The landscape changes rapidly in the world of cybersecurity. That holds true for not only threats but also suppliers. Microsoft is a prime example: The tech giant didn’t stand out as a top player in the space just a few years ago, but steady investment has transformed the company into a notable cybersecurity solution provider, Kurtis Armour, vice president of product management for eSentire, noted during a June 1 webinar hosted by Stratosphere Networks.“They’ve completely pivoted as an organization,” Armour said. “Microsoft ultimately wants to dominate the world in security.”
As of the second quarter of fiscal year 2023, Microsoft had surpassed $20 billion in security business revenue. From 2021 to 2023, the provider went from 400,000 security customers to 860,000, according to Armour’s presentation. Microsoft Security continues to grow and has achieved leader status in 6 Gartner Magic Quadrant reports (access management, cloud access security brokers, enterprise information archiving, endpoint protection platforms, unified endpoint management, and security information and event management).
For businesses that have invested in Microsoft 365, that means with the right licensing and strategy, it’s possible to simplify operations and contain spending by leveraging the Microsoft Security stack to safeguard your environment.
“What we’re seeing is they’re starting to include more and more security functionality,” Armour said. “If you have it all under one vendor…there are cost savings in having that all in one bundle.”
If you’re interested in safeguarding your data while maximizing your Microsoft ROI, here’s some essential information covered in the webinar that you should find helpful.
Watch the recording: How to maximize your potential with Microsoft 365 E5
Microsoft 365 E5 licensing and securing modern workspaces
While Microsoft 365 E3 licensing offers basic security features (e.g., anti-virus and application control), Armour explained that you’ll need E5 for maximum functionality. It’s worth the investment, particularly if you’ve implemented a hybrid work model.
“It’s much more complicated to protect a hybrid workforce than on-prem,” he said. “Organizations that might have just had on-prem protections before, that isn’t enough anymore. You need to be able to protect wherever your users are.”
On top of that, cybersecurity threats have become more sophisticated than ever. For example, bad actors are leveraging generative AI (i.e., ChatGPT) to craft fraudulent but genuine-sounding emails.
“The phishing is getting better,” he said. “It’s getting more convincing.”
Modern businesses must address all avenues of potential compromise, including email, endpoints, identities, cloud applications, and workloads in all locations. Microsoft 365 E5 licensing covers all of that with the following security solutions and features:
- Azure Active Directory Premium 1 and 2
- Microsoft 365 Defender
- Azure Information Protection Plan 2
- Information protection and governance
- Microsoft Purview Insider Risk Management
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Microsoft Defender for Identity
- Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps
With full Microsoft Security feature functionality, you can minimize data breach risk with a zero-trust approach to security. At the same time, you can cut IT management costs and spend less time on device management by automating system updates. Finally, by consolidating with Microsoft 365 instead of relying on a patchwork of solutions, you can lower licensing costs.
Combining Microsoft Security with MDR services for maximum protection
A managed detection and response (MDR) provider like eSentire can add value to your investment by responding to and remediating any threats across your Microsoft SIEM, email, cloud, identity, and endpoint security services. Benefits of an MDR for Microsoft service include but are not limited to the following:
- Complete 24/7 Microsoft environment visibility
- Advanced threat hunting
- 24/7 security event monitoring, threat detection and investigation, and comprehensive response and threat disruption
- Access to certified Microsoft experts
- Live security operations center cyber analyst support
“We have the battle wounds,” said Matt Chalk, a senior territory manager for eSentire who presented along with Armour during the webinar. “We’ve been doing it longer than anybody…with a combination of technology and people.”
Kendra Karczewski, a senior vice president of advisory services for Stratosphere Networks, also presented during the event, providing an overview of how Stratosphere’s technology consulting services benefit businesses seeking IT solutions, including security products and services. With over 20 years of experience in IT, a network of best-in-class partners, and access to advanced tools, our consultants efficiently identify offerings that align with our clients’ needs and goals, typically saving them dozens of hours they would have spent researching and vetting their options on their own.
If you’d like to explore your Microsoft 365 licensing options and discuss how to maximize security for your organization, our consultants are well-versed in the supplier’s products and can help you achieve the highest level of threat protection with cost-effectiveness in mind. Get started today by calling 877-599-3999 or emailing sales@stratospherenetworks.com.
