Eye Security and The S-Unit Partner to Bridge the Gap Between Detection and Offensive Security

Eye Security, a European leader in 24/7 threat detection and incident response, today announced a strategic partnership with The S-Unit, a Netherlands-based specialist in offensive security, delivering penetration testing and red teamings to simulate advanced threat actors.

The partnership reflects a broader shift in cybersecurity from isolated controls toward integrated security models that combine continuous detection with proactive exposure of unknown risk.

From reacting to threats to understanding exposure

Cybersecurity has entered a new phase. Across incident response engagements, threat actors are no longer breaking in through technical exploits alone. Instead, they operate within trusted environments and leverage valid credentials, misconfigurations, and overlooked vulnerabilities. In this context, the distinction between defensive and offensive security is increasingly artificial. “Most incidents we investigate today do not begin with sophisticated exploits. They begin with access that should not have been possible in the first place,” said Piet Kerkhofs, CTO of Eye Security. “If you cannot see where you are exposed, you cannot defend it. This partnership is about closing that gap.” Eye Security. “Als je niet ziet waar je kwetsbaar bent, kun je het ook niet beschermen. Dit partnerschap helpt om dat gat te sluiten.” By combining Eye Security’s real-time detection and response capabilities with The S-Unit’s offensive testing expertise, organisations gain both visibility into active threats and insight into the weaknesses that enable them.

Introducing a structured approach from signal to action

Under the partnership, Eye Security acts as the primary security partner and advisor to customers. When a need for penetration testing is identified, requirements are qualified and transferred to The S-Unit through a structured referral model. This ensures clear scoping based on real-world risk, fast alignment between detection insights and testing priorities, and frictionless handover from advisory to execution.

The S-Unit then delivers penetration testing engagements across domains including network infrastructure, applications, cloud environments, and human-centric attack vectors. Crucially, the model maintains continuity. Findings from offensive testing can be directly translated into improved detection, monitoring, and response strategies.

Addressing a structural gap in modern security

The partnership targets a growing disconnect in cybersecurity programmes. Whereas many organisations invest heavily in prevention and monitoring, fewer have a clear understanding of their actual exposure, particularly in complex, cloud-first environments. This gap is widening as identity becomes the primary attack surface, attack paths increasingly involve legitimate access, and traditional security signals become less reliable

“Cybersecurity today is about understanding how threat actors think and operate. By integrating offensive and defensive capabilities, we move from reactive security to informed resilience,” said Job Kuijpers, CEO of Eye Security.

Local expertise

The partnership is initially focused on the Dutch market, where regulatory pressure, digitalisation, and sector-specific risk, particularly in healthcare, finance, and critical infrastructure, are driving demand for more mature security practices.

The S-Unit brings over a decade of experience in offensive security, conducting more than 200 penetration tests annually across a wide range of industries. “We are often brought in to uncover what organisations cannot see themselves. Our role is to think like a threat actor, but act in the interest of the organisation. Combined with Eye Security’s detection capabilities, this creates a much stronger security posture,” said Marko van Zwam, Managing Director at The S-Unit.

Towards a unified model of cybersecurity

As organisations adopt AI, SaaS platforms, and interconnected systems, the attack surface continues to expand, often faster than visibility can keep up. The partnership reflects a broader industry direction. Security must evolve from fragmented controls into a continuous, feedback-driven system where exposure, detection, and response reinforce each other. In that model, penetration testing is no longer a periodic compliance exercise but a strategic input into how organisations detect, respond, and adapt.

About Eye Security

Eye Security helps small and medium-sized businesses identify cyber risks proactively and strengthen operational resilience. As one of Europe’s leading MDR providers, the company blends advanced AI technology, expert guidance, and integrated cyber insurance into one cohesive solution. More than 850 organisations across Europe rely on this unified approach to safeguard their digital operations. www.eye.security www.eye.security

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