Guardian360 vs Microsoft Defender
Works alongside Microsoft Defender
Guardian360 works alongside Microsoft Defender, covering the ground that vendor leaves open. Microsoft’s XDR/EDR/MDR platform with Secure Score, automatic attack disruption and Security Copilot in M365 E5.
What Microsoft Defender is good at
Microsoft Defender is deeply integrated with the Microsoft stack, with native Secure Score, automatic attack disruption and Security Copilot in E5. It is powerful for Microsoft-standardised organisations, though US-owned and licence-complex.
Side by side
How they compare
| Guardian360 | Microsoft Defender | |
|---|---|---|
| Company origin & data residency | Netherlands, EU-only | US vendor; EU data boundary emerging |
| Partner model | Partner-only | Direct + partner |
| Deployment approach | Agentless SaaS | Agent required on endpoints |
| Compliance coverage | 25+ frameworks, continuously mapped | M365 Compliance Manager only |
| Intrusion detection | Built-in honeypots | Endpoint EDR; no honeypots |
| Microsoft 365 insight | Included | Native M365 Secure Score |
| Container & cloud scanning | Planned for 2026 | Azure Defender supports containers |
| Mobile app | Yes (Android & iOS) | Via Microsoft 365 Admin / Security App |
| Automation & ease of use | High | Integrated but complex licensing |
| Pricing / MSP model | MSP pricing per employee / IP | Per-user licensing; enterprise focus |
| Auto-remediation | Partner-guided | Automatic isolation & patching |
| Free trial / quick scan | Yes, incl. free WordPress plugin | Part of M365 trial |
| Smallest client size | From 10 employees / IPs | 1 user (minimum) |
| Data sovereignty (EU-only) | Yes | No (US ownership) |
| Supply-chain compliance | Yes, NIS2/Cbw + CRA questionnaires | No |
Based on publicly available information at the time of writing. Vendors evolve quickly, always verify the latest details with each provider.
When Microsoft Defender may fit better
Organisations standardised on Microsoft E5 that want native endpoint XDR and Secure Score within the Microsoft stack.
When Guardian360 fits better
Organisations that want an independent, EU-owned view across scanning, compliance mapping, honeypot detection and Microsoft 365, vendor-neutral and partner-delivered.
Common questions
Guardian360 vs Microsoft Defender, answered
Does Guardian360 replace Microsoft Defender?
No. Guardian360 gives an independent view (including M365 insight) across scanning, compliance and detection. It complements Defender rather than replacing endpoint XDR.
Why an independent tool if we use Microsoft?
A vendor-neutral, EU-owned platform avoids grading your Microsoft posture only with Microsoft’s own tools, and adds scanning, detection and 25+ framework mapping.
See it on your own environment
Run a free Quickscan, start a trial, or talk to a partner. Guardian360 is delivered exclusively through our partners.