Deployment Guides
Step-by-step deployment for the full Microsoft 365 security stack
Product guides
MDE · MDO · MDI · Intune · more
Checklist steps
Interactive progress tracking
Pitfalls documented
With fixes for each
Validation checks
Post-deployment testing
Quarter 1 · Tier base
DEFENDBase
Get Secure Fast
Establish a secure, consistent baseline that removes common attack paths and unmanaged risk.
Licensing baseline
Microsoft 365 Business Premium
Customer value
- Establishes a strong baseline to block the most common attack techniques
- Provides a fast, low-friction path to basic compliance readiness
- Delivers immediate value from existing Business Premium licensing
- Reduces unmanaged risk before introducing advanced security services
- Identifies technical debt sticking points that may need to be remediated prior to full activation
Tier readiness
0 of 11 exit criteria met
Check items off as they’re delivered.
Service components
Identity
Microsoft Entra ID Plan 1
Enforced MFA and baseline Conditional Access policies.
Devices
Microsoft Intune Device Management
Device enrolment and compliance enforcement using Microsoft Intune, including operating system update policies and endpoint security baselines, with Defender for Business enabled.
Email and Collaboration Security
Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Plan 1
Safe Links, Safe Attachments, and baseline anti-phishing protections.
Baseline Reporting
Secure Score and Compliance Visibility
Secure Score tracking, device compliance visibility, and foundational posture reporting.
Exit criteria
Identity
Devices
Visibility
Governance
Suggested partner actions
Establish a known-good security baseline
Customers rarely know which security settings meaningfully reduce risk. Partners apply proven baseline configurations aligned to Microsoft guidance without trial and error.
Remove reliance on user behavior for security
MFA, Conditional Access, and device compliance are enforced consistently, reducing dependence on users to do the right thing.
Prevent silent misconfiguration and drift
Baseline policies are deployed consistently and monitored, avoiding the gradual erosion of security posture common in unmanaged tenants.
Translate security posture into clear outcomes
Instead of exposing customers to raw Secure Score data, partners explain what has improved, what risk remains, and what comes next.
Customer benefits
Common attacks prevented
Reduced exposure to phishing, credential theft, malware, and brute force attacks through enforced MFA, email protection, and endpoint controls.
Improved compliance posture
MFA enforcement, device encryption, and baseline policy reporting support audit readiness and customer assurance requirements.
Lower operational risk
Fewer unmanaged devices, fewer insecure access paths, and fewer configuration gaps inherited into future service tiers.
Foundation for progression
Creates a clean, controlled starting point for DEFENDSecurity, DEFENDCompliance, and DEFENDExtend without rework.
Microsoft documentation
- Microsoft 365 Business Premium Overview
- Defender for Business Deployment Guide
- Identity and Access Controls Best Practice Deployment
- Device Enrollment Best Practice Deployment
- Email & App Protection Best Practice Deployment
- Device Security Best Practice Deployment
- Data Security Best Practice Deployment
- Microsoft 365 Lighthouse Overview
- Intune Multi-Tenant Management (SDC Partners)
- Microsoft Zero Trust Assessment Tool