Deploy Microsoft Defender for Identity to detect and investigate identity-based threats in hybrid environments with a practical rollout and operational handover.
Microsoft Defender for Identity (MDI) is a cloud-based security solution designed to help protect hybrid environments by monitoring on?premises Active Directory signals and correlating them with cloud identity insights. Microsoft describes MDI as integrated with Microsoft Defender XDR, enabling security teams to identify, detect, and investigate advanced threats that target identities.
LW IT Solutions delivers MDI as a production-ready identity detection capability. We design the deployment plan, implement the required accounts and permissions, deploy sensors (domain controller sensors and/or standalone sensors where appropriate), validate health and coverage, and operationalise alerts and investigation workflows. The result is an identity security capability that improves detection of privilege escalation and lateral movement patterns while fitting cleanly into your SOC/IT operating model.
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Service Overview
Highlights
- Readiness assessment: estate scope (domains/DCs), prerequisites, permissions, and network connectivity requirements
- Workspace setup and role design in the Microsoft Defender portal (least privilege and separation of duties)
- Directory Service account setup (read access to monitored domains) aligned to Microsoft guidance
- Sensor deployment plan: domain controller sensors and/or standalone sensors depending on architecture
- Health validation: coverage, sensor status, time sync considerations, and signal quality checks
- Alert and incident workflow: severity mapping, triage rules, suppression strategy, and escalation model
- Operational handover: runbooks, investigation patterns, and governance cadence for continuous tuning
Business Benefits
- Detect identity-based attacks that target Active Directory and hybrid identity pathways
- Improve investigation efficiency through integration with Microsoft Defender XDR experiences
- Reduce risk by identifying easily exploited identity issues and prioritising remediation
- Strengthen operational readiness with documented runbooks and repeatable investigation workflows
Typical use cases
- Hybrid organisations with on?premises Active Directory needing improved identity threat detection
- Post-incident programmes focusing on lateral movement and privilege escalation detection
- Preparing for audits and customer assurance requiring stronger identity monitoring controls
- Integrating identity detections into a unified SOC workflow via the Microsoft Defender portal (and Sentinel where applicable)
Objectives & deliverables
What Success Looks Like
- A production-ready Defender for Identity deployment with validated sensor health and coverage
- An operational alert/incident workflow aligned to your SOC and escalation model
- Documented runbooks and ownership model so the solution remains effective over time
What You Get
- MDI readiness and deployment plan (scope, prerequisites, access model, rollout sequencing)
- Configured roles and required accounts (including Directory Service account approach)
- Deployed sensors for the agreed scope with validated health and telemetry
- Alert triage model (severity mapping, routing, suppression strategy) aligned to your operations
- Runbooks and handover (operations, troubleshooting, investigation patterns, and governance cadence)
How It Works
- Discovery and readiness - confirm AD topology, in-scope domain controllers, access model, and prerequisites.
- Design - define sensor strategy, account model, rollout plan, and incident workflow.
- Pilot - deploy sensors to a controlled scope; validate health, signal quality, and alert behaviour; tune as needed.
- Scale - expand sensor coverage in phases; operationalise triage and response workflows.
- Handover - deliver runbooks, training, and a cadence for tuning and continuous improvement.
Engagement Options
- MDI Readiness Assessment (prereqs + rollout plan + risks)
- MDI Pilot Deployment (controlled sensor rollout + workflow design)
- MDI Rollout Programme (phased deployment at scale with tuning and governance)
- Operate (ongoing tuning, health monitoring, and investigation support)
Additional Information
Prerequisites & licensing
Microsoft documents specific prerequisites for deploying Defender for Identity sensors (including roles/permissions and sensor requirements that vary by sensor version). During discovery we validate prerequisites, sensor version strategy, and required connectivity, then design the rollout accordingly.
- We confirm required roles in the Defender portal and access to create/configure the MDI workspace.
- We validate Directory Service account requirements and permissions for monitored domains.
- We validate sensor prerequisites and choose an appropriate rollout strategy (domain controller sensor and/or standalone sensor).
Common Bundles
Customers who use this service often bundle with these services
Zero Trust Architecture & Hardening
Design and implement a Microsoft aligned Zero Trust programme covering identity, devices, least privilege access, segmentation, and continuous monitoring.
Secure Score Assessment & Remediation
Baseline Microsoft Secure Score, prioritise improvement actions, and deliver a staged remediation backlog that drives measurable security posture uplift.
Defender for Endpoint (EDR)
Deploy and operationalise Defender for Endpoint with phased onboarding, tuned policies, and clear triage workflows across managed device estates.
Sentinel Deployment & Integration
Deploy Microsoft Sentinel with structured data onboarding, workspace design, RBAC, and detection content so your SOC operates effectively and predictably.
Frequently Asked Questions
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