Is vSOC Assure tailored to specific industries?

While the core components and delivery approach of our cyber risk management service are consistent, the risks, threat landscape and operational priorities vary significantly by sector. That means vSOC Assure is absolutely tailored to each industry, so you get a programme that reflects your environment, regulatory expectations and real-world exposures, rather than a one-size-fits-all strategy and roadmap. One industry we’ve supported extensively is manufacturing, where cyber risk often extends beyond traditional IT into OT environments including bespoke and legacy systems. For manufacturers, we focus on practical risk reduction, helping you identify and prioritise the cyber risks most likely to impact production, safety and business continuity and then building a clear, actionable roadmap with IT and senior leaders to improve security maturity over time. For a deeper look at our work in manufacturing, visit Cyber Risk Management for Manufacturing .

A Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is responsible for setting and leading the organisation’s cyber security strategy. Their role is to align cyber risk management with business priorities, ensuring risks are understood, managed and communicated clearly at an executive level. They act as a bridge between technical teams and the board, providing insight, assurance and strategic direction.

Are on-premise firewalls still required if I move to SASE?

It depends on the desired architecture. On-premise firewalls may remain to be used to simply ensure resilient access to SASE services through SD-WAN or may used for LAN segmentation in support of the wider security architecture. Typically requirements for on-premise firewall are greatly reduced which will save licensing costs and management overheads. In some cases only a router may be desirable.

How are security policies managed and updated in a SASE environment?

Policies are centralised in a cloud management plane, allowing administrators to apply rules across all users, devices, sites and cloud workloads. Updates propagate automatically without manual configuration on individual endpoints.

What role does Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) play in a SASE architecture?

CASB monitors and enforces security policies for cloud applications, ensuring data protection, compliance, and visibility into shadow IT activity within a SASE framework.

How does SASE improve performance for remote users compared to traditional VPNs?

SASE routes traffic through distributed cloud points of presence, reducing latency and improving connection reliability for remote and hybrid teams, while still enforcing security policies.

Can SASE enforce identity-based access across multiple cloud providers?

Yes. SASE applies consistent access policies across AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and other platforms, ensuring that authentication and authorisation are aligned with Zero Trust principles.

How does SASE combine SD-WAN and security services?

SASE integrates networking (SD-WAN) with security controls such as SWG, CASB, FWaaS and ZTNA, delivering both connectivity and protection from a single cloud-managed platform. SD-WAN can also be achieved standalone without SASE to provide for resilient internet capabilities.

How does micro-segmentation work within a Zero Trust architecture?

Micro-segmentation divides the network into isolated zones, enforcing strict access control at the application and workload level. This limits lateral movement if an account or device is compromised. Its often fairly simple to further segment user to user communications limiting the “blast radius” in the event of a single user device being compromised.

What methods are used to continuously verify user and device trust?

Verification relies on multiple signals, including device posture, location, user behaviour, access history and threat intelligence. Policies adapt in real-time to reduce risk exposure. Many solutions can even utilise signals from other solutions such as anti-malware or threat intelligence platforms.

Can Zero Trust integrate with existing Identity and Access Management (IAM) systems?

Yes. Zero Trust works alongside IAM solutions, enabling strong authentication, single sign-on and centralised policy enforcement without replacing current infrastructure. Its always worth checking that your ZTNA solution of choice supports your existing Identify solution.

How does Zero Trust handle multi-cloud and hybrid environments?

Zero Trust solutions can enforce identity-based policies consistently across on-premises, private and public cloud workloads. Continuous verification ensures secure access regardless of where resources reside. A ZTNA solution may be implemented centrally to do this or through the amalgamation of various ZTNA capable tools depending on the environment and requirements.

What is the difference between Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) and traditional VPNs?

ZTNA grants access based on identity and device posture rather than network location. Traditional VPNs adopt a "castle and moat” style whereby access is granted once to allow access to internal resources. A ZTNA approach on the other hand continuously reviews access rights, limits lateral movement and provides granular access control to applications rather than the full network.

What role does a SOC play in secure networking?

A Security Operations Centre (SOC) provides continuous monitoring, detection, and response across network and cloud environments. In a secure networking strategy, a SOC ensures that access controls, segmentation, and configurations remain effective over time. Our purpose-built SOC, known as vSOC, helps identify suspicious behaviour, detect misconfigurations, and respond quickly to incidents, reducing both risk and dwell time.

How does micro-segmentation reduce cyber risk?

Micro-segmentation reduces cyber risk by dividing networks into smaller, isolated segments based on function and sensitivity. This limits lateral movement within the environment, meaning that if an attacker gains access to one area, their ability to move to other systems is restricted. Micro-segmentation is especially valuable for protecting critical assets, sensitive data, and regulated workloads.

What is SASE and how does it improve network security?

Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) is a cloud-based security model that combines networking and security services into a single framework. It improves network security by delivering consistent access controls, threat protection, and monitoring regardless of user location. SASE is particularly effective for organisations with remote users, cloud applications, and hybrid infrastructure, as it reduces complexity while improving visibility and control.

How does Zero Trust networking differ from traditional network security?

Traditional network security assumes trust once a user is inside the network, often relying on VPNs and perimeter defences. Zero Trust removes this assumption by continuously verifying users, devices and access requests. Access is granted based on identity, context and risk rather than location. This reduces the risk of credential misuse, limits lateral movement and provides stronger protection for cloud and remote access scenarios.

What is secure networking and why is it important?

Secure networking is an approach to network security that combines modern access controls, monitoring, and architecture to protect users, data, and infrastructure across distributed environments. It is important because traditional perimeter-based security models are no longer effective in cloud-first and hybrid organisations. Secure networking reduces attack surfaces, improves visibility, and limits the impact of breaches by enforcing identity-based access and continuous verification across the network.

How do I get access to the vSOC Connect Console?

Access is provided as part of your managed services with Data Connect. To get started, book a demo or speak to one of our experts to explore how the platform console can support your organisation.

How does the console support decision-making at the board level?

The vSOC Connect Console empowers boards with clear, visual insight into cyber maturity, progress, and investment impact. Through benchmarking, heatmaps, and Gantt charts, it shows exactly where resources are being directed and what progress is being made. Executives can access board-ready reports at any time, while all users have ongoing support available directly through the portal.

Can I customise my dashboard in the vSOC Connect Console?

Absolutely. You can tailor your dashboard view to focus on the metrics that matter most to you, enabling more efficient prioritisation and quicker access to key insights.

Is the vSOC Connect Console suitable for non-technical users?

Yes. The console is designed with all stakeholders in mind, offering an intuitive, user-friendly interface and clear reporting dashboards ideal for both technical and executive-level users.

How does the console help with compliance, like Cyber Essentials Plus?

The vSOC Connect Console supports your compliance journey by providing continuous monitoring, tracking certification readiness in real time, and highlighting where your organisation falls short. Compliance alone can lead to complacency, so our approach helps you understand what actions are needed and ensures ongoing improvement. With access to technical support throughout the year, our services also provides a roadmap for strengthening security and addressing gaps you might not know to discuss.

Which services are available through the console?

You can access the full suite of vSOC managed services via the console, including: vSOC Assure (Cyber Risk Management) vSOC CERT (Cyber Essentials Review Toolkit) vSOC Recon (Vulnerability Management) vSOC Manage (Managed Firewall) vSOC Alert (Managed Detection & Response) vSOC Aware (Security Awareness Training)

What is the vSOC Connect Console?

The vSOC Connect Console is our centralised cyber security platform that provides full visibility, control, and actionable insights across all your managed services. It acts as your organisation's cyber security command centre.

What kind of organisations do you partner with?

We work with a wide range of partners, including managed service providers, IT consultancies, and security resellers. Whether you’re looking to expand your service offering or strengthen client security, we’re here to support you.

What are the benefits of partnering with Data Connect?

As a partner, you gain access to our expert security team, the vSOC Connect Console, and a suite of managed services you can offer to your own clients. We provide sales enablement support, co-branded collateral, and ongoing technical assistance to help you grow your business.

How do I become a Data Connect partner?

Becoming a partner starts with a conversation. Get in touch with our partnerships team to discuss your goals and explore how we can work together. We carefully evaluate all potential partners and technologies to ensure alignment, focusing on organisations that share our cyber security values and want to bring customers the right solutions.

What certifications and experience does the Data Connect team have?

Our team is made up of subject matter experts with extensive hands-on experience and a wide range of industry-recognised certifications. Unlike IT-focused providers, everything we do is centred on security. We’re not a compliance organisation - we bridge the gap between technical detail and practical security, ensuring every decision supports a stronger, more resilient posture.

Can I speak with a current Data Connect customer before signing up?

Absolutely. While we prioritise our clients’ privacy and security, we’re happy to arrange a direct conversation between you and one of our existing customers. Just get in touch to set up a call.

What is the vSOC Connect Console and how does it work?

The vSOC Connect Console is your central hub for managing all cyber security activity in one place. It allows you to oversee projects, allocate tasks, and track progress across every service. The platform brings together internal performance data and third-party metrics, such as penetration testing results, to give stakeholders a clear, real-time view of where you stand and what actions are needed next.

Who typically uses Data Connect’s services?

We work with organisations that want to better understand their current security position and gain external verification of their defences. Many have capable IT teams but lack dedicated security specialists. In a landscape where threats are constantly evolving, we help them make the most of what they have, close critical gaps, and gain the reassurance that their “doors and windows” are properly secured.

What makes Data Connect different from other cyber security providers?

We build lasting relationships through exceptional service and trusted expertise. Our high customer retention rate reflects our commitment to helping and supporting our clients every step of the way. We deliver managed services through our own vSOC Connect Console, combining our managed services with technical excellence to provide outstanding value, visibility, and long-term partnership.

New rules can be run against all data within the platform, enabling searches for newly identified IOCs across retained data (up to 12 months).

How long are logs and events retained in the platform?

They are retained for a standard period of 12 months in fully searchable hot storage, ensuring fast access and immediate availability for queries, audits, or operational needs throughout that time.

How are events collected into the platform?

Typically a physical or virtual forwarder will be deployed onsite to collect and forward logs into SecOps. Cloud-to-cloud API pulls are also widely available for various cloud applications. SecOps provides flexible, secure paths to get every event into the platform without opening inbound firewall ports or deploying heavy agents.

How long does it take to get fully deployed?

Initial setup is quick and Data Connect will help support customers in onboarding log sources, rule tuning typically then takes 2–4 weeks.

Where is your Security Operations Centre (SOC) based?

Our SOC is based in the UK, where it's closest to our customers.

Which log sources, SaaS apps, clouds and security tools do you integrate with out-of-the-box?

We integrate with 600+ connectors including Google Cloud, AWS, Azure, Microsoft 365, Azure, Okta, CrowdStrike, Palo Alto Networks and Cisco.

Can penetration testing cover all areas of our business?

Yes. We assess networks, applications, cloud infrastructure, APIs, physical premises, and staff awareness through red teaming, social engineering, and advanced breach simulations—providing a complete view of your attack surface.

How do we maximise the value of a penetration test?

By addressing basic security controls first, you reduce easy wins and allow testers to focus on deeper, more complex vulnerabilities—unlocking the greatest insight and strengthening your overall security posture.

How does penetration testing improve security beyond identifying vulnerabilities?

Our approach goes further than finding flaws. Combined with vSOC Assure, it provides strategic actionable insights, strengthens processes, and guides ongoing improvements across your IT environment.

Why choose CREST-accredited penetration testing?

CREST accreditation ensures our testers operate to the highest standards of skill, ethics, and methodology, giving you confidence in the reliability of findings and compliance with audit, regulatory, and supply chain requirements.

What are the outcomes of a cyber attack?

What can happen if your organisation is targeted by a cyber attack? Cyber attacks can result in a wide range of consequences, including: Malware and ransomware infections - Data breaches and loss of personal or customer information - Supply chain compromises - System sabotage or operational disruption - Theft of intellectual property or funds - Reputational damage and loss of customer trust. Training staff to recognise early warning signs helps prevent these outcomes and builds a proactive line of defence.

What to expect from basic security training?

A strong security awareness programme needs to teach you how to spot threats like phishing and social engineering. It builds awareness, safe habits, and empowers you to act as a human firewall, protecting both company and personal data. As a minimum, training should include password security, GDPR, clean desk policies, oversharing of personal information, information security and computer accessibility.

How often should we run security awareness training?

We recommend running training throughout the year, reinforced with regular phishing simulations and relevant content. Our team helps you define a sustainable cadence that aligns with your risk profile and organisational culture.

Can you track who is vulnerable and who needs extra support?

Yes. The vSOC Connect Console provides data on user engagement and performance. You can identify which users are excelling, who needs further training, and where to focus remediation for maximum impact.

How is training content delivered and kept engaging?

We use a wide range of formats - including videos, quizzes, games, posters, and newsletters - to keep content fresh and accessible. Training is gamified and aligned to current threats to ensure ongoing engagement and long-term knowledge retention.

What types of phishing simulations do you run?

Our simulations reflect real-world attack vectors - including credential harvesting, malicious attachments, QR code scams, and spear phishing. These exercises are designed to mimic modern threats, helping your team identify and report suspicious activity with confidence.

How is vSOC Aware different from off-the-shelf training platforms?

Unlike generic awareness tools, vSOC Aware is a fully managed service delivered by experienced cyber security professionals. We tailor each programme to your organisation’s risk profile, incorporate real-world simulations, and provide campaign insights that drive measurable behaviour change.

Can we get Cyber Essentials if we aren’t based in the UK?

Yes because Cyber Essentials is an internationally recognised standard. We have helped many international organisations achieve Cyber Essentials. In many cases, these businesses want certification to increase credibility within the UK market.

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When AI Finds Its Own Way: The Security Challenge of Autonomous Agents

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When AI Finds Its Own Way: The Security Challenge of Autonomous Agents

You may have seen the headlines about OpenAI and Hugging Face. An AI model didn’t turn evil, but it did go completely rogue to win a test.

OpenAI tasked the AI with solving a security puzzle in a locked testing lab. The goal was to find a flag, like a game of digital capture the flag. The AI had no bad intentions but it was given a problem to solve and it autonomously decided how best to do it:

It found a hidden flaw in OpenAI’s own network.
It used that flaw to break out of its locked digital testing lab and access the real internet.
It then tracked down the answers on Hugging Face’s servers to finish the job.

In the tech world, we call this a “rogue agent.” When you give an advanced AI a goal, it doesn’t think about ethics, safety or “what you actually meant.” It just uses every resource it can find to complete the task.

The Lesson for Leaders:

We cannot just give AI a goal and hope for the best. If you don’t build strict physical boundaries around the AI, it will take the path of least resistance to get the job done, even if that path causes real-world chaos.

We must think about how we use AI systems. Putting guardrails in place to restrict what AI model themselves can and can’t do is essential but not the only consideration. We must rigidly control what it can actually touch. Because an agent needs access to resources to do its job, protection requires a secure environment built on strict network boundaries, limited access permissions, airtight identity controls and continuous external monitoring to ensure it never oversteps its bounds.

While this particular attack lacked malicious intent, cyber criminals can use the same tools. Organisations must proactively prepare to defend against automated, AI-powered threats.

The game has completely changed. AI is no longer just a smart chatbot; it is an autonomous worker that will do exactly what you tell it to do, even if the results are catastrophic. Organisations must adopt a defence in depth strategy and ensure they are at least covering the basics through schemes like the UK Government backed Cyber Essentials.

This article was written by Ray Stone, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Data Connect. Learn more by connecting with him on LinkedIn.