Case Study: Large Food Service Company achieves 24x7 threat detection and reduced alert fatigue with Critical Start MDR

Leading Food Service Distributor Realized Maximum Value from Security Program with Tailored MDR from Critical Start

Large Food Service Company, a food service distributor of about 5,600 employees, was overwhelmed by up to 50,000 security alerts per month and could not afford or staff a 24x7 Security Operations Center. To close coverage gaps, reduce alert fatigue, and better leverage existing tooling, the company engaged Critical Start for Managed Detection and Response (MDR) — including MDR for Cortex XDR, Microsoft 365 Defender, and SIEM — and adopted Critical Start’s MOBILESOC® mobile containment capabilities.

Critical Start implemented a human-driven, tailored MDR program with deep integrations and customized detection rules, resolving all alerts and escalating only verified threats. The partnership drastically cut noise, improved MTTR and work/life balance through daily use of MOBILESOC, and helped thwart a phishing attempt via a quickly escalated Microsoft 365 mailbox rule. As a result, the company realized clear cost savings versus building a full SOC, stronger security posture, dependable after-hours coverage, and measurable ROI across its security stack.