?? Unifying Security Operations with Microsoft Sentinel and Microsoft Defender XDR

In today’s cyber threat landscape, organizations — from small businesses to large enterprises — need real-time detection, AI-powered threat response, and complete visibility into their security operations. This is where Microsoft Sentinel and Microsoft Defender XDR come together as a powerful security solution.

? What Are Microsoft Sentinel and Microsoft Defender XDR?

Microsoft Sentinel (SIEM & SOAR)

• Cloud-native Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) and Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR) tool
• Collects, detects, investigates, and responds to threats
• Works across cloud, on-premises, and hybrid environments

Microsoft Defender XDR (Extended Detection and Response)

• Provides unified threat protection across endpoints, email, identity, apps, and cloud services
• Includes Defender for Endpoint, Office 365, Identity, Cloud Apps, and more
• Detects attacks, provides rich contextual alerts, and takes proactive protection measures

? Why Should You Integrate Sentinel with Defender XDR?

? Who Should Use This Integration?

? How to Set Up Microsoft Sentinel with Microsoft Defender XDR

?? Step 1: Prerequisites

• Azure subscription
• Sentinel instance with Log Analytics
• Defender XDR license active
• Admin permissions

?? Step 2: Connect Microsoft 365 Defender to Sentinel

• Go to Sentinel → Data connectors
• Search and select “Microsoft 365 Defender”
• Enable the connection and choose the services (Endpoint, Identity, Cloud Apps)
• Configure log collection

?? Step 3: Validate Data Ingestion

Run KQL query in Sentinel:

SecurityAlert | where ProductName == "Microsoft 365 Defender"

?? Step 4: Configure Automation

• Create Playbooks in Sentinel using Azure Logic Apps
• Examples: Auto-isolate infected machine, disable user account, notify teams

?? Step 5: Monitor and Respond

• Use Sentinel’s unified portal to view incidents, investigate, and hunt threats
• Correlate Defender alerts with data from other tools (firewalls, IoT, Azure resources)

? What Happens During a Real-Time Attack or Breach?

?? 1. Detection (Defender XDR)

• Detects malware, phishing, privilege escalation, suspicious logins
• Alerts generated in real-time

?? 2. Alert Sent to Sentinel

• Sentinel receives the alert
• AI-driven analysis checks for related incidents or coordinated attacks

?? 3. Automated Response

• Optional automated actions trigger: Isolate infected device Disable user account Block attacker’s IP Notify SOC

?? 4. Incident Creation

• Incident created with full details: Attack timeline Impacted systems/users Suggested response actions

?? 5. Recovery and Learning

• Restore systems
• Investigate the root cause
• Update detection rules

? Example Attack Scenario with Microsoft Sentinel + Defender XDR

? Key Technologies and Ports Involved

? Challenges You Might Face

• Data overload if not tuned properly
• Requires initial investment and training
• Automation should be tested to avoid impacting business-critical systems
• Dependency on Defender licensing and correct API permissions

? Conclusion: Why It’s Worth Adopting

Microsoft Sentinel + Defender XDR gives you:

? 24x7 real-time monitoring

? AI-driven insights and detection

? Automated responses that reduce manual effort

? Complete visibility from endpoints to the cloud

? Scalable protection for any business size