CISO Tribune

Vendor comparison · 2 companies

Agile Defense vs Expel

Agile Defense provides Digital Transformation, Cybersecurity and Data Analytics solutions. Expel sells managed detection and response (MDR) delivered through its Workbench platform, with 24x7 human analysts working in the security tools a customer already has. 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.

Change the companies

Up to four companies side by side.

  • Agile Defense
  • Expel
Agile Defense vs Expel: Products, Customers and Funding Compared
Agile DefenseAgile Defense provides Digital Transformation, Cybersecurity and Data Analytics solutions.agiledefense.comExpelExpel sells managed detection and response (MDR) delivered through its Workbench platform, with 24x7 human analysts working in the security tools a customer already has.expel.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.
  • Expel MDR[5][7]A managed detection and response service that works with the security tools a customer already has.
  • Ruxie[3][5]Expel's AI and automation engine used in its MDR service.
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]
Not stated on its pages
G2 and Gartner Peer Insights
  • G2: Not stated on its pages
  • Gartner Peer Insights: Not stated on its pages
  • G2: listed, seen November 3, 2026[4]
  • 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.Not written yet
Last verified
October 21, 2026September 27, 2026

Where they overlap

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

Where they differ, field by field

  • Agile Defense lists VSOC, TorqSecure and Workforce. Expel lists Expel MDR and Ruxie.

How they differ

Expel sells Expel MDR, a managed detection and response service with 24x7 analysts that works in the security tools a customer already has. Expel also sells Ruxie, its AI and automation engine, and it states a 14-minute mean time to remediate. Expel customers see investigations in a platform called Workbench, and Expel says its MDR spans more than 160 technology integrations.

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, browser-based SBOM intelligence tool, and Workforce, a platform for building AI assistants called Teammates. Agile Defense also lists digital transformation and data analytics among its solutions.

Agile Defense is based in McLean, Virginia, and serves more than 50 federal government agencies. It is backed by Enlightenment Capital, a private investment firm. It also names the Department of Defense among its customers. On November 25, 2025, Agile Defense announced the full integration of IntelliBridge into the company.

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: Expel

What Expel MDR does[5][7]
Expel MDR provides 24x7 SOC monitoring, with analysts who investigate and respond. Expel says it connects to an existing stack and correlates threats across endpoint, identity, cloud, network, SaaS and more. Expel states a 14-minute mean time to remediate.
What Ruxie does[3][5]
Expel says Ruxie gathers evidence, enriches alerts and matches patterns in seconds. Expel analysts then investigate and make the critical calls.

Questions about Agile Defense and Expel

What do Agile Defense and Expel sell?
Agile Defense sells VSOC, TorqSecure and Workforce. Expel sells Expel MDR and Ruxie.
Are Agile Defense and Expel in the same category?
Yes. MDR and managed SOC is the primary category of both on CISO Tribune.
Who are Agile Defense and Expel sold to?
From its own pages, Agile Defense sells mainly to national security and civilian government customers.
What have Agile Defense and Expel announced recently?
April 29, 2026: Agile Defense announced the hiring of Shawn Tyrie as its Chief Revenue Officer.

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

Expel full record

  1. [1]Workbench operations platformExpel · expel.com · published August 5, 2026 · Tier A
  2. [2]Expel announces 20 million in series b fundingExpel · expel.com · undated page, accessed September 27, 2026 · Tier A
  3. [3]Leading managed detection and response (MDR) provider | ExpelExpel · undated page, accessed October 24, 2026 · Tier A
  4. [4]Expel Reviews 2026: Details, Pricing, & Features - G2G2 · undated page, accessed October 24, 2026 · Tier C
  5. [5]Managed Detection and Response Services | Expel MDRExpel · undated page, accessed November 3, 2026 · Tier A
  6. [6]Email threat detection | ExpelExpel · undated page, accessed November 3, 2026 · Tier A
  7. [7]AI attack surface coverage | ExpelExpel · undated page, accessed November 3, 2026 · Tier A
  8. [8]Company | ExpelExpel · undated page, accessed November 3, 2026 · Tier A
  9. [9]Security and compliance support from your MDR | ExpelExpel · undated page, accessed November 3, 2026 · Tier A
  10. [10]Managed Security Solutions | ExpelExpel · undated page, accessed November 3, 2026 · Tier A

Spot a factual error? Request a correction.