What is our primary use case?
The solution provides a security score based on the environment and gives recommendations for improving that score. For example, a manual server may require patches to strengthen security, and MS Defender for Cloud informs us. We can also run a vulnerability assessment in the background of work processes to detect server vulnerabilities. We primarily operate a hybrid cloud environment with some specific on-prem integrations.
One of our clients, operating in the electronics industry, has around 1,300 endpoints, 700 users on the Windows server, and 300 other devices. There are also 100-150 users on Unix servers.
We use multiple Microsoft security products, including Defender for Cloud, Sentinel, and Defender for Endpoint. The products are integrated, and there is nothing complicated about integrating them; we provide the APIs or the credentials, and they are automatically integrated.
How has it helped my organization?
The product helps us prioritize threats across the enterprise, which is essential when interacting with clients, as we can show them their high-risk vulnerabilities and tackle them first.
The solution helps automate routine tasks and the finding of high-value alerts. Additionally, following the resolution of an issue, we can set up a logic app to trigger an automatic system response if it happens again.
The integrated security suite saves us time, as multiple security solutions work together seamlessly in the cloud, allowing us to take actions that could take 24-48 hours to replicate using third-party products.
Defender for Cloud reduced our time to detect and respond; if we are faced with an issue known to the threat intelligence database or that occurred before, we don't need to invest any time at all. The solution reduced our time to detect and respond by around 50%.
Integration with Defender for Endpoint allows us to see the health of our endpoints in terms of workload protection, which is one of the benefits of these integrations.
Microsoft solutions working natively together to provide integrated protection and coordinated detection and response is essential from a business point of view. We don't have to manage multiple tools and services from different dashboards; we can monitor and manage everything from a single point. All the generated alerts from numerous services are ingested into one solution that a single team can monitor. That's one of the best parts of using the integrated Microsoft security suite.
What is most valuable?
The solution's robust security posture is the most valuable feature.
We have a lot of firewalls, and we can manage them in the solution through the firewall manager. We can set up an Azure firewall and centralize the management policy.
The solution provides excellent visibility into threats, and it's a cloud-based integrated solution, so we don't have to worry about any third-party products or services. Microsoft provides so many options, and that's great.
Defender for Cloud generates reports we can use as an assessment, as it allows us to see the services in our environment and our points of highest risk.
The solution's threat intelligence helps us prepare for threats before they hit and take proactive steps, which is very useful for analysis.
What needs improvement?
The most significant areas for improvement are in the security of our identity and endpoints and the posture of the cloud environment. Better protection for our cloud users and cloud apps is always welcome.
Several features are already in the pipeline, including one called External Attack Surface Management, which will be welcome additions.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution's stability is impressive; it's very stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The scalability is excellent; if we grow or shrink in the future, the scalability is there to accommodate us. I rate the solution ten out of ten in this regard.
How are customer service and support?
When we have a critical issue, customer service is very prompt, and we often get support rapidly. We also get good help in our production environment.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I previously used Symantec Endpoint Detection and Response and switched because of the benefits of having a cloud-native solution. Additionally, the market is moving towards Microsoft, including many of our customers, so it makes sense for us to go with this trend.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup consists of three steps for us; first, we conduct an assessment or discovery with a client to determine their requirements and develop an understanding of their environment. Second, we design and plan the deployment to fulfill the client's requirements. Third, we implement and conduct a POC, and if successful, we roll out the entire deployment. The complexity of the setup and the number of staff required depends on the size of the business.
An example of an organization with 500-1,000 staff is that the initial information gathering takes four weeks, the design and planning stage takes two weeks, and the implementation and POC take another two weeks. Therefore, the deployment can take between eight and 15 weeks for a two-person team.
In terms of maintenance, the solution requires monitoring and routine inspection of the details across the services.
What other advice do I have?
I rate the solution nine out of ten.
DevOps security features are in the preview phase, so we may utilize the solution for that in the future.
We use Microsoft Sentinel, enabling us to ingest data from our entire ecosystem. This data ingestion is important to our security operations because information on our critical applications and services provides us with activity, audit, and application logs. This logging capability means Sentinel allows us to investigate threats and respond holistically from one place.
To a security colleague who says it's better to go with a best-of-breed strategy rather than a single vendor's security suite, I'd say there are benefits in going with a single vendor.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Hybrid Cloud
If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?
Microsoft Azure
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. Partner