Engineering for Microsoft Defender XDR
SERVICE DESCRIPTION
Engineering for Microsoft Defender XDR is an annual service that designs, deploys, operates, and continuously optimises Microsoft Defender XDR across endpoint, identity, email, and cloud workloads.
Cynode operates Defender XDR as an integrated detection and response platform. We implement and maintain policies, detections, automation, and integrations, and we continuously tune the platform to improve signal quality, response effectiveness, and operational efficiency. The service ensures Defender XDR delivers measurable protection, reduced analyst effort, and sustained risk reduction over time.
WHY IS THIS SERVICE IMPORTANT?
Microsoft Defender XDR delivers the greatest value when its capabilities are fully integrated and actively operated. When signals across endpoints, identities, email, and cloud applications are correlated and acted upon consistently, security teams gain faster visibility, clearer incidents, and more effective response.
Engineering for Microsoft Defender XDR ensures Defender XDR is not only deployed, but continuously operated and optimised as a unified defense layer. By taking responsibility for configuration, tuning, automation, and governance, Cynode enables organisations to reduce investigation time, lower operational overhead, and maintain consistent security readiness as their environment evolves.
WHAT THE SERVICE DELIVERS
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Design and operation of an end-to-end Defender XDR architecture across Endpoint, Identity, Office 365, and Cloud Apps, including Entra ID tenant alignment, secure onboarding, RBAC and PIM configuration, and integration with existing Microsoft and third-party security platforms.
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Implementation and continuous tuning of Defender policy baselines and detections (AV, ASR, Safe Links/Attachments, cloud app controls), combined with alert suppression, threshold calibration, and response logic to improve fidelity while balancing protection and usability.
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Engineering of reliable telemetry flow from Defender into Microsoft Sentinel or third-party SIEM/SOAR platforms, including connector configuration, signal handling, correlation accuracy, and ongoing validation of detections, automations, and response paths.
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Ongoing optimisation of Defender usage, performance, and licensing, supported by access governance, audit controls, dashboards, runbooks, SOPs, and structured knowledge transfer to ensure long-term operational maturity for internal SOC or MDR teams.
KEY BENEFITS
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Unified detection and response across Defender Endpoint, Identity, Office 365, and Cloud Apps
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Reduced false positives through continuous tuning of ASR rules, Safe Links/Attachments, and cloud app policies
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Optimised Defender licensing utilisation and reduced overlapping security tool costs
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Consistent policy enforcement and detection coverage as Microsoft releases new Defender capabilities
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Reliable telemetry flow from Defender XDR into Sentinel or third-party SIEM platforms
WHO SHOULD USE IT
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Organisations using Microsoft Defender as their primary security stack
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Security teams seeking unified detection and response across multiple domains
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SOCs or MDR providers requiring high-quality Defender signals and automation
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Enterprises looking to maximise ROI from Microsoft 365 security investments