Assessment & Audit
Cyber threat detection assessment, security audit, risk review, monitoring strategy, and remediation roadmap.
AI-Powered Threat Detection
Cyber threat detection that connects signals, risk, and response.
OC Security Audit helps Orange County and Southern California businesses review ransomware exposure, EDR/XDR/MDR/SIEM readiness, firewall and VPN risk, identity activity, email security, cloud logging, and the practical steps needed to detect threats earlier.
Coverage30 ControlsWorksheet for endpoint, identity, firewall, cloud, data, vendors, and response.
PlatformsEDR / XDR / MDR / SIEMTool evaluation, configuration review, alert tuning, and roadmap guidance.
Experience25+ YearsCISO-level cybersecurity, IT, infrastructure, compliance, and response experience.
OutcomeClear RoadmapExecutive summary, technical findings, remediation priorities, and validation steps.
Threat Detection Strategy
Find suspicious activity before it becomes downtime, data loss, or an insurance problem.
Cyber threats are constantly evolving. Businesses face ransomware, phishing, stolen credentials, vendor risk, application vulnerabilities, firewall misconfigurations, VPN exposure, cloud security gaps, email compromise, DNS abuse, public-facing server threats, and data theft attempts.
Threat detection turns uncertainty into a practical security strategy by reviewing the users, endpoints, servers, firewalls, VPNs, cloud services, email systems, DNS, vendors, applications, and logs that attackers commonly abuse.
Core Threat Detection Services
Complete coverage across the business environment.
Services may include security audits, AI-powered security tool evaluation, platform guidance, firewall and VPN review, ransomware readiness, email and DNS review, cloud review, vendor review, remediation planning, optional implementation support, and follow-up validation.
Security Platforms
AI-powered tool evaluation, EDR/XDR/MDR/SIEM guidance, dashboard review, and alert tuning recommendations.
Infrastructure Protection
Firewall, VPN, endpoint, cloud, application, public exposure, and system configuration review.
Business Risk Reduction
Ransomware readiness, data security review, email/DNS security, vendor access review, and executive risk reporting.
AI, EDR, XDR, MDR, And SIEM
AI helps connect security signals into one clear incident story.
AI-powered threat detection can analyze more data, identify suspicious behavior, reduce alert noise, and connect related events across endpoints, firewalls, VPNs, cloud platforms, email, identity systems, applications, and servers. AI does not replace cybersecurity expertise; it works best with correct configuration, monitoring, response planning, and experienced review.
EDR
Endpoint Detection and Response focuses on laptops, desktops, servers, suspicious scripts, ransomware behavior, credential theft, and endpoint isolation planning.
XDR
Extended Detection and Response connects signals across endpoint, identity, email, cloud, SaaS, firewall, server, and application activity.
MDR
Managed Detection and Response combines security technology with human triage, threat hunting, escalation, and reporting.
SIEM
Security Information and Event Management centralizes logs for visibility, investigation, compliance, retention, and alerting.
Threat Detection Solution Areas
Every major risk area has a place in the assessment.
The assessment should include firewall, ransomware, data, email, DNS, identity, vendor, cloud, application, system, monitoring, and incident response planning.
Firewall, VPN, and network edge
Review firewall rules, Any/Any rules, open ports, NAT policies, VPN tunnels, IPS/IDS, DNS security, admin access, firmware, and public exposure.
Endpoint and ransomware defense
Review EDR coverage, backup isolation, user privileges, administrator accounts, patching, segmentation, file shares, and response procedures.
Email, DNS, and identity
Review SPF, DKIM, DMARC, phishing controls, mailbox activity, MFA, conditional access, administrator roles, guest users, and suspicious sign-ins.
Cloud and data protection
Review Microsoft 365, Azure, AWS, Google Cloud, SaaS access, sensitive data locations, encryption, sharing, audit logs, DLP, and retention.
Vendors and third parties
Review vendor accounts, remote support access, shared accounts, MFA enforcement, permissions, logging, third-party integrations, and least privilege.
Monitoring and response
Build alert ownership, escalation workflows, response playbooks, reporting cadence, endpoint isolation, account disablement, and tabletop exercises.
Process And Deliverables
Seven practical steps from discovery to validation.
OC Security Audit uses a practical process focused on visibility, risk reduction, implementation, and measurable improvement.
Discovery, assessment, and audit
Scope summary, asset review, access checklist, threat summary, risk priorities, technical findings, misconfigurations, vulnerability observations, and control gaps.
Gap analysis and solution design
Existing tool review, missing log sources, alert coverage findings, monitoring gaps, recommended tools, platform guidance, and roadmap.
Implementation and validation
MFA, Defender, Sentinel, firewall cleanup, VPN hardening, email, DNS, cloud, endpoint, SIEM, alert tuning, follow-up validation, and executive closeout.
Main Deliverables
Clear outputs for executives, IT teams, and remediation work.
Executive deliverables
- Executive risk summary
- Business impact summary
- Top threat findings
- Priority risk list
- Cyber insurance readiness notes
- Strategic security roadmap
Technical deliverables
- Technical findings report
- Firewall and VPN findings
- Endpoint security findings
- EDR/XDR/SIEM review
- Email and DNS findings
- Cloud and identity findings
Implementation deliverables
- Prioritized remediation roadmap
- Implementation checklist
- Tool configuration guidance
- Alert tuning recommendations
- Access cleanup plan
- Follow-up validation checklist
Implementation And Managed IT Support
From threat detection findings to practical IT operations.
OC Security Audit identifies security gaps, risk, evidence needs, and detection priorities. When the next step requires IT implementation, operational support, endpoint management, Microsoft 365/Azure administration, backup work, patching, or help desk follow-through, IT Perfection can support the related technical controls and managed IT implementation path.
Managed IT follow-through
For ongoing monitoring, patching, maintenance, and IT operations after the assessment.
Microsoft 365 and Azure
For implementation support around M365, Azure, identity, endpoint, and cloud administration.
Endpoint and network projects
For EDR deployment, endpoint support, firewall/network changes, and infrastructure management.
Backup and resilience
For backup implementation, restore testing support, maintenance, and operational readiness.
OC Security Audit Checklist
Threat Detection and Threat Prevention Worksheet
A practical Excel-style checklist for IT managers, network administrators, and security teams. The worksheet is informational, isolated in this page section, and does not collect, submit, store, or process user input.
Scroll horizontally to review all columns. Risk scores: 1-3 low, 4-6 medium, 7-8 high, 9-10 critical.
| # | Technology / Solution | Related Area | Threats Reduced | Required Control / Checklist Item | Risk | AI Impact | Status | Validation Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | EDR | Endpoints | Ransomware, malware, credential theft, lateral movement. | Deploy EDR to all supported endpoints and servers; confirm coverage, alerting, isolation, and response actions. | 9/10 Critical | High | Yes / No / Partial | EDR console, device inventory, alert history, isolation test, policy export. |
| 2 | XDR | Cross-platform | Multi-stage attacks, phishing-to-endpoint compromise, cloud abuse. | Enable XDR integrations across endpoint, identity, email, cloud, and firewall where available. | 8/10 High | High | Yes / No / Partial | XDR incident dashboard, connected data sources, correlated alerts, incident timeline. |
| 3 | MDR | Security operations | Unreviewed alerts, after-hours attacks, delayed response. | Use MDR when internal teams cannot provide 24/7 monitoring or expert investigation. | 8/10 High | Medium | Yes / No / Partial | MDR contract, escalation procedure, reports, response SLA, test escalation. |
| 4 | SIEM | Logs and monitoring | Hidden attacks, missing logs, poor investigation, compliance gaps. | Collect logs from firewalls, VPN, servers, endpoints, identity, email, cloud, DNS, and critical apps. | 8/10 High | High | Yes / No / Partial | SIEM connectors, alert rules, retention policy, dashboard screenshots. |
| 5 | Firewall IPS / IDS | Firewall | Exploits, scanning, malicious traffic, command-and-control. | Enable IPS/IDS profiles on internet-facing, VPN, server, and high-risk network zones. | 9/10 Critical | Medium | Yes / No / Partial | Security profile settings, IPS logs, blocked threat reports, rule mapping. |
| 6 | Firewall Rule Audit | Firewall | Unauthorized access, exposed services, lateral movement. | Review Any/Any rules, inbound ports, NAT policies, unused rules, and temporary rules. | 10/10 Critical | Low | Yes / No / Partial | Firewall rule export, change history, risk notes, cleanup plan. |
| 7 | AI Firewall Threat Prevention | Network edge | Malware, C2 traffic, botnets, phishing sites, exploit attempts. | Enable threat prevention, URL filtering, DNS security, malware inspection, and automated updates. | 8/10 High | High | Yes / No / Partial | Subscription status, security profiles, threat logs, block reports. |
| 8 | VPN MFA | Remote access | VPN compromise, unauthorized access, credential theft. | Require MFA for all VPN users, administrators, vendors, and remote access accounts. | 10/10 Critical | Low | Yes / No / Partial | VPN policy, MFA enforcement report, user access list, login test. |
| 9 | VPN Access Review | Remote access | Excessive access, vendor risk, lateral movement. | Review VPN users, vendor tunnels, split tunneling, encryption, inactive accounts, and access scope. | 9/10 Critical | Medium | Yes / No / Partial | VPN user list, tunnel list, policy export, inactive account report. |
| 10 | Laptop Encryption | Endpoints | Data theft, lost-device exposure, compliance failures. | Enable BitLocker, FileVault, or equivalent encryption on all laptops and portable devices. | 8/10 High | Low | Yes / No / Partial | Encryption report, recovery key escrow, device management dashboard. |
| 11 | MFA for Cloud and Email | Identity | Account takeover, email compromise, cloud data theft. | Enforce MFA for all users, especially administrators, finance, executives, and remote users. | 10/10 Critical | Low | Yes / No / Partial | MFA report, conditional access policies, admin review, sign-in logs. |
| 12 | Conditional Access | Identity | Risky logins, unmanaged devices, impossible travel. | Apply policies for admin roles, high-risk users, unmanaged devices, external locations, and sensitive apps. | 8/10 High | Medium | Yes / No / Partial | Policy export, sign-in risk logs, exception list. |
| 13 | Privileged Access Review | Identity | Privilege escalation, admin compromise, ransomware spread. | Review admin accounts, remove unnecessary privileges, enforce MFA, and monitor privileged actions. | 10/10 Critical | Medium | Yes / No / Partial | Admin role export, privileged access report, MFA proof, audit logs. |
| 14 | Email Security Gateway | Phishing, ransomware delivery, BEC, credential harvesting. | Enable anti-phishing, anti-malware, safe links, attachment scanning, impersonation protection, and quarantine review. | 9/10 Critical | High | Yes / No / Partial | Email security policies, quarantine reports, phishing simulation results. | |
| 15 | SPF, DKIM, DMARC | Email / DNS | Email spoofing, phishing, domain abuse, BEC. | Configure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC with monitoring and move toward enforcement where appropriate. | 8/10 High | Low | Yes / No / Partial | DNS records, DMARC reports, authentication test results. |
| 16 | DNS Security | DNS | Phishing, malware callbacks, botnets, DNS abuse. | Use secure DNS filtering, review public DNS records, protect registrar access, and monitor domain changes. | 7/10 High | Medium | Yes / No / Partial | DNS filtering dashboard, registrar MFA proof, DNS record review. |
| 17 | Vulnerability Management | Systems | Exploitation, ransomware entry, web compromise. | Perform authenticated scans, prioritize critical vulnerabilities, track remediation, and validate fixes. | 9/10 Critical | Medium | Yes / No / Partial | Scan reports, remediation tickets, patch validation, exception list. |
| 18 | Patch Management | Systems | Known exploits, ransomware, malware, application compromise. | Patch critical systems, internet-facing assets, endpoints, servers, firmware, and third-party applications. | 9/10 Critical | Low | Yes / No / Partial | Patch compliance reports, maintenance schedule, remediation history. |
| 19 | Network Segmentation | Internal network | Lateral movement, ransomware spread, flat network exposure. | Segment servers, users, guests, IoT, vendors, backups, management, and critical systems. | 9/10 Critical | Low | Yes / No / Partial | Network diagram, VLAN list, firewall rules between zones, access tests. |
| 20 | Backup Protection | Business continuity | Ransomware, data loss, destructive attacks. | Use offline or immutable backups, protect backup admin access, test restores, and monitor backup failures. | 10/10 Critical | Medium | Yes / No / Partial | Backup reports, restore tests, immutable settings, access review. |
| 21 | Data Loss Prevention | Data security | Data exfiltration, accidental sharing, insider risk. | Identify sensitive data, apply DLP policies, review alerts, and tune controls. | 7/10 High | Medium | Yes / No / Partial | DLP policies, sensitivity labels, alert reports, exception list. |
| 22 | Cloud Security Posture | Cloud | Cloud exposure, account takeover, insecure APIs. | Review cloud storage, IAM roles, public resources, logging, encryption, admin access, and guest users. | 8/10 High | High | Yes / No / Partial | Cloud posture report, IAM review, exposure report, logging configuration. |
| 23 | Public Exposure Review | Internet edge | External compromise, web attacks, exposed services. | Scan and review public IPs, domains, web servers, DNS records, TLS, and exposed management services. | 9/10 Critical | Medium | Yes / No / Partial | External scan report, asset list, exposed service list, remediation notes. |
| 24 | Web Application Security | Applications | SQL injection, XSS, account takeover, API abuse. | Review authentication, authorization, input handling, admin portals, API security, and patch status. | 8/10 High | Medium | Yes / No / Partial | Application test report, vulnerability findings, patch history. |
| 25 | Vendor Access Review | Third party | Vendor compromise, supply chain risk, shared accounts. | Review vendor accounts, remote tools, VPN tunnels, service accounts, permissions, and expiration. | 8/10 High | Medium | Yes / No / Partial | Vendor access list, MFA proof, remote access logs, contract requirements. |
| 26 | Security Awareness Training | Users | Phishing, credential theft, BEC, human error. | Train users regularly and include phishing simulations, reporting procedures, and role-based training. | 7/10 High | Low | Yes / No / Partial | Training report, phishing simulation results, reporting metrics. |
| 27 | Asset Inventory | Governance | Unknown devices, unmanaged systems, missed vulnerabilities. | Maintain updated inventory for endpoints, servers, network devices, cloud assets, applications, and owners. | 8/10 High | Medium | Yes / No / Partial | Inventory export, device management report, CMDB, owner list. |
| 28 | Firmware and Driver Review | Devices | Device compromise, hidden vulnerabilities, unsupported hardware. | Review firmware versions, update plans, unsupported hardware, default credentials, and device exposure. | 7/10 High | Low | Yes / No / Partial | Firmware inventory, support status, update schedule, exception list. |
| 29 | Incident Response Plan | Response | Delayed response, confusion, larger impact, legal exposure. | Create playbooks for ransomware, email compromise, lost device, data breach, vendor incident, and cloud compromise. | 9/10 Critical | Medium | Yes / No / Partial | IR plan, contact list, playbooks, tabletop report, lessons learned. |
| 30 | Security Audit Schedule | Governance | Control drift, missed changes, outdated policies. | Perform scheduled security audits and reassess firewalls, VPNs, endpoints, cloud, email, users, vendors, and logs. | 7/10 High | Low | Yes / No / Partial | Audit calendar, prior reports, remediation tracking, management review. |
Coverage Map
Make sure the strategy protects the whole environment.
Users
- MFA and conditional access
- Phishing protection
- Security awareness training
- Privileged access review
- Suspicious login monitoring
Systems
- EDR and endpoint hardening
- Patch management
- Vulnerability scanning
- Firmware review
- Server security baselines
Network
- Firewall IPS/IDS
- VPN MFA and access review
- Network segmentation
- DNS security
- SIEM log collection
Data
- Encryption
- DLP
- Backup protection
- File permission review
- Cloud storage security
Cloud
- Cloud posture review
- Identity and access control
- Public exposure review
- Cloud logging
- SaaS application review
Business
- Incident response plan
- MDR or monitoring process
- Security audit schedule
- Vendor access review
- Executive reporting
OC Security Audit Leadership
Led by Ali Hassani, CISO.
Ali Hassani brings 25+ years of cybersecurity, IT, network security, compliance readiness, Microsoft infrastructure, threat detection, risk management, and practical implementation experience to help businesses improve security from the ground up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Threat detection questions businesses commonly ask.
What is threat detection?
Threat detection identifies cyber threats, suspicious activity, vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, unauthorized access, and security weaknesses before they result in a successful attack.
What are AI-powered threat detection solutions?
AI-powered threat detection solutions use artificial intelligence, machine learning, behavioral analysis, automation, and security analytics to detect suspicious activity faster and with more context.
What is the difference between EDR, XDR, MDR, and SIEM?
EDR focuses on endpoint threat detection. XDR connects signals across multiple systems. MDR provides managed monitoring and response by security experts. SIEM centralizes logs and events for detection, investigation, compliance, and reporting.
Can threat detection help prevent ransomware?
Yes. Threat detection can help identify ransomware indicators such as suspicious file activity, weak remote access, poor backup protection, compromised accounts, privilege abuse, vulnerable systems, and lateral movement.
What deliverables do we receive?
Deliverables may include an executive risk summary, technical findings report, firewall and VPN review, email and DNS review, data security findings, vendor access review, EDR/XDR/MDR/SIEM recommendations, remediation roadmap, implementation checklist, and validation report.
Schedule a Cyber Threat Detection Assessment
Find the weak points before attackers do.
Review ransomware exposure, account risk, firewall and VPN weaknesses, email security, DNS, cloud systems, vendor access, and incident response readiness.