Do you need a security team at 80 employees?

At 80 employees, most companies don’t need a full internal security team yet. The sweet spot for hiring your first dedicated security professional typically falls between 100-200 employees, depending on your industry, data sensitivity, and regulatory requirements. Until then, outsourced cybersecurity consulting often provides better coverage at a fraction of the cost.

The decision becomes more complex when you consider the hidden costs and skill gaps that come with rapid growth. Many tech companies at this size find themselves caught between basic security measures and enterprise-level threats. If you’re wondering whether it’s time to invest in internal security resources, we’re happy to discuss your specific situation and help you evaluate the best path forward.

Why is inadequate security coverage costing you more than a security hire?

Companies with 80 employees often operate in a dangerous middle ground where they’ve outgrown basic security measures but haven’t yet invested in comprehensive protection. This gap creates real financial risks that compound quickly. A single data breach at your company size could cost between €200,000 to €2 million in direct costs, not counting reputational damage, customer churn, and regulatory fines that can reach 4% of annual revenue under GDPR.

The solution isn’t necessarily hiring immediately, but rather ensuring you have adequate security coverage through either internal staff or trusted external partners. Outsourced security services can provide enterprise-level protection while you evaluate whether internal hiring makes financial sense for your growth trajectory.

What does security skill shortage signal about your hiring timeline?

The cybersecurity talent shortage means finding qualified security professionals takes 3-6 months longer than other technical roles, and salaries have increased 15-20% year-over-year. Even when you find candidates, many lack the breadth of experience needed to handle everything from compliance to incident response to vendor assessments that a solo security hire would face at an 80-person company.

This reality suggests that building security capabilities gradually through partnerships or consulting relationships often works better than rushing into a hire that may not deliver the comprehensive coverage you need. Consider starting with vulnerability scanning and security assessments to understand your actual risk profile before committing to permanent headcount.

What security challenges do companies face at 80 employees?

Companies at 80 employees face a unique set of security challenges that stem from rapid growth and increased complexity. You’re likely managing multiple cloud services, handling more sensitive customer data, and dealing with compliance requirements that weren’t relevant when you were smaller. Your attack surface has expanded significantly, but you probably don’t have dedicated security expertise to manage these risks properly.

Common challenges include managing user access across growing teams, securing remote work environments, ensuring vendor security compliance, and maintaining security hygiene as new systems get added quickly. Many companies this size also struggle with security awareness training, incident response planning, and keeping up with evolving threats while focusing on business growth.

How much does it cost to hire an internal security team?

A single cybersecurity professional in Europe typically costs between €70,000-€120,000 annually, plus benefits, equipment, and training costs that can add another 30-40% to the total expense. However, one person rarely covers all security needs effectively. A proper security team usually requires 2-3 specialists covering different areas like security operations, compliance, and risk management.

Beyond salary costs, you’ll need security tools and platforms that can easily add €50,000-€100,000 annually for a company your size. Training and certification costs, conference attendance, and ongoing education add another €10,000-€20,000 per team member yearly. The total cost for a basic two-person security team often exceeds €300,000 annually when you factor in all associated expenses.

What’s the difference between internal security teams and outsourced security?

Internal security teams provide dedicated focus on your specific environment and can develop deep institutional knowledge about your systems, processes, and risk profile. They’re available for immediate response and can integrate closely with development and operations teams. However, they’re expensive to build and maintain, and single-person security teams often become bottlenecks or single points of failure.

Outsourced security services offer broader expertise across multiple specialists, immediate access to enterprise-grade tools and processes, and typically faster response times through established procedures. The trade-off is less intimate knowledge of your specific environment, though experienced providers quickly adapt to client needs. Cost-wise, outsourced security often delivers more comprehensive coverage at 40-60% of the cost of building internal capabilities.

Should you hire security staff or outsource at 80 employees?

For most companies at 80 employees, outsourcing makes more financial and operational sense. You’ll get broader expertise, proven processes, and comprehensive coverage without the overhead of building internal capabilities. The exception might be highly regulated industries or companies handling extremely sensitive data where dedicated internal oversight is required.

Consider outsourcing if you need immediate security improvements, want to avoid the complexity of hiring and managing security staff, or prefer predictable monthly costs over variable internal expenses. Choose internal hiring if you have specific compliance requirements for dedicated staff, handle highly confidential data that requires internal oversight, or have the budget and timeline to build proper security capabilities gradually.

How do you know when your company needs dedicated security resources?

Several indicators suggest it’s time to invest in dedicated security resources. If you’re handling regulated data, experiencing security incidents monthly, or facing compliance requirements that demand dedicated security oversight, you likely need immediate attention. Companies processing payments, handling healthcare data, or serving enterprise customers typically need security resources earlier in their growth journey.

Other warning signs include employees regularly asking security questions that go unanswered, vendors requesting security assessments you can’t complete, or customers raising security concerns during sales processes. If your development team is slowing down due to security uncertainties, or if you’re avoiding certain business opportunities because of security concerns, it’s time to establish proper security capabilities.

The decision between internal and outsourced security depends on your specific situation, growth plans, and risk tolerance. We help companies at exactly this stage evaluate their options and implement security solutions that scale with their growth. Contact us to discuss whether your 80-person company is ready for dedicated security resources and what approach makes the most sense for your situation.