Help secure endpoints with industry-leading, multiplatform detection and response.
Grade: A — Score: 95/100
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint leverages advanced AI and global threat intelligence to protect endpoints across various platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and IoT devices. Its capabilities include automatic attack disruption, endpoint detection and response, and exposure management, ensuring that organizations can effectively counter sophisticated cyber threats.
The solution streamlines security workflows by integrating endpoint protection with threat intelligence and management tools, allowing security teams to respond rapidly to incidents. With features like network detection and response, organizations gain visibility into their cyberattack surface, enabling proactive measures against potential vulnerabilities.
By minimizing exposure risks and providing granular controls, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint helps organizations balance security and productivity. It is designed to disrupt ransomware attacks and enhance overall cybersecurity posture, making it an essential tool for modern enterprises.
Defender for Business (standalone): $3.00/user/month, paid yearly
Defender for Endpoint P1 (via Microsoft 365 E3): Included in M365 E3 at $36.00/user/month, paid yearly
Defender for Endpoint P2 (via Microsoft 365 E5): Included in M365 E5 at $57.00/user/month, paid yearly
Microsoft Defender Suite (add-on to E3): $12.00/user/month, paid yearly
Consider switching to CrowdStrike Falcon: CrowdStrike offers similar endpoint protection capabilities with a focus on cloud-native architecture.
P1 provides foundational endpoint protection: antimalware, device control (USB), network protection, endpoint firewall, web control with category-based URL blocking, and application control. P2 adds endpoint detection and response (EDR), automatic attack disruption for human-operated ransomware, exposure management, cyberthreat analytics, sandbox deep analysis, and deception techniques. P1 is included in Microsoft 365 E3 ($36.00/user/month). P2 is included in Microsoft 365 E5 ($57.00/user/month).
Defender for Endpoint is deeply integrated with the Microsoft ecosystem: Entra ID for identity, Intune for device management, Sentinel for SIEM, and Defender XDR for cross-domain correlation. CrowdStrike Falcon is a standalone cloud-native platform that works independently of any productivity suite. For organizations already on M365 E3 or E5, Defender is included at no additional endpoint cost. CrowdStrike requires a separate purchase regardless of existing software investments.
Yes. Defender for Endpoint P1 is included in Microsoft 365 E3 at $36.00/user/month. Defender for Endpoint P2 is included in Microsoft 365 E5 at $57.00/user/month. For small businesses, Defender for Business (which includes EDR and automated investigation) is included in Microsoft 365 Business Premium at $22.00/user/month. All of these are bundled licenses that also include Office apps, Teams, and other Microsoft services.
Defender for Endpoint supports Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and IoT devices. All platforms are managed from the single Microsoft Defender XDR portal. Endpoint security settings can also be mirrored in Microsoft Intune for organizations that manage security and IT configuration from one place.
Defender for Business is an endpoint security product designed for small businesses with up to 300 employees. It costs $3.00/user/month as a standalone license and covers up to 5 devices per user. It includes AI-powered ransomware protection, EDR with automated investigation and response, automatic attack disruption, and cross-platform support for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. It is also included in Microsoft 365 Business Premium at $22.00/user/month.
Yes. Microsoft offers a 30-day free trial for Defender for Endpoint and Defender for Business. After the trial ends, the subscription automatically converts to a paid plan based on the term and billing option selected. A credit card is required to sign up, and you can cancel anytime during the trial to stop future charges.
Automatic attack disruption detects in-progress human-operated ransomware attacks and contains them by isolating compromised users and devices across the network. Microsoft reports an average disruption time of 3 minutes. The system works in a decentralized way across all enrolled endpoints, meaning it can contain threats without waiting for a central console command. This capability is available in P2 and Defender for Business.
Yes. Defender for Endpoint provides APIs and a SIEM connector for integration with third-party tools. Event data can be forwarded to Splunk, ServiceNow, and other SIEM/SOAR platforms. However, its deepest integrations are with Microsoft's own security stack: Sentinel (SIEM), Entra ID (identity), Intune (device management), and the broader Defender XDR platform for cross-domain threat correlation.