Microsoft 365 Defender is a unified security solution designed to protect the Microsoft 365 enterprise environment. Its Microsoft Defender for Endpoint component is specifically responsible for threat and vulnerability management on devices like Windows 11, providing recommendations to improve their security posture.

Microsoft Defender for Cloud serves as a Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) and Cloud Workload Protection Platform (CWPP). Its primary function is to strengthen the security posture of cloud resources. It continuously assesses Azure resources like virtual machines (via Microsoft Defender for Servers) and Storage accounts (via Microsoft Defender for Storage), providing a Secure Score and actionable recommendations to mitigate identified risks.

Microsoft. (2024). What is Microsoft 365 Defender?. Microsoft Learn. Retrieved from learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/security/defender/microsoft-365-defender.

Details: This document states, "Microsoft 365 Defender is a unified pre- and post-breach enterprise defense suite that natively coordinates detection, prevention, investigation, and response across endpoints, identities, email, and applications..." This confirms its role in protecting Windows devices.

Microsoft. (2024). What is Microsoft Defender for Cloud?. Microsoft Learn. Retrieved from learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/defender-for-cloud/defender-for-cloud-introduction.

Details: In the introductory section, it specifies that Defender for Cloud is a "Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) and Cloud Workload Protection (CWP) for all of your Azure, on-premises, and multicloud (Amazon AWS and Google GCP) resources." This establishes its role for Azure resources.

Microsoft. (2024). Overview of Microsoft Defender for Storage. Microsoft Learn. Retrieved from learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/defender-for-cloud/defender-for-storage-introduction.

Details: This page explicitly states, "Microsoft Defender for Storage is an Azure-native layer of security intelligence that detects unusual and potentially harmful attempts to access or exploit your storage accounts."

Microsoft. (2024). Overview of Microsoft Defender for Servers. Microsoft Learn. Retrieved from learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/defender-for-cloud/defender-for-servers-introduction.

Details: This document details how Defender for Cloud provides protection for virtual machines and servers, including "foundational cloud security posture management (CSPM)" and "vulnerability assessment solutions."