Who are the Top 10 Managed Network Security Companies in the UK?
Managed network security is a service category where a third-party provider takes responsibility for operating and monitoring network-layer security controls on behalf of an organisation. This article covers specific technical areas including firewall management, IDS and IPS monitoring, DDoS mitigation, web application firewalls and network segmentation.
Organisations typically outsource network security to address internal resource constraints and the increasing complexity of the threat landscape. The need for constant coverage often exceeds the capacity of in-house IT departments, making external monitoring a practical alternative. Outsourcing allows architects to maintain security posture without the overhead of managing hardware and software updates manually.
In this article we'll cover ten providers with a significant presence in the United Kingdom. Inclusion criteria include the availability of a UK-based security operations centre or data centre infrastructure, the breadth of their network security portfolio, and the transparency of their service information. These providers represent a mix of global telecommunications companies and specialist security firms.
What is a Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP)?
As the name implies, these are service providers who offer managed security services at scale which reduces the management burdens of in-house IT departments. MSSP or Managed Security Service Providers specialise in providing security services across the board for your business. They achieve business outcomes by providing services such as Managed Detection and Response (MDR), Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB), NextGen Firewall as a service (NextGen FWaaS), Security Event Monitoring and Event Management (SIEM). These services cover all security aspects of an organisation, from single-user devices to SD-WAN, Edge Computing, and even Cloud Security.
Some providers deliver these services through a SASE architecture, while others maintain traditional perimeter-based infrastructure. Both models are common in the UK market and serve different organisational requirements. The provider acts as an extension of the internal IT team, offering specialised skills that may be difficult to recruit or retain in-house.
The distinction between simple device management and a full managed service is the level of human intervention. A true managed security service provider provides proactive threat hunting and expert analysis of security events. This ensures that security alerts are not just generated but are qualified and acted upon by security professionals.
The Top 10 Managed Network Security Companies in the UK
| Provider | HQ | UK SOC | Firewall Mgmt | IDS/IPS | DDoS | WAF | SASE | Certifications | 46227 | Monthly Cost (GBP) |
| BT Security | London, UK | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ISO 27001, CE | Yes | POA |
| Vodafone Business | Newbury, UK | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ISO 27001, CE+ | Yes | POA |
| Virgin Media O2 | Slough, UK | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | ISO 27001, CAS-T | Yes | POA |
| Telefónica Tech | London, UK | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ISO 27001, CE+ | Yes | POA |
| NTT | Tokyo, JP | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ISO 27001, SOC 2 | Yes | POA |
| Tata Communications | Mumbai, IN | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ISO 27001, SOC 2 | Yes | POA |
| Secureworks | Atlanta, US | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | ISO 27001, CREST | Yes | POA |
| Integrity360 | Dublin, IE | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ISO 27001, SOC 2 | Yes | POA |
| Claranet | London, UK | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ISO 27001, CE+ | Yes | POA |
| Cato Networks | Tel Aviv, IL | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ISO 27001, SOC 2 | Yes | POA |
BT Security
London, UK · UK SOC: YesBT Security is headquartered in London and provides a comprehensive suite of managed security services. Their offering includes firewall management, DDoS mitigation, and SASE solutions often integrated with their global network. They operate multiple security operations centres within the UK and maintain government-grade security clearances for their staff.
Vodafone Business
Newbury, UK · UK SOC: YesVodafone Business is based in Newbury and delivers managed network security across its mobile and fixed-line infrastructure. Their portfolio covers the five core service areas, including web application firewalls and IDS/IPS monitoring. They maintain ISO 27001 and Cyber Essentials Plus certifications to support their enterprise and public sector clients.
Virgin Media O2 Business
Slough, UK · UK SOC: YesVirgin Media O2 Business is headquartered in Slough and focuses on high-capacity network security for UK organisations. Their primary offerings include DDoS protection and managed firewall services delivered via their own UK-based security operations centre. They hold the CAS-T certification, which makes them a frequent choice for public sector network security requirements. Research indicates their current portfolio does not include a standalone managed WAF service; this should be confirmed against their current product pages before publication.
Telefónica Tech
London & Belfast, UK · UK SOC: Yes (Derby & Belfast)Telefónica Tech operates UK headquarters in London and Belfast with security operations centres in Derby and Belfast. They provide a full range of managed network security services with a particular focus on multi-cloud security and Microsoft integrations. Their service model includes 24/7 monitoring and response for mid-market and enterprise organisations.
NTT
Tokyo, JP (UK base: London) · UK SOC: YesNTT is a global provider with a significant regional base in London and a dedicated UK security operations centre. They offer a standardised global security platform that includes firewall management, SASE, and DDoS mitigation. Their services are supported by extensive UK data centre infrastructure and various international security certifications.
Tata Communications
Mumbai, IN (UK SOC: London) · UK SOC: YesTata Communications maintains a security operations centre in London to support its UK and European customers. Their managed security services include network-layer protection, zero-trust architectures, and WAF management. They focus on providing integrated security for organisations with global network footprints and complex SD-WAN requirements.
Secureworks
Atlanta, US (Sovereign UK SOC) · UK SOC: YesSecureworks operates a sovereign security operations centre in the UK specifically for regional clients. Their primary offering is the Taegis XDR/MDR platform, which provides managed firewall and IDS/IPS services. Their current portfolio is focused on detection and response rather than standalone DDoS mitigation or WAF management. They hold CREST and CHECK certifications, reflecting their focus on technical security testing and incident response. Note: Secureworks was acquired by Sophos in 2025 — confirm current branding and portfolio scope with Robert before publication.
Integrity360
Dublin, IE (UK SOC: Birmingham) · UK SOC: YesIntegrity360 is headquartered in Dublin but maintains a large UK presence with a security operations centre in Birmingham. They provide all five core managed network security services and are known for their compliance expertise in PCI DSS. Their analysts provide 24/7 coverage for UK organisations across various vertical sectors.
Claranet
London, UK · UK SOC: Yes (CREST-accredited)Claranet is headquartered in London and provides managed security services that are closely integrated with their network and cloud offerings. They operate a CREST-accredited security operations centre in the UK and hold the Cyber Essentials Plus certification. Their services include firewall management and web application protection for the UK mid-market.
Cato Networks
Tel Aviv, IL (UK PoPs) · UK SOC: No — cloud-native modelCato Networks is headquartered in Tel Aviv and operates a global SASE platform with multiple points of presence in the UK. They offer a managed SASE service that replaces traditional perimeter security with a cloud-native architecture. Their model does not include a physical UK security operations centre; instead, 24/7 analyst oversight and integrated security features — including firewalling and threat prevention — are delivered from their globally distributed cloud platform. Cato was named a Leader in the 2025 Gartner Magic Quadrant for SASE Platforms.
Conclusion
The UK market offers a diverse range of providers for managed network security, ranging from global telecommunications firms to regional security specialists. Choosing the right partner depends on specific requirements for service scope, the location of the security operations centre, and budget constraints. Organisations should prioritise providers that offer the certifications and technical depth required for their specific industry.
Robert Sturt is a leading expert in SD-WAN and enterprise network solutions with extensive experience in telecommunications and network infrastructure. As a Forbes Business Council member and contributor to TechTarget, he provides strategic insights on network transformation and digital connectivity solutions. His expertise spans SD-WAN implementation, network security, and enterprise digital transformation initiatives.
Fact-checked by: Harry Yelland - Cybersecurity Writer, Netify
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the best managed network security providers in the UK?
The following five providers are selected based on their extensive UK-based SOC presence and breadth of certification.
- BT
- Vodafone Business
- Telefónica Tech
- Integrity360
- Claranet
What does managed network security include?
Managed network security involves several distinct service areas that protect the network perimeter and internal segments.
- Firewall Management
- IDS & IPS Monitoring
- DDoS Mitigation
- Web Application Firewall (WAF)
- Network Segmentation
How much does managed network security cost in the UK?
Pricing for managed network security is typically quoted on application due to the variables involved in each deployment.
What is the difference between managed network security and SASE?
Managed network security is a service delivery model, while SASE is a specific network architecture. These concepts are not mutually exclusive and often overlap in modern deployments. A provider can deliver managed network security services on top of a SASE platform by providing the analyst oversight needed to manage the security features.