Staffing a 24/7 security operation
UK-based SOC providing around-the-clock coverage. No recruitment, training, or retention burden for the organisation.
Cyber Defence & Response
Threats detected, investigated, and contained for you.
When a security alert appears, what happens next?
In this video, Aoibhin Hamill, Cyber Enterprise Technologist, explores how Softcat Cyber Defence & Response provides 24/7 threat detection, investigation and active response. Learn how a UK-based Security Operations Centre and Microsoft security technologies work together to identify threats sooner, contain them faster and reduce risk across your environment.
The challenges we solve
Microsoft security tools underutilised
Microsoft-verified MXDR that activates and operates Sentinel, Defender XDR, and Entra ID. Validated by Microsoft engineering.
Alert fatigue across noisy environments
Analyst-led investigation that correlates signals across environments, reduces noise, provides context, and then takes action.
Detection without response
MXDR with active response. Threats are investigated, contained, and remediated rather than reported.
What Cyber Defence & Response enables
Outcomes
- 24/7 threat detection, investigation, and active response across the Microsoft security estate.
- Full activation and operation of Microsoft Sentinel, Defender XDR, and Entra ID.
- Reduced mean time to detect and respond through analyst-led investigation and containment.
- Operational security protection without building or staffing an internal SOC.
- Microsoft-verified one-hour SLA benchmarks for detection and response.
- Clear, contextualised threat reporting for security leadership and the board.
- A direct path to active incident response when events exceed SOC containment.
Credentials
Verified by independent bodies and vendor programmes
Microsoft MXDR Verified
Verified by Microsoft engineering in October 2024. Validated across Sentinel, Defender XDR, and Entra ID.
MISA Membership
Microsoft Intelligent Security Association member since April 2024. Integrated with the Microsoft security ecosystem.
Four Microsoft Security Designations
Cloud Security, Identity and Access Management, Data Security, and Threat Protection. Four named designations awarded by Microsoft.
UK-Based SOC
Specialist security analysts based in the UK, not outsourced or offshored. Analysts operate at 60% capacity to ensure availability for priority incidents.
This service benefits:
CISOs and IT Directors
CISOs and IT Directors seeking managed detection and response without SOC build costs.
Organisations
Organisations with Microsoft E5 licensing looking to activate dormant security features.
Mid-market organisations
Mid-market organisations needing protection without enterprise complexity or headcount.
Softcat customers
Existing Softcat customers extending their technology relationship into security operations.
Technology partnerships
Softcat works with security vendors across the market. Recommendations are based on what fits the environment, not a restricted product set.
