2021 reinforced the need for every business, worldwide, to level up their cybersecurity programs and strategies. It is now more important than it ever has been to respond in real-time and keep up with expanding IT infrastructure, the explosion of IoT devices, and a new wave of ransomware threats from more sophisticated attackers. Difenda is on the cutting edge of cybersecurity, and 2021 was a monumental year for our team expanding our reach around the globe to help our customers.

We Helped You Build for Growth 

This year, we expanded our company and our 24/7/365 SOC globally with offices opening in the United States and India. Through this expansion, we’ve added 10+ net new logos to our Microsoft Managed Security practice, including 2 Fortune companies.  We are truly proud of the relationships we have built throughout the past year by getting our hands dirty as we detected threats, responded and remediated real time threat situations, and helped mitigate operational risk for our customers. Beyond being the most trusted authority when it comes to Microsoft Managed Security Services, we concentrated on answering your questions, building communication paths, continuously learning, and focusing on integrity, sustainability, and competence to help customers maximize their Microsoft Security investments. 

Product Launches 

In 2021, we have been extremely busy and successful developing new products that are now available on the Microsoft Azure Marketplace. After working with the Microsoft  security teams, we have two new offerings at the #MicrosoftAzureMarketplace to meet the growing needs of our customers:   Azure Sentinel Design and Implementation and Difenda Managed Detection and Response. Our #MDR service within the #DifendaShield is powered solely on the Microsoft security product platform (specifically #Sentinel and #DefenderATP). In plain English, what this means to our valued customers is that we offer automation, integration, threat intelligence, visibility, and the ability to hunt and respond to threats, all through a single pane of glass.  

Resources to Level-Up 

In our quest to be a part of the solution at every level, we have published 3 eBooks: Managed Detection and Response (MDR), Advanced Vulnerability Management (AVM), and Governance, Risk Management, & Compliance (GRC)…. as well as 2 Whitepapers: Public Key Infrastructure, and Penetration Testing Strategy.

Game Changing Microsoft Partnership 

From our inception in 2008 until today, the world has changed dramatically, and our company has grown and changed with it. This year, we became part of the Microsoft Intelligent Security Association, (MISA). Through this partnership, Difenda will further deepen its existing relationship with Microsoft.  As a Microsoft Gold Partner with an Advanced Specialization in Threat Protection, Difenda already holds multiple certifications, including:   

• Microsoft Azure Security Engineer  
• Microsoft Information Protection Administrator  
• Microsoft Identity and Access Administrator  
• Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA)  
• Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE). 

We are currently 1 of 25 chosen Microsoft partners that are part of the Microsoft Worldwide Incubation Hub, assisting with loT, Security Operations, and Identity.  

Building a Team for Growth 

Lisa Templeton

Lisa Templeton, our People Services Manager, has hit the ground running in her new role. One of her key accomplishments this year was developing a career pathing program and a project week in order to make the most of the talented people in our company.

Miranda McCurdy

Miranda McCurdy, our Marketing Director, brings her expertise as a marketing leader from Fortune 100 companies, including Sherwin-Williams & Nestle USA. With a strong vision of growing the Difenda brand, and her strong skills in public relations, go-to market product strategy and digital initiatives, making a great addition to our team.

Melissa Cassar

Melissa Cassar is our new Presales Manager, she plays a key role in helping our sales team deliver a world class experience by documenting customer’s requirements effectively and providing quick turnarounds in effort to maximize our customer’s success.

Sheldon Shaw

Sheldon Shaw, our Director of Research and Response, is helping us to further our mission. Using analytics and data analysis to defend infrastructures with a focus on IT/OT/IoT, his groundwork is leading us confidently into the future.

A Winning Team

After years of hard work and dedication, 2021 was truly a breakout year for our winning team at Difenda. During the 9th annual RSA Conference, the Cyber Defense Magazine Global #InfoSecAwards for 2021 were posted and Difenda secured three outstanding achievement awards. We are extremely proud of the growth of our company as well as the recognition we have achieved in these three categories this year. To learn more about the accolades we have received, you can read more here. The honors include the following: 

• Next-Gen in Managed Detection and Response (#MDR) 
• Best Product in Governance, Risk, and Compliance (#GRC) 
• Most Promising in Vulnerability Management (#AVM) 

Certified Great Place to Work  

One of the best moments in  2021 was when we won the Certified Great Place to Work Awards, highlighting that our hard work and dedication to our customers and our craft really paid off. The three awards received were: 

• Great Places to Work 
• Great Place to Work: Best Workplaces in Technology 
• Great Place to Work: Best Workplaces for Today’s Youth 

The truly gratifying part of winning these awards is that it shows that people are noticing our company’s willingness to assist a business during every part of their cybersecurity journey. 

Top MSSP  

2021 also found Difenda being named one of the Top Global MSSPs by MSSP Alert. After years of hard work, our approach to SecOps-As-A-Service is paying dividends. For the past 10 years we have cultivated a team of professionals with a vision to walk each company we serve through the process of cybersecurity, keeping a close relationship with them throughout the journey, and learning and growing together. 2021 has been a year for us to move forward. We are proud of our PCI, SOC II Type 2 and ISO 27001 certifications, and as of June 2022 will hold the CMMC Level 4 certification.  

We Care About the Community 

We have partnered with Sky’s the Limit Youth Organization to provide laptops to youth in need this year, with both our Difenda team and our customers contributing to the cause. Sky’s the Limit donates refurbished computers to youth across the country of Canada, and offers STEM and technology programming for students.  

2022 Year Ahead 

With our new offices in the United States and India, as well as our flagship in Canada, we are better able to serve the needs of companies around the globe. With a fantastic year behind us, we are looking to the future with confidence and creativity.  We are grateful for all of the customer support this year and look forward to being part of your cybersecurity odyssey in 2022. In order to serve our clients better, we will continue to build our team in the new year, and have several project launches scheduled. With competent professionals at the forefront of our business, and the creativity and vision to boldly create the future, we are committed to building a cybersecurity company that will walk with you through the entire process.