Securing hybrid and multicloud environments is more complex than ever. While concerns persist, modern cloud providers implement advanced security features often surpass on-premises solutions, making cloud environments increasingly secure and reliable for critical workloads. Microsoft offers a comprehensive suite of security solutions, and Microsoft Defender for Cloud stands out as a cornerstone technology designed to protect cloud and AI workloads, mitigating emerging challenges throughout the migration process, AI application development, and ongoing operations.
To help you get familiar with infrastructure security fundamentals, Microsoft also offers definitive learning pathways for upskilling your entire IT team on cloud and AI migration and security, as well as our new Azure Essentials guidance to help you elevate the reliability and ongoing performance of your investments. In addition to highlighting the value of Defender for Cloud, this blog will also review our full range of related Plans on Microsoft Learn to aid your team in bolstering the security of your cloud and AI investments, including:
First let’s take a look at why Microsoft Defender for Cloud can transform your organization's security posture and business outcomes.
Comprehensive security across diverse environments
Whether your resources are on-premises, in hybrid configurations, or fully cloud-based, managing security is challenging. Microsoft Defender for Cloud provides unified protection across all platforms, offering consistent security and compliance beyond the surface level. This comprehensive solution remediates threats 30% faster than other solutions, according to a recent Forrester TEI study, delivering a significant net present value of $4.25 million over three years.
Defender for Cloud safeguards all layers of your infrastructure, including your servers, containers, databases, and storage ensures, against evolving threats. With the rise of ransomware and supply chain attacks, this level of protection is crucial to maintain operational continuity and protect sensitive data.
What really sets Defender for Cloud apart is its seamless integration with Azure. Unlike standalone tools, Defender requires no additional deployment—security is built-in and ready to use. This integration removes the hassle of managing multiple security tools, providing your business with end-to-end protection such as:
- Frictionless onboarding and full visibility: With a user-friendly interface, you can quickly onboard and gain a comprehensive view of your security posture to discover vulnerabilities before they become exploitable.
- Native Azure integration: Get immediate, extensive security insights based on Microsoft log analytics and threat intelligence.
- Proactive remediation: By reducing false positives by 50% and cutting remediation times by 30%, Defender allows teams to focus on high-value activities like threat hunting and strategic planning.
- Advanced threat detection: Leverage AI and automation to assess security risks and implement fixes with minimal disruption.
Equip your team with free, expert-curated security knowhow
To understand how security works within Azure comprehensively, your organization should take a multifaceted approach to ongoing protection of your cloud and AI investments. The wide-ranging skilling paths on Microsoft Learn grants your team free, expert-curated knowledge regardless of where you are on your security journey.
Migrate and Secure Windows Server Workloads on Azure
In this Plan on Microsoft Learn, you’ll explore how to migrate physical and virtual Windows Server workloads to Azure, leveraging services like Azure Site Recovery and Azure Virtual Machines. There are also introductions to tools like Azure Monitor, which is able to detect and respond to security threats, breaches, and suspicious activities, and Azure Arc, which includes the functionality of Microsoft Sentinel and Microsoft Defender for Containers.
Migrate Windows Server workloads and VMware solutions to be AI-ready
This Plan on Microsoft Learn looks at the process of migrating VMware resources to Azure by deploying Azure VMware Solution. You’ll learn about Azure Site Recovery for customizing replication, failover, and failback of Azure virtual machines and Azure Backup for protecting your data from ransomware attacks or human error in backup operations.
Migrate Linux and PostgreSQL workloads to maximize workload performance
Discover how to migrate and extend Linux-based workloads on Azure with improved scalability, security, and privacy in this Plan on Microsoft Learn. You’ll get introduced to Azure Database for PostgreSQL, which includes comprehensive security features including encryption, authentication, and granting permissions to database users.
Fortify your defenses against cloud and AI security threats
As organizations fortify their defenses against cloud and AI security threats, the imperative extends beyond traditional safeguards to encompass responsible AI practices—ensuring systems are not only protected but operate within an ethical framework that prioritizes transparency and accountability.
Evolve with gen AI: Operationalize your Azure gen AI solutions with fine-tuning and prompt flow
This Plan on Microsoft Learn will not only guide you through the process of effectively managing and evolving your genAI solutions, but also explores how to ensure model security through versioning and access management by integrating Azure AI Foundry with Azure Security Center. This provides you with data security features like encryption and access control, helping your organizations comply with regulations and build trust in your AI apps. There is also a unit on Azure AI Content Safety, which features advanced algorithms for processing images and text and flagging content that is potentially offensive, risky, or otherwise undesirable.
Maximize your cloud and AI investments with Azure Essentials
We recently introduced Azure Essentials as an all-in-one destination to help our customers maximize the value of their Azure investments with in-depth guidance and support, as well as provide foundational knowledge for building secure cloud and AI solutions.
Elevate reliability, security, and ongoing performance of Azure and AI projects
In this Plan on Microsoft Learn, you'll explore key security concepts, best practices, and how to leverage Azure's built-in security features, empowering you to build secure, reliable, and compliant cloud applications that mitigate risks and protect your organization's valuable data and assets.
Detect and respond to security threats with Microsoft tools and skilling
Security isn’t just about protection—it’s a driver of growth and innovation. Microsoft Defender for Cloud offers the tools to safeguard your cloud and AI environments with advanced threat detection and seamless integration. Ready to strengthen your security posture? Take the next step by exploring Plans on Microsoft Learn for step-by-step guidance and best practices to protect your business while unlocking new possibilities. Start building secure, innovative solutions today!
Published Feb 12, 2025
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