Rising Demand for Managed Security Services in Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia’s cybersecurity market is experiencing rapid growth as businesses increase spending on managed security services to counter rising cyber threats. The region’s digital transformation, coupled with a shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals, is driving demand for outsourced security solutions.

Exclusive Networks (Euronext Paris: EXN) and Palo Alto Networks have launched Managed Security Operations Center (SOC) as a Service in response to this demand. The service aims to help businesses enhance cybersecurity resilience while addressing the talent shortage in the region.

According to the Forrester Planning Guide, over 70% of IT leaders globally plan to increase spending on managed security services in 2024. Southeast Asia is projected to see significant growth in cybersecurity spending by 2025, with security services leading the market. Organizations across industries, including finance, healthcare, and retail, are prioritizing security as cyber threats grow more sophisticated.

The shortage of cybersecurity professionals is a major challenge. Singapore faces a deficit of nearly 4,000 cybersecurity experts, while Malaysia aims to fill 12,000 positions. In the Philippines, 80% of organizations report increased risks due to insufficient cybersecurity expertise. Additionally, stricter data protection regulations and compliance requirements are increasing the urgency for businesses to adopt advanced security solutions.

Managed SOC as a Service by Palo Alto Networks and Exclusive Networks is designed to provide 24/7 threat monitoring and protection, allowing businesses to strengthen their security posture without heavy investment in infrastructure and talent. The service is tailored to the unique needs of each market, offering real-time threat detection, automation, and compliance support.

“Together with Palo Alto, we are extremely determined to expand their Managed SOC as a Service offering in the region,” said Andrew Assad, Senior Vice President of Asia-Pacific at Exclusive Networks. “This solution addresses a critical need within the cybersecurity landscape, enabling industry players to become leading MSS Providers without the traditional barriers of time, investment, and expertise.”

The initiative is part of Palo Alto Networks’ Partner-to-Partner (P2P) MSSP program, which enables businesses to enter the Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) market seamlessly. The service includes Zero Trust-based protection, AI-driven threat detection, and real-time dashboards for monitoring security incidents. Organizations using the service gain access to expert SOC analysts, reducing operational complexity while ensuring compliance with global standards such as GDPR and PCI-DSS.

“Building on our success in the EMEA region, we are excited to expand our collaboration with Exclusive Networks to Southeast Asia,” said Michelle Saw, Vice President, GTM Shared Services and Ecosystems, Asia Pacific and Japan at Palo Alto Networks. “The launch of Managed SOC as a Service will empower our partners with a full suite of managed security capabilities, enabling them to seamlessly transition into MSSPs, generate recurring revenue, and strengthen customer relationships by delivering comprehensive, real-time cybersecurity solutions.”

As Southeast Asian businesses face increasing cyber risks, Exclusive Networks and Palo Alto Networks aim to provide scalable and cost-effective security solutions that drive growth while ensuring digital resilience. Managed SOC as a Service offers a strategic path for organizations to enhance cybersecurity without the burden of building and managing an in-house SOC, ultimately helping businesses scale securely in an evolving threat landscape.