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With the recent CrowdStrike outage causing significant disruptions worldwide, it’s an opportune moment for organizations to reassess their security stack. Simplifying and optimizing your cybersecurity tools can not only reduce your threat landscape but also save money.

Why Consider Microsoft Defender?

Microsoft Defender, part of the Microsoft 365 E5 license, offers a comprehensive suite of security tools that can replace multiple standalone solutions. This integration can lead to significant cost savings and operational efficiencies.

Key Benefits of Microsoft Defender:

  1. Comprehensive Coverage: The E5 license includes a wide range of security tools across nine distinct categories, providing robust protection for your organization.
  2. Cost Savings: By consolidating security tools under the E5 license, you can potentially reduce costs compared to maintaining multiple third-party solutions.
  3. Integrated Solutions: Microsoft Defender tools are designed to work seamlessly together, reducing the complexity of managing multiple security products.

Tools Included in the Microsoft 365 E5 License

If you’re currently paying other vendors for these security offerings, consider transitioning to the Microsoft tools included in your E5 license. This can lead to significant savings and streamlined management.

Security Tools in Microsoft 365 E5:

  • Identity and Access Management: Single sign-on, multifactor authentication, and privileged identity management.
  • Cloud-Based SIEM: Security information and event management.
  • Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR): Comprehensive endpoint protection.
  • Data Loss Prevention: Protect sensitive data from unauthorized access.
  • Information Protection: Data and message encryption.
  • Data Lifecycle Management: Data retention policies and management.
  • Cloud Access Security Broker: Cloud application security.
  • Secure Email Gateway: Protect against email threats.
  • Anti-Phishing and Anti-Malware: Comprehensive threat detection.
  • Mobile Device Management: Secure mobile devices and applications.
  • E-Discovery and Auditing: Enhanced compliance and auditing capabilities.
  • Insider Risk Management: Monitor and mitigate internal threats.

The Role of Managed Detection and Response (MXDR)

Security tools like EDR and SIEM are designed to alert you to potential threats. However, managing these alerts requires expertise. Managed Detection and Response (MXDR) services can help by:

  • 24/7 Monitoring: Continuous threat monitoring and response.
  • System Optimization: Customizing and tuning your systems for optimal performance.
  • Alert Management: Reducing alert fatigue by filtering false positives.

Conclusion

The Microsoft 365 E5 license offers significant security value, combining comprehensive protection with potential cost savings. As a longtime Microsoft Security partner, we are well-positioned to help you maximize the value of your E5 investment. By de-risking technology transitions and leveraging integrated solutions, you can enhance your security posture and achieve better ROI.Consider taking a closer look at your current security stack and exploring the benefits of transitioning to Microsoft Defender. This strategic move could streamline your operations, reduce costs, and provide robust protection against evolving cyber threats.