You're the one people call when the printer stops working, the Wi-Fi goes down, or a new hire needs credentials by 9 a.m. But increasingly, you're also the person expected to answer for ransomware, email scams, and regulatory compliance, without a security team, a CISO, or even clear cybersecurity policies.

Sound familiar?

This book was written for you.

Cybersecurity for IT Managers is the essential field guide for IT professionals in small to mid-sized organizations who are expected to manage security whether they signed up for it or not. Unlike executive overviews filled with buzzwords or deeply technical manuals written for full-time security engineers, this book meets you in the middle. It delivers realistic, actionable guidance for building strong defenses, responding to threats, and communicating risk across your organization without needing a CISSP or a six-figure budget.

You'll explore every angle of modern cybersecurity through the lens of your actual responsibilities:

• How to secure your network while keeping users productive

• How to model threats without wasting time on unlikely scenarios

• How to balance patching with uptime, compliance with operations

• How to manage privileged access, remote work, and BYOD

• How to respond to incidents when you're the only responder

• How to talk to executives in terms of risk, not just tech

Structured in five practical parts: Foundations and Mindsets, Systems and Infrastructure, Access and Users, Incident Response and Continuity, and Leadership and Growth, this book walks you step by step through what matters most. Each chapter breaks down complex topics into understandable concepts, paired with stories, Socratic questions, and actionable solutions designed to build your judgment, not just your checklist.

Inside, you'll find guidance on:

• Creating layered, defensible infrastructure from the ground up

• Conducting tabletop exercises and incident reviews that matter

• Making decisions under pressure with limited resources

• Encouraging a culture of security without fear or fatigue

• Planning for growth, automation, and emerging threats like AI

Whether you're reworking your first patch policy, handling an insider threat, or preparing your team to face tomorrow's risks, Cybersecurity for IT Managers gives you a clear path forward. You'll gain more than technical insights. You'll gain confidence as a cybersecurity leader.

This is your playbook for managing real-world security in real-world environments.