are charged separately.

Think of cost in terms of outcomes: downtime avoided, data lost prevented, and reputational damage averted. A slightly higher fee for better detection and recovery can save you a lot more than you spend if things go wrong.

How to choose the right supplier

Rather than a shortlist of company names, here are practical questions to ask — questions that separate useful providers from polished sales pitches:

• What security services are included in your core IT support and what’s an extra? Ask for a simple list, not a brochure filled with acronyms.
• How do you detect and respond to incidents? You want clear timescales and responsibilities — who acts and when.
• Can you demonstrate experience with businesses of our size and sector? Local knowledge helps; different sectors attract different threats and compliance needs.
• How are backups tested? A backup that hasn’t been restored is a false comfort.
• Do you provide staff awareness support? People are the frontline defence; basic training reduces risk quickly.
• What happens if we outgrow your service — do you scale or transition cleanly? Sudden gaps in security during a supplier change are risky.

Meet people, ask for plain-English examples of past work (no client names), and trust your instincts. If a provider can’t explain what they’ll do in terms of business outcomes — reduced downtime, protected data, lower compliance risk — they’re probably too technical for your needs.

Practical next steps for UK SMEs

Start by listing your critical assets: customer records, finance systems, email. Then pick three outcomes you care about (less downtime, faster recovery, fewer phishing successes). Use those outcomes as your yardstick when talking to suppliers.

When you invite proposals, ask for a short, written summary of what they’ll deliver in plain English, expected costs, and who will be responsible day-to-day. If a supplier refuses to put it in writing, that’s a red flag.

FAQ

Can my existing IT support handle cybersecurity?

Possibly. Many local IT teams cover basic protections like antivirus and patching. But if you need proactive monitoring, compliance evidence or incident response, you’ll either need an MSP or a specialist. The right choice depends on how valuable your data is and how much downtime you can tolerate.

Should I hire a specialist for a one-off security assessment?

Yes, if you need an independent view or proof of security for regulators, insurers or a major customer. A one-off assessment highlights gaps and gives you a roadmap — but ensure someone will help implement the fixes afterwards.

How often should backups be tested?

Regularly. Quarterly is a sensible minimum for many SMEs; monthly or weekly restores are better if your data changes frequently. The key is testing restores end-to-end, not just confirming a backup file exists.

What red flags should I watch for during procurement?

Vague answers, refusal to provide written responsibilities, or suppliers who promise zero risk. Also be wary of overly complex contracts that lock you in without clear service levels. A good provider explains trade-offs and offers measurable outcomes.

Final thoughts

Which companies provide cybersecurity services as part of IT support? Lots — from local IT firms to national MSPs and security specialists. What matters more than the label is the fit for your business: clarity on responsibilities, sensible protections that reduce real risk, and a partner who communicates in plain English.

If you begin with the outcomes — less downtime, faster recovery, protected reputation — you’ll find suppliers who can deliver those benefits, not just sell jargon. A modest investment in the right support buys you time back, saves money in the long run, and gives you steady credibility with customers and partners. That’s the calm worth having.