Microsoft Sentinel Reviews

Name: Microsoft Sentinel
Brand: Microsoft
Rating: 4.1 (89 reviews)

Vendor: Microsoft

4.1 out of 5

89 reviews
93% willing to recommend

308 followers

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What is Microsoft Sentinel?

Microsoft Sentinel is a scalable, cloud-native, security information event management (SIEM) and security orchestration automated response (SOAR) solution that lets you see and stop threats before they cause harm. Microsoft Sentinel delivers intelligent security analytics and threat intelligence across the enterprise, providing a single solution for alert detection, threat visibility, proactive hunting, and threat response. Eliminate security infrastructure setup and maintenance, and elastically scale to meet your security needs—while reducing IT costs. With Microsoft Sentinel, you can:

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Microsoft Sentinel is the #1 ranked solution in SOAR tools, #3 ranked solution in top Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) solutions, #5 ranked solution in top Microsoft Security Suite solutions, and #6 ranked solution in top AI-Powered Cybersecurity Platforms solutions. PeerSpot users give Microsoft Sentinel an average rating of 8.2 out of 10. Microsoft Sentinel is most commonly compared to CrowdStrike Falcon: Microsoft Sentinel vs CrowdStrike Falcon. Microsoft Sentinel is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 59% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a computer software company, accounting for 16% of all views.

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Featured reviews

KrishnanKartik

Cyber Security Consultant at Inspira Enterprise

It's a Big Data security analytics platform. Among the unique features is the fact that it has built-in UEBA and analytical capabilities. It allows you to use the out-of-the-box machine learning and AI capabilities, but it also allows you to bring your own AI/ML, by bringing in your own IPs and allowing the platform to accept them and run that on top of it. In addition, the SOAR component is a pay-per-use model. Compared to any other product, where customization is not available, you can fine-tune the SOAR and you'll be charged only when your playbooks are triggered. That is the beauty of the solution because the SOAR is the costliest component in the market today. Other vendors charge heavily for the SOAR, but with Sentinel it is upside-down: the SOAR is the lowest-hanging fruit. It's the least costly and it delivers more value to the customer. The SOAR engine also uniquely helps us to automate most of the incidents with automated enrichment and that cuts out the L1 analyst work. And combining M365 with Sentinel, if you want to call it integration, takes just a few clicks: "next, next finish." If it is all M365-native, it is a maximum of three or four steps and you'll be able to ingest all the logs into Sentinel. That is true even with AWS or GCP because most of the connectors are already available out-of-the-box. You just click, put in your subscription details, include your IAM, and you are finished. Within five to six steps, you can integrate AWS workloads and the logs can be ingested into Sentinel. When it comes to a third party specifically, such as log sources in a data center or on-premises, we need a log collector so that the logs can be forwarded to the Sentinel platform. And when it comes to servers or something where there is an agent for Windows or Linux, the agent can collect the logs and ship them to the Sentinel platform. I don't see any difficulties in integrating any of the log sources, even to the extent of collecting IoT log sources. Microsoft Defender for Cloud has multiple components such as Defender for Servers, Defender for PaaS, and Defender for databases. For customers in Azure, there are a lot of use cases specific to protecting workloads and PaaS and SaaS in Azure and beyond Azure, if a customer also has on-premises locations. There is EDR for Windows and Linux servers, and it even protects different kinds of containers. With Defender for Cloud, all these sources can be seamlessly integrated and you can then track the security incidents in Microsoft's XDR platform. That means you have one more workspace, under Azure, not Defender for Cloud, where you can see the security incidents. In addition, it can be integrated with Sentinel for EDR deep-dive analytics. It can also protect workloads in AWS. We have customers for whom we are protecting their AWS workloads. Even EKS, Elastic Kubernetes Service, on AWS can be integrated, as can the GKE (Google Kubernetes Engine). And with Defender for Cloud, security alert ingestion is free

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Nitin Arora

Security Delivery Senior Analyst at Accenture

The most amazing aspect of Microsoft Sentinel is the daily upgrading of the product. They have third-party connectors that their people are enhancing on a daily basis. That is what I like about the product. Their people are not sitting idly and saying, "Okay, we have created the product, now just use it." It's nothing like that. They are continuously working on it to make it number one in the market. It also has a playbook feature so that we can do automation in Sentinel itself, based on the data sources and the logs that we are receiving. That means we don't need to do manual stuff again and again. Using Sentinel, we can collect all the logs of third-party vendors and use them to analyze what kinds of scenarios are going on in the environment. On top of that, we can create analytics rules to monitor the environment and take action accordingly if there is a suspicious or malicious event. Something else that is great is the visibility into threats. We have an AI feature enabled in Sentinel and that gives us great visibility into the data sources we have integrated. And for data sources that we don't have integrated, we have a Zero Trust feature and we get great visibility into the threat log. Visibility-wise, Sentinel is fantastic. The ingestion of data from our entire environment is very important to our security operations. We have clients in insurance and multiple firms that deal with taxation, and we need to do an audit yearly. To do that, we need the data from the whole environment to be ingested into the workspace.

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Jalan Cruz

Cyber Security Analyst at CoinFlip

In terms of visibility, Microsoft Sentinel captures a lot of useful data. Microsoft Sentinel helps us prioritize threats across our enterprise. It shows us the most vulnerable assets, and because we have agents on every machine, we know exactly where to go to investigate. This is important for staying secure as a company. It allows us to cover our own bases by seeing what is happening in real-time and taking proactive steps to address threats, rather than reacting to them after they have already occurred. We can stay up-to-date with security measures and ensure that we follow through and execute our security plan. We integrated Microsoft Sentinel with Defender for Cloud, Endpoint, and Defender Vulnerability Management. Microsoft is not the most vendor-friendly company in terms of integrations and connections, but we were able to get it working in the end, so we cannot really complain. Microsoft's security tools work natively together to deliver coordinated detection responses across our environment. The comprehensive threat protection that Microsoft Sentinel provides is good. They provide really good information. We are able to create documents, perform root cause analysis, and analyze anything we need to. Log integration is also key. We are able to find potentially malicious files, correlate events to alerts, and then take action on alerts. So, the comprehensiveness is pretty straightforward. We use Cloud and Endpoint security. We have our Defender cloud, and then Defender agents on each endpoint. The bidirectional sync capability is important, and it is a work in progress. We are in the process of off-boarding our contract with CrowdStrike. We are moving all of our cybersecurity needs to Microsoft Defender, which is included in our existing Microsoft licenses. This makes financial sense, and CrowdStrike was not providing us with much value. The system allows us to ingest data from our entire ecosystem, which is very important. This is our main source of correlation of logs to alerts. Therefore, we definitely need to get every single log source, and possibly a few more. The system allows us to investigate and respond holistically from one place. It is a very comprehensive tool to use. However, the supporting documentation is limited to initial troubleshooting. This is where I find the most difficulty in explaining how good the tool is. Other than that, the tool is pretty straightforward. There is enough documentation to get us started. However, beyond that, we will need to rely on online forums and other open-source resources to learn more about the tool. When comparing Microsoft Sentinel to other SIEMs in terms of cost, we are saving money because it is included with our Microsoft 365 E5 licenses. This also helps us to reduce the number of different types of software that we need to use. We do like redundancy in terms of coverage, but the cost of multiple solutions adds up. We want to be able to use one central location for all of our security software. This is one of the reasons why we choose Microsoft Sentinel over third-party solutions. As we move into larger projects, we need to have a centralized place for all of our security policies and procedures. Microsoft Sentinel helps us automate routine tasks and find high-value alerts. We also use Sentinel as a store for our alerts. This allows us to automate most of our responses if not all of them. We also tailored our alerts to specific events that occur in our environment. Microsoft Sentinel helps eliminate the need to use multiple dashboards by providing a single XDR dashboard. We currently use Sentinel's workbooks, which provide a dashboard that we can use for metrics, reporting, and other purposes. This makes it easier to relay information upwards, as it is presented in a more visually appealing and easy-to-understand manner. For example, we can use pie charts, bar charts, and line charts to represent data in a way that is easy to understand. This makes it easier to convey information to upper management, such as where we are most vulnerable and what steps we need to take to improve our security. Microsoft Sentinel helps us prepare for potential threats before they hit by taking proactive steps. We can also detect ongoing incidents. For example, if we receive a ticket or alert that is ongoing and will not go away, we can automate a response to it and add it to our playbook. This way, if a similar incident occurs in the future, we will know what to do to respond immediately. In terms of automation, I believe we save about 20 to 22 hours per week by closing tickets. We receive about 50 to 100 tickets per day, and we automated about 80 percent of those. This means that we can now close tickets without having to manually review them. This saved us a significant amount of time, which we can now use on other tasks. We are on the smaller side in terms of the number of logs that come in. So, I don't think it's necessary to compare at this level of data ingestion. However, I can definitely see that if we scale and grow in the future, it will save us a lot of money, especially in terms of manpower and hours that we have to dedicate to automation or non-automated tasks. For example, in the six months that we've had Sentinel up and running, we've saved 755 hours in automation alone. We currently meet all of our service level agreements in terms of incident response. This definitely saved us time, and we also receive email alerts directly so that we know as soon as something happens.

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Microsoft Sentinel mindshare

Product category:

As of January 2025, the mindshare of Microsoft Sentinel in the Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) category stands at 8.6%, down from 10.2% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)

PeerAnalyst reports

Type	Title	Date
Category	Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)	Jan 17, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Jan 17, 2025	Download
Comparison	Microsoft Sentinel vs Splunk Enterprise Security	Jan 17, 2025	Download
Comparison	Microsoft Sentinel vs Wazuh	Jan 17, 2025	Download
Comparison	Microsoft Sentinel vs IBM Security QRadar	Jan 17, 2025	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
CrowdStrike Falcon	4.3	N/A	97%	122 interviews Add to research
Wazuh	3.7	15.9%	79%	45 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

Microsoft Sentinel's most valuable features include seamless integration within the Microsoft ecosystem, automation capabilities, AI-driven threat detection, and scalability due to its cloud-based nature. It offers an intuitive interface, rich data ingestion, and powerful analytics using Kusto Query Language. Organizations appreciate its ability to centralize threat management, automate responses, and provide comprehensive security visibility, making it efficient and effective for managing and correlating security incidents. Its user-friendly setup and integration ease make it a preferred choice.

"Microsoft Sentinel has helped by streamlining our security. We have a nine-member network team, with three members managing security for the city, and Sentinel allows us to operate an unofficial SOC."
"We feel safe knowing that we have a solution that we can use to react in case of an emergency."
"Custom workbooks are valuable. It is one of the crucial points in dealing with potential security threats in an automated way without requiring too much manpower."

Room for Improvement

Microsoft Sentinel requires better integration with non-Microsoft applications and more native connectors. Users find its user interface and configuration complex and documentation lacking. The platform's cost is a concern, especially for smaller businesses. Enhancements in data ingestion, alert management, and report generation would be beneficial. Users face issues with false positives, a steep learning curve, and limited AI capabilities. Improving KQL accessibility and expanding automation features could increase usability and efficiency.

"There is room for improvement in terms of integrations."
"There is room for improvement in terms of integrations. We have some tools, such as our off-site Meraki firewalls, that have not fully integrated with Sentinel. We lack integration for Syslogs into Sentinel."
"As of now, there have been only benefits. However, I am curious about potential AI integration and whether it will be affordable for us because all the compliance costs are rising with all the new features."

ROI

Users report mixed financial gains with Microsoft Sentinel, noting initial cost increases but eventual savings through efficiency and automation. Many highlight value in improved visibility and threat detection. Automated processes reduce headcount, enhancing ROI. Some organizations see ROI within months, others experience a lag before achieving returns. Compliance goals and faster incident response contribute to financial benefits; however, exact figures are often unspecified. Users appreciate integration, reduced workload, and proactive security management.

Pricing

Microsoft Sentinel pricing is generally perceived as expensive but offers value for large enterprises due to its integration with Microsoft products and cloud-native features. Pricing depends on log ingestion and retention, varying by data volume and integration needs. The pay-as-you-go model and discounts for Azure ecosystems can help with cost optimization. While some users find it cost-effective within the Azure subscription, others express concerns about complexity and high costs for extensive or third-party log ingestion.

"We only pay for the amount of data we bring in, which is fair."
"It is consumption-based pricing. It is an affordable solution."
"I am not involved on the financial side, but from an enterprise-wide use perspective, I think the price is good enough."

Popular Use Cases

Organizations primarily use Microsoft Sentinel for centralized security management, threat detection, and response. They leverage it as a cloud-based SIEM platform to collect and analyze logs from various sources, enhancing security operations. Utilized for incident management, it enables threat hunting, anomaly detection, and automates security tasks. Integrated with Microsoft security tools, it provides a unified security view supporting multiple environments, focusing on proactive monitoring and improving overall security posture.

Service and Support

Microsoft Sentinel customer service and support are generally good, with timely responses and helpful agents. Premium support offers a higher level of service, while basic support may have delays. Managed service partners and community forums are beneficial. FastTrack and Premier tiers provide enhanced experiences. While challenges exist, such as reaching knowledgeable staff, many rate support positively, especially when using premium plans. Documentation and community resources add value, though some prefer self-service and peer assistance.

Deployment

Initial experiences with Microsoft Sentinel's setup varied. Many found the cloud deployment easy and quick, requiring minimal steps. Basic configuration was straightforward within the Azure environment, especially for Microsoft integrations. Users praised the user-friendly interface but noted challenges with complex integrations and KQL expertise. Some faced difficulties with on-premises resources and data onboarding. Adequate documentation and support were crucial, and ongoing configuration and maintenance involved a few team members for optimal performance.

Scalability

Microsoft Sentinel provides outstanding scalability, being cloud-based and managed by Microsoft. It easily handles increased workload without manual intervention and supports vast data ingestion across multi-region environments. Users appreciate Sentinel's automatic scaling and flexibility, noting minimal resource constraints. Pricing is tied to data processed, allowing organizations to scale based on needs. Integration with other Azure services enhances capacity. Customers consistently report high satisfaction with its elasticity and scaling abilities.

Stability

Microsoft Sentinel is highly stable, with most users highlighting its reliability and minimal downtime. Instances of issues typically stem from external factors, human configuration errors, or regional connectivity challenges. Some users noted occasional performance issues and outages, but these are rare. Many appreciate Microsoft's management of infrastructure, ensuring stability in the cloud environment. It is widely regarded as secure and robust, offering consistent performance across various operational contexts.

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

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

Review data by company size

By reviewers

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Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

16%

Financial Services Firm

11%

Manufacturing Company

Government

University

Comms Service Provider

Educational Organization

Retailer

Healthcare Company

Energy/Utilities Company

Insurance Company

Construction Company

Non Profit

Media Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

Legal Firm

Transportation Company

Hospitality Company

Outsourcing Company

Wholesaler/Distributor

Performing Arts

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Consumer Goods Company

Logistics Company

Pharma/Biotech Company

Aerospace/Defense Firm

Marketing Services Firm

Compare Microsoft Sentinel with alternative products

Learn more about Microsoft Sentinel

- Collect data at cloud scale—across all users, devices, applications, and infrastructure, both on-premises and in multiple clouds

- Detect previously uncovered threats and minimize false positives using analytics and unparalleled threat intelligence from Microsoft

- Investigate threats with AI and hunt suspicious activities at scale, tapping into decades of cybersecurity work at Microsoft

- Respond to incidents rapidly with built-in orchestration and automation of common tasks

To learn more about our solution, ask questions, and share feedback, join our Microsoft Security, Compliance and Identity Community.

Microsoft Sentinel was previously known as Azure Sentinel.