Blog | 6-minute Read
What is Microsoft Defender for Endpoint?
Mathew Richards
Head of Secure Digital Transformation
Published: 29 February 2024
Microsoft are a leader in the 2023 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Endpoint Protection Platforms. Learn why Defender for Endpoint plays a pivotal part in this.
Consider the number of endpoints in your organisation.
It’s a lot, isn’t it?
A smorgasbord of devices and applications being accessed in different ways, at different times, from different locations.
And every endpoint is a potential point of attack for the cyber bad guys. Presenting a relentless threat to your organisation that you simply can’t afford to ignore.
80-90% of compromises originate from unmanaged devices.
Bringing order to endpoint security chaos
We regularly see clients investing in a patchwork quilt of security tools. Not only is this adding to licence costs, but it also creates issues around effective analysis and management.
Tools that work in silos, offering a fragmented view of the estate. IT teams, already maxed out, are overloaded with data and alerts from multiple sources. Putting additional strain on workloads, slowing response times, and further confusing an already complex endpoint environment.
It’s a recipe for undermined security posture, and a pathway to attack compromise and data breach.
And with so many devices in use, endpoint security is particularly vulnerable.
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint offers a solution. A way to bring order out of potential chaos via state-of-the-art technology, AI-driven threat intelligence, and seamless integration with the rest of your Microsoft ecosystem.
Why choose Defender for Endpoint?
This what Microsoft have to say:
“Defender for Endpoint is an endpoint security platform that helps organisations secure their digital estate using AI-powered, industry-leading endpoint detection and response across all platforms, devices, and Internet of Things (IoT).
It is core to Microsoft Defender XDR.
Built on the industry’s broadest threat intelligence informed by more than 65 trillion daily signals and over 10,000 security experts, it empowers security teams to fend off sophisticated threats.”
In breaking this statement down, let’s first look at some of Defender for Endpoint’s core features.
A unified security posture
Perhaps the most significant benefit of Defender for Endpoint is how it contributes to the development of a unified security posture. It’s an integral part of the broader Microsoft Defender suite. And as such, offers up a comprehensive and joined-up protection that spans endpoints, identities, applications, and cloud services.
Microsoft, in fact, see Defender for Endpoint as a core part of its AI-driven unified security platform, Microsoft Defender XDR.
This brings all the tools together into a single cloud-solution. Intelligence and investigation combined with extended detection and response. Providing advanced disruption to cyber threats like ransomware, business email compromise (BEC), or attacker-in-the-middle.
Extending this unified approach across the ecosystem
Of course, the advantage Defender for Endpoint offers Microsoft users is the way in which each tool integrates seamlessly with others. Further fortifying the security of your environment, but also improving the efficiency and experience for its users.
Integrations that include (but are not limited to):
Microsoft 365 Security Centre
Defender for Endpoint licence requirements
Microsoft offers Defender for Endpoint in two primary plans:
Defender for Endpoint Plan 1 (P1): Aimed at providing foundational endpoint protection capabilities, including antimalware, attack surface reduction rules, and device-based conditional access. This plan is designed for organisations needing essential protection with a cost-effective solution.
Defender for Endpoint Plan 2 (P2): Offers comprehensive endpoint security features, including all the capabilities of P1 plus advanced threat hunting, detection, and response tools, automated investigation and remediation, and in-depth threat analytics. P2 is tailored for organisations requiring a more robust defence against sophisticated cyber threats.
For Microsoft 365 licence holders, P1 is available within the E3 licence, with P2 available as part of the E5 licence. Plus, Microsoft 365 Business Premium licence holders have access to Defender for Business, built on the Defender for Endpoint capabilities and offering advanced device protection.
Why choose Defender for Endpoint?
Well, it delivers on a range of benefits felt by your IT team and the business as a whole.
Such as:
Creating a strong, unified security posture that closes security gaps and enables strong security across all devices, everywhere.
Improving IT team work load, efficiency, and accuracy by automating tasks and reducing data overload.
Providing unrivalled threat intelligence alongside advanced protection and attack disruption, preventing the costly effects of a breach.
Moreover, as a Microsoft user, Defender for Endpoint really is the logical choice.
It’s available within existing licences and provides comprehensive detection and protection for your devices. Not only allowing you to rationalise your vendor licence costs but helping enable a cyber security strategy that stretches across your entire estate.
Key takeaways
Defender for Endpoint is an industry-leading AI-driven endpoint security solution.
It provides organisations with unrivalled intelligence and advanced attack disruption.
It integrates with all Microsoft tools to enable a unified and strong security posture.
It’s a core component of Microsoft’s cloud-based and AI-powered advanced XDR solution.
Next steps
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