Microsoft says it detects 5 billion cyber incidents each month and protects against over 99% of those threats. These robust security capabilities factor into why Gartner placed Microsoft in the Leader quadrant of the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Cloud Access Security End Point Protection (EPP). Keep reading to see what it means for your organization and how to start 2020 on secure footing.
Why Gartner Placed Microsoft in the Leader Quadrant
Microsoft’s dominance and the quality of its solutions helped propel the company to the Leader quadrant. In the report, Gartner highlighted Microsoft as “unique in the EPP space” because they’re “the only vendor that can provide built-in endpoint protection capabilities tightly integrated with the OS.” One important reason for Microsoft ATP to land in the Leader Quadrant: this endpoint protection (EPP) is no longer exclusive for Windows users. Major recent macOS releases are supported as well, extending the vital protection offered by Windows Defender ATP.
In the report, Gartner also noted how controls like Windows Defender Antivirus are a standard component of Windows 10, providing strong baseline security for all users. On top of that, Microsoft has centralized reporting for Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) and created a secure portal to comprehensively show your security posture.
What the Report Means for You: Consolidate Vendors without Sacrificing Security
The old assumption was Microsoft’s security capabilities couldn’t offer the same protection as other vendors and it was worth the extra money and additional vendors because you had better features.
This is no longer the case.
The Gartner report and Leader quadrant illustrate how Microsoft has made considerable improvements. You can now consolidate vendors without sacrificing security and potentially save money in the process.
Mitigate threats automatically
Cybercriminals will persistently knock on the door of your organization trying to get in, and many tactics will be similar. If you consistently receive alerts around a specific activity, you can set up actions in Microsoft Defender to automatically address the issue.
Uncover vulnerabilities
In the cloud-based defender security center, you can access data about incidents in your organization. It will tell you which machines the threat went to, the credentials used to access your network and more. The information gives you a better idea of what happened and how to create a plan to minimize your threat exposure.
Use the Managed Modern Workplace to simplify security
Through the Managed Modern Workplace, we’ve brought together key components of Microsoft’s security solutions and added services to keep organizations protected. Key features include:
- Endpoint protection
- Multifactor Authentication
- Advanced Threat Protection
- Windows 10 Defender: antimalware providing real-time defense against malware, spyware, viruses and more.
Access innovations like AI-powered security solutions
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is making Microsoft’s security solutions stronger and improving the security profile of all users. Through platforms like Microsoft Graph, threats can be immediately recognized and mitigated. When a vulnerability pops up, the information is sent to Microsoft. The company then profiles the problem and pushes out a patch to all users.
The capabilities in Graph and other platforms will continue to improve as more data is collected and other innovations are introduced.
Ask for Help Before You Add Microsoft Defender ATP
Before implementing Microsoft Defender ATP or another Microsoft security solution, there are two important considerations. First, the report noted it can be difficult to select the right licensing from Microsoft. You’ll also need to properly configure and manage all solutions to gain the security benefits, this is often complex and requires ongoing attention.
At Nortec, we have an established history of securing the right licensing for organizations, often saving them money in the process. To better serve our clients, we’ve earned 8 gold competencies from Microsoft. Through continuing education, we stay on top of the latest developments in technology and discover new tools and processes our partners will benefit from.
Ready to see how you can elevate your security in 2020? Contact us today.