Difenda MXDR
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Proactively Stop Threats Before they Impact Your Business

Difenda Managed Extended Detection and Response minimizes the gap between speed of compromise and speed of detection with proactive threat hunting and incident response services. Utilizing machine learning and analytics, Difenda MXDR correlates activity, normalizes information and identifies threats across your entire network so you can get back to what really matters.

Home » Cyber Security Solutions » Managed Extended Detection and Response (MXDR) Security Provider

A set-and-forget security program isn’t enough anymore

Today’s cybersecurity frameworks are complex, making it difficult for organizations to create a unified approach to security operations, from hiring qualified professionals to implementing best practices and maintaining critical infrastructure in an ever-changing technology landscape.

With Difenda’s Managed Extended Detection and Response, your organization is backed by an elite team of threat hunters and response experts who take targeted actions on your behalf to mitigate even the most sophisticated threats.

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Introducing Difenda MXDR

Difenda’s Managed Extended Detection and Response offers the latest in XDR technology—allowing organizations of all sizes to benefit from a world-class cybersecurity program. Difenda’s MXDR is designed based on industry-leading information security standards, including the NIST Cybersecurity Framework.

Difenda MXDR Features

  • Maintain control of where your data resides and key security control technologies.
  • Iteratively collect, categorize, and display network assets to better understand what you are trying to protect. 
  • Effectively execute hunts based on the latest vulnerabilities and threat actor tactics.
  • Access 24/7/365 threat triage and response.
Apply for a Microsoft and Difenda Workshop

Defend Against Threats ​ with SIEM Plus XDR Workshop

Ensure you are MXDR-ready with a Microsoft x Difenda exclusive workshop experience. Wherever you are on your cybersecurity journey, Difenda can help. With these fully funded Microsoft workshops, you’ll learn how to improve your security posture for tangible results with next-generation Microsoft Security tools that you’ve likely already invested in. Workshops are available by nomination from Difenda and customer eligibility.

What’s included in Difenda Managed Extended Detection & response?

Difenda MXDR augments built-in Microsoft Security detection capabilities with Difenda’s ATT&CK®-driven development process with custom threat detection and hunting technology. Our service provides a fully Managed Extended Detection & Response solution leveraging industry leading Microsoft security technologies and Difenda’s highly automated MXDR service components, including:

Threat Profiling

Gain a thorough understanding of your organization’s attack surface, critical infrastructure, sensitive data, and operational processes with full visibility into your threat landscape, laying the foundation for a robust defense strategy.

• Gain critical insight into your organization’s attack surface
• Achieve a better understanding of real business problems and risk
• Prioritize defence efforts by thinking like an adversary
• Configuration Management Database

Threat Defense

Leverage Difenda MXDR and Microsoft 365 Security services, to prevent, detect, contain, and remediate attacks from all threat vectors before, during, and after execution.

• Rely on artificial intelligence to detect threats, including zero-day attacks, eliminating the need for ineffective signature-based antivirus solutions
• Leverage behavioural AI to observe complex activities, automatically blocking and containing attacks at machine-speed
• Conduct rich forensic data collection that supports organization-wide auto-immunity

Threat Hunting

Combine manual and automated techniques to improve your threat hunting programs. Proactively hunt for emerging threats by combining SIEM technologies, Microsoft Security API, and Difenda’s expert threat hunting team.

• Run simulated attacks within your organization’s critical infrastructure using our ATT&CK-driven development methodology
• Leverage a Purple Team approach to identify hidden threats, build detection use cases, and deploy updates to managed SIEM platforms
• Draw real-time data from threat intelligence feeds to recognize known devices, users, or apps that are behaving suspiciously

Threat Response

Contain threats faster with 24/7/365 managed threat response services designed to rapidly contain endpoint, user, and email-based threats to mitigate potential breaches.

• Streamline and coordinate your cybersecurity response, improving visibility and your ability to act
• Provide detailed post-incident documentation, including actions taken by Difenda, investigation results, and recommended next steps
• Follow industry best practices and rely on advanced tools to automate, monitor, record, and manage incident response processes
• Perform malware analysis to examine behavior and potential impacts of malware

Threat Intelligence

Access industry-leading threat intelligence to improve detection capabilities and provide proactive threat bulletins relative to your business. Stay current on specific industry trends, and leverage insights from our C3 security experts.

• Leveraging the world’s largest and richest collection of sensor data to enrich detection capabilities
• Understand threats to your industry or geography through curated threat bulletins
• Get the same global situational awareness typically only available to governments, banks, and the world’s largest enterprises

DASHBOARDS & REPORTING

Maintain complete ownership over your critical security information and gain access to insights far beyond traditional MSSPs. Difenda MXDR offers comprehensive dashboards and real-time reporting capabilities to maximize visibility and support security decision making.

• Dynamically report on current control compliance according to assets, industry standard frameworks, active risks, and ongoing audit engagements
• Access real-time dashboard and reporting data
• Offer up-to-date visibility for all stakeholders, including operational staff

How does our MXDR process work?

Difenda MXDR is powered by a combination of Microsoft’s security solutions and the Difenda Shield platform. The model allows Difenda’s C3 team to monitor and respond to cloud service, endpoint, backend infrastructure, user, and email threats using out-of-the-box Microsoft 365 Security services, Microsoft Sentinel analytics, and Difenda’s proprietary capabilities.

Difenda Labs environment is a core part of our process that simulates common customer environment components. Within the Difenda Labs environment, our Cyber Research and Response team runs continuous attacks based on the cyber tactics and techniques used to breach customer environments.

Successful attack patterns are translated into detection and response requirements, which are developed and released to Difenda Shield services using an agile delivery methodology.

Simplify your security processes with an integrated cybersecurity suite that leverages Azure Sentinel, Microsoft Defender, and active services to provide proactive and ongoing protection.

Our MXDR solution is also compatible with Azure Active Directory (Azure AD), Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps, and Microsoft Purview Information Protection.

Download the Difenda MXDR ebook

Supported technologies
(out-of-the-box)
• Microsoft Sentinel
• Azure Active Directory (Azure AD)
• Microsoft Defender for Cloud (formally Azure Security Center)
• Microsoft Defender (Endpoint, Identity, Office 365, and Cloud Apps)
• Microsoft Purview Information Protection
• Integration of custom data sources is possible via API or log ingestion.

What can you achieve with MXDR?

Develop a quantitative and qualitative understanding of the risks created by your people, assets, data, and technologies before an incident occurs.

Quickly expand your cybersecurity capabilities with access to next-gen, cloud-native cybersecurity solutions built for speed and scale.

Keep your business protected at all times with 24/7/365 that leverages automation, tactical response teams, and multiple C3 locations to ensure service availability.

Our integration-friendly approach means you always get access to cutting edge cybersecurity technology through the Difenda Shield and Microsoft’s award-winning security solutions.

Turn cybersecurity into a company-wide objective with real-time data dashboards, notifications,  alerts, and enhanced visibility using the Difenda Shield Portal.

Identify and respond to threats quicker with automated processes that proactively alert key members of your security teams, ingest data, coordinate responses, and remediation.

Whether you’re looking for on-prem, cloud, or hybrid—Difenda MXDR is the easiest way for you to integrate a best-in-class MXDR solution into your cybersecurity stack.

Difenda is Microsoft’s go-to partner for complex Microsoft Sentinel configurations. Implement best practices and drive valuable insights with ongoing support and solution optimization.

how can MXDR protect my business?

MXDR protects your business from cyber attacks. Cyber attacks are increasing every day and as organizations rapidly adopt new technologies, they inadvertently open new access points to threats throughout their network. Businesses are increasingly targeted by threat actors who attempt to steal confidential information and disrupt operations through phishing scams, malware, ransomware, and denial of service attacks.

How does MXDR protect your business?

MXDR provides comprehensive protection against these types of attacks and more. Difenda MXDR helps prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data stored in your cloud environment, including email messages, files, and databases. It also protects your business from malicious software such as viruses, worms, spyware, adware, and Trojan horses using signature detection technology. Difenda MXDR also provides real-time threat monitoring and reporting capabilities. You can view reports about potential threats and respond quickly to mitigate damage with 24×7×365 technical support via phone and online chat. MXDR also offers free security assessments to evaluate your current security posture.

Tap into the full spectrum of the Difenda Shield cybersecurity suite

Implement a robust cybersecurity solution that keeps your business protected at all levels. Difenda MXDR is a fully managed and modular solution that integrates seamlessly with other components of Difenda Shield, including: 

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Threat Intelligence

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Biography coming soon.

Megan Miller

Megan Miller’s energy and passion for learning flow into all aspects of her work. As the Growth Manager, North America, she brings a background in sciences which she has transitioned to the tech sector in her role at Difenda.

With a Bachelors of Science in Geology, Megan is a lifelong learner who is voracious about learning anything she can get her hands on about cybersecurity. Her positive energy has built a sales strategy with a focus on expanding in the United States while nurturing the Canadian presence. She is responsible for recruiting and training the sales team. Together with the company’s leadership, she creates the sales process and the company’s product strategy in order to better serve the customer base. This ensures that our customers have a highly trained and highly motivated team to help them every step of the way, Megan has completed Microsoft SC-900 training and working towards mastering Microsoft.

Whether at work or play, Megan is fully committed. She took her love of hockey all the way to the semi-professional level as a competitive hockey player. Megan loves all things sports including water skiing, scuba diving, cycling, and snowboarding. She also enjoys time with family and reading about alternative energy, innovation, and cybersecurity.

Natasha Phanor

As the Microsoft Partner Manager at Difenda, Natasha Phanor is responsible for driving growth within our Microsoft Partnership. With six years in the industry, she offers a fresh, energetic approach, and the ability to focus on our customer’s needs throughout the entire process. Natasha has the innate ability to foresee customer needs and solve problems before they arise, which creates a smooth road for each customer she encounters.

As the recipient of the Outstanding Services Partner of the Year Award in 2018, it is clear that Natasha responds quickly to customer needs, creates a platform for understanding a customer’s business requirements, and walks them through the process to ensure their complete satisfaction.

In her spare time, Natasha is as energetic and passionate as she is on the job. A self-proclaimed foodie-extraordinaire, she enjoys dinner parties, traveling, downhill skiing, hiking, biking, and reading. Natasha has a Bachelor of Fine Arts, specializing in Dance, from Ryerson University.

Ian Miersch

Ian Miersch has energy to spare, and uses his eclectic background to make a positive mark on the cybersecurity industry. As Vice President of Finance & Human Resources, Ian Miersch is responsible for overseeing scalable business growth as Difenda expands throughout North America. But it is the way he does it that sets him apart. By leveraging his engineering background and critical thinking skills, he has been able to develop unique strategies that balance the company’s current business needs with its long-term growth plans. And the results of his unique background and drive mean that the company is growing in a fiscally responsible manner, all with the customer’s needs at the forefront.

With a Bachelor’s of Mechanical Engineering, coupled with an MBA in Finance, both from McMaster University, Ian’s ability to analyze data and make informed decisions is augmented by his ability to understand all facets of the business. He has a holistic understanding of the craft, from operations to project delivery and management, to his niche in financial planning. Ian’s ten years of experience in the industry mean that he has seen it all, and knows how to create a dynamic team and manage the resources needed for success.

Outside of work, he uses his energy to help others through the Big Brothers and Big Sisters Program, earning the Group Recreation Volunteer of the Year Status.

Ian also enjoys exploring and hiking with his three young children, exercising (so he can keep up with them), and reading professional development books. He is an avid but generally heartbroken fan of the Toronto sports teams, including the Blue Jays, Maple Leafs, and Raptors.

Derek Nugent

Derek Nugent, Vice President, Revenue lives by the motto “Be early, be better.” Derek leads our Revenue team and is responsible for the customer’s journey with Difenda. His high energy level and creativity have built high performing teams, whether at the Herjavec Group, CDW, or in his current leadership role at Difenda.

After earning a Bachelor Administration and Management degree from the Academy of Learning, Derek started in the information technology industry in 2004 and transitioned to the cybersecurity industry in 2014. With so much experience in a wide-variety of roles, he is poised to take the team at Difenda to the next level.

He excels at leading revenue strategies, new market entry, partnership engagement, and customer acquisition and retention. His work ethic and interest in rising to the top motivate his sales teams, who respond well to his passion and zeal. Under his tutelage, they are able to achieve attractive lead generation, YOY growth, and sizable deals. Derek works tirelessly to build a better team, and his constituents follow his road to success, which ultimately leads to a rewarding experience for the customer.

Even when volunteering, Derek is all in. He was a volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters from 2005-2015, earning Group Recreation Volunteer of the Year Status.

And when he isn’t busy leading the team to the acme of sales, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two kids, running, working out, watching thrillers, action and dramatic television shows

Manoj Arora

Manoj Arora, Difenda’s Founder and CEO has always been ahead of the curve in Technology and Cyber Security. After securing his engineering degree in Computer Science, he wrote his first mobile banking application when he was just 23 years old. This accomplishment certainly set him apart from the crowd and prepared him for a lifetime of innovation and success in his field. At just 25 years old, he was selected as the youngest Cyber Security Officer for one of the largest banks in Asia.

As a globetrotting young cyber security professional, Manoj was instrumental in designing cyber security infrastructure and controls for some of the largest institutions around the world. Depth of his expertise and passion to serve customers at the highest level of competence and integrity lead to Difenda. Founded in 2008, Difenda is a rapidly growing cybersecurity firm operating in North America and Asia.

As the CEO at Difenda, Manoj drives the strategic vision to protect our customers and enable our team members to deliver our services in line with core values- competence, integrity, and innovation. Currently one of Microsoft’s leading North American partners, Difenda reflects Manoj’ single-minded focus on our customers. Difenda is fully vested in success of its customers and takes pride in considering our success as a byproduct of our customers. Manoj has always been committed to building a great team and forging strong partnerships to serve our customers with standards that top our industry.

When he is not busy bringing cybersecurity to the world, Manoj enjoys playing golf and squash, and continues to travel the world.

Lisa Templeton

Lisa Templeton is the perfect combination of human empathy and technological prowess. In her role as People Services Manager, she takes care of our team members to support them in their daily work, as well as on their personal life paths. Happy employees make for happy customers, and Lisa excels in giving our employees the tools they need for success in order to become the best possible versions of themselves. Along with employee formation, she shines in the service delivery support domain to continuously improve the process. Her 24 years of experience in IT Operations and Service Management help her create quality and efficiency at Difenda.

Having attended the Information Systems Management certificate program at Ryerson University, and with various other certifications to her credit, Lisa is perceptive and innovative when it comes to information technology, but also sensitive to the needs of her human constituents. Responsible for achieving the first privately owned company HDI Support Center certification in Canada, she has also designed and implemented Service Management excellence programs and 24×7 IT Operations departments for multiple IT organizations, and has created corporate rewards and recognition programs to keep her employees engaged and motivated.

On the personal side, Lisa passionately supports the cause of breast cancer research, having lost her mother to the disease. She reads voraciously in her spare time, and enjoys the art of home renovation. The summer months also bring time on her boat and exploring new hiking trails.

Miranda McCurdy

Miranda McCurdy uses her myriad super powers in all aspects of her job and personal life. As the Marketing Director at Difenda, Miranda McCurdy brings over a decade of experience to the table, which includes expertise in all facets of operations, brand management, and content marketing, as well as a multitude of successful strategies for the ever-expanding digital world. She is an expert at simplifying the message the company is trying to send, filling in gaps in the information, and strengthening the content in order to create compelling narratives that strengthen the brand and developing programs that bring teams together.

With several Addy Awards issued by the American Advertising Federation Cleveland to her credit, and her never say die attitude, Miranda understands both the broader picture and the minute details that are needed to successfully market a product. With her abilities to harness both the talent needed to spread the message, as well as to create the message itself, she is an integral cog in the company’s ability to communicate with customers and other stakeholders.

When she is not building a brand, she shares her ability to fill the gaps in her community by volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, the Special Olympics, and the Charleston Food Bank. In her spare time, Miranda spends time with her family, enjoys fitness and health, paddle boarding, reading, and arts and crafts.

Juliana Zaremba

Connections are the name of the game for Juliana Zaremba. As Strategic Partnerships Director, she is responsible for Difenda’s channel partnerships and the development and ownership of the channel partner program. She is also responsible for the global Microsoft Partnership, including the creation of strategic plans with MSFT contacts that will facilitate the continued growth of the business and establish certification and training protocols in all security technologies. Her role is multifaceted, as she acquires partners, manages relationships with them, and develops strategies that will provide cutting edge security solutions to our customer base. Another integral aspect of her job is to facilitate growth.

With a Bachelor’s in Math from the University of Waterloo and 14 years of experience from her previous roles at Herjavec Group and CDW, her cutting edge focus and ability to develop long-lasting relationships and strategies provides world class security solutions to our customer base.

Juliana thrives on connections outside of work as well. She is a philanthropist and contributor with Women4Change based in Hamilton. This group of local women is passionate about supporting local causes, and she focuses her efforts around Women in STEM. She is also a member of Club Italia in Niagara Falls and supports their youth events throughout the year.

When not managing the Microsoft Global partnership, Juliana enjoys reading, often reading several books at once. Juliana enjoys exploring the Niagara Escarpment with her family, as well as sharing meals and experiences with her extended family. Juliana’s competitive nature has her always trying new things, like Whoop band challenges and Peloton.

Jeffry Jacob

Biography Coming Soon