Palo Alto Networks and Microsoft Participate in MITRE ATT&CK Evaluations for 2026

Major cybersecurity vendors Palo Alto Networks and Microsoft have both announced their withdrawal from the 2026 MITRE ATT&CK Evaluations, signaling a strategic shift in how leading security providers validate their products.

After years of stellar performance, these industry giants are diverting resources toward innovation roadmaps and customer-driven enhancements, while reaffirming their commitment to independent testing and transparency.

Palo Alto Networks Redirects Focus to Innovation

Palo Alto Networks, a consistent participant in MITRE ATT&CK Evaluations since 2020, revealed its decision to step back from the upcoming 2026 cycle despite Cortex XDR’s unmatched track record.

In the 2025 evaluations, Cortex XDR achieved 100 percent coverage of MITRE ATT&CK techniques at the technique level, without any delayed detections or custom tuning.

The company explained that pausing its MITRE participation will free up engineering capacity to accelerate next-generation XDR capabilities, threat hunts, and AI-driven automation that more directly address emerging attack methodologies.

Although withdrawing from MITRE’s framework, Palo Alto Networks will continue to pursue independent validation.

Cortex XDR recently earned an AAA rating and demonstrated 100 percent ransomware prevention in SE Labs testing.

Moreover, AV-Comparatives granted dual certifications for EDR detection efficacy and anti-tampering resilience—unique achievements among enterprise XDR leaders.

Diagram illustrating core features of Palo Alto Networks’ Cortex XDR cybersecurity platform, including threat intelligence, endpoint protection, and automation.

Microsoft Prioritizes Secure Future Initiative

Echoing a similar rationale, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint will also forgo the 2026 MITRE ATT&CK Evaluations.

The announcement credits MITRE’s role in fortifying industry benchmarks and underscores Microsoft’s intention to devote resources to its Secure Future Initiative—a program aiming to integrate threat prevention, detection, and response across Microsoft 365, Azure, and on-premises environments.

By reallocating test-cycle efforts toward product roadmaps, Microsoft seeks to expedite delivery of advanced adversary simulation tools, real-time attack hunting capabilities, and reinforced cloud posture management.

Microsoft affirmed ongoing cooperation with MITRE, including sharing telemetry insights and contributing to ATT&CK framework updates.

The company also highlighted participation in external benchmarking programs such as AV-Test assessments and third-party red-team exercises to maintain objective performance visibility.

Evolving Validation Strategies in Cybersecurity

These strategic withdrawals reflect a broader industry trend: leading vendors are diversifying validation approaches beyond standardized evaluations.

While MITRE ATT&CK remains a cornerstone for transparent performance measurement, both Palo Alto Networks and Microsoft demonstrate that balanced investment in proprietary innovation and customer-centric feature development can coexist with rigorous third-party testing.

By stepping back from the 2026 MITRE cycle, Palo Alto Networks and Microsoft underscore the dynamic nature of cybersecurity priorities.

Customers can anticipate accelerated feature releases, deeper integration of threat intelligence, and continued proof of efficacy via alternative independent tests—ensuring robust protection against evolving adversaries without compromise.

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