Microsoft has announced a new security product christened Microsoft Defender for Business that aims to bring enterprise-grade endpoint security (opens in new tab) to small and medium businesses.
In a blog post (opens in new tab) covering the launch, Microsoft 365 (opens in new tab)’s product marketing manager Jon Maunder said the platform is specially designed for organizations with fewer than 300 employees.
“Defender for Business elevates security from traditional antivirus to next-generation protection, endpoint detection and response, threat and vulnerability management, and more….Defender for Business helps you to protect against cybersecurity (opens in new tab) threats including malware (opens in new tab) and ransomware (opens in new tab) across Windows (opens in new tab), macOS (opens in new tab), iOS (opens in new tab), and Android (opens in new tab) devices,” shared Maunder, adding that the new tool will soon be available for preview.
Interestingly, Microsoft is already previewing an overhauled version of Microsoft Defender (opens in new tab) for PC that’ll bring some of the famed enterprise-grade endpoint security to home users, enabling them to monitor their non-Windows devices through a single pane of glass.
Designed for SMBs
Maunder explains that Microsoft Defender for Business will enable SMBs to configure and manage the security of their endpoints through a simplified interface and also offer automated investigation and remediation.
Build a case for the tool, he says it’s designed to be in tune with the sensibilities of SMBs and offers threat and vulnerability management functionality, which will help customers identify and address software vulnerabilities and misconfigurations.
Microsoft Defender for Business will also have Endpoint detection and response (EDR) functionalities and uses behavioral-based detection and response alerts to help customers identify and remove persistent threats.
Furthermore, customers will be able to automate Defender for Business to carry out remediation tasks automatically.
Once the tool is available, customers will be able to buy it as a standalone offering costing $3 per user per month. It will also be included as part of Microsoft 365 Business Premium accounts and can be integrated with Microsoft 365 Lighthouse.
