In Part Two of this 3 part episode series of The Cyber Resilience Report, Data Defenders moves from concept to proof—demonstrating how the MCOP model delivers measurable results for municipalities.

Using real-world outcomes from the City of Aurora, Illinois, this episode shows how continuous cybersecurity operations can stop tens of thousands of threats, eliminate high-severity risks, and achieve zero major incidents—while reducing costs by as much as 77% compared to building an in-house security operations center.

This final segment connects the strategic shift from MSSP to MCOP with tangible operational, financial, and leadership outcomes.

In this episode:

• How continuous operations outperform alert-driven response

• What measurable cyber resilience looks like in practice

• Why MCOP delivers enterprise-grade protection at municipal scale

• How municipalities can achieve resilience without sacrificing control or affordability

Part Three concludes Episode 5 by proving that cybersecurity partnership—done right—is not an expense, but an operational advantage.

Companion document: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gIbY7XC4_3dVUdBJj0fiQlN4vKVmtUoD/view?usp=sharing

Protect and Secure What Matters®.

In Part Two of this 3 part episode series of The Cyber Resilience Report, Data Defenders introduces the Managed Cybersecurity Operations Provider (MCOP) model and explains how it fundamentally redefines the relationship between municipalities and their cybersecurity partners.

Rather than notifying clients of threats and stepping aside, the MCOP model delivers continuous, end-to-end cybersecurity operations—actively hunting, mitigating, and responding to threats 24/7/365. Just as importantly, it preserves executive and municipal control over governance, strategy, and oversight.

This episode explores how MCOP replaces the asymmetrical vendor model with a symmetrical operational partnership—one designed specifically for public-sector realities.In this episode:

• What distinguishes an MCOP from a traditional MSSP
• How symmetrical partnerships reduce operational and leadership risk
• Why governance and strategy must remain with municipal leadership
• How cybersecurity operations can run continuously without expanding internal staff

Part Two reframes cybersecurity as an operational capability—embedded, accountable, and aligned with mission-critical services.

Companion document: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gIbY7XC4_3dVUdBJj0fiQlN4vKVmtUoD/view?usp=sharing

Protect and Secure What Matters®.

In Part One of this 3 part episode series of The Cyber Resilience Report, Data Defenders examines why the traditional Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) model no longer meets the operational realities facing municipalities today.

Local governments are confronting an increasingly advanced, persistent, and AI-enabled threat landscape—while simultaneously facing workforce shortages, budget constraints, and growing accountability from leadership and constituents. Yet most cybersecurity partnerships still rely on an alert-and-escalate model that places the burden of response squarely on already overstretched internal teams.

This episode explains why that asymmetrical relationship creates risk instead of resilience—and why municipalities are being forced to rethink what a cybersecurity “partner” should actually deliver.In this episode:

• Why MSSP alerting models leave municipalities operationally exposed
• How workforce shortages and funding gaps amplify cyber risk
• The hidden leadership and continuity risks of reactive security
• Why cybersecurity can no longer be treated as a support service

Part One sets the foundation for a necessary shift—away from alerts, and toward operations.

Protect and Secure What Matters®.