Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

Your defense when even the best prevention isn't enough.
‍Detect, block, and successfully defend against complex threats automatically and with AI support using the latest EDR and XDR technology

Microsoft Defender Dashboard showing device health with 43 active devices, secure score at 76.65%, malware remediation status, 44% device noncompliance, 3 active incidents, and threat analytics requiring action.
What is Microsoft Defender for Endpoint?

The leading, cloud-based endpoint protection platform

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint offers comprehensive endpoint protection against a wide range of threats across a multitude of different device types and operating systems.

The highlights are:

  • Latest endpoint protection technologies with a modern and integrated admin experience
  • Tight integration with Microsoft Defender XDR, Intune & Microsoft Suite
  • Endpoint protection for Windows, Android, macOS, iOS, and Linux
  • Often already included in Microsoft 365 licenses
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Who is Microsoft Defender for Endpoint suitable for?

In the Gartner Magic Quadrant, among others, only CrowdStrike is on par with Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. In the long term, Microsoft holds the advantage due to its investment power and data access. Today, manageability and integration in the fight against cybercriminals are already far more important than minor technical differences.
‍
This is why Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, supplemented by XDR and SIEM, is the right endpoint protection platform for medium-sized and large enterprises. For companies with fewer than 300 users, Microsoft Defender for Business is often the right solution.

For detailed advice
benefits

Secure endpoints continuously with up-to-date intelligence

Central EDR solution for all devices

Protect your IT and OT devices across all operating systems with a centrally managed, industry-leading EDR solution. Integration with Intune and other Microsoft products ensures coordinated measures, simplified administration, and enhanced security.

Preventing the most complex threats

AI-powered threat and vulnerability management capabilities, backed by data and insights from millions of endpoints worldwide. Automated countermeasures provide real-time endpoint protection, with optional support from Microsoft Threat Experts.

Support and guidance for your IT team and SOC

You need a solution that unburdens your team and your SOC while providing actionable recommendations. This gives you a head start in the race against cybercriminals when dealing with the latest threats.

Optional: Integrated SecOps platform with XDR & Sentinel

Microsoft Defender XDR (Extended Detection and Response) is a comprehensive security suite that protects not only endpoints but also identities, email, and SaaS applications. Microsoft Sentinel is a SIEM solution. Together, they form an integrated SecOps platform for preventing, responding to, and mitigating cyberattacks.

Get a no-obligation consultation now

You could certainly wait a while to upgrade your endpoint protection, but cyber threats won't wait for you.

Here is why: Let's talk Microsoft Defender. We provide clear recommendations, robust implementation, and proven, reliable procedures.

Arrange an initial consultation
Services

Your trusted partner for Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

Your endpoints need Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. To turn marketing messages into real added value and full potential, we specialize in continuously correctly configuring your endpoint protection platform and closing identified security gaps.

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint overview and licensing
Design & migration to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Managed Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Vulnerability Management as a Service
In action

This is what Endpoint Protection looks like with Defender for Endpoint

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is a high-performance endpoint protection platform that helps companies prevent, detect, investigate, and respond to complex threats. These are some of the key features.

Threat & Vulnerability Management

The core features of Microsoft Defender for Endpoint enable a risk-based approach to identifying, evaluating, and mitigating misconfigurations, vulnerabilities, and threats on your endpoints in real time. The result is leading threat & vulnerability management to prevent existing and new threats. With Microsoft's unrivalled database and knowledge of the operating system, this is the best protection you can get.

Screenshot von Microsoft Defender mit mehrstufigem Vorfall, Privilegienerweiterung und Ransomware-Angriffen auf mehreren Endpunkten
Dashboard der Microsoft Secure Score mit einem Sicherheitswert von 49,7 %, Aktionen zur Überprüfung, empfohlenen Maßnahmen und einem Vergleich zu ähnlichen Organisationen.
Microsoft Defender Advanced Hunting dashboard showing a query and results for device network events with timestamps, device IDs, device names, remote URLs, and ports.
Features

  • Automations, Machine Learning, Attack Surface Reduction, Advanced Hunting, Microsoft Threat Experts, and more

  • Threat intelligence from over 78 trillion signals per day, 1.5 billion devices and over 10,000 cybersecurity experts

  • Security Score: A simple key figure for the current security status

  • Specific recommendations for action on security status down to device level

    • Benefits

  • 24/7 automated endpoint protection

  • Unobstructed view and tracking of vulnerabilities and threats

  • Risk-based prioritization of the most effective measures

  • Promotes commitment to a continuous security culture

    • Microsoft Copilot for Security

    Security Copilot enables security analysts and IT teams to respond quickly to cyber threats, process signals at machine speed, and assess risk within minutes. Analyses that would otherwise have to be manually selected from the database with many clicks are carried out by the AI in seconds. Security Copilot not only makes you more effective in Defender, but also Intune, Entra and other Microsoft products.

    Screenshot von Microsoft Defender mit mehrstufigem Vorfall, Privilegienerweiterung und Ransomware, unterstützt durch Security Copilot
    Features

  • Copilot runs analytics, recommends next steps, and prioritizes alerts

  • Distilling extensive data signals into key insights

  • Important information and context for security analysts

    • Benefits

  • Winning the race: Responding to incidents much faster than SOCs without AI support

  • Create capacity: SOC frees up time for in-depth investigations

  • Increasing effectiveness: Develops junior talent through step-by-step instructions and offloads repetitive tasks from experienced staff

    • Automated investigation & prevention

    Defender for Endpoint offers cutting-edge automations that help detect and ward off cyber attacks at an early stage — including by automatically isolating compromised users. The features imitate the ideal steps a security analyst takes to investigate and stop threats.

    Microsoft Defender Dashboard displaying a multi-stage incident involving privilege escalation and ransomware across multiple endpoints with alerts, incident graph, and recommended response steps.
    Microsoft Defender-Bildschirm mit Regelübersicht für AlpineSkiHouse, inklusive Name, Umfang, Köder und Typ, mit Optionen zum Bearbeiten, Speichern oder Abbrechen.
    Screenshot of an investigations dashboard showing automated investigation statuses with user emails, creation times, and action durations.
    Features

  • Interrupting ransomware early in the cyber attack chain

  • Automatic deployment of traps for attackers

  • Fully automated or only after approval by the security team

    • Benefits

  • Relief for your IT department and SOC

  • Focus on the most critical alerts

  • Early detection of attacks

    • Device discovery and inventory

    Don't leave any device undetected with Network Detection and Device Inventory. Because: Only a managed device is a secure device. Statistics show that 90% of all successful ransomware attacks originate from poorly or unmanaged devices. In this way, you effectively reduce your cyber attack surface.

    Screenshot der Microsoft Defender Device Inventory mit Gerätezuständen, Risikolevels und Onboarding-Informationen für 609 Geräte, einschließlich Windows-Versionen und Sicherheitsstatus
    Dashboard der Geräte-Konfigurationsverwaltung in Microsoft Defender mit Anzeigen zu Sicherheitskonfigurationen nach Betriebssystemen und MDE-Onboarding-Fehlern.
    Features

  • Device and security status with onboarding status, risk and exposure levels

  • Overview of all managed and unmanaged endpoints

  • A platform for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, IoT, and other network endpoints

    • Benefits

  • Discover unmanaged and unprotected endpoints

  • Prioritized focus on unmanaged and poorly managed devices

  • Significant attack surface reduction

    • Microsoft Defender XDR

    Microsoft Defender XDR is a comprehensive multi-layer security suite for preventing, responding, and mitigating cyber attacks. Microsoft Defender XDR provides an integrated environment for the following products: Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, Microsoft Defender for Identity, Microsoft Defender for Office 365, Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps, and Microsoft Defender Vulnerability Management.

    Dashboard von Microsoft Defender zeigt positive Entwicklung bei Effizienz mit 145 aktiven Vorfällen, 33 Automatisierungsregeln und wichtigen Kennzahlen wie 10 Minuten mittlere Anerkennungszeit.
    Microsoft Defender-Dashboard zeigt eine Liste von Sicherheitsvorfällen mit Details zu Schweregrad, Kategorien, betroffenen Assets und Dienstquellen.
    Dashboard einer Sicherheitsanwendung zeigt einen Vorfallbericht über Business Email Compromise (BEC) Finanzbetrugsangriff mit Aktivitätsgraph, Warnmeldungen und Details.
    Features

  • Multi-layer Detection and Response

  • Protecting endpoints, identities, email, collaboration tools, and SaaS apps

  • Multi-tenancy support for complex organizations

    • Benefits

  • Integrated and holistic protection against complex attacks

  • Centralized overview and management through the integration of all critical security layers

  • Transparency regarding the usage, data, and risks of SaaS applications

    • Comparison

    Microsoft Defender vs. Crowdstrike Falcon and other solutions

    The market for endpoint protection platforms is highly fragmented. TOP products include Microsoft, CrowdStrike, SentinelOne and TrendMicro. For organizations with > 50% Windows devices, there are few arguments for a solution other than Defender for Endpoint, or XDR. Especially after the CrowdStrike incident in 2024, it becomes clear how critical choosing the right endpoint protection is and that deep knowledge of your own operating system is an advantage for Microsoft.

    Tuckerism

    Echoing what others have said, if you're already running an MSFT shop, the Defender Integrations will be hard to pass up in the long-run. And also like others have said, if you're going from a standard EPP solution to an EDR solution for the first time... have a robust testing approach with your app teams. This definitely is not a rip-and-
    Replace kind of deployment.

    6
    responses
    sharing
    RCTID1975

    We recently Poc'ed and compared Crowdstrike, Defender, and SentinelOne.

    In the end, we went with Defender because of the easy integration into Azure/Entra/Intune/etc.

    All 3 were viable (and top 3 recommended), but if you're already invested in the MS infrastructure, sticking with defender really makes sense from an ease of use, and cost perspective.

    6
    responses
    sharing
    Volster

    Personally, I like SentinelOne. However for the sheer level of integration you get with all the other 365 bells and whistles - Defender's got an awful lot to recommend it.

    If managing that's already proving a headache - TBH I'd consider looking at shoving in Huntress as an extra layer that'll keep an eye on things and send you some more meaningful/easily actionable remediation alerts, rather than embarking on CS.

    4
    responses
    sharing
    RiceeChrispies

    People seem to forget that EDR is one layer of many, hardening your endpoint and reducing the attack surface goes a long way

    36
    responses
    sharing
    OnaRedditDiet

    Defender for Endpoint and Crowd Strike are both considered best of breed. There's not going to be significant differences in capability.

    2
    responses
    sharing
    Nnyan

    We have the full Defender suite (to XDR, etc..) and Crowdstike full stack. Based on real experience I can tell you that a fully and properly deployed Defender Stack is very good. I know several entities that completely rely on Defender for one layer of defense. That said it's not quite AOTC and a step behind CS. For many orgs it would be a fine part of your defense layers.

    [...]

    4
    responses
    sharing
    RCTID1975

    [...]
    Defender P2 level licensing was effectively equal (some things better, some things worse) than crowdstrike in our eval last fall.
    [...]

    1
    responses
    sharing
    LBishop28

    Defender bundled with M365 licensing is neck and neck with CrowdStrike. I currently manage Defender, and I spent the last year working for a company that provided CrowdStrike to customers. Defender’s evolution from an EDR to an XDR has been both advantageous and helpful. Copilot for Security is currently in the testing phase and is set to be very useful.

    2
    responses
    sharing
    Grusim

    That sounds like cherry-picking to me. If you have an Intune-managed Windows 11 device that is properly hardened and running Defender, along with Defender for Cloud and Defender for Identity, you get everything in a single pane of glass via your security dashboard. Defender for Identity, in particular, adds a huge amount of value.

    2
    responses
    sharing

    Other EDR and XDR solutions

    Bundles of different endpoint and security tools that need to be integrated, monitored, and managed

    Poorer performance for many solutions outside the TOP 4 in the Gartner Magic Quadrant

    Very expensive and additional costs to any existing Microsoft licenses

    Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and XDR

  • Native integration with the Microsoft endpoint and security ecosystem for maximum effectiveness

  • Best-in-class telemetry data derived from over 1.5 billion devices

  • Superior protection, especially for Windows devices, thanks to direct access to Windows source code

  • Performance equivalent to products like CrowdStrike, SentinelOne, and TrendMicro (Gartner Top 4)

  • Often included in existing Microsoft licenses

    • Free endpoint security check

    Rotes Schild mit einem Vorhängeschloss-Symbol in der Mitte, das Sicherheit und Schutz darstellt.

    Companies with best-practice endpoint management are demonstrably better protected. With the free Endpoint Security Check, you can find out how well your devices are protected.

    Schedule an Endpoint Security Check now
    90%

    All successful ransomware attacks originate from poorly and unmanaged devices

    11x

    Higher probability of cyber attacks on > 20% unmanaged or poorly managed devices

    Learn more
    Case studies

    How companies benefit from our partnership

    View all cases
    01
    MECM+system hardening @ textile manuf.

    Managed MECM and system hardening for manufacturers of innovative textiles

    Manufacturing industry
    |
    >2,500
    staffs

    Challenge:

    • Small IT team needs specialized support to operate MECM
    • The team had recognized the importance of standard system hardening, but could not guarantee it themselves

    The solution:

    • Managed service for MECM with managed UEM and trouble shooting for international locations
    • Adapting the CIS standard to an individual environment
    • Regular system hardening as a service in accordance with CIS standards
    01
    Intune+system hardening @ game developer

    Intune Deployment and Managed Service Plus System Hardening for Game Developers

    Game development
    |
    >100
    staffs

    Challenge:

    • Customer was dissatisfied with the speed and expertise of the old service provider
    • Intune should be introduced and cyber security significantly improved

    The solution:

    • From the 1st Intune workshop to implementation and long-term support
    • Establishment and regular updates of security baselines,
    • Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Implementation and Managed Service
    • SOFTTAILOR as a new go-to partner
    01
    Patch Management @ Law Firm

    Patch Management as a Service for law firm

    Professional Services
    |
    >500
    staffs

    Challenge:

    • Customer wants to migrate to Intune
    • High importance of cybersecurity in a very sensitive environment
    • More than 200 applications must always be patched

    The solution:

    • Managed service for partially automated continuous updating of applications
    • Close integration into the vulnerability management process
    • Migrate software packages to Microsoft Intune
    01
    Software packaging @ Energy provider

    Application packaging aaS for energy suppliers

    energy supply
    |
    >1,500
    staffs

    Challenge:

    • Restructuring should separate the IT department and infrastructure from the existing
    • New IT department is being streamlined
    • The company is therefore unable to manage 350 applications itself

    The solution:

    • Application packaging aaSin close coordination with the internal IT department
    • Provision of a customer portal to view status
    • Considering high safety requirements
    Let's talk Endpoint Protection

    The fastest path to Microsoft Defender experts

    Secure and productive endpoints in three steps.
    Learn what you need to do and how to get to more structure and secure and productive endpoints in the shortest possible way.
    1
    Free initial consultation

    We will get to know each other and discuss your current endpoint protection needs. You will receive initial ideas on how we can support you.

    2
    Proposed solution & offer

    After the initial discussion, we will present you with a specific proposed solution and the offer for implementation.

    3
    Transposition
    ‍

    Equipped with automation and best practices, our team implements the proposed solution in record speed.

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    Let's get started!

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