The Complacency Tax – Why ‘Good Enough’ Security Costs More Than You Think

Security That’s “Good Enough” Is Like A Cheap Umbrella. In A Storm, You’ll Get Drenched.

When it comes to cybersecurity, there’s one phrase that can quietly sabotage your business: “good enough.” You might think your current setup will hold, but the truth is that that mindset often leads to unexpected costs, operational chaos, and reputational harm. This hidden price is what I call the “complacency tax.” If you’re a CEO, CFO, business owner, or IT leader, it’s a bill you can’t afford to ignore.

The Complacency Tax in Action

Years ago, I met a construction firm owner, Mike, who was convinced cybersecurity wasn’t critical for his industry. His defenses? A barely functioning firewall, outdated antivirus software, and a trusting belief that “we’ll be fine.” Then it happened.

One phishing email slipped through, tricked his team, and resulted in a fraudulent $75K wire transfer. Worse, his payroll system was frozen for a week. Jobsites ground to a halt, subcontractors jumped ship, and a key client backed out, questioning Mike’s reliability. What started as “good enough” security ended up costing $250K in losses—not to mention the long-term damage to his reputation.

Mike’s story is far from unique. I’ve spent 25 years in the trenches of cyber risk management, and I’ve seen businesses, big and small, pay dearly for ignoring dangers they thought were too far-fetched to hit them.

Eye-Opening Cyber Threat Landscape by 2025

If you think Mike’s experience is a fluke, think again. The Arctic Wolf 2025 Threat Report lays out the stark realities for businesses. Here are the key highlights:

Ransomware Halts Operations
Business Email Compromise (BEC) Drains Finances
Intrusions Exploit Old Weaknesses

These attacks are no longer just IT headaches. They’re direct threats to your bottom line, your reputation, and your ability to deliver on time.

Your Business Is a Supply Chain

Think of your business as a supply chain. You gather resources, add value, and deliver to your clients. Now imagine ransomware as a roadblock shutting down your operations. BEC is like a hijacker stealing your truck mid-route. Intrusions? They’re the leaks in your warehouse, silently eroding everything you’ve built.

The uncomfortable truth is that “good enough” security doesn’t protect your supply chain. Instead, it becomes a costly toll booth, forcing you to pay with wasted time, lost trust, and eroded profits.

How to Break Free from the Complacency Tax

You don’t have to keep paying this tax. Here are actionable steps to protect your business and close the gaps in your defenses:

Map Your Vulnerabilities Identify the chokepoints in your operations. Where would a cyber incident cause the most disruption? Payroll, production, or client trust? These should become your top priorities.
Train Your Team to Spot Threats Since 73.5% of BEC attacks start with phishing, invest in employee training. Help your team recognize suspicious emails rather than clicking without a second thought.
Test and Maintain Backups Ransomware’s bite is dulled if you’ve got reliable, tested backups in place. Make sure your backups work, and don’t rely on luck.
Partner with Experts Cybersecurity isn’t a solo battle. Professionals can drastically reduce your risks and losses. For reference, Mike’s recovery costs were cut by 64%, thanks to expert intervention.

Stop Paying the Complacency Tax

The time to act is now. Don’t wait for a crisis to realize your “good enough” defenses aren’t protecting your operations. Schedule a free consultation with us here: https://calendly.com/ncxgroup. With 25 years of expertise under our belt, we’ll help you turn “good enough” into “got this!”

Final Thought

Security that’s “good enough” is like a cheap umbrella. It might hold up in light rain, but when the storm hits, you’re left drenched. The good news? You don’t have to wait for a disaster to make a change. Take steps now to weatherproof your business and keep your supply chain moving strong.

Is your business truly prepared?

Let’s discuss how to close the gaps in your cybersecurity strategy.

📞 Schedule a consultation today: NCX Group Cyber Resiliency Services

Repost from LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/complacency-tax-why-good-enough-security-costs-more-than-fitzpatrick-qqzbf/