Healthcare and public sector organizations are increasingly prioritizing specialized managed security service providers (MSSPs) over generalist options as they navigate the complexities of securing hybrid environments. A recent deployment within the National Health Service (NHS) serves as a significant case study underscoring the importance of this strategic shift.
Check Point Software, a prominent cybersecurity company, has observed a growing demand for specialized MSSPs as organizations in the healthcare sector and other highly regulated industries strive to protect their intricate hybrid infrastructures. This trend is exemplified by the ongoing success of SEP2, a UK-based Check Point Elite Partner that focuses on a targeted technology stack to meet the unique security needs of these sectors.
Founded in 2016 in Leeds, SEP2 exemplifies the potential of specialized providers. The company operates a 24/7/365 Security Operations Center based in the UK and has recorded impressive year-on-year revenue growth between 35% and 40%. In 2025, the organization successfully onboarded 88 new clients, a significant increase from the 54 customers acquired the previous year. Notably, about 70% of the members on SEP2’s Wingman Secure Access team possess elite-level certifications from Check Point, further showcasing the firm’s commitment to expertise and specialization.
SEP2 employs a strategic philosophy of "go deep, not wide," focusing on a select few top-tier technologies rather than trying to cover a vast array of platforms with superficial knowledge. For network and access security, Check Point has been an integral part of their operations since inception. Mark McDaid, Head of Go-to-Market and Alliances at SEP2, noted, "Check Point has been a cornerstone of our business from day one. It enables us to compete with larger competitors and helps level the playing field."
The partnership between Check Point and SEP2 recently played a pivotal role in addressing a complex deployment within an NHS hospital involving the advanced Check Point Maestro Hyperscale Firewall. Following a network anomaly, engineers from both organizations, alongside direct support from Check Point’s Research and Development team, collaborated on-site to analyze and resolve the issue. This cooperative effort culminated in the NHS organization signing a new five-year platform agreement, highlighting the effectiveness of specialized partnerships in addressing critical security challenges.
Mark Weir, Regional Director for the UK & Ireland at Check Point Software, elaborated on the industry’s shifting dynamics: "Organizations are trying to balance security effectiveness with operational simplicity. Many are moving away from fragmented security models towards integrated, prevention-first platforms that deliver consistent protection across hybrid environments." He emphasized that specialist MSSPs are gaining traction because they merge deep operational expertise with scalable architectures suitable for complex scenarios.
SEP2 further differentiates itself with a robust internal support process. The technical teams reportedly resolve approximately 98% of service tickets without needing to escalate issues, a notable achievement attributed to the intensive certification program and the dedicated lab environments that facilitate live technology testing for Check Point solutions.
As the adoption of artificial intelligence amplifies in the industry and the complexities of hybrid infrastructures increase, Check Point anticipates that the demand for specialized partnerships will grow, particularly within sectors such as healthcare, financial services, and critical national infrastructure. The emphasis on combining depth of expertise with systemic solutions is proving to be an essential strategy in modern cybersecurity.
In conclusion, the evolving landscape of cybersecurity underscores the necessity for healthcare and public sector organizations to align with specialized MSSPs. As demonstrated by the success of SEP2 and its partnership with Check Point, providing focused and in-depth security solutions is increasingly vital for navigating the intricacies of securing hybrid systems. Organizations looking for resilience in today’s rapidly changing environment can benefit greatly from these specialized capabilities. For more detailed insights, the full case study can be accessed here.