How to Start an Internet Security Company

An internet security business develops software programming solutions that preserve the security and integrity of data, preventing internet trolls from introducing viruses into systems remotely or stealing critical data that can be used for criminal purposes.

Your business will sell internet security solutions to individuals, small businesses and corporations while constantly developing new methods to block the ever changing viruses, malware and invasive programs that can destroy a digital system in minutes. You will need experts in software and hardware development along with an active marketing team ready to fight for your share of this rapidly growing market.

Ready to turn your business idea into a reality? We recommend forming an LLC as it is the most affordable way to protect your personal assets. You can do this yourself or with our trusted partner for a small fee.

Northwest ($29 + State Fees)

DIY: How to Start an LLC

Start an internet security company by following these 10 steps:

  1. Plan your Internet Security Company
  2. Form your Internet Security Company into a Legal Entity
  3. Register your Internet Security Company for Taxes
  4. Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
  5. Set up Accounting for your Internet Security Company
  6. Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Internet Security Company
  7. Get Internet Security Company Insurance
  8. Define your Internet Security Company Brand
  9. Create your Internet Security Company Website
  10. Set up your Business Phone System

We have put together this simple guide to starting your internet security company. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

What will you name your business?

Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Internet Security Company Name Generator

If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.

When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:

  • Your state’s business records
  • Federal and state trademark records
  • Social media platforms
  • Web domain availability

It’s very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.

What are the costs involved in opening an internet security company?

While you will need some office space, it is probably the least expensive part of your business. Unless you are doing all the development programming yourself, your payroll budget will likely be the largest upfront investment. You will also need examples of computer systems and software that you are trying to protect. For a reasonable attempt at creating a cyber security business, you will be looking at $500,000 to cover operating expenses and development for the first year before you start to bring in paying customers.

What are the ongoing expenses for an internet security company?

Programming and development must be constantly in motion in order to avoid falling victim to the next internet attack. Your payroll and training, including constant upgrades to equipment, will always be your biggest expense.

Who is the target market?

While your product can be used by every person who owns or operates a digital device, the most lucrative clients are corporations and government facilities looking to protect massive databases and their customer’s personal information.

How does an internet security company make money?

Most customers will buy virus protection for their personal computers on an annual basis. Corporations will pay a monthly fee for active and constant surveillance of their systems and real-time repairs for any cracks in their walls.

How much can you charge customers?

Individuals currently pay between $50 and $100 a year for protection for their laptops. Corporations will be happy to pay thousands of dollars in consulting fees to protect their expansive networks.

How much profit can an internet security company make?

A large cyber security firm can see income in the million-dollar bracket when it is serving corporations. If you focus on the individual market, you may struggle to generate a profit unless you acquire the rights to be included in a laptop or smartphone product launch.

How can you make your business more profitable?

Innovation in security programming will make your protection more valuable to the consumer compared to the competition. You’ll need the brightest IT specialists to create solutions nobody else can offer.

Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC’s free Small Business Startup Guide – a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

One crucial aspect that cannot be overlooked when starting your internet security company is the importance of establishing a solid business foundation. While sole proprietorships and partnerships are the most common entity types for small businesses, they’re a far less stable and advantageous option than LLCs.

This is because unincorporated business structures (i.e., sole proprietorships and partnerships) expose you as an owner to personal liability for your business’s debts and legal actions, while LLCs protect you by keeping your personal assets separate from your business’s liabilities.

In practice, this means that if your internet security company were to face a lawsuit or incur any debts, your savings, home, and other personal assets could not be used to cover these costs. On top of this, forming your business as an LLC also helps it to appear more legitimate and trustworthy.

More than 84% of our readers opt to collaborate with a professional LLC formation service to kickstart their venture. We’ve negotiated a tailored discount for our readers, bringing the total down to just $29.

FORM YOUR LLC

Note: If you’re interested in more information before getting started, we recommend having a look at our state-specific How to Start an LLC guide (DIY) or our in-depth Best LLC Services review (for those opting for a professional service).

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It’s really easy and free!

You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website. If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

  • Separates your personal assets from your company’s assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
  • Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

State & Local Business Licensing Requirements

Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate an internet security business. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits.

Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses.

Service Agreement

Internet security businesses should consider requiring clients to sign a service agreement before starting a new project. This agreement should clarify client expectations and minimize the risk of legal disputes by setting out payment terms and conditions, service level expectations, and intellectual property ownership. Here is an example service agreement.

Recommended: Rocket Lawyer makes it easy to create a professional service agreement for your internet security business when you sign up for their premium membership. For $39.95 per month, members receive access to hundreds of legal agreements and on-call attorneys to get complimentary legal advice.

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers’ Compensation Coverage.

Find out what types of insurance your Internet Security Company needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Internet Security Company.

STEP 8: Define your brand

Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.

If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.

How to promote & market an Internet security company

In order to break into the cyber security market you will need to make a large splash at multiple tech shows, conventions, and seminars. Your foot will get in the door when you make yourself known to the major software developers such as Microsoft, Google, Apple, Android, etc. You must be able to demonstrate that your product can deflect a cyber attack, perhaps by allowing their security experts to try and hack a system protected by your product.

How to keep customers coming back

You will begin to build a serious client base when your security systems are highlighted wherever individuals or businesses are shopping for their next tech upgrade. Once your business is protecting information, your track record and ability to generate new protections quickly and accurately will help to increase your reach and maintain clients’ loyalty.

STEP 9: Create your business website

After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business.

While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.

Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:

  • All legitimate businesses have websites – full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
  • Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
  • Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.

Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders.

Other popular website builders are: WordPressWIXWeeblySquarespace, and Shopify.

STEP 10: Set up your business phone system

Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.

There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2024 to find the best phone service for your small business.

Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com

Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it’s fair pricing.

Is this Business Right For You?

The best-qualified individual to establish a new cyber security company will be highly motivated with an in-depth and up-to-date understanding of the architecture, administration, and management of operating systems, along with multiple certifications in a variety of programming languages. While the owner of this business may not actually write the software, they need to completely understand how their product functions in a real-world situation.

Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?

Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!

Entrepreneurship Quiz

What happens during a typical day at an internet security company?

Those who own and operate a cyber security company will need to know how to:

  • Identify emerging threats on the internet and find weaknesses in operating systems, apps, and networks
  • Develop new patches that can protect clients’ data and systems from an attack
  • Constantly expand knowledge of new devices, software, firmware, network architecture, etc.
  • Stay current with the latest programming languages
  • Develop marketing campaigns to reach out to new customers in the PC and corporate world
  • Conduct person-to-person sales of your products and services
  • Repair networks, servers, and computers that have come under attack
  • Provide 24/7 support for clients through the phone, online, and in person when needed
  • Handle payroll, vendors, and maintain offices
  • Hire and develop new talent

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful internet security company?

The people working for you will need to have extensive knowledge of:

  • Programming and certifications in the latest languages used in the current marketplace
  • Firewalls and network load balancers
  • Structure of network architecture
  • Database structures
  • How cyber-attacks are executed and be able to reverse program solutions in short order

As the owner and operator of the business, you will need:

  • Aggressive marketing skills
  • Ability to identify customers whose cyber security problems are not being addressed currently
  • Ability to hire and develop your killer programming team
  • Have a keen attention to detail
  • Be ready to expand your business when you are successful in creating a unique security product or procedure that everybody needs
  • Strong understanding of how databases are used in corporations, hospitals, financial institutions, and government facilities

What is the growth potential for an internet security company?

With the entire planet on high alert regarding cyber security attacks, the opportunity for an internet security business to expand into the global market is very real. However, that is not accomplished without hiring genius programmers in the field who can readily adapt to changes in programming, hardware, and angle of attack to execute an effective defense.

Take the Next Step

Find a business mentor

One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.

Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.

Learn from other business owners

Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.

Resources to Help Women in Business

There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:

  • Funding
  • Events
  • Guides
  • Support

If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.

What are some insider tips for jump starting an internet security company?

You will need to demonstrate the ability to do more for your clients compared to other firms, which may include protection for specific devices, a newer iteration of virus protection, or work to have your product included with the sale of the latest release of a new PC, smartphone, or even advanced gaming system. You need name recognition to become a serious player in this business.

How and when to build a team

This is an industry that heavily relies upon the ingenuity of your programming and analysis teams. Start hiring valuable employees as soon as you have funding in place. Your marketing team will run a close second as their creative ideas needed to reach the public will be responsible for launching your product and brand. Don’t be shy about hiring people away from your successful competition, as they will have insider info on what works and what doesn’t.

Useful Links

Industry Opportunities

Real World Examples

Further Reading