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What is Microsoft Defender for Endpoint?

The leading cloud-based Endpoint Protection Platform

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint provides comprehensive endpoint protection against a wide range of threats
on a wide range 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

    • Windows LogoAndroid LogoApple LogoLinux Logo

    Who is Microsoft Defender for Endpoint for?

    Among other things, in the Gartner Magic Quadrant, only CrowdStrike is on par with Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. In the long term, the advantage lies with Microsoft due to investment power and access to data. In the fight against cyber criminals, manageability and integration are already much more important than small technical differences.
    ‍
    That is why Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, supplemented with XDR and SIEM, is the right endpoint protection platform for medium-sized and large companies. Microsoft Defender for Business is often the right solution for companies with less than 300 users.

    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 and industry-leading EDR solution. Integration with Intune and other Microsoft products results in coordinated measures, easier administration, and higher security.

    Preventing the most complex threats

    AI-enabled threat & vulnerability management capabilities with knowledge and data from millions of endpoints worldwide. Automated countermeasures offer real-time endpoint protection — optionally supported by Microsoft Threat Experts.

    Relief and guidance for the IT team and SOC

    You need a solution that relieves you and the SOC and provides recommendations for quick action. This gives you a head start in the race against cybercriminals for the latest threat.

    Optional: Integrated SecOps platform with XDR & Sentinel

    Microsoft Defender XDR (Extended Detection and Response) is a comprehensive security suite. In addition to endpoints, identities, email and (SaaS) applications are also protected. Microsoft Sentinel is a SIEM solution. Together, they form an integrated SecOps platform for preventing, responding and mitigating cyber attacks.

    Get non-binding advice now

    You can certainly wait a bit with state-of-the-art endpoint protection, but threats won't wait.

    That's why: Let's talk Microsoft Defender. With clear recommendations, implementation strength and tried and tested procedures.

    Arrange an initial consultation
    performances

    Your trsuted 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 port tour 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
    Features

  • Automations, Machine Learning, AttackSurface 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, makes recommendations on next steps, and prioritizes alerts

  • Breaking down extensive data signals to 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 young talent through step-by-step instructions and relieves experienced employees of annoying tasks

    • 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.

    Features

  • Interrupting ransomware early in the cyber attack chain

  • Automatic use of traps for attackers

  • Fully automated or only after approval by the security team

    • Benefits

  • Relief for your IT department and SOC

  • More focus on the most dangerous 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
    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 attention for 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.

    Features

  • Multi-layer Detection and Response

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

  • Multi-tenant capability for more complex organizations

    • Benefits

  • Integrated and holistic protection against complex attacks

  • Central overview and handling through integration of all important security layers

  • Transparency about usage, data, and risk 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
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    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
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    RCTID1975

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

    1
    responses
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    LBishop28

    Defender bundled with M365 licensing is neck and neck with Crowd Strike. I currently manage Defender and worked in the past year for a company who provided CrowdStrike for customers. Defender and its move from an EDR to an XDR has been advantageous and helpful. Copilot for Security is in a testing phase and will therefore be very helpful.

    2
    responses
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    Grusim

    Sounds like cherry picking to me. If you have an intune managed Win11 that is appropriately hardened and run defender on it with defender for cloud and defender for identity to boot, you will have all in one pane of glass through your security dashboard. Especially Defender for Identity really adds A LOT.

    2
    responses
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    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 telemetry data through access to data from >1.5 billion devices

  • Best protection, especially for Windows devices, through Windows source code knowledge

  • Equivalent performance with products such as CrowdStrike, SentinelOne and TrendMicro (Gartner TOP 4)

  • Often included in existing Microsoft licenses

    • Free endpoint security check

    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 details
    Case studies

    How Companies profit 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'll get to know each other and find out what's currently on your mind when it comes to endpoint protection. You will get initial ideas on how we can help 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.

    Die zwei Geschäftsführer von Softtailor schauen freundlich und kompetent in die Kamera.

    Let's get started!

    +49 6151 6291 690
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