Security. Fortified
Managed cybersecurity for South African businesses.
Security services
Hosted Firewall & Network Security
Firewall as a Service (FWaaS) from FirstNet: Fortinet and Sophos firewalls, hosted or on site, configured, monitored and updated by our security team.Email Security & Threat Protection
Stop phishing and malware before they reach the inbox, and keep email running, with filtering and continuity from FirstNet.Microsoft 365 Security & Compliance
Microsoft 365 security from FirstNet. We lock down sign-ins, protect your data and set the controls your risk calls for.Managed Cybersecurity Services
Managed cyber security services in South Africa: our 24/7 SOC, with Sophos MDR analysts, watches your systems day and night and responds to attacks.
Secure Access & SSE
Replace your VPN and web proxy with Cloudflare Zero Trust: web, cloud apps, private apps and sensitive data protected on Cloudflare's network, with FirstNet to deploy, support and optionally manage it.Web Application & DDoS Protection
Cloudflare protects your websites and APIs from data centres in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban.Secure AI with Cloudflare
Your people are already using AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini, often without IT knowing.
Why FirstNet cybersecurity
Many providers focus on single security tools. This leaves you with scattered systems that are hard to run.
We run cybersecurity the same way we run our cloud and connectivity services:
- Built into your core infrastructure
- Delivered as a managed service
- Joined up across platforms and users
- Run with clear ownership and visibility
Benefits include:
- One design for security and infrastructure
- Simpler operations and governance
- Proactive risk management
- Protection that grows with your business
Accredited platforms, one accountable provider
FirstNet runs each security platform as a managed service. We do not just resell licences. You get one contract, one support desk and one team that owns the outcome. When an issue needs it, we escalate straight to the vendor.
- Sophos Titanium Partner and MSP Titanium is the top tier of the Sophos Partner Program. It gives FirstNet advanced certification. It also gives us direct escalation into Sophos for firewall, endpoint and MDR customers.
- Mimecast Elite Managed Services Partner FirstNet holds Elite status in the Mimecast Partner ONE MSP Programme. We run Mimecast email security for you, so you never need to deal with Mimecast directly.
- Fortinet partner FirstNet runs FortiGate firewalls, FortiManager and FortiAnalyzer for many customer sites today. We escalate to Fortinet TAC through FortiCare.
- Cloudflare and Peplink partner FirstNet designs, deploys and tunes Cloudflare for South African organisations and is a Peplink Certified Partner, with partner-tier escalation into each vendor's technical teams.
The details
Why cybersecurity is business-criticalAttacks rarely work because a business has no security tools.
Essential cybersecurity for modern organisations
Attacks rarely work because a business has no security tools. They work when security is patchy, uneven, or cut off from the rest of your IT and network.
Today's businesses run on cloud platforms, remote users, digital communication and always-on networks. Securing all this needs the same careful design as cloud and connectivity, designed as a whole, delivered as a service, and managed all the time against clear goals.
At FirstNet, managed cybersecurity is part of your IT infrastructure. We design, deploy and run security that fits in smoothly with your:
Cloud Connectivity
Business Connectivity
Unified Communication
Data Platforms
The result is strong, resilient security that fits how your business works. You avoid the hassle of running many tools, vendors or in-house skills.
FirstNet cybersecurity keeps you secure & resilient
Why cybersecurity has become business-critical
Cybersecurity is no longer a separate IT task. It is now a core part of business infrastructure.
South African organisations are moving to cloud services, remote work and digital ways of working. As they do, the attack surface keeps growing: there are more ways for attackers to get in. Security failures also cause more damage now. They hit system uptime, customer trust and your standing with regulators.
When cybersecurity is not built and managed as part of core infrastructure, you face:
- Outages that hurt productivity and revenue
- Loss or exposure of sensitive business and customer data
- Costs of recovery, clean-up and penalties
- Damage to your reputation that erodes long-term trust
Cybersecurity needs the same discipline as cloud platforms and network connectivity, designed for resilience, managed for continuity and aligned to business goals.
Core components of modern cybersecurityGood security uses layers of controls that work as one.
Core components of modern cybersecurity
Secure. Resilient. Managed.
Good security uses layers of controls that work as one. This is how managed cybersecurity services, MSSP and MDR work. The layers are: - network security - endpoint detection and response (EDR), which protects laptops, servers and other devices - email security - identity and access management - SIEM monitoring (SIEM collects and checks security logs) - incident response. Together, they cut the risk of ransomware, phishing, data leaks and break-ins.
Network Security
Secures traffic across on-premise, cloud and wide-area networks. We control access, inspect traffic all the time and block unauthorised or harmful activity.
Outcome: Less exposure to network threats, and controlled, predictable access across your environment.
Related service: Managed Firewall Services
Endpoint & workforce security
Protects the laptops, servers and mobile devices your remote, mobile and hybrid staff use. It covers malware protection, endpoint detection and response, and fast isolation of infected devices.
Outcome: Your staff can work safely from any location.
Related service: Endpoint Security Solutions
Email & digital communication security
Protects your main business communication channels. It stops phishing, impersonation and fraud, and checks links and attachments in real time.
Outcome: Lower financial risk and more trust in digital communication.
Related service: Email Security Services
Identity & access management
Controls access to systems, apps and data. It uses strong sign-in checks, least-privilege access and protection for admin accounts.
Outcome: Access based on each user's identity, role and risk, so you can work securely.
Related service: Identity & Access Management
How the layers fit togetherEach service covers a different part of the attack surface.
How the layers fit together
Each service covers a different part of the attack surface. Most customers start with their most urgent risk. They then add other layers over time on the same FirstNet contract.
- Firewall as a Service: Fortinet or Sophos, on your site or hosted
- Inbound email: Mimecast filters phishing, malware and impersonation before delivery
- Outbound email: SendMarc enforces DMARC so nobody can spoof your domain
- Endpoint and SOC: Sophos MDR detects threats around the clock
- Incident response: FirstNet's team remediates when Sophos MDR raises an alert
- Secure access: Cloudflare Zero Trust replaces legacy VPN
- Public apps: Cloudflare WAF, DDoS and bot protection at the edge
Managed detection, monitoring and responseMore and more businesses use managed cybersecurity.
Why businesses are moving to managed cybersecurity
Secure. Resilient. Managed.
More and more businesses use managed cybersecurity. Their reasons are the same as for moving to managed cloud and connectivity.
- Skills and Operational Complexity: Security experts are scarce and costly. It is hard to keep them in-house as threats and tools change.
- Continuous Risk Environment: Threats never stop, so monitoring and response must be always on.
- Predictable Operating Model: Managed services replace upfront spend and scattered tools with one steady, predictable cost.
- Proactive Risk Management: Constant monitoring spots threats early and greatly cuts the impact on your business.
- Regulatory and Governance Pressure: Laws such as POPIA need controls that are visible, auditable and applied the same way every time.
Outcome: Enterprise-grade security as a managed service, in line with your business priorities.
Cybersecurity for South African businesses
South African organisations face their own security challenges. These come from local laws, reliance on local infrastructure and targeted attacks. Key points include:
- POPIA compliance and data sovereignty requirements
- More ransomware and fraud aimed at local organisations
- Remote staff and regional branch connectivity
- Dependence on reliable network and cloud availability
South African organisations face their own security challenges. These come from local laws, reliance on local infrastructure and targeted attacks. Key points include:
Threat detection, monitoring and response
Secure. Resilient. Managed.
Security controls only work if someone watches them. Our managed cybersecurity services include:
- Continuous security monitoring
- One central view across all security areas
- Spotting unusual activity and new threats
- Joined-up incident response and containment
Outcome: Faster detection, less disruption and better recovery from security incidents.
Related services: Security Operations Centre (SOC), Threat Detection & Response
Risk assessments and assuranceKnowing your risks shows you where to spend first.
Security risk assessments and assurance
Knowing your risks shows you where to spend first.
We deliver structured security assessments that:
Identify Vulnerabilities
Across Users, Systems, And Connectivity
Assess Likelihood
And The Business Impact
Evaluate Alignment
To Regulatory And Governance Requirements
Define
Prioritised Remediation Roadmaps
Outcome: A clear view of your security risk and a practical plan to improve.
Related services: Cybersecurity Risk Assessment
Cybersecurity services we provideAll services are delivered as managed outcomes, not standalone products.
Cybersecurity services we provide
Secure. Resilient. Managed.
Managed Network & Edge Security
Managed Network & Edge SecurityEndpoint & Workforce Protection
Endpoint & Workforce ProtectionEmail & Communication Security
Email & Communication SecurityThreat Detection & Incident Response
Threat Detection & Incident ResponseContinuous Security Monitoring
Continuous Security MonitoringCybersecurity Risk Assessments
Cybersecurity Risk AssessmentsAll services are delivered as managed outcomes, not standalone products.
FirstNet cybersecurity designed for South African businesses
Industries we supportWe support businesses in: Each one gets stronger security and compliance, and keeps running.
Industries we support
We support businesses in:
Financial Services
Healthcare
Legal & professional services
Manufacturing
Retail & Logistics
Each one gets stronger security and compliance, and keeps running.
Managing cybersecurity cost versus business risk
A security incident often costs far more than preventing it.
Security failures lead to:
- Extended Service Downtime
- Data Recovery And Rebuild Costs
- Legal, Regulatory, And Contractual Exposure
- Long Term Reputational Damage
Managed cybersecurity puts your spend into cutting risk and keeping things stable. You get predictable costs and results you can measure.
What are managed cybersecurity services?
Managed cybersecurity services protect, monitor and manage your security controls on an ongoing basis. They cover your network, cloud platforms, users and devices. The aim is to cut cyber risk and improve resilience.
Who needs managed cybersecurity services?
Small, medium and enterprise organisations that rely on cloud apps, internet access and digital communication. They need the same security controls across all users and locations.
How do managed cybersecurity services reduce business risk?
They combine preventive controls, constant monitoring and fast response. This makes ransomware, phishing, data breaches and unauthorised access less likely and less harmful.
Does managed cybersecurity support remote and hybrid workforces?
Yes. Security controls follow users wherever they work. This gives the same protection beyond the old network boundary.
Is cloud security included?
Yes. Managed cybersecurity protects on-premise, cloud and hybrid environments. You get the same visibility and control across all of them.
Do you resell security licences or run the service?
FirstNet runs the service. We deploy the platform, set and tune policies, and monitor it. Our Rapid Response support desk handles changes. If you only need hardware or licences, we can supply them. That is quoted separately from our managed services.
Can you guarantee POPIA compliance?
No provider can guarantee compliance on its own. We align each service to your privacy, retention and audit needs. But compliance is a shared duty. It depends on your setup and governance. Our product and legal teams review formal questionnaires and contract wording.
Does FirstNet operate its own SOC?
No. Sophos MDR delivers the 24/7 security operations centre layer. This covers threat hunting and analyst-led detection. When Sophos raises an alert, FirstNet's Incident Response team works with you to contain, fix and recover.
What certifications does FirstNet hold?
FirstNet runs ISO 27001 (information security) and ISO 9001 (quality) management systems. ICASA licenses us for ECS and ECNS. Our security vendors hold their own platform certifications, available on request.
Where do I start if I have several security gaps?
Start with the risk that costs you most today. That might be phishing, an ageing firewall or VPN pain. We run a discovery session and propose the first service. Once it proves its value, we add the next layers.
How do FirstNet's security services fit together?
FirstNet's security services cover different layers, so most organisations use several. Managed firewalls (Fortinet or Sophos) protect the network edge. Mimecast protects inbound email. SendMarc stops attackers spoofing your domain in outbound email. Sophos endpoint protection with Sophos MDR gives 24/7 detection. FirstNet's Incident Response team helps you fix issues. Cloudflare Zero Trust secures web, SaaS and private app access for users, and Cloudflare also protects public websites and apps. Each runs as a managed service under one FirstNet contract.
Who do we contact when there is a problem with a security service?
Contact FirstNet's Rapid Response support desk, whatever security platform is involved. Rapid Response is the single entry point for incidents, service requests and escalations. FirstNet then escalates to the vendor behind the service, such as Sophos, Fortinet, Mimecast or Cloudflare. We use partner-level escalation paths, so you never queue for vendor support yourself. Your contracted SLA sets response times. Only your authorised technical contacts can log and approve service requests.
Where security fits
- Sovereign AI AI that stays home, in every layer.
- Voice Every call, clear.
- Security Threats, contained.
- Cloud Data, protected.
- Connectivity Always connected.
Enriched by Sovereign AI: keep AI POPIA-aligned: prompts, documents and data are processed on South African infrastructure instead of foreign APIs. Explore the AI Factory