Kiwi company DEFEND achieves world first with Microsoft

New Zealand cybersecurity solutions provider DEFEND has attained its fourth Microsoft Advanced Specialisation for Cloud Security.

With the achievement of the Cloud Security Advanced Specialisation, which recognises capability and expertise with Azure Security services, DEFEND is the first company in the world to achieve all four Microsoft Advanced Specialisations.

Advanced Specialisations test the ability of Microsoft Partners to understand customer challenges. Achieving them demonstrates a company's expertise with advanced technologies, with a particular focus on the value and outcomes they provide customers.

DEFEND has worked closely with many organisations, developing an understanding of the issues unique to various sectors and helping them to leverage people, processes and technology to address the challenges they face, according to a statement from the company.

Microsoft New Zealand managing director Vanessa Sorenson says, "At a time when organisations are digitising faster than ever before, they are also more exposed to cyber risk.

"That makes the work of companies like DEFEND absolutely crucial to ensuring New Zealand organisations can continue to operate, innovate and adapt securely adapt to new ways of working. I want to commend them for going the extra mile to give their customers absolutely world-class service and solutions.

DEFEND CEO Nigel Everett says, "A key philosophy that drives DEFEND is that of deploying secure cloud services, rather than securing existing cloud services. The ability to partner with customers to increase the resilience of their technology platforms without interrupting operations has been critical to our success.

DEFEND is a New Zealand-owned and operated company committed to building a cyber resilient New Zealand.

It was the first local company to attain the Threat Protection, Identity - Access Management and Info Protection - Governance Advanced Specialisations.

The company states its mission is to demonstrate capability to deliver across all Microsoft Security - Compliance capabilities, assisting customers with improving their cyber resilience.

Microsoft has been invested in the growth of DEFEND, a Microsoft Gold Security Partner, enabling the team to leverage Microsoft products and services to enhance its capabilities even further.

Microsoft New Zealand partner director Matt Bostwick adds, "We're exceptionally proud to see DEFEND achieve this world-first milestone, building on its big win at the Microsoft Partner awards for Modern Work - Security and becoming a member of the Microsoft Intelligent Security Association. All of this solidifies DEFEND's reputation as a true leader in its field.

Everett adds the DEFEND team intends to keep pushing the boundaries of cybersecurity in their quest to support customers to evolve and realise the benefits cloud technologies can bring.

He says, "We're proud of our work and excited by what the future holds. Cybersecurity is a great enabler and we look forward to helping our customers fulfil their potential and aspire to even better outcomes.