BT moves to strengthen strategic security partnership with Microsoft

The expanded collaboration brings together Microsoft’s security technology with BT’s scale, security operations and network insight in a concerted bid to deliver more pre-emptive and predictive cyber defences for public and private sector organisations in a simple-to-manage package.

AI is rapidly increasing the speed, scale and sophistication of cyber attacks. The Microsoft Digital Defence Report 2026 outlines precisely how AI is changing the physics of cyber security and compressing attack timelines, with the average time from discovery to ‘weaponisation’ of security vulnerabilities having now fallen to well below 24 hours.

Security Operations Centre-as-a-Service

In order to help UK organisations respond, BT is launching a Security Operations Centre-as-a-Service (SOCaaS) for Microsoft’s Sentinel, a UK-managed service that combines Sentinel with BT’s advanced security operations expertise, threat intelligence and experience.

The launch reflects the deepening strategic relationship between BT and Microsoft across AI, security and cloud services, while building on BT’s experience as an established managed security provider for Microsoft Sentinel.

The service is supported by BT’s expertise as one of the UK’s most trusted cyber defenders, with the company blocking around four million attempted cyber attacks every day and protecting more businesses than any other network. BT combines Sentinel, managed operations, threat intelligence and UK cyber expertise in one service, thereby helping customers to cut complexity, control costs and improve detection, response and resilience.

Cyber threat landscape

Jon James, CEO of BT Business, commented: “AI is transforming the cyber threat landscape at an unprecedented speed. As such, our customers need protection that stays one step ahead. By extending our partnership with Microsoft, we’re combining cutting-edge security technology with BT’s cyber expertise and threat intelligence to deliver stronger and more proactive protection. It’s the latest example of how we’re helping organisations to build resilience and defend against the next generation of AI-powered threats.”

Darren Hardman, CEO for Microsoft UK and Ireland, responded: “AI is increasing the speed, scale and sophistication of cyber threats. By combining Microsoft Sentinel with BT’s managed security expertise and UK cyber operations, we can help organisations to simplify security, strengthen resilience and respond with greater confidence.”

Intelligence-led solutions

BT SOCaaS for Microsoft Sentinel is the latest in a series of intelligence-led, AI-powered cyber solutions BT provides for UK organisations, building on the recent launch of new cyber tools and support designed to bring enterprise-grade security within reach of small businesses.

By combining managed security operations, continuous threat exposure management and AI-enabled capabilities, BT helps customers to tackle the emerging risks of frontier AI by reducing risk, improving visibility and strengthening resilience as cyber threats continue to rapidly evolve.

*Further detail concerning BT Business’ next generation SOCaaS for Microsoft Sentinel is available online at SOCaaS For Microsoft Sentinel | Managed Security Operations