Vodafone NZ is delighted to announce that DEFEND, their cybersecurity partner company, has attained the Security Solutions Partner Designation at the launch of the new Microsoft Cloud Partner Program, demonstrating DEFEND’s consistently high level of successful delivery and expertise for customers with Microsoft services.

This designation acknowledges DEFEND’s capability to meet specific and evolving customer requirements, and identifies DEFEND as a Microsoft Partner with highly specialised technical capabilities, knowledge and a history of delivering innovative solutions in specific areas.

DEFEND is the first globally to hold all four of Microsoft’s security specialisations – Cloud Security, Identity and Access Management, Information Protection and Governance, and Threat Protection, further demonstrating their high level of competence in deploying advanced Microsoft Security & Compliance capabilities.

Vodafone’s business customers benefit from next level expertise and capability within DEFEND, which unlocks access to advanced programs and investments from Microsoft when working with DEFEND and Vodafone NZ.

Lindsay Zwart, Vodafone New Zealand’s Chief Enterprise Officer, is proud to offer business customers DEFEND’s expertise as a partner.

“Vodafone and DEFEND offer New Zealand businesses end to end secure services aligned to a zero-trust strategy covering cyber, connectivity, cloud, and operational security. As New Zealand businesses continue to adopt new technologies, the partnership provides both DEFEND and Vodafone customers increased capability and capacity to drive cyber resilience. Cyber-security, alongside cloud migration done safely, are hot topics for businesses across the globe at the moment and these accreditations will give our business customers further peace of mind. We’re delighted to see DEFEND further recognised by Microsoft for their achievements.”

The Security Solutions Partner Designation is yet another achievement for the high-achieving DEFEND. Vodafone NZ recognises DEFEND’s growth since it established in 2017, receiving multiple awards including ISANZ Cyber Security Start-up of the Year 2018, ISANZ 2019 Company of the Year and was Microsoft New Zealand Partner Awards winner 2020 for Modern Work & Security and 2021 for Security, as well as Microsoft New Zealand Country Partner of the Year in 2022.