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MDR for Microsoft Environments: 24/7 SOC Monitoring & Response

Our 24/7 Security Operations Centre monitors your Microsoft environment using Sentinel and Defender, with tiered incident response capabilities matching your needs. From automated containment to full Digital Forensics & Incident Response, we provide complete security coverage without the need for internal SOC staff.

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Protecting Microsoft environments worldwide
Sentinel & Defender certified specialists
24/7 SOC coverage
Microsoft-native attacks demand Microsoft-native defence.

Why Microsoft Environments Need Specialised MDR

Lose the Translation Layer

Generic MDR providers use platform-agnostic tools with translation layers that add latency and complexity. Microsoft-native MDR uses Sentinel, Defender, and Microsoft threat intelligence natively, delivering faster detection, contextual response, and lower total cost.

Seconds Matter. Detect Faster

Organisations using Microsoft-native MDR detect threats 3x faster than those relying on generic SIEM platforms. When seconds matter during an active breach, native integration isn't a nice-to-have - it's critical.

Microsoft-Specific Expertise

Microsoft ecosystems have unique attack vectors. Entra ID credential attacks, Exchange Online phishing, and Azure resource misconfigurations. These threats demand Microsoft-specific expertise. Your environment runs on Microsoft, so your MDR should too.

Real results: We've helped clients reduce mean time to respond (MTTR) from 8 hours to 45 minutes by eliminating the translation layer between Microsoft security tools and MDR operations.

A proactive approach combining investigation, correlation, and response.

How Our Microsoft-First MDR Service Works

Microsoft-First, SMB-Ready

Our 24/7 SOC team monitors Microsoft Sentinel SIEM plus the full Defender suite: Defender for Endpoint, Defender for Cloud, Defender for Office 365, and Entra ID Protection. Every security signal from your Microsoft environment flows into a unified view.

TTP-Driven Detection & Threat Hunting

Automated threat detection runs continuously using Microsoft threat intelligence, custom KQL detection rules tailored to your environment, and behavioural analytics that understand normal vs. suspicious activity in Microsoft 365 and Azure.

Proven Analysts, Proven Process

Our SOC team brings 100,000+ hours of experience. Every incident feeds content back into detections, so your defenses continuously improve. You receive weekly threat reports summarising detected threats, response actions, and security posture trends.

Work with analysts certified across the entire Microsoft ecosystem.

Sentinel, Defender & Expert SOC Team

Microsoft Sentinel SIEM

  • Custom KQL detection rules built for your environment
  • Optimised data ingestion from Microsoft 365, Azure, Defender suite, and on-premises systems
  • Automated playbooks using Logic Apps for instant threat response
  • Threat intelligence feeds from Microsoft's global SOC network

Defender Suite Integration

All integrated into a single threat detection fabric:

  • Defender for Endpoint monitors devices and servers for malware, ransomware, and suspicious behaviour
  • Defender for Cloud protects Azure workloads and detects misconfigurations
  • Defender for Office 365 stops phishing and email-borne threats
  • Entra ID Protection identifies risky sign-ins and compromised identities

24/7 SOC Analysts

  • Continuous threat monitoring
  • Alert triage separating real threats from false positives
  • Deep-dive investigation into confirmed incidents
  • Escalation pathways for critical threats
  • Proactive threat hunting to find threats that evade automated detection

Incident Response

  • Active containment of confirmed threats
  • Remediation guidance tailored to your environment
  • Post-incident analysis documenting attack chain, impact, and lessons learned
  • Continuous improvement recommendations based on real-world threats targeting your organisation

Reporting & Compliance

  • Real-time dashboards showing security posture and active investigations
  • Weekly threat summaries for IT teams
  • Monthly executive reports with strategic security insights
  • Compliance-ready logs for ISO 27001, SOC 2, GDPR, NIS2, and DORA requirements

Choose Your Protection Level

All plans include 24/7 monitoring of your Microsoft environment (endpoints, identities, email) with custom detection rules. Plans differ by human response coverage and protection depth.

MDR Essential

Automated detection with business-hours analyst support. Your SOC handles triage and investigation - you handle containment.


SOC coverage: Business hours
Response model: Escalation + guidance
Communication: Email & ticket support

Technology

  • Endpoint Protection - Microsoft Defender for Endpoint P2 monitoring with business-hours analyst support
  • Email Security - AI-powered phishing and malware detection
  • Advanced Identity Protection - Sign-in monitoring with Conditional Access
  • Centralised Security Hub - All alerts in one platform

What You Get

  • 24/7 automated threat detection
  • Business hours SOC analyst monitoring
  • Alert triage by our analysts
  • Deep-dive investigation (we analyse the threat)
  • Escalation to your team with remediation guidance
  • Weekly security report
  • Monthly detection tuning
  • Email & ticket support
Book Assessment
ENTERPRISE-GRADE

MDR Elite

Full 24/7 human response with DFIR retainer, named analyst, and network-level protection. Enterprise-grade security operations.


SOC coverage: 24/7 human response
Response model: Full containment + DFIR
Communication: Named analyst + priority escalation

Technology

  • Complete Endpoint Protection - Microsoft Defender for Endpoint P2 with 24/7 threat hunting and immediate response
  • Email & Cloud App Security - Extends to SaaS apps like SharePoint, Teams, OneDrive
  • Full Identity Protection Suite - Just-in-time admin access & automated access reviews
  • Network-Level Security - DNS filtering blocks threats before they load
  • Extended Security Hub - 12-month log retention for compliance

What You Get

Everything in Professional, plus:

  • 24/7 human triage & response (round-the-clock coverage)
  • DFIR: 10 hours/month included
  • Named security analyst assigned to your account
  • Priority escalation & dedicated IR team on-call
  • Regulator-ready incident reporting (GDPR, NIS2)
  • Quarterly strategic security review & roadmap
Elite Advantage: 10 hours/month DFIR retainer included. Network-layer protection blocks threats at DNS level before they reach endpoints. 24/7 human response team ready for critical incidents.
Book Assessment

Ready for 24/7 protection? Book a security assessment and we'll recommend the right protection level based on your environment, compliance requirements, and risk profile. Book Assessment →

The Microsoft-First MDR difference.

Platform Integration & Response Speed

Platform Integration (Native vs Generic)

No third-party agents required. Sentinel and Defender are native Microsoft tools. No compatibility issues, no additional licensing overhead, no integration projects. Everything works out of the box because it's designed to work together.

Unified threat telemetry provides a single pane of glass across Microsoft 365, Azure, on-premises Active Directory, and connected SaaS applications. When an attack spans email (Office 365), identity (Entra ID), and cloud resources (Azure), we see the full kill chain instantly. Generic MDR providers see disconnected alerts.

No translation layer Tenant-tuned analytics Direct Microsoft signals

Response Speed & Automation

Automated response through Sentinel playbooks and Logic Apps means threats are contained in under 2 minutes. A compromised user account? Instantly revoke sessions, block sign-ins, reset credentials. A malware-infected device? Automatically isolate from network, quarantine files, initiate scan.

Manual response takes 45+ minutes. Automated response happens while the attacker is still in reconnaissance.

< 15 min MTTD ~ 1 hr containment Playbooks + human

Microsoft-Specific Threat Coverage

Entra ID credential abuse, Exchange Online phishing and mailbox rules, Azure misconfigurations. Microsoft ecosystems have unique attack paths. Our detections and playbooks cover these patterns first, then extend to third-party integrations as needed.

Entra & CA policies Exchange anti-BEC Azure misconfig coverage
Respond to threats in minutes. Not hours or days.

Reduced Dwell Time, Faster Response, Lower Risk

< 15 min
Median Time to Detect (MTTD)
~ 1 hour
Critical Containment Window
+12-25
Secure Score Improvement (first 90 days)

Reduced Dwell Time

Native Microsoft signals (Defender, Entra ID, M365, Sentinel) plus ATT&CK-mapped analytics reduce noise and surface real threats fast. We tune detections to your environment so the SOC triages meaningful alerts in minutes, not hours. The result: dwell time drops and attacker opportunities shrink.

Faster Response

For confirmed critical threats, we initiate containment in roughly an hour using native controls and Sentinel playbooks (Logic Apps): device isolation, token revocation, account disable, mailbox quarantine, Conditional Access blocks, and more. Hands-on remediation then closes the root cause based on your plan (we guide or we fix).

Lower Risk Over Time

MDR isn't just alerting. Every month you'll see Secure Score gains, reduced false positives, and fewer incidents. We align hardening with your Microsoft roadmap (Intune compliance, identity protection, CA baselines), so risk drops while your team stops getting paged for noise.

Dwell Time Target Cut from days to minutes
Critical Threat Containment ~1 hour using native Microsoft controls and Logic Apps
Secure Score Improvement Typically improves as hardening work is completed

Figures are targets, not guarantees; your results depend on current posture and licensing.

From first call to full coverage in 4-8 weeks.

From Assessment to 24/7 Protection

1-2 weeks

Security Assessment

We baseline your current security posture, identify gaps in Microsoft 365 and Azure configurations, evaluate existing security tools, and define your specific MDR requirements.

1-2 weeks

Sentinel & Defender Deployment/Optimisation

Deploy Microsoft Sentinel if needed, or optimise your existing deployment. Configure data connectors for Microsoft 365, Azure, Defender suite, and on-premises systems. Tune detection rules to your environment. Build automated response playbooks.

2-4 weeks

Security Hardening

Close critical security gaps identified in assessment. Implement MFA, conditional access, email security hardening, and Azure security policies. Establish security baseline that MDR monitors and protects.

1 week

MDR Onboarding

SOC team learns your environment, business processes, and escalation procedures. Test playbooks and alert tuning. Conduct dry-run incidents. Establish communication channels and reporting cadence.

Ongoing

24/7 Monitoring Begins

Full MDR protection activates. Continuous monitoring, threat detection, incident response, and ongoing optimisation. Your security improves continuously as we tune detection, add new threat intelligence, and adapt to evolving risks.

Fully operational 24/7 SOC

Typical timeline: 4-8 weeks

From initial assessment to full MDR protection. We guide you through every step. No technical debt, no surprises, no gaps in coverage.

Choose the right level of threat monitoring and response for your team.

MDR vs Managed Sentinel: Which Service Do You Need?

MDR for Microsoft

Choose MDR if you need:

24/7 threat detection and response

Active monitoring, threat hunting, incident investigation, and hands-on containment. Your security team gets alerts and escalations, we handle the SOC operations.

Proactive threat hunting

Our analysts actively search for threats that evade automated detection, investigating suspicious patterns and anomalies across your Microsoft environment.

Incident response capabilities

When threats are detected, our SOC team contains them immediately by isolating devices, blocking users, revoking sessions, and provides full incident reports and remediation guidance.

Complete security operations coverage

Sentinel deployment, data connector optimisation, detection rule tuning, 24/7 monitoring, threat hunting, incident response, and continuous improvement. All included.

Managed Sentinel

Choose Managed Sentinel if you need:

Sentinel platform management and optimisation

We deploy, configure, and tune your Sentinel workspace: data connectors, KQL detection rules, playbooks, cost optimisation. Your team handles alert monitoring and incident response.

Cost reduction and efficiency

We optimise Sentinel data ingestion to reduce costs by 30-40%, eliminate alert noise by 70%, and improve detection accuracy, then hand over a well-tuned platform for your team to monitor.

Platform expertise without 24/7 operations

You want Sentinel deployed correctly and optimised continuously, but you'll handle security monitoring with your internal team or another MDR provider.

Quick Comparison

Aspect MDR for Microsoft Managed Sentinel
Core Service 24/7 threat detection & response Platform deployment & optimisation
Who monitors alerts? Our SOC team (24/7) Your team
Incident response included? Yes (tier-dependent) No - guidance only
Threat hunting included? Yes (tier-dependent) No
Best for Organisations needing complete SOC outsourcing Organisations with internal security teams needing Sentinel expertise

Can't decide?

Many clients start with Managed Sentinel to get the platform optimised, then upgrade to full MDR when they're ready for 24/7 threat detection and response coverage.

Clear onboarding, transparent pricing, and predictable protection.

Managed Detection and Response (MDR) Simplified

What is MDR for Microsoft?

MDR (Managed Detection & Response) for Microsoft is a 24/7 Security Operations Center (SOC) service that monitors your Microsoft 365, Azure, and on-premises environments using Sentinel and Defender, with expert SOC analysts responding to threats in real time. Unlike traditional security monitoring, MDR includes active threat hunting, incident investigation, and hands-on response to contain and remediate threats.

How is Microsoft-native MDR different from generic MDR?

Microsoft-native MDR leverages Sentinel, Defender for Endpoint, Defender for Office 365, and Microsoft threat intelligence natively – no third-party agents or translation layers. This delivers faster detection (native API access vs. polling), contextual response (understanding Microsoft-specific attack patterns), and lower total cost.

What Microsoft security tools do you use for MDR?

Our MDR service is built on Microsoft Sentinel (SIEM), Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, Defender for Cloud Apps, Defender for Office 365, Defender for Identity, and Entra ID Protection. These tools are fully integrated to provide comprehensive visibility across your entire Microsoft estate, from email to endpoints to cloud workloads.

What's the difference between MDR Essential and MDR Professional?

MDR Essential provides business-hours SOC analyst monitoring with alert triage and deep-dive investigation. When we detect a real threat, we escalate to your team with detailed remediation guidance. You perform the containment. This is ideal for organizations with internal IT/security staff who can execute response actions.

MDR Professional adds extended coverage hours (Mon-Fri, 07:00-22:00) and we perform the containment for you: device isolation, user blocking, session revocation, without requiring action from your team. Professional also includes proactive threat hunting. This is true “hands-off” managed security.

What's the difference between MDR and Managed Sentinel?

MDR (Managed Detection & Response) is a full 24/7 Security Operations Center (SOC) service. We continuously monitor your environment, hunt for threats, triage alerts, and perform active incident response and containment when needed.

Managed Sentinel, on the other hand, focuses on the platform itself – we handle deployment, configuration, rule tuning, and data optimization within Microsoft Sentinel, while your internal team manages the day-to-day monitoring and response.

What's the path from assessment to full MDR service?

We start with a Security Assessment to establish your baseline security posture and identify gaps. Next comes Sentinel and Defender deployment or optimization, followed by security hardening to close critical vulnerabilities. Finally, we onboard your environment to our 24/7 MDR service with continuous monitoring, threat hunting, and incident response. Typical timeline is 4-8 weeks from assessment to full protection.

Will this help us with ISO 27001, GDPR, or NIS2?

Yes. MDR supports many of the technical and operational controls auditors look for: continuous monitoring, logging, alerting, incident handling, access oversight, and forensic evidence. We provide audit-friendly reports and incident documentation.We help you meet controls – you still own policies, lawful basis, and governance work.

How long do you retain logs?

Essential – Microsoft default retention (30 days)
Professional – Microsoft default retention
Elite – 12-month retention included (Sentinel/Archive)

Longer retention is available as an add-on.

What’s not included by default?

We don’t replace IT operations (patching, backups, identity lifecycle), write policies, or manage breach notifications, but we will guide and support you at every step.