Kocho named finalist for Security Trailblazer at Microsoft Security Excellence Awards

The nomination follows last year’s success, where Kocho’s Head of Global Security Operations, Anna Webb, won the Security Changemaker award.

Recognised among a global field of industry leaders, this nomination further solidifies our position as a leader in cybersecurity and our reputation for delivering innovative security solutions to our clients worldwide.

About the Microsoft Security Excellence Awards

Set to take place on April 28, 2025, the Microsoft Security Excellence Awards celebrate achievements across nine award categories, honouring partner trailblazers, solution innovators, customer and technology champions, and changemakers.

Now in its sixth year, the awards spotlight the outstanding work of Microsoft Intelligent Security Association (MISA) members. Leading security providers integrating their expertise with Microsoft’s security technology.

Maria Thomson, Director of MISA, congratulated all finalists, stating:

“I’m very pleased to extend my warmest congratulations to this year’s finalists for the Microsoft Security Excellence Awards. These awards recognise the outstanding achievements of our Microsoft Intelligent Security Association members as they improve customers’ ability to identify and respond to security threats.

“Our community is made up of the most reliable and trusted security vendors worldwide. This year we received hundreds of quality submissions from partners and Microsoft stakeholders, so this year’s finalists stood out in a crowd of exceptional talent. It’s my pleasure to acknowledge and celebrate their work over the past year.”

Why Kocho was nominated

To be named a finalist in the Security Trailblazer category, organisations must demonstrate:

• Innovation: Significant advances in cybersecurity solutions that integrate with Microsoft Security products.
• Impact: Measurable improvements in customer cybersecurity.
• Collaboration: A strong working relationship with Microsoft and MISA members.
• Customer focus: Clear benefits in security posture and risk management for clients.

For Kocho, this presented an opportunity to showcase the innovative capabilities and meteoric success of XDR Rapid Protect; our award-winning managed security service.

Managed security that keeps pace with modern threats

Designed for Microsoft-first organisations, XDR Rapid Protect delivers enterprise-grade security for every client. It integrates Microsoft Sentinel, Defender XDR, and Security Copilot, providing AI-powered threat detection, real-time visibility, and seamless onboarding.

With 24/7 monitoring from Kocho’s UK-based SOC in Cardiff and flexible 30-day rolling contracts, businesses get immediate, expert-led protection, without long-term commitments.

Speaking about the nomination as award finalist, Alastair Rees, Director of Marketing and Alliances at Kocho, said:

“Being named a finalist for the Security Trailblazer award is an incredible achievement and a testament to the impact XDR Rapid Protect is having in the industry. We designed this service to address real-world security challenges. To help organisations stay protected, adaptable, and ahead of threats with AI-powered intelligence and seamless integration into Microsoft’s security stack.

“This recognition from Microsoft and MISA reaffirms our commitment to innovation and delivering security solutions that truly make a difference for our clients.”

Why organisations choose XDR Rapid Protect

Escalating cyber threats demand faster, smarter security. But many organisations struggle to keep up.

Overstretched teams often lack the skills to manage evolving risks, while slow incident response and limited visibility leave businesses vulnerable. Without clear reporting, IT teams face an uphill battle getting leadership to act.

Disjointed security tools only make things worse, draining budgets while creating gaps in protection.

The reality is that switching SecOps providers should be simple. Yet complex onboarding and rigid contracts keep organisations stuck with underperforming services.

Kocho’s XDR Rapid Protect was developed to remove these barriers, delivering advanced Microsoft security with flexible, transparent service that works from day one.

Providing clients with:

Real-world success with Viking Direct

To be nominated as a Security Trailblazer finalist you need to be able to demonstrate innovation within cybersecurity that has a tangible benefit to clients.

Kocho’s partnership with Viking Direct highlights the real-world impact of its managed security services. Facing challenges in maintaining strong security while ensuring cost efficiency, Viking turned to Kocho for a tailored Managed SOC solution powered by Microsoft technology.

The results of which included:

• Bespoke playbooks and proactive threat management that strengthened Viking’s defences.
• Close collaboration with Viking’s teams to foster a culture of continuous improvement.
• A tailored approach which maximised Viking’s security investments without long-term lock-ins.

Final thoughts

We’re incredibly proud to be named a finalist for the Security Trailblazer award. It’s a recognition of the dedication, innovation, and expertise that drive everything we do.

The development of XDR Rapid Protect has been a response to new challenges in cybersecurity. An AI-powered, real-time and proactive security offering that keeps our clients and their assets safe from emerging and advanced threats.

Being a finalist in such an esteemed and competitive category is another major milestone, and further recognition of our role as a leader in cybersecurity.

We’re excited to celebrate alongside our industry peers at the Microsoft Security Excellence Awards, and we remain committed to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in managed security.

If you’d like to find out more about XDR Rapid Protect or would like to discuss tailored managed security services for your organisation, please get in touch with our team today.