If you’re a professional services business owner in Michigan—whether you run an accounting firm in Troy, a law practice in Detroit, a clinic in Grand Rapids, or a manufacturer in Warren—you don’t have to look far to see the headlines:

⚠️ “Cyber breach hits another business.”
⚠️ “Windows 10 support is ending in October—upgrade now.”
⚠️ “Without cyber liability insurance, your company is at risk.”

And here’s the thing: all of that is true. Windows 10 really is a security risk after October. Cyber liability insurance is now essential. And compliance requirements are tightening across industries.

But the nonstop drumbeat of warnings creates cybersecurity noise—and when leaders tune it out, that’s the real danger.

From “IT Expense” to “Business Protection”

Here’s the problem: too many professional services firms in Michigan still treat cybersecurity and compliance as just another IT line item to minimize.

That’s the wrong approach.

The right question to ask isn’t “How little can I spend?” It’s:
👉 What do I need to do to protect the legacy of my business and the revenue stream it creates?

Cybersecurity and compliance aren’t about buying every tool or checking boxes “just in case.” They’re about protecting client trust, business continuity, and income.

Risk, Industry, and Reality

Not all firms face the same risks. What matters is the type of data you hold and the compliance rules that apply:

• PII (Personally Identifiable Information): Every Michigan accounting and legal firm handles this daily.

• PHI (Protected Health Information): Healthcare practices must meet HIPAA’s strict standards.

• CUI (Controlled Unclassified Information): Manufacturers with DoD contracts face non-negotiable federal requirements.

The presence—or absence—of PII, PHI, or CUI determines which compliance frameworks apply and what level of cyber liability insurance you’ll qualify for.

Cyber Liability Insurance Is Not a Shortcut

Yes, insurance is valuable—but it’s not a substitute for protection. Insurers increasingly require proof of basic controls—multi-factor authentication, patching, secure backups—before they’ll issue or renew a policy.

Without those controls in place, your premiums go up—or you may be denied coverage altogether.

Logical Protection, Not Fear-Based Spending

At Big Water Tech, we help Michigan firms cut through the noise. The process starts with a logical assessment of:

• The industry rules you must follow

• The data you’re responsible for

• The compliance frameworks that apply (CIS Controls, HIPAA, NIST, etc.)

• The insurance requirements that protect your income

From there, you build the right foundation. Not fear-driven spending. Not one-size-fits-all checklists. A tailored plan that protects your firm’s revenue, reputation, and legacy.

Because at the end of the day, this isn’t about another IT expense. It’s about making sure your business keeps running—and keeps earning—for years to come.