Tristel Solutions Scoops Top Spot at the Microsoft First Awards for Security and Compliance

The Microsoft First Awards were established to recognise the mounting cybersecurity challenges confronting organisations and highlight the role that Microsoft solutions can now play in the UK midmarket. The awards span five categories, with a judging panel comprising senior executives from Microsoft, the Cloud Industry Forum, Softwerx, and a finalist – Altum Group – from last year.

Tristel Solutions’ winning “Microsoft First” approach optimised their use of the latest Microsoft security stack. By fully embracing Microsoft’s solutions, Tristel Solutions hardened their security posture. As a result their Microsoft Secure Score surged, reflecting enhanced security configurations across Microsoft 365 and Azure. Also, they secured Cyber Essentials Plus certification, highlighting their commitment to baseline security standards.

Bryn Clark is Tristel Solutions’ Head of IT and the ‘Microsoft Visionary’ who spearheaded Tristel’s award-winning performance. Bryn explained their strategic approach by saying, “We’ve embraced a streamlined security model, centred around a Microsoft-focused strategy. This approach rationalises our infrastructure and reduces reliance on third-party software. Leveraging Microsoft’s end-to-end security offerings, we’ve consolidated our defences. We’ve replaced disjointed complexity for interconnected simplicity and trimmed the fat. With Microsoft’s suite of advanced threat detection, data protection, identity management, and compliance tools, we’ve fortified our security posture within a unified platform. We’ve also achieved cost savings on the apps that we retired and we are on the front foot to proactively address security risks and threats.”

By prioritising security as well as increasing productivity, the company achieved no mean feat. One judge commended Tristel Solutions for their savvy use of Microsoft Security tools when he commented, “It’s not just about technical controls; they’ve fostered a ‘security positive environment’.” The organisations’ win shines a spotlight on its commitment to excellence in information security.

ABOUT THE MICROSOFT FIRST AWARDS

Softwerx launched the Microsoft First Awards in 2022 to show how medium sized organisations in the UK have become the heroes of their own Microsoft Security transformation story. By putting “Microsoft First,” they benefit by accessing a unified, seamless security platform. The awards evaluate five areas of security including understanding/adoption, enhanced security, user experience, commercial gains, and simplicity. Tristel’s recent win exemplifies excellence across all areas in this challenging landscape.

ABOUT SOFTWERX

Softwerx is the host of the Microsoft First Awards. As one of the UK’s leading Microsoft Security Specialists, we boast over twenty-five years of experience. We are also among the first Microsoft Partners in the UK to achieve the prestigious Microsoft Advanced Threat Protection Specialism. Our 24×7 MXDR solution, secure365, is trusted by many global brands.

ABOUT TRISTEL SOLUTIONS

Tristel Solutions is a leading global infection prevention company with a presence in 14 countries and a workforce of over 200 employees.