Network Security Services
Seven Layers. Zero Compromises.
Cyberattacks are no longer a threat reserved for large corporations. Small and mid-sized businesses across West Michigan are among the most targeted — and the least protected. Real IT Solutions delivers a comprehensive, seven-layer network security model that protects your business from the threats that are most likely to hit you, before they do.
- 7-Layer Security Model — Defense In Depth
- 24×7 Threat Monitoring & Incident Response
- Ransomware & Phishing Protection
- Compliance Support — HIPAA, CMMC, SOC 2
- Locally Owned — Grand Rapids, MI
Small Businesses Are the Target
The Threat Is Real. The Risk Is Yours.
The assumption that cybercriminals only go after large enterprises is one of the most dangerous misconceptions in business today. Small and mid-sized businesses represent the majority of ransomware victims precisely because they have valuable data and fewer defenses than the organizations attackers can’t get through.
For businesses in Grand Rapids, Kent County, and across West Michigan, the threats are specific and growing:
- Ransomware — malicious software that encrypts your files and demands payment to restore access, often shutting down operations entirely for days or weeks
- Phishing attacks — deceptive emails designed to trick employees into handing over credentials, clicking malicious links, or transferring funds
- Business email compromise (BEC) — sophisticated impersonation attacks that target financial transactions and wire transfers
- Credential theft — stolen usernames and passwords sold on the dark web and used to access your systems silently over time
- Insider threats — accidental or intentional actions by employees that expose sensitive data or compromise system integrity
- Supply chain vulnerabilities — risks introduced through third-party vendors, software, and service providers with access to your environment
A single firewall isn’t enough. A single antivirus isn’t enough. Protecting your business in today’s threat environment requires multiple, overlapping layers of security — each one designed to catch what the others might miss.
That’s exactly how Real IT Solutions builds network security for West Michigan businesses.
Real IT’s 7-Layer Security Model
Built On Defense In Depth.
Real IT Solutions protects your business with a structured, seven-layer security framework — a defense-in-depth model where each layer works independently and in combination with the others. If one layer is bypassed, the next one catches it. No single point of failure. No gaps an attacker can walk through undetected.
Here is how each layer of protection works:
Layer 1 — Firewall & Network Perimeter Security
Your First Line Of Defense.
A properly configured enterprise-grade firewall controls what traffic enters and exits your network. We deploy, configure, and actively manage your firewall — monitoring for suspicious activity, blocking unauthorized access, and keeping your network perimeter secure. Unlike a consumer-grade router with default settings, a managed firewall is continuously updated and tuned to your environment.
Layer 2 — Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR)
Protection At Every Device.
Every computer, laptop, and workstation in your business is a potential entry point for an attacker. Our endpoint detection and response (EDR) solution goes far beyond traditional antivirus — using behavioral analysis to detect threats in real time, isolate compromised devices, and respond before malware can spread across your network. Antivirus looks for known threats. EDR looks for suspicious behavior, catching zero-day attacks that signature-based tools miss.
Layer 3 — Advanced Email Threat Protection
Stop Attacks Before The Inbox.
Email is the number one delivery mechanism for cyberattacks. Our AI-driven email threat protection uses behavioral analysis to detect and block phishing emails, business email compromise (BEC) attacks, ransomware payloads, and zero-day threats before they ever reach your employees’ inboxes. Advanced URL sandboxing and deep file inspection neutralize malicious links and weaponized attachments in real time. Identity-anomaly detection profiles normal email behavior and flags account takeover attempts or impersonation.
Layer 4 — Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Stolen Passwords Aren’t Enough.
Passwords alone are no longer sufficient protection for your business accounts. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) requires users to verify their identity with a second factor — a mobile app confirmation, a code, or a biometric — before accessing your systems. Even if a password is stolen through phishing or a data breach, MFA prevents the attacker from getting in. We deploy and manage MFA through Duo, one of the most trusted platforms in the industry, across your entire organization.
Layer 5 — DNS Filtering
Block The Bad Before It Loads.
DNS filtering intercepts requests to known malicious websites and domains before a connection is ever made — blocking malware downloads, phishing sites, and command-and-control servers that attackers use to communicate with compromised systems. It works silently in the background, protecting every device on your network without any action required from your employees. It is one of the most effective and least disruptive layers of security available.
Layer 6 — Identity Threat Detection & Dark Web Monitoring
Know Before The Attacker Moves.
Credential theft often happens long before an attacker uses those credentials. Our dark web monitoring continuously scans underground marketplaces and breach databases for your employees’ email addresses and passwords — alerting us the moment your credentials appear so we can force a password change before an attacker gains access. Combined with Identity Threat Detection (ITD), which monitors authentication activity across your environment for signs of compromised accounts, lateral movement, and privilege misuse, this layer closes the gap between a breach and its discovery.
Layer 7 — Security Awareness Training
Your People Are Your Last Line Of Defense.
Technology can block a lot — but not everything. The majority of successful cyberattacks involve a human element: an employee who clicked a link, opened an attachment, or was talked into sharing credentials over the phone. Security awareness training turns your team from a vulnerability into a line of defense. Our compliance-focused training programs cover phishing recognition, social engineering tactics, safe password practices, and industry-specific compliance standards — keeping your employees informed and your organization protected.
Beyond The Seven Layers
Monitoring. Response. Strategy.
The seven-layer model forms the foundation of your security posture. Real IT Solutions goes further with active monitoring, rapid incident response, and executive-level cybersecurity leadership.
Managed SOC & 24×7 Threat Monitoring
Our Threat Monitoring Platform continuously monitors your servers, workstations, network equipment, and cloud services — including Microsoft 365 — for signs of malicious activity. Our Managed SOC (Security Operations Center) service proactively hunts for threats, performs triage when alerts fire, and collaborates with your team on remediation. You get enterprise-grade security operations at a fraction of the cost of building it in-house — 24 X 7, 365 days a year.
Virtual Chief Security Officer (vCSO)
Cybersecurity strategy requires leadership — someone who understands your business, your industry’s compliance requirements, and the evolving threat landscape. Our vCSO service gives you a dedicated cybersecurity executive without the cost of a full-time hire. Your vCSO develops your cybersecurity strategy, manages risk assessments, oversees policy development, evaluates vendor security, and ensures your security posture stays aligned with your business as it grows.
Annual Penetration Testing
Knowing your defenses are in place is one thing. Knowing they actually work is another. Our annual penetration testing service simulates real cyberattacks against your IT infrastructure — using the same reconnaissance methods, exploit techniques, and attack methodologies that actual threat actors use — to identify exploitable vulnerabilities before an attacker does. The result is a clear picture of your security gaps and a prioritized remediation plan.
Security Incident Response
If your systems are ever compromised — a ransomware infection, a data breach, an account takeover — our incident response team engages immediately. We contain the threat, investigate the scope of the incident, remediate the damage, and implement measures to prevent recurrence. Speed matters in a security incident. Every hour of delay increases the damage. Our 24×7 response capability means we’re moving the moment an incident is confirmed.
Compliance & Regulatory Support
Your Industry Has Rules. We Know Them.
For many businesses in Grand Rapids and Kent County, network security isn’t just about protecting data — it’s a regulatory requirement. Failing to meet compliance standards can result in fines, loss of contracts, and reputational damage that takes years to recover from.
Real IT Solutions supports compliance requirements across the industries we serve:
| Industry | Compliance Framework | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) | Required for defense contractors and suppliers handling controlled unclassified information (CUI) |
| Healthcare & Dental | HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) | Protection of patient health information (PHI) — required for any organization that handles medical records |
| Financial Services & CPA Firms | SOC 2 / GLBA / FTC Safeguards Rule | Security controls for organizations that handle financial data and client information |
| All Industries | NIST Cybersecurity Framework / CIS Controls | Industry-standard security frameworks used to assess, build, and validate a strong security posture |
Our vCSO and security team work with you to understand your specific compliance obligations, identify gaps in your current posture, and implement the controls required to meet — and maintain — your regulatory requirements.
Ready for IT Support That Actually Works?
Businesses across Grand Rapids, Kent County, and West Michigan count on Real IT Solutions for fast, reliable, people-first IT support. If you’re tired of waiting on hold, chasing down invoices, and dealing with IT problems that never fully go away — let’s talk.
Why One Tool Is Never Enough
Defense In Depth. Not A Single Bet.
A common mistake small businesses make is treating network security as a checkbox — buy an antivirus, set up a firewall, done. The problem is that every security tool has limitations, and modern cyberattacks are specifically designed to bypass them.
| Single-Point Security | Real IT’s 7-Layer Model |
|---|---|
| One tool fails, everything is exposed | Each layer backs up the others — no single point of failure |
| Signature-based detection misses new threats | Behavioral detection and AI catch zero-day attacks |
| No visibility into credential theft | Dark web monitoring and identity threat detection catch stolen credentials |
| Employees remain the weakest link | Security awareness training turns employees into a line of defense |
| Reactive — discovered after damage is done | Proactive monitoring detects threats before they cause damage |
| No compliance support | Frameworks aligned to HIPAA, CMMC, NIST, and CIS Controls |
Defense in depth is the principle that no single security measure should be relied upon exclusively. Real IT’s seven-layer model is built on this principle — because the cost of a breach is always higher than the cost of preventing one.
RealCare
Cybersecurity 2026
What’s you security posture?
Get A Complimentary IT & Security Assessment
We are offering a no‑obligation IT & Security Assessment for qualified financial services organizations.
This assessment reviews:
- Security posture and ransomware exposure
- Backup and recovery readiness
- Access controls and documentation
- Risk areas that could impact compliance or continuity
No pressure. No sales pitch. If nothing else, it provides independent validation that your systems are operating the way you believe they are.
Cybersecurity FAQs for Businesses
No Jargon. Just Answers.
Q: What does network security include for a small business?
A: For a small or mid-sized business, comprehensive network security includes firewall management, endpoint detection and response (EDR), email threat protection, multi-factor authentication (MFA), DNS filtering, dark web and identity monitoring, and security awareness training for employees. Real IT Solutions delivers all of these as part of a structured seven-layer security model — designed specifically for businesses that need enterprise-grade protection without an enterprise-sized budget or IT department.
Q: What is dark web monitoring and why does my business need it?
A: Dark web monitoring continuously scans underground forums, marketplaces, and breach databases where stolen credentials are bought and sold. When your employees’ email addresses or passwords appear in a breach — even one that happened years ago — we’re alerted immediately and can force a password change before an attacker uses those credentials to access your systems. Most businesses have no visibility into whether their credentials are already compromised. Dark web monitoring closes that gap.
Q: What is Real IT’s 7-layer security model?
A: Real IT’s seven-layer security model is a defense-in-depth framework that protects your business at every level: Layer 1 — Firewall and network perimeter security; Layer 2 — Endpoint detection and response (EDR); Layer 3 — Advanced email threat protection; Layer 4 — Multi-factor authentication (MFA); Layer 5 — DNS filtering; Layer 6 — Identity threat detection and dark web monitoring; Layer 7 — Security awareness training. Each layer works independently and in combination with the others, so that if one is bypassed, the next catches it.
Q: What is multi-factor authentication (MFA) and do I need it?
A: Multi-factor authentication (MFA) requires a second form of identity verification — typically a mobile app confirmation — in addition to a password when logging into your systems or accounts. If a password is stolen through phishing or a data breach, MFA prevents the attacker from using it to access your network. MFA is one of the single most effective security controls available, and it is now a requirement under most cybersecurity insurance policies. We deploy and manage MFA through Duo across your organization.
Q: How do you protect against ransomware?
A: Ransomware protection requires multiple layers working together. Our EDR detects and isolates suspicious behavior before ransomware can execute and spread. Advanced email threat protection blocks ransomware payloads delivered via phishing before they reach your inbox. DNS filtering blocks connections to malicious domains used to deliver ransomware. Dark web monitoring alerts us if credentials that could be used to deploy ransomware are compromised. And our Managed SOC monitors your environment 24×7 for ransomware indicators of compromise. If an incident does occur, our security incident response team engages immediately to contain and remediate.
Q: What compliance frameworks do you support?
A: We support compliance requirements across the industries we serve in West Michigan — including HIPAA for healthcare and dental practices, CMMC for manufacturing companies that handle controlled unclassified information, SOC 2 and FTC Safeguards Rule for financial services and CPA firms, and the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and CIS Controls for organizations building or validating a security program. Our vCSO service provides ongoing compliance guidance and oversight tailored to your specific regulatory environment.
Q: How is your network security different from just having a firewall?
A: A firewall is one layer of protection — and an important one. But it only controls traffic at the network perimeter. It cannot stop a phishing email that tricks an employee into handing over their credentials. It cannot detect malware already running on a workstation. It cannot alert you when your credentials appear on the dark web. Real IT’s seven-layer model surrounds your business with overlapping protections that cover the attack vectors a firewall alone cannot address.
Q: How do I know if my network is currently secure?
A: The honest answer is: most businesses don’t know until something goes wrong — and by then, the damage is done. The best way to find out is a free security assessment with our team. We’ll review your current security posture, identify gaps in your defenses, and give you a clear picture of your risk — with no obligation and no sales pressure. Give us a call at 616.209.8900 or fill out the form below to get started.