Microsoft Defender for Cloud Reviews

Name: Microsoft Defender for Cloud
Brand: Microsoft
Rating: 4.0 (74 reviews)

Vendor: Microsoft

4.0 out of 5

74 reviews
94% willing to recommend

617 followers

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What is Microsoft Defender for Cloud?

Microsoft Defender for Cloud is a comprehensive security solution that provides advanced threat protection for cloud workloads. It offers real-time visibility into the security posture of cloud environments, enabling organizations to quickly identify and respond to potential threats. With its advanced machine learning capabilities, Microsoft Defender for Cloud can detect and block sophisticated attacks, including zero-day exploits and fileless malware.

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Microsoft Defender for Cloud is the #2 ranked solution in top Compliance Management solutions, #3 ranked solution in Cloud Workload Protection Platforms, #3 ranked solution in top Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) solutions, #3 ranked solution in top Data Security Posture Management (DSPM) solutions, #3 ranked solution in top Microsoft Security Suite solutions, #4 ranked solution in top Cloud-Native Application Protection Platforms (CNAPP) solutions, #5 ranked solution in Container Security Solutions, #7 ranked solution in top Vulnerability Management solutions, and #10 ranked solution in Container Management software. PeerSpot users give Microsoft Defender for Cloud an average rating of 8.0 out of 10. Based on the analysis of the 74 most recent Microsoft Defender for Cloud reviews, the overall sentiment is positive, with a sentiment score of 7.1. Microsoft Defender for Cloud is most commonly compared to Wiz: Microsoft Defender for Cloud vs Wiz. Microsoft Defender for Cloud is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 65% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a computer software company, accounting for 15% of all views.

Buyer's Guide

Microsoft Defender for Cloud

November 2024

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Helped 823,875 peers since 2012

Featured reviews

Javier_Rodriguez

Cloud Consultant at i-Community AG

At the moment, we work with Sophos, SentinelOne, or Microsoft Defender. Most of our customers have Microsoft infrastructure, and they are cloud-only customers with Microsoft business licensing. I primarily recommend Microsoft Defender for customers who already have Microsoft infrastructure The…

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Antonio Andres

Manager, Microsoft Technology Alliance at Silverfort

Microsoft Defender for Cloud monitors our entire cloud environment. It enables conditional access and incorporates features like number matching and single sign-on for all our cloud apps. It is great for protecting against ransomware and various security threats. The solution's native integration with our other Microsoft security solutions gives us security insights. It alerts us to potential breaches, old accounts, and nonhuman identities that we need to be aware of. It notifies us in time, and we don't have to worry about it. If something comes up, Defender immediately detects it. It lets us choose what we want to do and remedy the issue from the console, whether that's implementing a conditional access policy or an MFA.

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Vibhor Goel

Senior Cloud Platform Engineer at Deutsche Börse

We are using the Microsoft Azure Security Benchmark along with the CIS Benchmark. We rely quite heavily on these benchmarks, and I would rate the CSPM functionality a nine out of ten. Most recommendations are focused on generic security gaps, but overall, those recommendations are very good from the security aspect, irrespective of the industry. It is pretty good in terms of the range of workloads covered. It covers most of the IaaS infrastructure that Azure offers and most of the PaaS services that we are using. I cannot recall any service that we are using for which Microsoft Defender for Cloud does not have recommendations. We have integrated the alerts that we are getting from Microsoft Defender for Cloud with our on-premises Splunk solution. We capture those alerts. They are integrated via Microsoft Events Hub. It acts like a queue and pulls those alerts from Microsoft Defender for Cloud and then sends them to Splunk. This integration helps our global security team to figure out which alerts are critical. They can then reach out to the owner of an asset. Microsoft Defender for Cloud helps in improving our overall security posture. We have a nice overview of what is missing where and what can be improved. Without Microsoft Defender for Cloud, we will not have any visibility into our security posture. The way on-premises things work in our company is complex. We have ten different tools for ten different categories. We have one tool for vulnerability assessment and one for patch fixing. Microsoft Defender for Cloud is a single integrated tool. It gives me a holistic overview of my whole security posture.

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Microsoft Defender for Cloud mindshare

Product category:

As of December 2024, the mindshare of Microsoft Defender for Cloud in the Cloud Workload Protection Platforms (CWPP) category stands at 14.4%, down from 15.7% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Cloud Workload Protection Platforms (CWPP)

PeerAnalyst reports

Type	Title	Date
Category	Cloud Workload Protection Platforms (CWPP)	Dec 18, 2024	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Dec 18, 2024	Download
Comparison	Microsoft Defender for Cloud vs Prisma Cloud by Palo Alto Networks	Dec 18, 2024	Download
Comparison	Microsoft Defender for Cloud vs Wiz	Dec 18, 2024	Download
Comparison	Microsoft Defender for Cloud vs SentinelOne Singularity Cloud Security	Dec 18, 2024	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
Wiz	4.5	17.4%	100%	20 interviews Add to research
Prisma Cloud by Palo Alto Networks	4.2	15.9%	98%	108 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

Microsoft Defender for Cloud offers key features like compliance policies, AI/ML-based threat detection, seamless integration with Azure services, and multi-cloud support. It provides comprehensive visibility, regulatory compliance, and enhanced security scores. Users value its intuitive interface, automation capabilities, and centralized management. It efficiently manages security alerts, tracks vulnerabilities, and offers actionable recommendations, improving their cloud security posture significantly. Advanced insights and real-time assessments help organizations proactively address potential threats.

"The solution's coordinated detection and response across devices and identities is impressive because it is complete."
"I would like to see more connectors and plugins with other platforms."
"The scalability of Microsoft Defender for Cloud is very good."

Room for Improvement

Microsoft Defender for Cloud users highlight issues with false positives, complexity, pricing, and the need for more automation. They express concerns about inconsistent UI, integration challenges, and limited support for older operating systems. Users also suggest improvements in granularity of recommendations, transparency of security scores, and documentation clarity. Additionally, they emphasize the desirability of better integration with other cloud providers and third-party products, as well as more detailed procedural guidance for security measures.

"I would like to see more connectors and plugins with other platforms."
"I would like to see more connectors and plugins with other platforms."
"However, some Copilot features aren't available in the GCP environment. This is something we hope will be addressed in the future."

ROI

Microsoft Defender for Cloud offers substantial return on investment with its seamless integration, time efficiency, and enhanced security. Users appreciate its proactive threat detection, cost savings, and robust reporting features that aid in compliance. While some find the initial cost high, many acknowledge the cost-efficiency achieved by avoiding breaches and improving security posture. Positive results are apparent through better productivity, safety assurance, and avoiding potential data losses, with some users seeing up to 200% returns.

Pricing

Enterprise users report that Microsoft Defender for Cloud has a varied pricing structure with competitive rates compared to other solutions. The base version is free, but additional features raise costs. Pricing is straightforward, tied to resource usage, and includes licensing bundles. While some find it cost-effective, others consider it pricey, especially for advanced features or small businesses. Discounts or custom pricing may be available through enterprise agreements, but complex cost calculations can pose challenges.

"Pricing is a consideration, but we strive to keep costs low by enabling only necessary services."
"We only use the free tier, so we haven't faced any pricing, setup costs, or licensing challenges."
"The licensing is straightforward but can become expensive if you cover everything. You must balance the cost against the importance of what needs covering."

Popular Use Cases

Organizations primarily use Microsoft Defender for Cloud for security posture management, threat detection, vulnerability scanning, and compliance enforcement in cloud environments. It is also utilized for endpoint protection, security policy monitoring, and cloud infrastructure security. Microsoft Defender for Cloud helps secure Azure resources, integrates seamlessly with other Azure services, and assists in identifying security gaps and regulatory standards. Many companies utilize it for hybrid and multi-cloud security, ensuring adherence to security best practices.

Service and Support

Microsoft Defender for Cloud's customer service and support receive mixed feedback. Some users find them responsive, knowledgeable, and capable, while others mention delays, insufficient expertise, and the necessity for escalation. Documentation is praised for its clarity and helpfulness. Many note the challenge of reaching personnel with deep technical understanding, and satisfaction varies depending on support level. Support experiences are influenced by individual interactions, with some users benefiting from premium support plans.

Deployment

Initial setup of Microsoft Defender for Cloud is typically straightforward and fast, often taking just hours or days. Users report a smooth process as long as they understand licensing and requirements. Teams often consist of multiple members for deployment, sometimes needing orchestration between Azure and other service providers. For large-scale deployments, complexity can increase, yet experienced teams manage effectively with adequate preparation and understanding, while ongoing maintenance demands minimal efforts.

Scalability

Microsoft Defender for Cloud is widely recognized for scalability. It supports diverse environments with thousands of users and resources across multiple regions. Users appreciate its ability to integrate seamlessly with cloud platforms like Azure, acknowledging its flexibility and ease of use. While some express concerns about potential costs associated with scaling, most agree that it effectively accommodates growing needs without technical limitations, making it suitable for both large enterprises and smaller organizations.

Stability

Many users find Microsoft Defender for Cloud to be very stable and reliable, reporting minimal downtime and few issues. Some mention slow performance and occasional access delays due to internet connectivity. Organizations appreciate its robustness and value, especially in cloud environments, although some wish for faster responsiveness and improved transparency in updates. A few users encountered challenges with agent deployment and service integration, but it's often praised for its high availability and stability.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

Download our Microsoft Defender for Cloud Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

By reviewers

By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

15%

Financial Services Firm

13%

Manufacturing Company

Government

Insurance Company

Healthcare Company

Energy/Utilities Company

Retailer

University

Comms Service Provider

Educational Organization

Construction Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

Media Company

Non Profit

Legal Firm

Hospitality Company

Transportation Company

Logistics Company

Outsourcing Company

Wholesaler/Distributor

Performing Arts

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Pharma/Biotech Company

Consumer Goods Company

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Learn more about Microsoft Defender for Cloud

The solution also provides automated remediation capabilities, allowing security teams to quickly and easily respond to security incidents. With Microsoft Defender for Cloud, organizations can ensure the security and compliance of their cloud workloads, while reducing the burden on their security teams.

Microsoft Defender for Cloud was previously known as Microsoft Azure Security Center, Azure Security Center, Microsoft ASC, Azure Defender.