How to Choose Between Microsoft 365 Native and Third-Party Security
Summary
The article compares Microsoft 365’s native security with third-party suites, outlining tradeoffs in detection, email protection, compliance, staffing and recovery. It recommends assessing licenses and operational needs, and provides hardening steps including MFA, email
Key points
- Microsoft’s native security can provide strong protection when organizations license, configure, tune, monitor and operate the relevant tools effectively.
- Defender XDR can correlate signals across endpoints, identities, email and applications in Microsoft-heavy environments.
- Third-party tools may add independent email protection, backup and recovery, compliance support, permission management or centralized administration; the article promotes Hornetsecurity 365 Total Protection as one example.
- The comparison recommends evaluating threat detection, email protection, EDR/XDR, compliance, staffing effort, licensing, cost and vendor independence.
- Suggested security steps include enforcing MFA and conditional access, reviewing privileged roles, configuring Defender for Office 365, monitoring sign-ins and inbox rules, and reviewing external sharing.
- The article advises independently backing up Microsoft 365 data when needed and testing restores, alongside user training and rehearsed incident-response plans.
Article Details
- Topic
- Comparing Microsoft 365 native security with third-party security solutions, focusing on protection, operational requirements, compliance, and recovery.
Vendors
Products
365 Total ProtectionHornetsecurity 365 Total Protection is a comprehensive solution specifically designed for Microsoft 365 users who seek the best features of the platform.Microsoft 365 Apps for EnterpriseMicrosoft 365 native vs third-party security is not a winner-takes-all debate; it is a fit-for-purpose decision.Microsoft Defender AntivirusMicrosoft provides its own antivirus solution known as Microsoft Defender Antivirus.Microsoft Defender for Office 365related E5 security bundles can include Microsoft Entra ID Plan 2, Defender for Endpoint Plan 2, Defender for Office 365 Plan 2, Defender for Identity and Defender for Cloud Apps.Microsoft Defender SuiteThe broader Microsoft Defender Suite (previously Microsoft 365 E5 Security) can enhance security for endpoints, email, identities, and cloud applications, while enabling cross-domain investigations through MicrosoftMicrosoft Defender XDRemail, identities, and cloud applications, while enabling cross-domain investigations through Microsoft Defender XDR, based on the licenses and services in use.Microsoft Entra IDWindows, Microsoft Entra ID, Exchange Online, SharePoint, Teams, Intune, Microsoft Purview and the Defender services can share signals inside the same ecosystem.Microsoft IntuneMicrosoft’s broader security stack also includes Microsoft Purview for data protection and compliance, and Microsoft Intune for endpoint management.Microsoft PurviewWindows, Microsoft Entra ID, Exchange Online, SharePoint, Teams, Intune, Microsoft Purview and the Defender services can share signals inside the same ecosystem.