DirectDefense
DirectDefense is a U.S.-based cybersecurity services firm that provides 24/7 managed detection and response, MSSP, OT/ICS, and professional security testing services to mid-market and enterprise customers across government, aerospace, energy, financial services, and healthcare verticals, powered by its proprietary ThreatAdvisor SOAR platform.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersEnglewood, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What DirectDefense does
DirectDefense is a privately held U.S. cybersecurity services firm founded in 2011 and headquartered in Denver, Colorado, with an additional office in Reston, Virginia. The company operates a U.S.-based 24/7 Security Operations Center and delivers managed detection and response (MDR), managed security services provider (MSSP) offerings, operational technology (OT) and industrial control systems security, and project-based professional services such as penetration testing, compliance assessments, and cybersecurity talent acquisition. Its customer base spans mid-market and enterprise organizations across verticals including aerospace/IFE, energy and utilities, financial services, government/public sector, healthcare, automotive, and smart cities, with stated compliance coverage across 15+ frameworks (PCI-DSS, HIPAA, CMMC, NERC CIP, FISMA/FedRAMP, ISO 27001, GDPR, and others).
At the core of its operations is ThreatAdvisor, a proprietary security orchestration, automation, and response (SOAR) platform that powers the internal SOC and provides customer-facing dashboards for vulnerability management, compliance tracking, case management, and risk register visibility. ThreatAdvisor integrates with a broad third-party security stack — including Rapid7, Tenable, CrowdStrike, SentinelOne, Microsoft Sentinel, Halcyon, Claroty, and Dragos — to deliver managed vulnerability management, endpoint detection and response, SIEM, and OT/IoT monitoring under its CORE and MAX service tiers. The company also offers AI penetration testing services targeting LLMs and agentic systems.
DirectDefense monetizes primarily through subscription-based managed services billed annually or on multi-year contracts (CORE and MAX MDR+MSSP tiers), supplemented by project-based professional services revenue and talent acquisition fees. Go-to-market combines direct enterprise field sales (with a 24-hour response SLA on inbound inquiries), a channel partner program for IT security consultancies, and government procurement via Carahsoft, including a Texas Department of Information Resources contract awarded in 2026. As of 2025–2026 the company is scaling sales leadership, with a new VP of Sales onboarded in February 2026, and was named to CRN's Fast Growth 150 list at No. 104 in 2025.
DirectDefense firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- DirectDefense
- Legal name
- DirectDefense
- Website
- https://directdefense.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- DirectDefense is a U.S.-based cybersecurity services firm that provides 24/7 managed detection and response, MSSP, OT/ICS, and professional security testing services to mid-market and enterprise customers across government, aerospace, energy, financial services, and healthcare verticals, powered by its proprietary ThreatAdvisor SOAR platform.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
DirectDefense industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Managed Cybersecurity Services
- NAICS
- Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Computer Facilities Management Services (541513), Other Computer Related Services (541519)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Managed Security Services (MSSP) & 24/7 SOC Operations (BPAKAHAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Security Operations Center (SOC) as a Service (BPAEADAB), Managed OT Security Services (MSSP/MDR for ICS/OT) (HDADAJAN), Endpoint Security Managed Services (EDR/XDR) (BPAEADAH), Network Security Managed Services (Firewall/IDS/IPS/SASE) (BPAEADAG)
Keywords
Where DirectDefense is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Englewood
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
DirectDefense business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Managed Detection and Response (MDR) + MSSP Services: Recurring managed security services providing 24/7 threat monitoring, detection, and response. Offered in two tiers: CORE (SIEM, U.S.-based SOC, IR retainer, ThreatAdvisor, monthly reports) and MAX (adds EDR, OT/IoT monitoring, bi-weekly reviews, solutions managed). Subscription-based with annual or multi-year contracts.
- Professional Security Services: One-time and project-based security consulting including penetration testing, security assessments, compliance gap assessments, architecture reviews, and cybersecurity training. Also includes talent acquisition and staffing services.
- Connected Systems / OT Security Services: Security services for operational technology environments including ICS/SCADA monitoring, technical assessments, architecture reviews, smart device testing, IoT/IIoT security, and embedded systems assessment. Provided as both project-based assessments and ongoing monitoring.
- Talent Acquisition and Staffing: Recruiting services providing qualified cybersecurity candidates for temporary, temp-to-hire, and permanent positions across all industries. Leverages existing industry relationships to source specialized professionals.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | MDR + MSSP CORE tier includes essential security services |
| Subscription | Annual | MDR + MSSP MAX tier includes comprehensive security coverage |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
DirectDefense product offering
Product offeringCore offering
DirectDefense provides managed detection and response (MDR) and managed security services (MSSP) through a U.S.-based 24/7 SOC, plus professional security services such as penetration testing, compliance gap assessments, and talent acquisition. It also delivers specialized OT/ICS security for industrial control systems, SCADA, IoT/IIoT, smart cities, and embedded systems, powered internally by its proprietary ThreatAdvisor SOAR platform.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- ThreatAdvisor: Proprietary security orchestration, automation, and response (SOAR) platform that drives the company's internal Security Operations Center (SOC), providing customers with a centralized interface for threat management, vulnerability management, compliance assessments, and risk register tracking.
Products and services
- Customized MDR + MSSP
- Connected Systems / OT Security Framework
- Professional Security Services
- ThreatAdvisor Platform
- Talent Acquisition and Staffing
Quantifiable outcome
- 30-minute SLA-driven incident response time
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use DirectDefense
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
DirectDefense technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration12 records
AI capability6 records
Feature3 records
DirectDefense partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- Carahsoft Technology Corp.coreCarahsoft serves as the trusted government IT solutions provider through which DirectDefense was awarded the Texas Department of Information Resources contract for providing IT and OT cybersecurity services to Texas public sector organizations.
- Rapid7coreTechnology integration partner whose solutions are managed and monitored through DirectDefense's MDR + MSSP services. Solutions include vulnerability management and penetration testing tools.
- TenablecoreTechnology integration partner whose exposure management and vulnerability management solutions are incorporated into DirectDefense's managed security services.
- CrowdstrikecoreTechnology integration partner whose endpoint detection and response (EDR) platform is managed through DirectDefense's MDR + MSSP services.
- HalcyonsupportingTechnology partner integrated into DirectDefense's security offerings for anti-ransomware and endpoint protection capabilities.
- ClarotycoreOT and IoT security technology partner whose platform supports DirectDefense's connected systems and industrial control systems security services.
- DragoscoreOT security technology partner specializing in industrial control systems security. Dragos platform is integrated into DirectDefense's OT security monitoring and assessment services.
- SentinelOnecoreAI-powered endpoint protection platform integrated into DirectDefense's managed detection and response services.
- Microsoft SentinelcoreCloud-native SIEM and security orchestration platform integrated into DirectDefense's managed security services for threat detection and response.
- ExerocoreStrategic partnership for Enterprise Security Program Review combining Exero's cybersecurity capabilities with DirectDefense's services in a multi-phased approach to security program assessment based on NIST cybersecurity controls.
- IronNetcoreStrategic partnership for Enterprise Security Program Review bringing world-class cybersecurity support teams and tool sets combined with DirectDefense's expertise.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
DirectDefense competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Arctic Wolf: Direct competitor offering 24/7 managed detection and response, security operations, and managed security services to mid-market and enterprise customers. Closely comparable in MSSP/MDR model, recurring subscription pricing, and SOC-driven delivery.
- Expel: MDR provider offering transparent, SaaS-delivered managed detection and response with its own orchestration platform. Comparable to DirectDefense in MDR focus, transparency-first positioning, and enterprise/mid-market customer base.
- eSentire: Managed detection and response and managed security services provider with 24/7 SOC and multi-tenant MDR platform. Comparable to DirectDefense in MSSP service tiers, SOC-as-a-service model, and vertical-specific offerings including OT-adjacent coverage.
- Critical Start: MDR provider focused on endpoint, network, and cloud detection with a U.S.-based SOC. Comparable to DirectDefense in MDR delivery model, emphasis on rapid response SLAs, and enterprise customer focus across regulated industries.
- Pondurance: MDR and professional services provider serving mid-market and enterprise with 24/7 SOC, compliance, and incident response. Closely comparable to DirectDefense in service breadth (MSSP + professional services) and regulated-vertical focus (financial services, healthcare, government).
- Nuspire: Managed security services provider offering MDR, SIEM, EDR management, and professional security services to mid-market and enterprise. Comparable to DirectDefense in MSSP service portfolio, partner channel model, and emphasis on operational security delivery.
- Blackpoint Cyber: MSSP offering managed detection and response, security operations, and partner-delivered services to MSPs and mid-market enterprises. Comparable in MSSP/MDR service mix and partner-channel go-to-market, though typically positioned more toward MSP ecosystem.
- TrustedSec: Cybersecurity consulting and MSSP offering penetration testing, incident response, and managed security services. Comparable to DirectDefense in professional services + managed services hybrid model and in attacker-centric, high-talent positioning.
Emerging players
- Dragos: OT/ICS cybersecurity specialist providing industrial control system visibility, threat detection, and incident response. Dragos is both a DirectDefense technology partner and an emerging competitor in the OT/ICS services segment where DirectDefense's Connected Systems practice operates.
Broad incumbents
- CrowdStrike (Falcon Complete MDR): Endpoint security platform vendor that also delivers its own MDR service (Falcon Complete). CrowdStrike is both a DirectDefense technology partner and a broad incumbent whose vendor-led MDR offering could compete with or threaten DirectDefense's managed EDR layer.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
DirectDefense social profiles
Digital presenceDirectDefense financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
DirectDefense leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
DirectDefense funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
DirectDefense M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about DirectDefense
What does DirectDefense do?
DirectDefense provides managed detection and response (MDR) and managed security services (MSSP) through a U.S.-based 24/7 SOC, plus professional security services such as penetration testing, compliance gap assessments, and talent acquisition. It also delivers specialized OT/ICS security for industrial control systems, SCADA, IoT/IIoT, smart cities, and embedded systems, powered internally by its proprietary ThreatAdvisor SOAR platform.
Is DirectDefense a public or private company?
DirectDefense is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was DirectDefense founded?
DirectDefense was founded in 2011. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is DirectDefense based?
DirectDefense is headquartered in Englewood, United States, in the North America region.
How does DirectDefense make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Managed Detection and Response (MDR) + MSSP Services are the primary driver. The others are professional Security Services, connected Systems / OT Security Services and talent Acquisition and Staffing.
Who are DirectDefense's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Arctic Wolf, Expel, eSentire, Critical Start, Pondurance, Nuspire, Blackpoint Cyber and TrustedSec. Dragos is listed as an emerging player. CrowdStrike (Falcon Complete MDR) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does DirectDefense have an API?
No public API is recorded for DirectDefense.
What industry is DirectDefense in?
DirectDefense's product category is Managed Cybersecurity Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAKAHAA, Managed Security Services (MSSP) & 24/7 SOC Operations, with a secondary code of BPAEADAB, Security Operations Center (SOC) as a Service. Its NAICS code is 54151 and its SIC code is 7373.