From Sentinel to Defender, to E5. What's in your Microsoft Security Ecosystem?

Author: Anna Barkvall

Microsoft’s comprehensive approach to security is part of its attraction. Organizations take on their value-laden enterprise agreements with the expectation of making the most of the potential value, without always realizing just how much they have, or what’s required to guarantee that best possible ROI.

This is not the only challenge. Skills shortages can make it difficult to lock in the talent needed to leverage specialized Microsoft products, while Microsoft’s continuous updates and improvements to its security offerings mean constant upskilling is required. The evolving threat landscape demands continuous monitoring, analysis, and adjustment to maintain peak defenses. Lastly, limited resources require most organizations to balance comprehensive protection with cost: How do I maximize the value of my Microsoft investments while optimizing budget utilization?

In today’s economic climate, making the most of what you have has almost become best practice, but before you can optimize any investment, you need to fully understand what you’ve invested in. That’s why understanding your Microsoft security investment is key to unlocking its full potential.

The best place to start? Getting to grips with the most important elements and how they operate within your ecosystem: Sentinel, Defender and E5.

Sentinel is a cloud-based Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tool. Flexible and easy to use. It utilizes machine learning to capture unusual behaviors and provides excellent security analytics capabilities. With features like a custom query language and playbooks for automating actions, it enables attack detection, threat visibility, proactive hunting, and effective response. Sentinel integrates with a vast number of log sources, including Microsoft Azure and on-premise clouds, and taps into Microsoft's impressive threat intelligence pool, all of which contributes to its comprehensiveness.

For those that rely on SAP as their organizational backbone, Sentinel is particularly useful. SAP requires specialist capabilities to secure, and Sentinel offers a unique way to collect data from SAP systems, providing protection and peace of mind that these crucial ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) environments are secure.

Defender is Microsoft's suite of security products. It consists of multiple components designed to enhance your security posture. By leveraging Defender's extensive capabilities, you can enhance security strategies, safeguard digital assets, and maintain a strong defense against evolving threats.

The key elements include:

• Defender for Microsoft 365: With a focus on endpoint and identity protection, Defender for Microsoft 365 offers robust security at a reasonable price point. It’s also the most logical entry point for many organizations. It enables seamless coordination between detection, prevention, and investigation. It integrates with Azure AD and other solutions like DLP (Data Leak Protection) and app governance to establish a cohesive security framework, while providing valuable insights for enhancing security measures.
• Defender for IoT/OT (Operational Technology): Securing production or IoT and OT environments can be a challenge due to limited deployment options. Defender for IOT/OT addresses these concerns by safeguarding critical systems like production lines, automated warehouses, and ventilation systems. By mitigating potential risks, it helps prevent costly disruptions and potential harm to both operations and personnel.
• Defender for Cloud: Evolving beyond its initial scope, Defender for Cloud now serves as a comprehensive security platform that protects not only Azure resources but also servers, containers, databases, key vaults, DNS (Domain Name System), and storage in on-premises and multi-cloud environments. This expansion means you can now acquire a more holistic view of your security posture across various cloud platforms, streamlining management and ensuring comprehensive protection.

Microsoft has bundled together a diverse range of useful components in its E5 offer, creating a comprehensive and value-packed solution. This comprehensive bundle ensures your business has access to all the essential tools you need for work, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, SharePoint, Teams, and Power BI. It also incorporates a comprehensive set of security components and features intended to enhance your organization's security.

A surprising number of enterprises that opt for Microsoft E5 don't realize the extent of security technology that is included – or how to make the most of it. This is why it is so important for these organizations to have a plan in place to maximize their ROI.

Utilizing existing assets is especially important in the current economic climate where budget may not be readily available. Instead of seeking additional funds for new purchases, focus on making the most of the resources you already have.

If you’ve invested in this powerful and expansive ecosystem, it's crucial to actively utilize it. Avoid leaving valuable tools and licenses on the shelf without extracting their benefits. And work to take advantage of the features and capabilities embedded within these licenses.

At Orange Cyberdefense, we are dedicated to helping organizations optimize their Microsoft security investments. Our approach encompasses a range of services and expertise to ensure you get the most out of your investment.

Our comprehensive assessments and expert advice help you identify the right security measures and operations within the Microsoft ecosystem. We seamlessly integrate your Microsoft security solutions, maximizing their value without disruption. With ongoing management and support, including a Security Operations Center (SOC), we ensure continuous monitoring and swift response capabilities, optimizing your defenses.

Working together, we develop a tailored security strategy aligned with your business objectives, maximizing the value of your Microsoft investments. Additionally, we offer a wide range of security services, making us your one-stop shop for comprehensive and integrated solutions.

With Orange Cyberdefense as your trusted partner, you can confidently navigate the challenges of the Microsoft security ecosystem and unlock the full potential of your investments.

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