Microsoft Defender is a comprehensive suite of security products from Microsoft designed to protect against various cyber threats across different domains, including endpoint devices, identities, cloud infrastructure, email, and applications. Each Defender product addresses specific security needs, from threat detection and prevention to incident response and remediation.
Here is an overview of all current Microsoft Defender products, their usage, practical examples, creation, configuration, management, and licensing models.
1. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Overview
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is a platform that offers threat detection, investigation, response, and prevention capabilities for endpoint devices (such as Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux). It uses behavioral analytics and machine learning to detect suspicious activities on endpoint devices, helping organizations protect against malware, ransomware, and zero-day threats.
Key Features
- Threat and Vulnerability Management: Identifies and prioritizes vulnerabilities on endpoint devices.
- Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR): Detects and investigates advanced threats in real-time.
- Automated Investigation and Remediation: Automatically investigates and remediates alerts to reduce response times.
- Next-Generation Protection: Provides advanced anti-malware protection.
Usage Example
A retail company uses Defender for Endpoint to protect employees’ devices against malware. When an endpoint shows signs of unusual activity, the IT team receives an alert, and the device is automatically isolated. This containment prevents the potential spread of malware while the team investigates further.
Creation, Configuration, and Management
- Creation: Enable Defender for Endpoint in the Microsoft 365 Defender portal.
- Configuration:
- Use Endpoint Manager (Intune) to configure policies, such as enabling real-time protection and defining scan settings.
- Set up automated investigations and configure alert notifications.
- Management: Use the Defender for Endpoint dashboard to monitor device status, view and respond to alerts, and run threat analysis.
Licensing
- Included in Microsoft 365 E5 and Microsoft 365 E5 Security licenses.
- Available as a standalone license for organizations not using Microsoft 365 E5.
2. Microsoft Defender for Identity
Overview
Microsoft Defender for Identity (formerly Azure Advanced Threat Protection) protects on-premises and hybrid Active Directory (AD) environments by identifying compromised identities and detecting advanced threats such as lateral movement, privilege escalation, and abnormal behavior within an AD environment.
Key Features
- Behavioral Analytics: Detects unusual behavior, including abnormal logins or unauthorized access.
- Identity Threat Detection: Identifies identity-based threats such as pass-the-hash and pass-the-ticket attacks.
- Integration with Microsoft 365 Defender: Correlates identity alerts with other security alerts across Microsoft 365.
Usage Example
A financial institution uses Defender for Identity to monitor for identity-based attacks. If a user logs in from an unusual location, Defender for Identity triggers an alert. The security team can investigate, requiring the user to re-authenticate using multi-factor authentication (MFA).
Creation, Configuration, and Management
- Creation: Install Defender for Identity sensors on domain controllers (DCs) in your on-premises AD environment.
- Configuration:
- Define sensitive accounts (e.g., domain admins) for priority monitoring.
- Configure alert notifications for specific actions, such as unusual logins.
- Management: Monitor suspicious activities and investigate incidents from the Microsoft 365 Defender portal.
Licensing
- Included in Microsoft 365 E5 and Microsoft 365 E5 Security.
- Available as a standalone license.
3. Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps (formerly Microsoft Cloud App Security)
Overview
Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps is a Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) that provides visibility, control, and protection for data across cloud applications. It allows organizations to monitor cloud app usage, prevent data leaks, and detect threats in cloud-based applications.
Key Features
- App Discovery: Identifies and monitors shadow IT applications used across the organization.
- Threat Protection: Detects unusual activity and potential threats within cloud applications.
- Data Protection: Prevents data leaks with data loss prevention (DLP) policies and protects sensitive information.
Usage Example
An organization uses Defender for Cloud Apps to monitor employee usage of third-party applications like Dropbox. The IT team creates policies to restrict data sharing to approved applications only, preventing data from being exposed to unapproved apps.
Creation, Configuration, and Management
- Creation: Enable Defender for Cloud Apps from the Microsoft 365 Defender portal.
- Configuration:
- Define app discovery policies to detect unauthorized apps.
- Configure DLP policies to control data sharing within cloud applications.
- Management: Monitor cloud app usage and investigate suspicious activity from the Defender for Cloud Apps dashboard.
Licensing
- Included in Microsoft 365 E5 and Microsoft 365 E5 Security.
- Available as a standalone license.
4. Microsoft Defender for Office 365
Overview
Microsoft Defender for Office 365 is designed to protect Microsoft 365 apps (such as Outlook, Teams, and SharePoint) from email-based threats, phishing, malware, and malicious links.
Key Features
- Safe Links and Safe Attachments: Scans emails and links for malicious content.
- Anti-Phishing: Uses AI to detect phishing attacks.
- Attack Simulation Training: Provides phishing simulations and training for employees.
Usage Example
An organization uses Defender for Office 365 to filter out phishing emails. When an email contains a suspicious link, Safe Links scans it in real-time, blocking the link if it’s confirmed as malicious.
Creation, Configuration, and Management
- Creation: Enable Defender for Office 365 in the Microsoft 365 Admin Center.
- Configuration:
- Configure anti-phishing policies and DLP settings.
- Enable Safe Links and Safe Attachments policies for email and collaboration apps.
- Management: Monitor alerts, review quarantined items, and analyze user activity from the Microsoft 365 Defender portal.
Licensing
- Plan 1: Basic email protection, Safe Links, and Safe Attachments. Included in Microsoft 365 Business Premium.
- Plan 2: Advanced threat protection, attack simulation, and automated investigation. Included in Microsoft 365 E5 or as a standalone license.
5. Microsoft Defender for Cloud (formerly Azure Security Center)
Overview
Microsoft Defender for Cloud provides security for cloud workloads across Azure, AWS, and Google Cloud. It helps organizations improve their security posture, protect workloads, and detect potential threats.
Key Features
- Security Posture Management: Evaluates configurations and provides security recommendations.
- Advanced Threat Protection: Protects resources like virtual machines, databases, and containers from threats.
- Multi-Cloud Support: Extends security to AWS and Google Cloud environments.
Usage Example
A technology company uses Defender for Cloud to protect its Azure VMs. Defender for Cloud flags misconfigurations, like open RDP ports, and provides recommendations to secure the environment.
Creation, Configuration, and Management
- Creation: Enable Defender for Cloud from the Azure Portal.
- Configuration:
- Enable workload protection for VMs, databases, and containers.
- Configure security policies based on compliance requirements.
- Management: Use the Defender for Cloud dashboard to monitor security recommendations, view secure score, and investigate alerts.
Licensing
- Free Tier: Basic security posture management.
- Standard Tier: Includes advanced threat protection and workload protection, billed per resource.
6. Microsoft Defender Vulnerability Management
Overview
Microsoft Defender Vulnerability Management provides real-time assessment and mitigation of vulnerabilities across devices and applications.
Key Features
- Continuous Vulnerability Scanning: Real-time assessment of vulnerabilities.
- Remediation Recommendations: Provides guidance for patching and mitigating vulnerabilities.
- Integration with Defender for Endpoint: Enhances endpoint security with vulnerability insights.
Usage Example
A financial institution uses Defender Vulnerability Management to scan endpoints for vulnerabilities and apply patches. High-risk vulnerabilities are prioritized for remediation based on the organization’s compliance requirements.
Creation, Configuration, and Management
- Creation: Enabled within Defender for Endpoint or as a standalone service.
- Configuration:
- Configure scanning schedules and prioritize high-risk vulnerabilities.
- Management: Track vulnerabilities and remediation status from the vulnerability management dashboard in Defender for Endpoint.
Licensing
- Included in Microsoft Defender for Endpoint or available as a standalone license.
7. Microsoft Defender for IoT
Overview
Microsoft Defender for IoT secures Internet of Things (IoT) devices across various industries, such as manufacturing, healthcare, and critical infrastructure.
Key Features
- Threat Detection: Identifies and alerts on suspicious activity within IoT networks.
- Device Inventory and Monitoring: Provides a full inventory of IoT devices and monitors them for anomalies.
- Integration with Sentinel: Enables extended threat detection and incident response through Azure Sentinel.
Usage Example
A manufacturing company uses Defender for IoT to secure factory-floor devices. Defender detects unusual traffic patterns, alerting the IT team to investigate potential unauthorized access.
Creation, Configuration, and Management
- Creation: Enable Defender for IoT in the Azure portal.
- Configuration:
- Install IoT sensors and define security policies for device monitoring.
- Management: Use the Defender for IoT dashboard to monitor device behavior, analyze threat data, and respond to alerts.
Licensing
- Usage-based, typically billed based on the number of IoT devices monitored.
Summary of Microsoft Defender Products and Licensing
Models
| Product | Primary Function | Key Features | Licensing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Defender for Endpoint | Endpoint security | EDR, automated response | Microsoft 365 E5 or standalone |
| Defender for Identity | Identity protection | Detects lateral movement, identity compromise | Microsoft 365 E5 or standalone |
| Defender for Cloud Apps | Cloud app security | App discovery, DLP, threat protection | Microsoft 365 E5 or standalone |
| Defender for Office 365 | Email and collaboration security | Safe Links, Safe Attachments, phishing detection | P1 and P2 plans, Microsoft 365 E5 or standalone |
| Defender for Cloud | Multi-cloud security | Security posture, workload protection | Free and Standard tiers, resource-based billing |
| Defender Vulnerability Mgmt | Vulnerability assessment and remediation | Real-time scanning, patch management | Integrated in Defender for Endpoint or standalone |
| Defender for IoT | IoT device security | Threat detection, device monitoring | Usage-based |
Microsoft Defender provides layered security across identity, endpoints, applications, cloud infrastructure, and IoT devices. Each Defender product is designed to meet specific security needs, whether it’s protecting devices, monitoring identity, or securing cloud resources, offering organizations a unified approach to threat detection, protection, and response across their digital environment.
