A Solutions Architect’s Overview for All Stakeholders
Introduction
Objective: This overview presents Microsoft’s security solutions available for Azure and hybrid environments, detailing each product’s features, benefits, overlaps, licensing requirements, and documentation for further reference.
Target Audience: IT administrators, management, and C-level stakeholders.
- Microsoft Defender XDR
- Primary Features: Unified detection, investigation, and response across Defender products, with automated response capabilities and cross-product threat correlation.
- Primary Usage: Broad detection and response capabilities spanning endpoints, identities, applications, and cloud environments.
- Advantages:
- Provides a single-pane view of alerts across the Defender suite.
- Reduces investigation time with cross-domain correlation.
- Disadvantages:
- Not a standalone product; requires multiple Defender licenses for full functionality.
- Complexity increases with the number of integrated Defender components.
- Overlap: Combines all Microsoft Defender for Microsoft 365 (Microsoft 365 Defender) components to offer cross-product detection, investigation, and response.
- Requirements: Requires an active Microsoft 365 E5 Security license or each standalone Defender product.
- Cost: Costs depend on licensing for each Defender component, typically included in Microsoft 365 E5.
- Category: Security
- Documentation: Microsoft Defender XDR Overview
Microsoft 365 Defender (Microsoft Defender for Microsoft 365) Suite
This suite includes several Defender products, offering integrated security within Microsoft 365, collectively forming Microsoft’s XDR solution.
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Features: Endpoint detection and response (EDR), threat intelligence, vulnerability management.
- Primary Usage: Protects endpoints with cross-platform threat intelligence, advanced detection, and response.
- Advantages:
- Comprehensive endpoint protection with machine learning and advanced EDR capabilities.
- Supports cross-platform endpoints including Windows, macOS, and Linux.
- Disadvantages:
- Costs may scale significantly with a high number of devices.
- Requires integration with Sentinel for advanced SIEM capabilities.
- Overlap: Overlaps with Defender for Identity for identity-based threat insights; integrates with Intune for device management.
- Requirements: Microsoft 365 E5 license or standalone Defender for Endpoint license.
- Cost: Priced per endpoint or included in Microsoft 365 E5.
- Category: Security
- Documentation: Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Documentation
- Microsoft Defender for Identity
- Features: Detects identity-based threats, lateral movement protections, integrates with Sentinel.
- Primary Usage: Focused on securing identities in hybrid environments by detecting unusual behaviors or risks.
- Advantages:
- Provides deep insights into identity-based risks and lateral movement.
- Integrates easily with SIEM solutions like Sentinel.
- Disadvantages:
- Focused on on-premises AD, requiring other tools to cover Azure AD.
- May require advanced setup to fully integrate with other Defender products.
- Overlap: Overlaps with Defender for Endpoint for identity-related threats; integrates with Entra ID for conditional access.
- Requirements: Microsoft 365 E5 Security license or standalone Defender for Identity license.
- Cost: Priced per user, generally included in Azure AD Premium P2.
- Category: Identity and Management
- Documentation: Microsoft Defender for Identity Documentation
- Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps
- Features: Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) for SaaS applications, data loss prevention, app governance.
- Primary Usage: Provides threat protection and governance over third-party cloud apps.
- Advantages:
- Offers secure access, threat detection, and DLP for SaaS and cloud applications.
- Integrates with Microsoft Sentinel for advanced monitoring.
- Disadvantages:
- Limited to cloud applications; requires integration with other tools for on-premises coverage.
- Some advanced features require extensive configuration.
- Overlap: Overlaps with Purview in data governance; integrates with Microsoft Sentinel and Defender XDR.
- Requirements: Microsoft 365 E5 license or standalone Defender for Cloud Apps license.
- Cost: Priced per user; included in Microsoft 365 E5.
- Category: Security
- Documentation: Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps Documentation
- Microsoft Defender for Office 365
- Features: Protects against phishing, malware, zero-day attacks in email and collaboration tools.
- Primary Usage: Secure email, SharePoint, Teams, and OneDrive within Office 365.
- Advantages:
- Integrated security across Office 365 collaboration tools.
- Strong protection against email-based threats like phishing and zero-day attacks.
- Disadvantages:
- Limited to Office 365; not applicable to non-Microsoft email services.
- Some advanced features require additional licensing.
- Overlap: Integrates with other Defender products for comprehensive Microsoft 365 Defender coverage.
- Requirements: Microsoft 365 Defender license or standalone Defender for Office 365 license.
- Cost: Priced per user; included in Microsoft 365 E5.
- Category: Security
- Documentation: Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Documentation
Additional Microsoft Security Products
- Azure Security Center (Microsoft Defender for Cloud)
- Features: Threat protection, secure score, compliance assessments, multi-cloud support.
- Primary Usage: Manages and enhances Azure security posture.
- Advantages:
- Provides visibility into Azure and multi-cloud security.
- Integrates with Sentinel for consolidated incident response.
- Disadvantages:
- Advanced threat protection requires a Defender plan, adding costs.
- Limited protection for on-premises resources.
- Overlap: Can be used alongside Sentinel for security monitoring.
- Requirements: Azure Defender plan for advanced threat protection.
- Cost: Basic features free; Defender plan priced per resource.
- Category: Security
- Documentation: Azure Security Center Documentation
- Microsoft Sentinel
- Features: Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) and Security Orchestration Automated Response (SOAR), with extensive analytics and custom detection.
- Primary Usage: Provides centralized incident response and automated workflows.
- Advantages:
- Scalable SIEM with custom alert capabilities.
- Integrates with all Defender products for end-to-end visibility.
- Disadvantages:
- Costs can be high with large data ingestion requirements.
- Requires familiarity with KQL for custom queries.
- Overlap: Integrates with Purview for compliance; connects with all Defender products.
- Requirements: Requires Azure Log Analytics workspace.
- Cost: Based on data ingestion and retention.
- Category: Security
- Documentation: Microsoft Sentinel Documentation
- Microsoft Intune
- Features: Mobile Device Management (MDM), Mobile Application Management (MAM), compliance policies, endpoint security.
- Primary Usage: Manages and secures devices across platforms, with integration in the Microsoft 365 Defender suite.
- Advantages:
- Supports a wide range of devices and provides strong compliance management.
- Integrated with Defender for Endpoint for cohesive endpoint security.
- Disadvantages:
- Limited control over non-mobile devices.
- Some endpoint security features require Defender for Endpoint.
- Overlap: Integrates with Defender for Endpoint for device security.
- Requirements: Intune license (included in Microsoft 365 E3/E5).
- Cost: Based on selected plan; included in E3/E5 plans.
- Category: Identity and Management
- Documentation: Microsoft Intune Documentation
- Microsoft Purview
- Features: Data classification, data loss prevention (DLP), lifecycle management, compliance management.
- Primary Usage: Data governance and protection to meet compliance standards.
- Advantages:
- Comprehensive data governance with lifecycle management.
- Integrates with Sentinel for compliance monitoring.
- Disadvantages:
- Certain features require specialized setup for on-premises data.
- Licensing complexity due to various modules.
- Overlap: Complements Priva for privacy compliance, integrates with Sentinel.
- Requirements: Purview licenses or Microsoft 365 E5 Compliance.
- Cost: Pricing varies by module and usage.
- Category: Compliance and Privacy
- Documentation: Microsoft Purview Documentation
- Microsoft Priva
- Features: Privacy management, data risk management, data subject request handling.
- Primary Usage: Ensures privacy compliance for data handling and regulatory requirements.
- Advantages:
- Built-in tools to support privacy regulation compliance.
- Integrates with Purview for governance and risk management.
- Disadvantages:
- Limited features for non-Microsoft environments.
- Complexities in setup for multi-jurisdictional requirements.
- Overlap: Overlaps with Purview in data governance.
- Requirements: Microsoft 365 E5 Compliance; additional features may require separate licensing.
- Cost: Priced per user.
- Category: Compliance and Privacy
- Documentation: Microsoft Priva Documentation
- Microsoft Entra ID
- Features: Identity and access management, SSO, MFA, conditional access policies.
- Primary Usage: Centralized access management across on-premises and cloud environments.
- Advantages:
- Centralized identity management with strong SSO and MFA options.
- Integrates with other security products for identity-driven security.
- Disadvantages:
- Advanced features require additional licensing (Premium P2).
- Limited to identity management; security requires Defender for Identity.
- Overlap: Works alongside Defender for Identity for identity protection.
- Requirements: Azure AD Free, Premium P1, or P2.
- Cost: Included in EMS or Microsoft 365 plans.
- Category: Identity and Management
- Documentation: Microsoft Entra ID Documentation
Summary Table of Features, Overlaps, and Categories
| Solution | Primary Features | Primary Usage | Overlap | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Defender XDR | Unified cross-product detection, automated incident response, cross-domain correlation. | Broad detection and response across Microsoft Defender suite. | Combines Defender products for integrated incident response. | Security |
| Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | Endpoint protection, vulnerability management, cross-platform threat detection. | Endpoint security and response across platforms. | Overlaps with Defender for Identity; integrates with Intune for device management. | Security |
| Microsoft Defender for Identity | Identity threat detection, lateral movement protection, SIEM integration. | Protects on-premises identities in hybrid environments. | Overlaps with Defender for Endpoint; integrates with Entra ID. | Identity and Management |
| Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps | Cloud app governance, threat protection, data loss prevention (DLP). | Security for SaaS applications and cloud resources. | Overlaps with Purview for governance; integrates with Sentinel and XDR suite. | Security |
| Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | Protection against phishing, zero-day attacks, email, and collaboration security. | Secures email and collaboration tools in Office 365. | Integrates with Defender XDR, ensuring collaboration data security. | Security |
| Azure Security Center (Defender for Cloud) | Compliance, threat protection for cloud environments, multi-cloud support. | Enhances Azure security posture. | Works with Sentinel for centralized monitoring; overlaps with Purview in compliance features. | Security |
| Microsoft Sentinel | SIEM/SOAR, security monitoring, extensive analytics, custom alert detection. | Incident response and centralized security monitoring. | Complements all Defender products; overlaps with Purview for auditing. | Security |
| Microsoft Intune | Device compliance, MDM, MAM, endpoint security policies. | Device management, especially mobile. | Integrates with Defender for Endpoint for device security. | Identity and Management |
| Microsoft Purview | Data classification, DLP, lifecycle management, compliance reporting. | Governance, data protection across environments. | Complements Priva in privacy compliance; integrates with Sentinel. | Compliance and Privacy |
| Microsoft Priva | Privacy compliance, data subject requests, risk management for sensitive data. | Compliance with data privacy regulations. | Works with Purview for data governance and classification. | Compliance and Privacy |
| Microsoft Entra ID | Identity and access management, conditional access, SSO, MFA. | Access and identity control across applications. | Works with Defender for Identity for identity security; integrates with Microsoft 365 services. | Identity and Management |
This organized presentation offers an in-depth view of the latest Microsoft security solutions arranged by category and priority, empowering stakeholders with information on each product’s function, benefits, and overlapping areas.