What Should You Know About Microsoft Defender for Office 365?
Defender for Office 365 is a powerful platform equipped with advanced threat protection capabilities. Microsoft Defender helps business users stay one step ahead of cyber adversaries, ensuring the safety of your data, employees, and your business reputation. Defender for Office 365 empowers your organisation by defending against phishing attacks, malware, and other security threats in real-time. It provides a robust defence that allows stakeholders to focus on what matters most – accelerating growth to drive the business forward.
Understanding Microsoft Defender in Detail:
Microsoft Defender for Office 365 is a cloud-based email filtering application designed to protect the Microsoft 365 environment from threats such as phishing, business email compromise, ransomware, and zero-day malware. It extends protection beyond Exchange Online to Teams, OneDrive, and SharePoint. It integrates seamlessly with Microsoft 365 subscriptions to render advanced security features to safeguard email, links, attachments, and collaboration tools. Here are more details:
- Safe Attachments protect against unknown malware and viruses by providing zero-day protection. It scans all messages and attachments without a recognisable virus/malware signature using machine learning and analysis techniques to detect malicious intent.
- Safe Links proactively protects users from malicious URLs that lead to phishing sites, malware downloads, or other harmful destinations. The protection remains active every time a user clicks the link, dynamically blocking malicious links while allowing access to safe ones.
- Safe Documents leverages Microsoft Defender for Endpoint to scan documents and files opened in Protected View. It is available in Microsoft 365 E5 or Microsoft 365 E5 Security licenses.
- Anti-Phishing Policies Microsoft Defender for Office 365 includes advanced anti-phishing policies that help detect and block phishing attempts. These policies use machine learning models to analyse email content and sender behaviour to identify potential threats.
- Threat investigation and response solution allows security teams to identify, investigate, and remediate threats quickly. This includes automated investigation and response capabilities, which help reduce the efforts required to address security incidents.
Get started with a Secure digital Workspace with Defender for Office 365
Here is a glimpse of security features offered by the Defender for Office suite, and the levels of protection provided:
| Feature / Inclusion | MDO Plan 1 | MDO Plan 2 |
| Included in | Microsoft 365 Business Premium | Office 365 E5, Office 365 A5, Microsoft 365 E5 |
| Add-on | Other Microsoft 365/Office 365 plans | Other Microsoft 365/Office 365 plans |
| Core Protection | Protects against unsafe attachments, links, and phishing attempts | All Plan 1 features plus advanced protection and automation |
| Safe Links | Time-of-click verification for links in emails and documents | Enhanced policies, real-time URL detonation |
| Safe Attachments | Scans email attachments for malware | Advanced scanning with deep inspection |
| Anti-Phishing Policies | Detects and blocks impersonation attempts | Advanced impersonation detection using AI/ML |
| Automated Investigation & Response (AIR) | Not included | Automates threat investigation and remediation |
| Attack Simulation Training | Not included | Built-in phishing and security awareness training simulations |
| Best suited for | SMBs with Microsoft 365 Business Premium or those wanting baseline protection | Enterprises or regulated industries needing advanced threat protection, automation, and compliance |
| Threat Trackers | Not included | Real-time threat intelligence and monitoring |
| Quarantine & Reporting | User & admin quarantine access | Enhanced investigation, threat explorer, and reporting |
Note:
- MDO Plans 1 and 2 are available as add-ons as needed.
- Default email protections for cloud mailboxes in all Microsoft 365 subscriptions with cloud mailboxes.
All the Latest with Defender for Microsoft 365:
Defender has just become smarter and easier for users, thanks to automated, real-time updates from the cloud and Microsoft 365 integration. It is now possible to report suspicious Microsoft Teams messages, in addition to emails, for enhanced protection across collaboration tools. New mail bombing detection helps block inbox floods, while AI-powered admin responses make investigations faster and more efficient. Defender also adds advanced BEC detection, IPv6 support, and quicker quarantine management—all designed to keep your business secure with less effort.
| Feature | Details |
| Endpoint protection and threat detection | Monitors devices 24/7 for viruses, spyware, ransomware, and other threats. Utilises machine learning and cloud analysis to prevent malware from spreading. Attack Surface Reduction (ASR) to block risky actions and unapproved software from running. Defends against zero-day threats and exploits targeting system weaknesses. |
| Automated investigation and remediation | Quickly investigates and contains threats with minimal IT effort. Quarantines malicious files and rolls back changes caused by attacks without manual input. |
| Advanced Threat and Vulnerability Management | Detects device and software weaknesses before hackers Helps fix the most critical issues first Look for missing patch updates |
| Real-time alerts and monitoring | Detects unusual activities instantly and sends notifications Sets up custom alerts based on need and risk levels |
| Ransomware | Stops file locking malware before data damage occurs Protects critical folders from unauthorised apps and users |
| Device management | Manage devices from a single dashboard Isolate scan and wipe off data from stolen/missing devices Protect phones and tablets from accessing business data |
| SIEM integration | Send alerts and logs to SIEM systems for detailed analysis and compliance reporting with exportable security data and reports |
Microsoft Defender for Business is ideal for businesses seeking reliable security without the high cost or complexity of traditional enterprise tools. It is ideal for:
Small to Mid-Sized Businesses (SMBs)
- Secure devices, users, and data- whether in-office or remote.
- Simplify cybersecurity with an out-of-the-box solution.
Growing Teams and Remote Resources:
- Provide consistent protection across laptops, desktops, and mobile devices.
- Keep remote and hybrid employees secure from phishing and malware.
IT Managers and Admins:
- Centralised threat response and management of policies across all endpoints.
- Proactive alerts and auto-remediation to save time and resources.
Are you looking for more practical information on Microsoft Defender for Office 365? We are just a call away.
