Most 20-person companies don’t have a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). But here’s the truth: cybersecurity can’t wait until you “grow up.”
The good news? You don’t need a CISO to get started. Security is a shared responsibility — and small teams can distribute it without adding headcount.
Why ownership matters
When “nobody owns it,” security slips between the cracks:
- Expired domains go unnoticed.
- Old accounts stay active.
- Backups never get tested.
- Incidents get swept under the rug.
Ownership doesn’t mean hiring a specialist — it means making security someone’s job, even part-time.
How to share responsibility in a small team
1. Leadership sets the tone
- The CEO doesn’t run day-to-day security, but must make it a priority.
- A single line — “we protect client data as seriously as revenue” — changes culture.
2. IT or admin = first line
- Whoever manages laptops, email, or cloud services also tracks updates, backups, and access rights.
- This person doesn’t need to be a security expert — just consistent.
3. Every employee = daily habits
- Strong passwords, MFA, reporting phishing — these aren’t “IT tasks,” they’re team habits.
- Make it clear: everyone is responsible for protecting the company.
4. External partners = expertise on demand
- Use a managed security provider, part-time consultant, or scanning service.
- They bring expertise without requiring a full-time hire.
A simple ownership model for 20-person teams
- CEO / Founder → sets expectations, approves budget.
- Ops / IT person → handles accounts, devices, and backups.
- Team leads → remind staff, review risks in their area.
- All staff → follow simple rules (MFA, reporting, careful with data).
- External partner → provides scanning, monitoring, or incident response expertise.
Final thought
Security in a 20-person company isn’t about titles.
It’s about clear ownership — who does what, even if it’s part of another role.
When responsibility is shared and visible, small companies can be just as safe as bigger ones — without needing a CISO on the payroll.
