As companies face the challenges inherent in implementing the bevy of Microsoft Security products that are available, they may find a managed security service provider can play a key role in helping them maximize the value of their investment.

For many companies, the Microsoft 365 E5 license makes good business sense. In addition to the Office suite of productivity applications, E5 includes expanded capabilities for Microsoft cybersecurity solutions for endpoint detection and response (EDR), identity and access management (IAM), and more. These solutions can be used in conjunction with the included cloud-based security information and event management (SIEM) platform.

While most companies buy Microsoft E5 mainly for its productivity apps, many now look to see whether the security applications may allow them to jettison a score of third-party security tools – and save lots of money.

Challenges with Microsoft Security products

However, such an analysis is more complex than it may seem, which is the first challenge associated with moving to Microsoft Security.

Companies have significant investments in their existing security tools in terms of custom configurations, and their security teams are presumably comfortable with managing and monitoring the tools. So, there's a cost associated with making a change and the risk that something may go awry. In a worst-case scenario, can you revert to the original tools?

If you decide to make the switch, you may need help setting up and configuring the Microsoft Security products and optimizing their various features. That includes recreating existing custom configurations and perhaps writing new ones as well.

These are all time-consuming tasks that require a high level of security expertise, which may require additional training for existing staff. Most companies are treading water day to day when it comes to security. It may not be reasonable to ask the existing team to take on such a project.

Yet companies generally want to implement the products quickly to accelerate the time to value for their Microsoft investment.

Managed security services for Microsoft

The answer may lie in getting professional help. Trustwave, for example, has a longstanding relationship with Microsoft. For example, Trustwave was one of the first Microsoft Global MSSP Partners to offer Managed Security Services for Microsoft Sentinel and has earned numerous awards over the years, including being a Microsoft Top Managed SOC.

Trustwave recently announced a series of three offerings aimed at helping companies improve operations, optimize costs, maximize return on investment, and reduce complexity with Microsoft Security products.

1. A series of Accelerators can help companies understand the security solutions they have already implemented and how these map to the various Microsoft Security solutions. This would include Defender for Endpoint, Defender for Office, Defender for Identity, Copilot for Security, Microsoft Sentinel, and Defender for Cloud Apps. The Accelerators detail what customers need to do to switch, offering a gap analysis and step-by-step instructions and advice. They get companies to a high security maturity level right out of the gate and identify cost-saving initiatives that may increase ROI.
2. Trustwave offers implementation and optimization services for companies that need help preparing to switch to Microsoft or fine tune existing deployments. The "optimization" part is crucial, as it means taking advantage of Trustwave's experience in implementing and configuring Microsoft cybersecurity products. In short, we know how to set you up for success.
3. Trustwave offers new managed services targeting Microsoft Security, including two managed detection and response offerings coupled with managed SIEM services.

Trustwave MXDR for Microsoft is a managed service for Microsoft Defender XDR and Microsoft Sentinel SIEM customers. It provides 24x7 security monitoring with extended detection, investigation, and response across endpoints, identity, cloud apps, and email. A team of certified cybersecurity experts will help you unlock the full power of Microsoft Security products and third-party security offerings while taking advantage of Trustwave SpiderLabs' threat intelligence to eliminate active threats.

MXDR Elite for Microsoft with Co-Managed SOC includes all the same benefits as MXDR for Microsoft but adds close collaboration with Trustwave security experts, including weekly meetings, custom use cases, automation, tuning, and more.

If your firm is implementing some or all of the Microsoft Security solutions that come with E5, or if you're trying to determine whether they're the right fit, contact Trustwave – we can likely help.

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