The cyber threat landscape is a minefield, and for small businesses with limited resources, deciding where to invest in security can feel overwhelming.
By Dillon Gray, chief operating officer at IPT
Recent data from the Arctic Wolf 2025 Threat Report highlights the most common threats: ransomware (44%), business email compromise (27%), and intrusions (24%).
Faced with these realities, a crucial question arises: should a small business prioritise a Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system or bolster its endpoint security first?
Let’s break down what each offers and why the answer isn’t always black and white.
Endpoint Security: The Front Line of defence
Endpoint security focuses on protecting individual devices – laptops, desktops, servers, and mobile devices – that connect to your network. Think of it as the guards at each entry point of your business. Robust endpoint security typically includes:
- Antivirus and Anti-malware: Essential for detecting and removing known malicious software.
- Firewall: Controls incoming and outgoing network traffic, blocking unauthorised access.
- Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR): Provides deeper visibility into endpoint activity, helping to identify and respond to sophisticated threats that might bypass traditional antivirus.
- Patch Management: Ensures operating systems and applications are up-to-date, closing known security vulnerabilities.
Given that the Arctic Wolf report identifies unsecured Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) and compromised VPN credentials as leading causes of ransomware and intrusions, and that vulnerabilities are frequently exploited in intrusions, strong endpoint security is undeniably critical. It directly addresses the initial access points that cybercriminals often target.
SIEM: The Security Intelligence Hub
A SIEM system aggregates and analyses security logs and event data from various sources across your IT environment – including endpoints, networks, servers, and cloud applications. It acts as a central intelligence hub, providing a holistic view of your security posture. Key benefits of a SIEM include:
- Centralised Visibility: Correlates events from different systems to provide a comprehensive understanding of security activity.
- Threat Detection: Identifies suspicious patterns and anomalies that might indicate an attack in progress.
- Incident Response: Helps security teams quickly identify, investigate, and respond to security incidents.
- Compliance: Assists in meeting regulatory requirements by providing audit trails and reporting capabilities.
While the insights a SIEM offers are powerful, especially in detecting intrusions and understanding the broader scope of an attack, it requires expertise to configure, manage, and interpret the data effectively.
The Dilemma for Small Businesses
Small businesses often operate with tight budgets and limited IT staff. Implementing and managing a full-fledged SIEM can be a significant undertaking, requiring specialised knowledge and ongoing resources.
The Case for Prioritising Endpoint Security First
Considering the prevalence of ransomware, business email compromise (often leading to endpoint compromise), and intrusions exploiting vulnerabilities, a strong argument can be made for prioritising endpoint security. By effectively securing individual devices, small businesses can significantly reduce their attack surface and prevent many common threats from gaining a foothold.
Investing in robust antivirus, a capable firewall, and crucially, Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) can provide immediate and tangible security benefits. EDR, in particular, offers advanced threat detection and response capabilities that go beyond traditional antivirus, providing crucial visibility into endpoint activity. Implementing a consistent patch management process is also a fundamental step in preventing exploitation of known vulnerabilities.
When Might a SIEM Be Necessary (Even for a Small Business)?
While endpoint security is foundational, there are scenarios where a SIEM might be a valuable investment for a small business:
- Regulatory Compliance: Certain industries have specific compliance requirements that may necessitate the use of a SIEM for logging and reporting.
- Complex IT Environment: Businesses with a more intricate IT infrastructure, including multiple cloud services and diverse systems, might find the centralised visibility of a SIEM essential.
- Dedicated IT Staff or Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP): If a small business has in-house IT staff with security expertise or partners with an MSSP, managing a SIEM becomes more feasible.
A Phased Approach Might Be the Most Prudent Path
For most small businesses, a phased approach to security investment is likely the most sensible.
- Strong Endpoint Security Foundation: Begin by implementing robust endpoint security measures, including advanced antivirus/anti-malware, a well-configured firewall, EDR, and consistent patch management. This directly addresses the most common attack vectors highlighted in the Arctic Wolf report.
- Security Awareness Training: Educate employees about phishing and social engineering tactics, which are key drivers of business email compromise.
- Consider Managed Security Services: Explore partnering with an MSSP who can provide monitoring, detection, and response services, potentially including SIEM capabilities, without the need for significant in-house investment and expertise.
- Evaluate SIEM Options: As the business grows and security needs become more complex, or if compliance requirements dictate, then consider implementing a SIEM, potentially starting with a cloud-based solution that can be more cost-effective and easier to manage.
While the comprehensive visibility and threat intelligence offered by a SIEM are invaluable, for most small businesses with limited resources, prioritising a strong endpoint security posture is the more immediate and impactful investment. By effectively securing their endpoints, small businesses can significantly reduce their risk against the prevalent threats of ransomware, business email compromise, and intrusions.
As the business evolves, and with the potential support of managed security services, a SIEM can be considered as the next layer of defence to provide a more holistic and proactive security approach.
The key is to build a strong foundation first, focusing on the security controls that directly address the most likely threats.