If you run a business in Perth, one of the first questions you'll ask a cyber security company is simply: how much does it cost? The honest answer is that most Perth small and medium businesses pay a predictable per-user monthly fee for managed cyber security, scaled to the level of protection and compliance they need — rather than a single big upfront number.
This guide explains the pricing model, what drives the cost up or down, and what you actually get at each level, so you can budget with confidence.
How is cyber security priced for Perth businesses?
Almost all reputable Perth cyber security services are priced per user, per month. That keeps the cost predictable and scalable — you pay for the people you're protecting, and it grows naturally as your team grows. It's the same model we use for managed IT in Perth: a fixed monthly fee, no surprise invoices.
You'll generally see cyber security sold in one of two ways:
- Bundled into a managed IT plan — security is built into your monthly per-user IT support fee. This is the most common (and usually best value) option for SMBs.
- As a standalone cyber security add-on — layered on top of your existing IT, for businesses that already have IT support but need stronger protection.
What drives the cost up or down?
Three things move the price more than anything else:
- Number of users. The core driver — more staff to protect means a higher monthly total (but the per-user rate often improves with size).
- The level of protection you need. Basic hygiene (MFA, endpoint protection, email filtering) costs far less than advanced managed detection and response (MDR), SIEM log monitoring, or 24/7 security operations.
- Your compliance and risk profile. A Perth law firm, accountant or healthcare practice handling sensitive client data — or a business meeting cyber-insurance and Essential Eight requirements — needs more controls than a low-risk five-person office.
What's included at each level?
While every quote is tailored, managed cyber security generally falls into tiers:
- Essentials — multi-factor authentication (MFA), managed endpoint protection (antivirus/EDR), email security and anti-phishing, Microsoft 365 hardening, and monitoring. This is the baseline every Perth business should have.
- Advanced — everything in Essentials plus managed detection and response (MDR), security awareness training and phishing simulations, vulnerability scanning, and Essential Eight uplift.
- Enterprise-grade — adds SIEM/log monitoring, dark-web monitoring, penetration testing and a formal incident-response retainer, suited to higher-risk and compliance-heavy industries.
Is cyber security worth the cost for a small business?
Yes — and the maths is stark. The Australian Signals Directorate received over 87,400 cybercrime reports in a single year, roughly one every six minutes, and small and medium businesses are the most-targeted segment. The average cost of a single incident to an Australian small business runs into the tens of thousands of dollars once you count downtime, data recovery, lost work and reputational damage — far more than a year of managed protection. Cyber security isn't an IT expense; it's business insurance you actively use every day.
What should I do next?
The best way to get an accurate number is a free security assessment — we review where your business stands against real-world threats and the Essential Eight, then quote only for the controls your risk profile actually needs. No jargon, no pressure.
As Computer Mechanics, we've protected Perth businesses since 1997, and IT Support Perth is our managed-IT and cyber security division. If you'd like to know what cyber security would cost for your business specifically, contact our Perth team or call (08) 9325 1196.
In short: Perth SMBs typically pay a predictable per-user monthly fee for managed cyber security, with the total driven by your team size, the protection level you need, and your compliance requirements. Start with a free assessment so you only pay for what genuinely reduces your risk.