Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Reviews

Name: Microsoft Defender for Office 365
Brand: Microsoft
Rating: 4 (45 reviews)

Vendor: Microsoft

4.1 out of 5

45 reviews
97% willing to recommend

819 followers

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What is Microsoft Defender for Office 365?

Microsoft Defender for Office 365 is a comprehensive security solution designed to protect organizations against advanced threats in their email, collaboration, and productivity environments. It combines the power of Microsoft's threat intelligence, machine learning, and behavioral analytics to provide real-time protection against phishing, malware, ransomware, and other malicious attacks.

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Microsoft Defender for Office 365 is the #1 ranked solution in top Email Security solutions, #1 ranked solution in top Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) solutions, and #10 ranked solution in top Microsoft Security Suite solutions. PeerSpot users give Microsoft Defender for Office 365 an average rating of 8.2 out of 10. Microsoft Defender for Office 365 is most commonly compared to Microsoft Intune: Microsoft Defender for Office 365 vs Microsoft Intune. Microsoft Defender for Office 365 is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 50% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a computer software company, accounting for 17% of all views.

Buyer's Guide

Microsoft Defender for Office 365

October 2024

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Helped 814,649 peers since 2012

Featured reviews

Luis-Brown

IT Director at a energy/utilities company with 11-50 employees

There are several features that I consider valuable. These include anti-malware and anti-phishing capabilities, along with certain remediation abilities for addressing issues once identified. Moreover, the system allows for easy reporting of problems. In the event of a phishing attack, we can conveniently initiate a comprehensive search to identify all related elements of the campaign and remove them from users' mailboxes. Additionally, the platform offers anti-spoofing measures targeting well-known high-value targets. This proactive approach helps in mitigating business email compromise by designating our high-value personnel. Consequently, any communication purporting to originate from these individuals undergoes a more rigorous verification process to ascertain its authenticity and whether it genuinely stems from a valid account associated with the respective individual.

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Jamie LeClair

IT Collaboration Services Manager at Dow

I work in my company's IT department, so I use all of the products under Office 365 daily, including Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Teams, and all the other components in the product. My company can't make it through a day or go by without using the products offered under Office 365. Some of our manufacturing workers may use Office 365 a lot less, but it is still necessary for things like Microsoft Outlook and Exchange. I found Microsoft Teams to be the most valuable feature of the solution, along with all of the products and features offered under Office 365. My organization has remote workers, and we can't run the company without meetings organized with the help of Microsoft Teams.

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Tolu Omolaja

Head of Department of Network Communications at Eko electricity

The two main features that prove most beneficial for us are URL scanning and attachment scanning. URL scanning involves an automatic scan of links and emails. When a user clicks on a link within an email, the system promptly checks the link's safety. If the link is deemed safe, access is granted automatically. However, if it is flagged as unsafe, we receive feedback and notification to caution us about the potentially harmful link. At this point, we are presented with the option to proceed or return. I have personally witnessed the system identify a few unsafe links, making this the primary advantage of using the solution. The second crucial aspect is the scanning of attachments. When an email containing an attachment arrives, we receive a notification of the new email, along with information that the attachment is being scanned for threats. This additional layer of security provides peace of mind for our organization. While Microsoft Defender for Office 365 offers numerous features, these two stand out as particularly impressive and valuable to us.

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Microsoft Defender for Office 365 mindshare

Product category:

As of November 2024, the mindshare of Microsoft Defender for Office 365 in the Email Security category stands at 15.9%, down from 20.3% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Email Security

Key learnings from peers

Valuable Features

Microsoft Defender gives clear insights into threats for quicker detection and response and protects against common issues like malicious links, phishing, and impersonation. It also comes with anti-phishing tools and easily integrates with other Microsoft security services for more effective protection.

Defender provides information about incidents, helping avoid manual searches, and identify vulnerabilities. It works well with Sentinel to better understand user behavior and event connections and being cloud-based, it covers various Microsoft products thoroughly.

Defender provides features for protecting sensitive information, complying with regulations, reporting in real time, and testing security with simulations are included.

"We use Microsoft Defender for its ability to integrate with existing business technologies, which is beneficial for protecting business areas."
"It’s easy to handle integrations, and we don't need a lot of people in our IT team."
"The most valuable feature of Microsoft Defender for Office 365 is data backups that we can provide through ticket requests."

Room for Improvement

One common issue is the high number of false positives and notifications, which can be overwhelming and time-consuming to manage. Users also feel that the reporting and threat visibility features could be more comprehensive and user-friendly.

Integration with external SaaS platforms and other Microsoft tools, such as PowerPoint and email, could be enhanced. Some users have expressed frustration with the changing licensing model and the need to pay for storage separately. There is a desire for more documentation and training resources to help users better understand and utilize advanced security features.

Users also want improved detection capabilities for threats and viruses, as well as better protection against phishing and spam emails.

Additionally, users would like to see more automation features, better assessment capabilities in phishing test campaigns, and the ability to easily determine if attachments are safe to open.

"Configuration at the mid-level could be improved for the support team."
"Sometimes, phishing emails manage to pass through the filter, so the system needs to enhance its phishing email detection capabilities."
"Microsoft Defender for Office 365's Mac functionality requires improvement to deliver the same level of protection found on Windows devices."

ROI

Implementing Microsoft Defender for Office 365 has resulted in cost savings and a return on investment. The solution helps to maintain the security of data stored in OneDrive, saving money that would have been spent on integrating another solution. It also helps to scan and protect confidential emails, saving time and effort. The subscription-based service requires licenses for the entire user base, but it is considered worth it due to the money saved and the protection it provides against threats like phishing emails, ransomware, and malware.

Pricing

The pricing for Microsoft Defender for Office 365 is reasonable, but not cheap. Some customers prefer monthly payments, however, Microsoft recently changed its license policies, so annual payments are encouraged.

The solution is more expensive than alternatives, as additional options and license upgrades are required. Different levels of licensing are needed for certain features. However, standalone, the cost is convenient and the price is reasonable.

Initially, figuring out the licensing process was a challenge. Purchasing a security bundle from Microsoft provides good value for money. Understanding the pricing model and features can be complicated and dealing with Microsoft can be challenging.

"While Microsoft Defender for Office 365 necessitates pricier E3 or E5 subscriptions, the extensive functionality offered by these licenses across various Microsoft products justifies the investment."
"I know that the product is incredibly expensive."
"The product is very expensive."

Popular Use Cases

The primary use case of Microsoft Defender for Office 365 is to provide email protection and secure Office 365 applications.

It is used to prevent impersonation, detect phishing links, and ensure mail protection. The solution is also utilized to monitor user behavior, investigate and respond to malicious activity, and protect user identities and extensions stored in Active Directory.

Additionally, it offers features such as anti-phishing, malware and attachment scanning, link scanning, and anti-spam. Integration with other Microsoft security solutions, such as Defender for Cloud and Microsoft Sentinel, is seamless.

The solution is deployed on the cloud and is effective in analyzing advanced attacks, prioritizing threats, and providing real-time analytic reports. It is used to identify software vulnerabilities and defend against computer threats.

Service and Support

The support engineers are experienced and provide accurate suggestions, although sometimes they may need to consult with the backend team for a solution.

Microsoft offers various levels of support depending on the package purchased, and they are able to help investigate issues and assist with implementation. The technical support is quick and effective in resolving issues.

Some users find the product and documentation self-explanatory, allowing them to troubleshoot on their own. However, there is room for improvement in terms of reaching support and technical support for configuration.

Deployment

The initial setup and deployment of Microsoft Defender for Office 365 is generally straightforward and easy. It typically takes a few hours or half a day to complete the setup process, which involves adding the license, connecting devices to the cloud, and configuring rules and policies. Once the solution is deployed, there is minimal maintenance required, with occasional tickets for false positives or quarantined emails.

The solution is designed to auto-update, and a yearly configuration review is usually sufficient for maintenance. The deployment and maintenance tasks can be handled by one or two administrators from the security or email administrator team.

Scalability

Microsoft Defender for Office 365 can easily accommodate an increase in the number of users. The scalability is attributed to its cloud-based nature, which provides more resources as needed. Unlike on-premise solutions, the scalability of Defender is not limited by processing power or hardware constraints. It is also capable of supporting multi-geographic organizations with multiple locations.

Stability

Users have experienced seamless updates and have not encountered any problems related to Defender. Microsoft guarantees a high availability rate of 99.9%. While there may be occasional issues or changes without prior notice, overall, the solution is considered stable.

Users appreciate that most of the responsibility for downtime is shifted to the cloud, and any bugs or limitations have been addressed by Microsoft.

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 Office 365 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

17%

Financial Services Firm

Manufacturing Company

Government

Retailer

Healthcare Company

University

Construction Company

Comms Service Provider

Educational Organization

Insurance Company

Energy/Utilities Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

Non Profit

Legal Firm

Media Company

Wholesaler/Distributor

Hospitality Company

Outsourcing Company

Performing Arts

Transportation Company

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Logistics Company

Consumer Goods Company

Pharma/Biotech Company

Compare Microsoft Defender for Office 365 with alternative products

Learn more about Microsoft Defender for Office 365

With Microsoft Defender for Office 365, organizations can safeguard their email communication by detecting and blocking malicious links, attachments, and unsafe email content. It employs advanced anti-phishing capabilities to identify and prevent sophisticated phishing attacks that attempt to steal sensitive information or compromise user credentials.

This solution also offers robust protection against malware and ransomware. It leverages machine learning algorithms to analyze email attachments and URLs in real-time, identifying and blocking malicious content before it reaches users' inboxes. Additionally, it provides advanced threat-hunting capabilities, allowing security teams to proactively investigate and respond to potential threats.

Microsoft Defender for Office 365 goes beyond email protection and extends its security features to other collaboration tools like SharePoint, OneDrive, and Teams. It scans files and documents stored in these platforms, ensuring that they are free from malware and other malicious content. It also provides visibility into user activities, helping organizations detect and mitigate insider threats.

Furthermore, this solution offers rich reporting and analytics capabilities, providing organizations with insights into their security posture and threat landscape. It enables security administrators to monitor and manage security incidents, track trends, and take proactive measures to enhance their overall security posture.

Microsoft Defender for Office 365 was previously known as MS Defender for Office 365.