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Stop Employee Data Exfiltration with AI

THE

ONE

Platform

Managed IT engineer in Tampa reviewing security documentation on Microsoft Surface device

Resiliency made simple. We deliver 360-degree visibility into the flow of your precious data. Plus, military-grade protection, with all of your licenses rolled into one slim bill. Welcome to the Ridge.

The power of One

01

The Ridge

Military-grade managed IT with cybersecurity eliminates threats - before they spread.

02

Pro Team

Inc. Magazines's top cybersecurity team with rapid response and DoD clearance.

03

Recovery

Instant backup and quick recovery keeps your team running at full speed, no matter what.

04

ID Controls

Automated identity management controls user access with surgical precision.

05

Zero Trust

Trust nothing. Verify everything. End-to-end protection. No gaps, just complete coverage.

06

Training

Turn employees into cybersecurity champions with threat awareness training.

Humans Trust Ridge
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Our Core Values

'Best of the Best'

Ridge IT helps clients implement proven cybersecurity solutions that meet today’s cyber threat landscape.

Curated

  • Validated best in class solutions
  • Natively integrated and partnered

Brilliant Minds

  • Certified engineers
  • Cognitive and ability standards

Fully Managed

  • Continuous validation
  • Continuous monitoring

Complete Architecture

  • Identification and mitigation of threats
  • Containment of impact and recovery
What We Do

The Power of ONE

We understand that every client’s needs are unique. Ridge IT is a fully managed Cyber Security (CS) Firm, so whether you’re needing a single SKU or a comprehensive Managed Service Provider, we have a team of brilliant technical minds to meet each client’s needs. As solutions experts, we can conduct threat searches, environment updates, and cyber security SIEM integration, so no matter what you have a curated solution to your problem.

Partners & Recognition

As a Zscaler Service Partner of the Year recipient, Ridge IT is one of only a few select authorized Managed Service Partners (MSP) of Zscaler and is one of the first 50 named Okta Partners in the U.S. In addition, we are a certified Microsoft Direct Gold Partner as well as an MSP for Microsoft. For Crowdstrike, we’re a seller of CS and an Authorized FEDRAMP MSP.

Ridge IT Cyber specializes in the architecture of solutions that meet the challenges our customers face, whether related to compliance with legal policies or reaching operational goals within a budget. In other words, we excel in prioritizing your IT needs to improve operations while meeting your objectives.

Our method? Battle tested.

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Managed IT services team in Tampa's modern office space using secure devices
#1
MSSP
Inc. Magazine

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common causes of Microsoft 365 performance issues?

While most providers blame Microsoft's cloud for performance problems, our diagnostic data shows that 82% of Microsoft 365 performance issues stem from local configuration or network problems. Our performance optimization service uses our comprehensive assessment framework to identify the real culprits, from suboptimal DNS configurations and proxy interference to network congestion and client-side resource limitations. We then implement our military-grade optimization protocol that includes targeted network configuration changes, TCP optimization, and our proprietary caching framework – delivering consistent performance improvements of 30-50% for applications like Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive. This systematic approach has resolved performance issues for organizations ranging from 20 to 5,000 users.

What’s the best approach for deploying Microsoft Teams across our organization?

Simply turning on Teams leads to chaotic deployments, redundant team creation, and security gaps. Our strategic Teams deployment begins with our governance framework that establishes clear naming conventions, retention policies, and security parameters before deployment. We then implement our phased adoption strategy with department champions, targeted training modules, and usage analytics to drive proper adoption. This structured approach prevents the "Teams sprawl" that plagues most organizations while ensuring proper security configurations for external sharing, guest access, and data protection – critical areas where default settings create significant security risks.

How do we implement Azure Virtual Desktop for our hybrid workforce?

Azure Virtual Desktop implementations often fail due to poor architecture decisions that lead to performance issues or excessive costs. Our military-grade AVD implementation starts with our workload assessment framework to determine the optimal configuration for your specific applications. We then implement our three-tier architecture with dedicated management, user session, and application host pools to optimize both performance and cost. Our auto-scaling framework automatically adjusts resources based on actual usage patterns, typically reducing Azure compute costs by 30-40% compared to static deployments while maintaining enterprise-grade performance and security.

What’s the fastest way to migrate from on-premise Exchange to Microsoft 365?

Traditional migrations that take weeks or cause downtime are outdated. Our accelerated migration methodology leverages military-grade project management and our proprietary hybrid Exchange approach to complete migrations with zero downtime, typically 40-60% faster than standard methods. Our process begins with our comprehensive pre-migration assessment that identifies potential issues before they cause delays, then implements parallel synchronization with our specialized cutover framework. This methodology has successfully migrated over 500,000 mailboxes with an average client satisfaction score of 97%.

How can we fully utilize Microsoft Intune for zero-trust security?

Most organizations use less than 30% of Intune's security capabilities, missing critical protections. Our zero-trust Intune implementation activates these overlooked features, including application-level conditional access policies, custom compliance scripts, and automated remediation actions. We configure security baselines aligned with frameworks like CMMC and NIST, then implement our proprietary compliance verification system to provide continuous documentation. Most importantly, we integrate Intune with Microsoft Defender for Endpoint to enable automatic isolation of compromised devices – a critical capability that 78% of organizations miss in their configuration.

What Microsoft compliance tools should we be using for CMMC 2.0 requirements?

Microsoft's compliance tools are powerful but often misconfigured. For CMMC Level 2, our Microsoft compliance implementation leverages Purview Information Protection for CUI management, Defender for Endpoint for threat detection, and Intune for device compliance – all critical components for meeting NIST 800-171 requirements. However, out-of-box configurations won't satisfy auditors. Our military-grade implementation includes custom compliance policies, automated documentation workflows, and specialized CUI handling procedures that provide the evidence package needed for successful certification. This approach has helped defense contractors reduce compliance preparation time by up to 40%.

How does Ridge IT leverage Microsoft Defender for comprehensive protection?

Unlike basic Microsoft 365 setups that leave security gaps, our military-grade implementation of Microsoft Defender provides unified protection across endpoints, email, identity, and cloud apps. We configure Defender using our zero-trust architecture framework, activating often-missed features like attack surface reduction rules, tamper protection, and network protection. Most importantly, our 24/7 security operations center monitors your Defender alerts with 15-minute response times – turning Microsoft's tools from passive alerting into active protection. This comprehensive approach has helped our clients achieve a 98.7% threat prevention rate.

How can we reduce our Microsoft licensing costs without sacrificing security?

Most organizations waste 15-30% of their Microsoft budget on unused licenses, redundant services, or over-licensed users. Our license optimization process first identifies these waste areas through our comprehensive audit, then implements our proven three-tier optimization framework: user-role alignment (matching license types to actual usage patterns), security-feature isolation (moving advanced security to where it's needed most), and automated license management (preventing license sprawl). This approach typically saves our clients $120-$300 per user annually while actually strengthening their security posture.

What’s the true cost difference between Microsoft 365 Business Premium and Enterprise E3/E5?

The sticker price is just the beginning. Business Premium ($22/user/month) appears cheaper than E3 ($36/user/month) or E5 ($57/user/month), but the security limitations can cost you more long-term. Most Tampa businesses we audit are either overpaying for Enterprise licenses they don't fully utilize or facing security gaps with Business plans that lack critical protections. Our Microsoft 365 license optimization identifies the perfect mix for your specific needs, sometimes implementing hybrid licensing models that deliver Enterprise-grade security without the enterprise price tag.

How should we integrate Microsoft 365 with our legacy systems?

Most integration attempts create fragmented experiences that frustrate users and create security gaps. Our strategic integration approach begins with our comprehensive systems assessment to map data flows and user journeys across platforms. We then implement our three-phase integration methodology: authentication unification through our advanced identity federation framework, data synchronization using our customized API integration approach, and workflow orchestration through our proprietary process automation framework. This structured approach creates seamless user experiences while maintaining security boundaries and compliance requirements – eliminating the common pitfall of creating new security vulnerabilities during integration.

What Microsoft 365 features are most businesses missing that could improve productivity?

Most businesses use less than 40% of the Microsoft 365 capabilities they're already paying for. Our feature optimization process identifies these missed opportunities through our comprehensive workplace analytics assessment. Common overlooked features include Power Automate for workflow automation (saving an average of 5-7 hours per employee monthly), SharePoint document workflows with automated approval routing, and Microsoft Planner for cross-team project management. Our Microsoft specialists configure these tools based on your specific business processes, then provide targeted training through our microlearning platform to ensure successful adoption and measurable productivity gains.

How does Ridge IT simplify Microsoft 365 licensing for businesses?

Most IT providers make licensing unnecessarily complex, leading to overspending on unused features or risking compliance issues. Our military-grade managed IT approach starts with a comprehensive license audit to identify waste, then implements our proven license optimization framework. By right-sizing your subscriptions and consolidating duplicate licenses, we typically reduce Microsoft 365 costs by 20-30% while enhancing security. Our Microsoft licensing specialists continually monitor usage patterns to ensure you're only paying for what you need.

How can we build a true security operations center using Microsoft tools?

While most providers treat Microsoft security tools as standalone products, our military-grade security operations framework integrates Microsoft Defender, Sentinel, and Purview into a comprehensive security ecosystem. We implement our three-tier security architecture with automated threat intelligence sharing, cross-platform correlation, and our proprietary incident response automation. This approach transforms disparate Microsoft security tools into a unified security operations platform that delivers 24/7 protection with 15-minute response times. Most importantly, our implementation includes our specialized alert tuning methodology that reduces false positives by 85% compared to standard deployments – ensuring your team focuses on real threats rather than alert fatigue.

What’s the best Microsoft 365 roadmap for a growing business?

Implementing everything at once overwhelms users and IT resources. Our strategic implementation roadmap follows our proven four-phase framework: foundation (core email, document storage, identity), collaboration (Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive), automation (Power Platform, workflow optimization), and advanced security (Defender suite, compliance tools). This phased approach typically spans 6-12 months based on organization size and complexity, with each phase building on previous success. Our methodology includes user adoption metrics, security validation, and ROI analysis at each phase to ensure measurable business outcomes. This structured approach has successfully guided over 700 organizations through Microsoft 365 transformations with a 96% satisfaction rate.

What certifications and compliance standards does Intune support?

Microsoft Intune maintains numerous compliance certifications including FedRAMP High, ISO 27001, HIPAA, and PCI DSS. The platform provides security baselines aligned with NIST, CIS, and industry-specific frameworks with customizable policies for regulatory requirements. Our compliance services ensure Intune configurations meet your specific regulatory requirements.

What are the most common challenges when implementing Intune?

Common Intune implementation challenges include policy conflicts, limited testing environments, user communication issues, and legacy management migration complexities. Successful implementations require phased approaches with proper testing environments. Our Intune specialists overcome these challenges with proven methodology and experience.

What security features does Intune provide for mobile devices?

Intune secures mobile devices through encryption enforcement, passcode requirements, jailbreak detection, and application-level protections. The platform creates separate work profiles on Android and leverages native iOS security capabilities while preventing data movement between managed and personal apps. Our mobile security solutions build on these features with additional threat protection.

How does Intune handle application deployment and management?

Intune deploys applications through direct assignment, Company Portal availability, or required installations across various app types (Microsoft Store, Win32, mobile apps). The platform offers sophisticated deployment options with custom installation requirements and configuration policies. Our application management services streamline deployment while ensuring security compliance.

What is the difference between Intune and Microsoft Endpoint Manager?

Microsoft Endpoint Manager is the unified management platform that includes Intune (cloud-based), Configuration Manager (on-premises), and co-management capabilities. When accessing the admin center, you're technically using Endpoint Manager, while Intune refers specifically to the cloud component. Our endpoint management solutions leverage both platforms for optimal management.

What’s the safest way to roll out Copilot to multiple teams without rushing it?

Focus on business personas rather than IT infrastructure teams first. Avoid distributing Copilot licenses primarily to IT staff, as they use AI differently than sales and marketing teams. Before rollout, conduct a health check using SharePoint Advanced Management (SAM) to assess data classification and governance. Start with site permission reviews and implement Purview solutions to address data security proactively. Our managed IT approach ensures secure phased implementation.
Cyber Readiness

The Power of ONE

At Ridge IT Cyber, we have developed a methodology for responding to breaches designed to attack, measure, and improve our clients' cyber posture. To be effective, today's cyber security strategies must move from a defensive-centric posture to an offensive-centric stance. The best way to do this is to attack continuously. We aim to detect in 1 minute, investigate in 10 minutes, and act in 60 minutes.

The only way to minimize attacks and breaches is to be an expert in your security tools. Beyond expertise in a tool, you must also possess investigative cybersecurity experience to meet the 1-10-60 standard. Ridge IT Cyber specializes in best-in-class solutions with the knowledge required to leverage their capabilities to the maximum effect. We represent the finest solutions on the market today. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you improve your cyber posture.

Inc. Magazine's fastest growing leader in Managed Cybersecurity—3 years in a row.

Uncover threats.

Rapid response times, with around the clock IT support, from Inc. Magazine’s #1 MSSP.

Cloud-first protection in one slim bill.

Rapid response times, with around the clock IT support, from Inc. Magazine’s #1 MSSP.