Sophos launches Sophos MDR for Microsoft Defender

Sophos, a global cybersecurity provider, has introduced Sophos Managed Detection and Response (MDR) for Microsoft Defender. This comprehensive managed service offers robust threat response capabilities to organizations utilizing Microsoft Security. By integrating with Microsoft’s suite of endpoint, SIEM, identity, and cloud solutions, Sophos MDR for Microsoft Defender adds an essential layer of protection against data breaches, ransomware, and other cyberattacks.

According to Raja Patel, Senior Vice President of Products and Managed Services at Sophos, relying solely on baseline security technology is insufficient to combat determined attackers. To address this challenge, organizations require a human layer of security that can conduct threat hunts, identify attacker behaviors, and respond to attacks promptly and effectively.

Sophos aims to support organizations by providing the necessary security measures without requiring them to replace their existing technologies. This approach presents significant opportunities for channel partners delivering Microsoft Security solutions to ensure their customers are fully protected and deriving maximum value from their deployments.

Sophos MDR for Microsoft Defender leverages telemetry from various Microsoft Security tools, offering broader support compared to other MDR offerings. It encompasses Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, Identity, Cloud, Cloud Apps, Azure Active Directory’s Identity Protection, Office 365 Security and Compliance Center, Microsoft Sentinel, and Office 365 Management Activity. By consolidating and correlating data from these sources and combining it with insights from the Sophos Adaptive Cybersecurity Ecosystem and the Sophos X-Ops threat intelligence unit, the MDR operations team can identify and mitigate more threats than what Microsoft Security tools or any single security technology can achieve independently.

IDC research reveals that despite substantial investments in cybersecurity tools, 65% of organizations have experienced significant ransomware incidents in the past year. Frank Dickson, Group Vice President for IDC’s Security and Trust research practice, suggests that this problem often stems from a lack of resources and overwhelmed IT and security teams. Sophos MDR, particularly for organizations leveraging the Microsoft security stack, assists in realizing the desired outcomes from existing cybersecurity investments, addressing the challenges faced by these teams.

Kieron Newsham, Chief Technologist – Cyber Security at Softcat, emphasizes the importance of human intervention in thwarting advanced threats, even with advancements in technologies like extended detection and response (XDR) and generative AI. Newsham praises Sophos MDR for helping customers overcome talent shortages and skills gaps, regardless of their size, structure, or previous technology investments, resulting in optimal cybersecurity outcomes.

Sophos MDR is widely adopted, with over 17,000 customers across industries of all sizes. It has received top ratings and positive reviews, making it the most highly regarded MDR solution on Gartner Peer Insights and G2. Notably, Sophos MDR can be seamlessly integrated with third-party security deployments and other vendor telemetry sources, including Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google, CrowdStrike, Palo Alto Networks, Fortinet, Check Point, Okta, Darktrace, and more, through the Sophos Marketplace.