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 2 · Tier security
DEFENDSecurity
Enterprise-Grade Protection for Business Premium Customers
Introduce advanced detection, investigation, and automated response across identity, endpoint, email, and cloud applications.
Licensing baseline
Microsoft 365 Business Premium plus Microsoft Defender Suite
Builds on DEFENDBase
Customer value
- Access to advanced E5-level security capabilities without the cost and complexity of full E5 licensing
- Protection against sophisticated threats including targeted phishing, credential theft, and human-operated ransomware
- Improved visibility and control across identity, endpoint, email, and cloud applications
- Reduced reliance on manual investigation and reactive response
Tier readiness
0 of 14 exit criteria met
Check items off as they’re delivered.
Service components
Identity Security
Microsoft Entra ID Plan 2
Risk-based Conditional Access, user and sign-in risk detection, identity governance, and lifecycle controls.
Endpoint Protection
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Plan 2
Advanced investigations, threat and vulnerability management, live response, and automated investigation and remediation.
Email and Collaboration Security
Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Plan 2
Attack simulation training, automated remediation, and advanced threat investigation.
Hybrid Identity Protection
Microsoft Defender for Identity
Protecting on-premises Active Directory from credential theft, lateral movement, and identity-based attacks.
Cloud Application Security
Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps
Shadow IT discovery, SaaS risk assessment, and policy-based control.
Exit criteria
Identity
Endpoint
Cloud
Hybrid
Operations
Suggested partner actions
Assess real identity and endpoint risk
Customers rarely understand where identity and device exposure exists or how attackers chain signals together. Partners run targeted identity protection and vulnerability assessments to surface real risk.
Design Conditional Access safely
Advanced Conditional Access based on risk signals can easily disrupt users or business operations if implemented incorrectly. Partners design, test, and stage policies to reduce risk without breaking access.
Operationalise Defender at scale
Defender Plan 2 produces high-value signals but also operational noise. Partners configure detections, investigations, and response workflows so alerts translate into action rather than fatigue.
Control Shadow IT and SaaS risk
Most customers do not know which cloud apps are in use or which represent material risk. Partners identify and control Shadow IT without blocking productivity.
Build human resilience
Phishing simulations and awareness activities are delivered consistently and safely, reducing user-driven risk without relying on one-off training exercises.
Customer benefits
Advanced attacks disrupted earlier
Reduced likelihood and impact of spear phishing, credential compromise, lateral movement, and ransomware through cross-domain detection and response.
Improved operational security maturity
Security incidents are correlated across identity, endpoint, and email rather than handled in isolation.
Reduced investigation and response effort
Automated investigation and remediation lowers mean time to respond and reduces reliance on scarce security skills.
Governance and identity control uplift
Improved visibility and control over privileged access, user lifecycle, and risky behaviour.
Clean progression to MXDR
Establishes the technical and operational foundation required for DEFENDExtend with Sentinel and 24/7 monitoring.