<table name="logo_release" border="0" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="5" align="right">   <tbody>    <tr>     <td><img src="https://mma.prnasia.com/media2/2935716/Virtual_Group_IT___The_Instillery_Logo_Logo.jpg?p=medium600" border="0" alt="" title="logo" hspace="0" vspace="0" width="118" /></td>    </tr>   </tbody>  </table>  <p><span class="legendSpanClass">AUCKLAND, New Zealand</span>, <span class="legendSpanClass">March 18, 2026</span> /PRNewswire/ -- <b><a href="https://vitg.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0000FF">Virtual IT Group (VITG)</a></b><b> and <a href="https://www.theinstillery.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0000FF">The Instillery</a></b> have launched Zero Trust Detection &amp; Response (ZDR), the first purpose-built <a href="https://vitg.com.au/services/zero-trust-detection-and-response" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0000FF">Zero Trust network protection service</a> designed specifically for small and medium-sized organisations across ANZ. Until now, these organisations have faced rising cyber threats with little choice but to rely on outdated, legacy network security.</p>  <div class="PRN_ImbeddedAssetReference" id="DivAssetPlaceHolder1">   <p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; WIDTH: 100%"> <a href="https://mma.prnasia.com/media2/2935715/Virtual_IT_Group_ZDR_Multi_Media_Image.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0000FF"> <img src="https://mma.prnasia.com/media2/2935715/Virtual_IT_Group_ZDR_Multi_Media_Image.jpg?p=medium600" title="Virtual IT Group Launches Zero Trust Detection &amp; Response (ZDR) Service - Masaki Takeda (Security Consultant), Maurice McCarthy (CEO) and Jeremy Nees (Chief Product Officer and Zero Trust Practice Lead)" alt="Virtual IT Group Launches Zero Trust Detection &amp; Response (ZDR) Service - Masaki Takeda (Security Consultant), Maurice McCarthy (CEO) and Jeremy Nees (Chief Product Officer and Zero Trust Practice Lead)" /> </a> <br /><span>Virtual IT Group Launches Zero Trust Detection &amp; Response (ZDR) Service - Masaki Takeda (Security Consultant), Maurice McCarthy (CEO) and Jeremy Nees (Chief Product Officer and Zero Trust Practice Lead)</span></p>  </div>  <p>The service can deliver the same level of protection used by banks and large enterprises without the specialist team or the cost typically required.</p>  <p>&quot;EDR and identity protection tools have evolved rapidly, but network security hasn't kept pace,&quot; said <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-nees-7b6b8410" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0000FF">Jeremy Nees</a>, Chief Product Officer and Zero Trust Practice Lead at Virtual IT Group. &quot;For the first time, midmarket organisations can have full endpoint, identity, and network security working together as one.&quot;</p>  <p>&quot;Many midmarket businesses are still relying on firewalls and VPNs that simply weren't designed for today's advanced cyber-attack patterns or modern workforce realities. Most tools in the SMB space only scan a fraction of network traffic. It's like boarding a plane where only 10% of passengers have been screened. Our ZDR offering eliminates that blind spot. With this service, we deliver true 24/7 security monitoring and response: deep packet inspection across all traffic, not just small samples, local ANZ threat intelligence, and configuration and oversight by elite engineers.&quot;</p>  <p>This is the first service launched since <a href="https://vitg.com.au/new-ceo-appointment-2026/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0000FF">CEO Maurice McCarthy joined the company</a> in February. &quot;The Zero Trust Detection and Response service is unique in its customer centric design and can be added immediately to a customer's environment, without having to switch managed service providers if they're not ready to do so. Secure, sector-compliant, and AI ready business systems are a non-negotiable for our economy to thrive. Crucially for this end of the market, the offering is priced on a peruser, per month model, removing the financial barrier that has historically kept high grade network protection out of reach.&quot;</p>  <p>Virtual IT Group and The Instillery, who came together through an <a href="https://vitg.com.au/vitg-zero-trust-practice-anz/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0000FF">acquisition in 2025</a>, have spent more than a decade implementing Zero Trust architectures for some of the most secure organisations in ANZ. The new ZDR service packages that expertise into a simple, scalable service designed for midmarket needs.</p>  <p>Now with The Instillery's expertise on board, Virtual IT Group holds one of the strongest Zero Trust capability sets in ANZ, with a dedicated <a href="https://vitg.com.au/press-release-strategic-hires-bolster-zero-trust-practice/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0000FF">Zero Trust practice</a> and four engineers certified through Zscaler Aces, including <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/masaki-takeda" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0000FF">Masaki Takeda</a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronniemeekers" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0000FF">Ronnie Meekers</a>. The ZDR launch signals a step forward for traditional managed services and managed security as a combined category.</p>  <p>After successful implementation with pilot customers, ZDR is available immediately across Australia and New Zealand.</p>  <p><b>About Virtual IT Group (VITG) and The Instillery</b><br /><a href="https://vitg.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0000FF">Virtual IT Group</a>&nbsp;is one of the fastest growing mid-market technology and cybersecurity providers in Australia and New Zealand. With scale, local customer support, and proven expertise, we deliver end-to-end managed IT and security services making our clients' business systems stronger, smarter and more secure every day. In 2025 Virtual IT Group acquired <a href="https://www.theinstillery.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0000FF">The Instillery</a>, a New Zealand-based technology services firm specialising in digital transformation and capability building for growth-stage businesses. Together, we operate as a united entity serving ANZ mid-market.</p>  <div class="PRN_ImbeddedAssetReference" id="DivAssetPlaceHolder2">   <p> </p>  </div>