What is Microsoft Defender for Business and What You Need to Know?

According to CyberArk, 93% of businesses had two or more identity related breaches in 2023. Identity threats are not the only cybersecurity threats that businesses face. Businesses, big or small, face a multitude of challenges every day. Therefore, it is crucial for a business to have an endpoint security solution, which protects workstations, servers, and other assets from risks. Microsoft Defender, a brand much known in the personal security space, has an avatar called Microsoft security for Business, which might be a solution to your issues. In this post, we will try to look a bit deeper into Microsoft Security for Business as a platform and all that you need to know about it. 

What is Microsoft Defender for Business? 

Microsoft Defender for Business is an advanced endpoint security platform. It protects your business devices from a range of threats like malware, phishing, ransomware etc. Although primarily designed for small and medium businesses, it can also be configured to meet the needs of larger businesses. Microsoft Defender is a part of Microsoft 365 suite of applications and integrates seamlessly with other Microsoft applications.  

What are Some Microsoft Defender for Business Features? 

Let us now look at some of the Microsoft Defender for Business features. Here are some of the features that make it ideal for modern businesses. 

1. Threat and Vulnerability Protection: You will get proactive identification of a variety of threats. The system will also help you prioritize vulnerabilities, effectively reducing the attack surface. 
2. Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR): The platform helps you to detect, investigate and effectively respond to security threats to your endpoint devices.
3. Simplified Onboarding: Microsoft Defender is designed for organizations with limited IT resources. It is easy to deploy and manage security across the organization without needing specialized expertise. 

Discover More About Microsoft Defender 

To know more about Microsoft Defender and how does it help your endpoint security, visit our Microsoft Defender page. 

How Does Microsoft Defender for Business Work? 

So, how does Microsoft Defender for Business work? Here is an overview of how the system works: 

• The system uses AI and advanced machine learning to detect threats in real time. It monitors all your endpoint devices, like workstations, mobile devices, and servers – all in real time. 

• When a threat is detected, the system automatically detects it and takes the necessary actions. This might include isolating the infected device, blocking harmful processes, or removing malicious files. 

• Microsoft Defender for Business also scans the systems for vulnerabilities. It prioritizes the vulnerabilities and gives you recommendations for taking corrective action. 

• Once the security risk is eliminated, the report is logged. You will get a centralized console, where you get alerts, manage policies, and monitor the status. 

Microsoft Defender for Business vs Endpoint 

Microsoft Defender for Business and Microsoft Defender for Endpoint are two platforms that are often used interchangeably in many conversations! However, that is not technically correct. There are two separate platforms, with certain key differences. Here we compare Microsoft Defender for Business vs Endpoint. 

Which is the Right Option for You? 

So, which is the right endpoint security management platform for your business? At Evolvous, we will conduct a detailed assessment of your security needs and then suggest the right option for you. Contact us to assess your security needs today.

What is Microsoft Defender for Business Premium? 

You might have heard about the term ‘Microsoft Defender for Business Premium.’ So, is this another version of Microsoft Defender for Business? Well, not really. 

Microsoft Defender is included within Microsoft 365 Business Premium plan, which also includes Microsoft Intune, Exchange Online archiving, as well as all the applications included within Microsoft 365 for Business Standard.

Therefore, when someone says, ‘Microsoft Defender for Business Premium,’ they are referring to Microsoft Defender for Business itself. 

Microsoft Defender for Business Pricing 

To get started with the system, you will need to get a Microsoft Defender for Business license. As mentioned above, Microsoft 365 Business Premium includes Defender by default.

You can also get a standalone Microsoft Defender for Business license. Here is what is included in that plan: 

• You can add up to 300 users 

• The ability to add up to five devices per user 

• Enterprise-grade protection across your laptops, desktops, and mobile devices 

• Threat and vulnerability management 

• Advanced antivirus protection 

• Endpoint detection and response 

• Automated investigation and response 

Cost: CAD $4.10 + taxes, per user/month 

What is Microsoft Defender for Business Server? 

Please note that Microsoft Defender pricing plan mentioned above only includes endpoint devices. If you want to secure your servers as well, then you need to get Microsoft Security for Business Server License.  

This is available as an add-on package. So, you will have to get the standard Microsoft Defender for Business License first. 

Here is what is included in Microsoft Defender for Business Server 

• Endpoint protection for your Windows and Linux servers  

• Single admin experience for clients and servers 

• Server security applied out of the box 

• Detect and patch server vulnerabilities quickly 

Cost: CAD $4.10 + taxes, per license/month 

The Process of Security for Business Installation 

Let us look at the technical steps to follow for Microsoft Defender for Business installation. There are two ways in which you can set it up – by using the Setup Wizard or by employing manual set up. 

Overview of the Microsoft Security for Business Setup 

Here is how you can use the Setup wizard for Microsoft Services for Business Installation. 

STEP 1: Get the License: To start things off, you need to get Microsoft Services for Business license, as mentioned above. You can also subscribe to the 30-day trial for FREE. 

STEP 2: Start the Set Up: Log onto the Microsoft Services portal (https://security.microsoft.com). In the navigation pane, choose ‘Assets’ and then ‘Devices’ 

STEP 3: Add Users: Next, you will need to add users and assign Defender for Business licenses. This needs to be done before you run the setup wizard. At this stage, you will need to create a list of names and addresses of your security team. To view a list of users, in the Microsoft 365 admin center (https://admin.microsoft.com), go to Users > Active users. 

STEP 4: Start the Setup Wizard: Log on to the Microsoft Security portal (https://security.microsoft.com). In the navigation pane, choose Assets > Devices. You should see the setup wizard home screen, 

Click on ‘Get started’ to begin using the wizard. 

STEP 5: Assign user permissions: In the first step of the setup wizard, you will need to grant your security team access to the Microsoft security portal (https://security.microsoft.com).  

You can assign any one of the following roles: 

• Security Administrator: They can view and edit security settings and act when threats are detected. 

• Security Reader: They can view reports but cannot change any security settings. 

STEP 6: Set up email notifications: In this step, you will need the list you created in step 3. This allows your team to receive alerts when a new threat is discovered, even if they are away from their desk.  

STEP 7: Onboard and configure Windows devices: In this step of the setup wizard, you can add Windows devices to Defender for Business. You can onboard other devices later. 

STEP 8: Configure your security policies: The system will include default security policies for next-generation protection and firewall protection that can be applied to your company’s devices. You can start with your default policies or edit your security policies and settings, as per your needs. 

Get Started with Microsoft Defender for Business 

At Evolvous, we offer complete expert guidance for Microsoft security for Business. Contact us to implement advanced endpoint security and keep your business protected.

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