CISO Tribune

Vendor comparison · 2 companies

Agile Defense vs Critical Start

Agile Defense provides Digital Transformation, Cybersecurity and Data Analytics solutions. Critical Start sells managed detection and response (MDR) that combines AI-powered triage with human-led investigation. CISO Tribune files both under MDR and managed SOC. This page sets the two records side by side: what each sells, where it is based, who owns and funds it, the customers it names and its recent news, each fact numbered to its source.

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  • Agile Defense
  • Critical Start
Agile Defense vs Critical Start: Products, Customers and Funding Compared
Agile DefenseAgile Defense provides Digital Transformation, Cybersecurity and Data Analytics solutions.agiledefense.comCritical StartCritical Start sells managed detection and response (MDR) that combines AI-powered triage with human-led investigation.criticalstart.com
What it sells
  • VSOC[2][7]Virtual security operation center offerings that protect enterprise systems used by federal government and commercial customers.
  • TorqSecure[6]An agentless, browser-based software bill of materials (SBOM) intelligence tool aligned to government risk models.
  • Workforce[6]A model-agnostic platform for building and integrating AI assistants, called Teammates.
  • CORR Platform[4]The MDR platform that gives a security operations team visibility into every alert, investigation and response action.
  • Managed Detection and Response[3][10][11]MDR that combines AI-powered triage with human-led investigation.
  • Service Credits[7]A prepaid, flexible currency included in every managed service contract.
  • Vulnerability Management Services[3]Vulnerability management delivered under the same tier structure as MDR.
  • MobileSOC[12]A native iOS and Android application for real-time security operations management.
Categories
Headquarters
Not stated on its pagesNot stated on its pages
Founded
Not stated on its pagesNot stated on its pages
Ownership and funding
Not stated on its pagesNot stated on its pages
Named customers
Not stated on its pagesNot stated on its pages
Recent news
  • April 29, 2026Agile Defense announced the hiring of Shawn Tyrie as its Chief Revenue Officer.[13]
  • April 27, 2026Agile Defense announced the hiring of James Nowotny as Vice President of Justice and National Security.[14]
  • November 25, 2025Agile Defense announced the full integration of IntelliBridge into the company.[2]
  • July 22, 2026Critical Start announced the appointment of Francine Geist as Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.[9]
  • June 3, 2026Critical Start released SOC AI, a multi-agent framework that powers its AI-led managed detection and response service.[11]
  • June 2, 2026Critical Start released SOC AI, a multi-agent framework that powers its AI-led managed detection and response service.[10]
G2 and Gartner Peer Insights
  • G2: Not stated on its pages
  • Gartner Peer Insights: Not stated on its pages
  • G2: Not stated on its pages
  • Gartner Peer Insights: Not stated on its pages
Who it fits
From its own pages, Agile Defense sells mainly to national security and civilian government customers. Agile Defense states that it provides digital transformation solutions to the Department of Defense and other national security customers. Agile Lion brings support to federal, civilian, state and defense agencies. Offerings from XOR Security address cybersecurity threats to federal civilian, law enforcement, national security and commercial customers. VSOC offerings protect enterprise systems used by federal government and commercial customers.From its own pages, Critical Start sells mainly to organizations that need accountability from a managed security provider, with contractual SLA commitments as the central offer. The company says it protects financial services firms, healthcare systems, manufacturers and utilities. For financial institutions, it describes ransomware, wire fraud and insider threats as the threats its MDR addresses. Its compliance reporting covers frameworks such as PCI DSS, HIPAA and NERC CIP, which points to regulated buyers. Critical Start MDR works with the customer's existing tools, so it suits teams that want to keep the security products they already run.
Last verified
October 21, 2026September 27, 2026

Where they overlap

  • MDR and managed SOC is the primary category of both Agile Defense and Critical Start.

Where they differ, field by field

  • Agile Defense lists VSOC, TorqSecure and Workforce. Critical Start lists CORR Platform, Managed Detection and Response, Service Credits, Vulnerability Management Services and MobileSOC.

How they differ

CISO Tribune files both Agile Defense and Critical Start under MDR and managed SOC as their primary category. Critical Start sells the CORR Platform, an MDR platform, along with Managed Detection and Response that combines AI-powered triage with human-led investigation. It also sells Service Credits, Vulnerability Management Services and MobileSOC, a native iOS and Android application. Agile Defense sells VSOC, a virtual security operation center offering provided by XOR Security, which Agile Defense acquired. Agile Defense also sells TorqSecure, an agentless SBOM intelligence tool, and Workforce, a platform for building AI assistants called Teammates.

Agile Defense is based in McLean, Virginia, was founded in 1998, and serves more than 50 federal government agencies. It is backed by Enlightenment Capital, a private investment firm, and its acquisition by Maximus carries a cash purchase price of $660 million. Agile Defense sells mainly to national security and civilian government customers, including the Department of Defense. Critical Start says it protects financial services firms, healthcare systems, manufacturers and utilities. Its CORR platform supports compliance reporting for frameworks such as PCI DSS, HIPAA and NERC CIP.

On the recent side, Agile Defense announced the full integration of IntelliBridge on November 25, 2025, and the hiring of a Chief Revenue Officer on April 29, 2026. Critical Start released SOC AI, a multi-agent framework behind its AI-led managed detection and response service, on June 3, 2026. On July 22, 2026, Critical Start announced a new Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.

What it sells: Agile Defense

What VSOC does[2][7]
VSOC offerings are provided by XOR Security alongside cybersecurity operations and cybersecurity engineering. They protect enterprise systems used by federal government and commercial customers. Agile Defense acquired XOR Security.
What TorqSecure does[6]
TorqSecure is an agentless, browser-based software bill of materials (SBOM) intelligence tool aligned to government risk models. TorqSecure analyses software dependency and vulnerability data for any SBOM or GitHub repo.
What Workforce does[6]
Workforce is a model-agnostic platform for building and integrating AI assistants, called Teammates, for public sector missions. Workforce is designed to integrate with any system of record to enable genuine agentic workflows.

What it sells: Critical Start

What CORR Platform does[4]
CORR connects to a security stack through native APIs, with no proprietary agents and no forced replacements. It works through API-based integrations, with no agents to deploy and no additional infrastructure to manage.
What Managed Detection and Response does[3][10][11]
Critical Start MDR combines AI-powered triage with human-led investigation and backs every response time with a contractual SLA. Analysts contain threats directly in the customer's tools through 30+ advanced integrations.
What Service Credits does[7]
Every managed service contract includes service credits that can be spent across 30+ services. MDR for Endpoint, MDR for SIEM and VMS each include credits. Credits stack into a single bank when a customer has more than one.

Questions about Agile Defense and Critical Start

What do Agile Defense and Critical Start sell?
Agile Defense sells VSOC, TorqSecure and Workforce. Critical Start sells CORR Platform, Managed Detection and Response, Service Credits, Vulnerability Management Services and MobileSOC.
Are Agile Defense and Critical Start in the same category?
Yes. MDR and managed SOC is the primary category of both on CISO Tribune.
Who are Agile Defense and Critical Start sold to?
From its own pages, Agile Defense sells mainly to national security and civilian government customers. From its own pages, Critical Start sells mainly to organizations that need accountability from a managed security provider, with contractual SLA commitments as the central offer.
What have Agile Defense and Critical Start announced recently?
April 29, 2026: Agile Defense announced the hiring of Shawn Tyrie as its Chief Revenue Officer. July 22, 2026: Critical Start announced the appointment of Francine Geist as Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.

About Agile Defense

Agile Defense provides Digital Transformation, Cybersecurity and Data Analytics solutions. Cyber Systems and Cyber Operations capabilities are delivered to defend against advanced and emerging cyber threats. Digital Transformation work applies advanced services, capabilities and solutions securely to enhance mission operations. Agile Defense has cybersecurity, digital transformation, data analytics and AI expertise for government customers. Agile Defense has expertise in cybersecurity, cloud solutions and mission-critical technology.[1][3][4]

Agile Defense provides digital transformation solutions to the Department of Defense and other national security customers. Agile Defense acquired XOR Security. XOR Security provides cybersecurity operations, cybersecurity engineering and virtual security operation center (VSOC) offerings that protect enterprise systems used by federal government and commercial customers. XOR Security was founded in 2013 and offers cybersecurity operations and platform engineering solutions. XOR Security's offerings address cybersecurity threats to federal civilian, law enforcement, national security and commercial customers. XOR brings expertise in network defense, zero trust architecture, managed detection and advanced threat response.[4]

Agile Defense services are available on the Tradewinds Solution Marketplace. TorqSecure is an agentless, browser-based software bill of materials (SBOM) intelligence tool aligned to government risk models. TorqSecure analyses software dependency and vulnerability data for any SBOM or GitHub repo. Workforce is designed to integrate with any system of record to enable genuine agentic workflows. Workforce is a model-agnostic platform for building and integrating AI assistants, called Teammates, for public sector missions. Agile Labs is the internal innovation hub of Agile Defense. Agile Labs is the engine behind research, development and solution engineering efforts and integrates artificial intelligence, data science and human-centered design.[8]

Agile Lion JV is an SBA approved Mentor-Protégé joint venture between Nemean Solutions and Agile Defense. Agile Lion brings support to federal, civilian, state and defense agencies. Agile Lion's team of technical experts is to deliver project and program management, cloud and data services, software and SharePoint development, network and server administration, and business intelligence design and management. Bastion Analytics JV is an SBA approved joint venture between Leyden Solutions and Agile Defense. Bastion Analytics is a certified SDVOSB professional-services firm headquartered in Pinehurst, North Carolina. DecisionPoint JV is an SBA-approved Mentor-Protégé joint venture comprised of DecisionPoint and Agile Defense. DecisionPoint JV was formed to deliver advanced IT, cybersecurity and digital modernization solutions to federal government customers.[9][10][12]

Agile Defense acquired IntelliBridge in January 2025, and IntelliBridge continues to operate as its own business entity under Agile Defense. ByteCubed LLC is now integrated into Agile Defense. Agile Defense was founded in 1998. Agile Defense has approximately 1,100 cleared personnel. Agile Defense has more than 2,000 teammates operating in North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Agile Defense is based in McLean, Virginia, and serves more than 50 federal government agencies.[8]

Agile Defense is backed by Enlightenment Capital, a private investment firm. Jason Rigoli, Partner at Enlightenment Capital, is Chairman of Agile Defense. The acquisition of privately held Agile Defense is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions, with expected closing in the first quarter of Maximus' 2027 fiscal year. The agreement has a cash purchase price of $660 million payable upon closing and subject to certain adjustments.[1]

Agile Defense on the record

Sources

Agile Defense full record

  1. [1]agiledefense.comAgile Defense · agiledefense.com · undated page, accessed October 21, 2026 · Tier A
  2. [2]Agile Defense Completes Integration of IntelliBridge, Marking a New Phase of Growth, Innovation, and Mission ImpactAgile Defense · published November 25, 2025 · Tier A
  3. [3]Agile Defense Welcomes Edward Drolet as VP Customer Executive - Agile DefenseAgile Defense · published August 28, 2025 · Tier A
  4. [4]Home - Agile DefenseAgile Defense · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  5. [5]Maximus to acquire Agile Defense, advancing defense and national security growth strategy - Agile DefenseAgile Defense · published October 19, 2026 · Tier A
  6. [6]Agile Defense Joins Tradewinds Solution Marketplace to Expand Access to Cutting-Edge AI Solutions - Agile DefenseAgile Defense · published October 14, 2025 · Tier A
  7. [7]Enlightenment Capital Backed Agile Defense Acquires XOR Security - Agile DefenseAgile Defense · published May 24, 2023 · Tier A
  8. [8]Agile Defense to Drive Mission-Critical AI and Data Solutions Under New DoD Contract - Agile DefenseAgile Defense · published June 26, 2025 · Tier A
  9. [9]Agile Lion JV Awarded Contract to Deliver Advanced IT Services for U.S. Marine Forces Reserve - Agile DefenseAgile Defense · published October 22, 2025 · Tier A
  10. [10]Agile Defense Partners With Nemean Solutions in Joint Venture – Agile Lion - Agile DefenseAgile Defense · published October 31, 2024 · Tier A
  11. [11]Bastion Analytics JV Awarded to Deliver Program Management Services for FBI - Agile DefenseAgile Defense · published December 18, 2025 · Tier A
  12. [12]DecisionPoint JV Awarded Contract Under Polaris GWAC Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Pool - Agile DefenseAgile Defense · published March 5, 2026 · Tier A
  13. [13]Agile Defense Welcomes Shawn Tyrie as Chief Revenue OfficerAgile Defense · published April 29, 2026 · Tier A
  14. [14]Agile Defense Welcomes James Nowotny as Vice President of Justice and National SecurityAgile Defense · published April 27, 2026 · Tier A

Critical Start full record

  1. [1]PlatformCritical Start · criticalstart.com · undated page, accessed September 27, 2026 · Tier A
  2. [2]Critical Start | Managed Detection and Response (MDR)Critical Start · undated page, accessed October 24, 2026 · Tier A
  3. [3]Managed Security Services | Critical StartCritical Start · undated page, accessed October 24, 2026 · Tier A
  4. [4]Security Integrations | Critical StartCritical Start · undated page, accessed October 24, 2026 · Tier A
  5. [5]Security Solutions by Environment | Critical StartCritical Start · undated page, accessed October 24, 2026 · Tier A
  6. [6]About Critical Start | Cybersecurity CompanyCritical Start · undated page, accessed October 24, 2026 · Tier A
  7. [7]Service Credits: Flexible Security Currency | Critical StartCritical Start · undated page, accessed October 24, 2026 · Tier A
  8. [8]MDR for Finance: PCI, SOX, SOC 2 | Critical StartCritical Start · undated page, accessed October 24, 2026 · Tier A
  9. [9]Critical Start Appoints Francine Geist as Chief Executive OfficerCritical Start · published July 22, 2026 · Tier A
  10. [10]Critical Start Delivers SOC AI: A Production-Proven Agentic Architecture Built for Auditable, Human-Validated MDRBusiness Wire · published June 2, 2026 · Tier A
  11. [11]Critical Start expands MDR capabilities with multi-agent AI systemHelp Net Security · published June 3, 2026 · Tier B
  12. [12]CORR Platform: See Everything. Question Nothing. | Critical StartCritical Start · undated page, accessed November 5, 2026 · Tier A

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