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Microsoft Defender for Identity Implementation — AD Threat Detection

Microsoft Defender for Identity Implementation is a 14-day service for organizations deploying Defender for Identity within their infrastructure. IT Partner assesses the tenant, determines sensor resource needs, configures Defender for Identity settings, connects the instance to Windows Server Active Directory, installs sensors, and sets up monitoring protocols to support threat detection and incident response. SKU: ITPWW250SECOT. Price: $2,900 per project. Manager: Roman Sotnik.

Timeline 14 daysService owner Roman SotnikOffice 365microsoft 365

What this engagement is

This service deploys Microsoft Defender for Identity within the organization's infrastructure. Defender for Identity provides visibility into user and entity activities across the network by analyzing authentication and authorization signals to identify potential threats and suspicious behaviors. IT Partner performs an assessment, configures Defender for Identity based on the environment, connects it to Windows Server Active Directory, installs sensors, sets portal preferences, and implements monitoring protocols for threats identified by Defender for Identity.

Success criteria

01Enhanced visibility into user and entity activities, enabling proactive threat detection.
02Swift incident response capabilities, reducing potential security risks.
03Integration of Defender for Identity into the existing security ecosystem, ensuring seamless operation alongside other security tools.

What you receive

Detailed assessment of the tenant and determination of the resources needed for Microsoft Defender for Identity sensors.
Defender for Identity settings configured based on the assessment and aligned with the organization's environment.
Defender for Identity instance created.
Defender for Identity instance connected to Windows Server Active Directory.
Defender for Identity sensors installed.
Portal and setting preferences set up.
Monitoring protocols implemented to detect and respond to potential threats identified by Defender for Identity.

How the work unfolds

Plan Defender for Identity Capacity.

Plan capacity requirements for Defender for Identity.

Create a Defender for Identity instance.

Create the Defender for Identity instance.

Connect an instance to Windows Server Active Directory.

Connect the Defender for Identity instance to Windows Server Active Directory.

Install Defender for Identity sensors.

Install Defender for Identity sensors.

Set up the portal and setting preferences.

Set up the Defender for Identity portal and preferences.

Prerequisites

Enterprise Mobility + Security E5 (EMS E5/A5), Microsoft 365 E5 (M365 E5/A5/G5) or Microsoft 365 E5/A5/G5 Security. Standalone Defender for Identity licenses are also available.
For more information about license requirements, see [Licensing and privacy](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/defender-for-identity/technical-faq#licensing-and-privacy).

Who does what

IT Partner

  • Perform a detailed assessment of the tenant and determine what resources you need for your Microsoft Defender for Identity sensors.
  • Configure Defender for Identity settings based on the assessment, ensuring optimal alignment with the organization's environment.
  • Implement monitoring protocols to detect and respond to potential threats identified by Defender for Identity.

Your team

  • Grant necessary access and permissions to the IT Partner for the deployment process.
  • Collaborate with the IT Partner during the configuration phase, providing insights into specific environment requirements.

What's not included

Microsoft Defender for Identity licenses, Microsoft 365 licensing, Azure consumption, or any other Microsoft subscription costs.
Ongoing managed SOC/NOC monitoring, continuous monitoring, 24x7 support, 24x7 alert triage, ongoing maintenance, incident response retainer, forensic investigation, or breach remediation after project completion are not included by default. These may be available as optional extra-cost add-ons delivered through IT Partner's NOC, third-party support partnerships, and a Microsoft Premier Support agreement.
Remediation of security findings, Active Directory hardening, privileged access redesign, identity governance, or broader security program work unless separately scoped.
Domain controller upgrades, operating system patching, server hardware or virtual machine provisioning, storage expansion, or remediation of unhealthy Active Directory/domain controller conditions.
Network, firewall, proxy, VPN, DNS, or routing changes beyond reasonable configuration guidance required for Defender for Identity connectivity.
Custom integrations with third-party SIEM/SOAR platforms, ticketing systems, data lakes, or non-Microsoft security tools unless explicitly added to the scope.
Microsoft Sentinel deployment, Defender XDR implementation, Defender for Endpoint deployment, or configuration of other Microsoft security workloads outside Defender for Identity.
Large-scale deployment to additional forests, domains, sites, or server roles not identified during the initial assessment, unless agreed as part of the project scope.
Formal administrator training, end-user training, custom runbooks, custom reporting packs, or compliance documentation beyond normal implementation handover.

Limitations & technical notes

!Defender for Identity primarily monitors on-premises identity signals from Windows Server Active Directory and related components. Cloud-only identity activity may require Microsoft Entra ID, Microsoft Defender XDR, or other Microsoft security services for full visibility.
!Detection coverage depends on which domain controllers and identity infrastructure components are connected and monitored. Domain controllers or forests without sensors or supported connectivity may have limited or no Defender for Identity visibility.
!Defender for Identity requires supported server operating systems, adequate CPU/memory/network capacity for sensors, and reliable outbound connectivity to Microsoft cloud services. Proxy or firewall restrictions may affect deployment and alerting.
!Alert quality depends on available authentication, authorization, and directory activity signals. Defender for Identity improves detection but does not guarantee that all threats, misconfigurations, or suspicious activity will be detected.
!Some detections rely on behavioral learning and may require time after deployment before alerts are fully representative of the environment. Initial tuning and validation may be required to reduce noise or false positives.
!Sensor installation is normally planned to minimize business impact, but prerequisite installation, server condition, security software conflicts, or required maintenance windows may affect scheduling and could require server restarts in some environments.
!Complex Active Directory environments, including multiple forests, untrusted domains, segmented networks, legacy domain controllers, AD FS, or AD CS, may require additional design and implementation effort beyond a standard fixed-scope deployment.
!The 14-day duration assumes timely customer access, approvals, licensing readiness, domain controller availability, and network connectivity. Delays in permissions, change windows, or environment remediation may extend the timeline.
!Defender for Identity data processing, retention, and privacy behavior are governed by Microsoft service terms and configuration options. Customers should validate regulatory and data residency requirements with their compliance team.

Frequently asked questions

What is included in the Microsoft Defender for Identity Implementation service?

The Microsoft Defender for Identity Implementation service includes tenant assessment, capacity planning for Defender for Identity sensors, creation of the Defender for Identity instance, connection to Windows Server Active Directory, sensor installation, portal and preference configuration, and monitoring protocol setup. IT Partner also configures Defender for Identity settings based on the organization’s environment to support threat detection and incident response.

How long does the Microsoft Defender for Identity Implementation take?

Microsoft Defender for Identity Implementation is a 14-day service. The timeline covers assessment, planning, instance creation, Active Directory connection, sensor installation, portal configuration, and monitoring protocol setup within the stated project scope.

How much does the Microsoft Defender for Identity Implementation cost?

The Microsoft Defender for Identity Implementation service is priced at $2,900 per project. The listed SKU is ITPWW250SECOT, and the service manager is Roman Sotnik.

What is Microsoft Defender for Identity used for in this implementation?

Microsoft Defender for Identity is used to provide visibility into user and entity activities across the network by analyzing authentication and authorization signals. In this service, IT Partner deploys and configures Defender for Identity so the organization can detect suspicious behavior and support incident response.

What are the main deliverables of this Defender for Identity deployment?

The deliverables include a detailed tenant assessment, resource planning for Defender for Identity sensors, configured Defender for Identity settings, a created Defender for Identity instance, connection to Windows Server Active Directory, installed sensors, portal preference setup, and implemented monitoring protocols. These deliverables are intended to integrate Defender for Identity into the organization’s existing security environment.

What prerequisites are required before starting the Defender for Identity implementation?

The organization must have appropriate licensing, such as Enterprise Mobility + Security E5/A5, Microsoft 365 E5/A5/G5, Microsoft 365 E5/A5/G5 Security, or standalone Defender for Identity licenses. Microsoft licensing requirements should be confirmed against Microsoft’s Defender for Identity licensing and privacy documentation before the engagement begins.

Does this service include Defender for Identity licensing?

The service description lists licensing as a prerequisite and does not state that licenses are included in the $2,900 project price. Customers should confirm licensing status with IT Partner before the project starts, because Defender for Identity requires eligible Microsoft licensing or standalone Defender for Identity licenses.

What does IT Partner assess before deploying Defender for Identity?

IT Partner performs a detailed assessment of the tenant and determines the resources needed for Microsoft Defender for Identity sensors. This assessment is used to align Defender for Identity settings and sensor planning with the organization’s infrastructure.

Will IT Partner connect Defender for Identity to Windows Server Active Directory?

Yes. A stated deliverable of the service is connecting the Microsoft Defender for Identity instance to Windows Server Active Directory, because Defender for Identity relies on Active Directory-related authentication and authorization signals for threat detection.

Are Defender for Identity sensors installed as part of the service?

Yes. IT Partner installs Microsoft Defender for Identity sensors as part of the implementation after planning the required capacity and resources. Sensor installation is one of the defined milestones and deliverables of the engagement.

What configuration is performed in the Defender for Identity portal?

IT Partner sets up Defender for Identity portal and setting preferences as part of the service. The configuration is based on the assessment and is intended to align Defender for Identity with the organization’s environment and monitoring needs.

What monitoring setup is included after Defender for Identity is deployed?

IT Partner implements monitoring protocols to detect and respond to potential threats identified by Microsoft Defender for Identity. The service scope covers setup of these protocols, but continuous monitoring, 24/7 support, 24x7 alert triage, and ongoing maintenance after project completion are not included by default. These may be available as optional extra-cost add-ons delivered through IT Partner's NOC, third-party support partnerships, and a Microsoft Premier Support agreement.

What responsibilities does IT Partner handle during the engagement?

IT Partner assesses the tenant, determines sensor resource needs, configures Defender for Identity settings, creates and connects the Defender for Identity instance, installs sensors, sets portal preferences, and implements monitoring protocols. IT Partner’s responsibilities focus on deployment and configuration within the customer’s infrastructure.

What responsibilities does the customer have during the Defender for Identity implementation?

The customer must grant the necessary access and permissions for IT Partner to perform the deployment. The customer also needs to collaborate during configuration by providing information about environment-specific requirements.

Will this service integrate Defender for Identity with our existing security ecosystem?

The service is intended to integrate Defender for Identity into the existing security ecosystem so it can operate alongside other security tools. The exact integrations beyond the stated Defender for Identity deployment and Active Directory connection are not specified, so any required third-party or advanced integrations should be confirmed with IT Partner.

Does the service include incident response after threats are detected?

The service includes implementation of monitoring protocols to detect and respond to potential threats identified by Defender for Identity. The description does not define a separate ongoing incident response retainer or managed security service as included by default. Post-project incident response, continuous monitoring, 24/7 support, and ongoing maintenance may be available as optional extra-cost add-ons delivered through IT Partner's NOC, third-party support partnerships, and a Microsoft Premier Support agreement.

Is downtime expected during the Defender for Identity implementation?

The service description does not state expected downtime or business impact. Because the implementation includes connecting to Windows Server Active Directory and installing sensors, any maintenance windows, operational impact, or downtime assumptions should be confirmed with IT Partner during planning.

What is not included in the Microsoft Defender for Identity Implementation service?

The service does not include Defender for Identity licensing, Microsoft 365 licensing, Azure consumption, remediation of security findings, broader Microsoft security configuration, third-party integrations, or ongoing managed monitoring by default. Continuous monitoring, 24/7 support, 24x7 alert triage, ongoing maintenance, and incident response retainers may be available as optional extra-cost add-ons delivered through IT Partner's NOC, third-party support partnerships, and a Microsoft Premier Support agreement.

What happens after the 14-day Defender for Identity implementation is completed?

After completion, the organization should have Defender for Identity deployed, connected to Windows Server Active Directory, sensors installed, portal preferences configured, and monitoring protocols implemented. Ongoing support, continuous monitoring, 24/7 support, and ongoing maintenance after completion are not included by default, but may be available as optional extra-cost add-ons delivered through IT Partner's NOC, third-party support partnerships, and a Microsoft Premier Support agreement.

Who should buy this Microsoft Defender for Identity Implementation service?

This service is suited for organizations that want to deploy Microsoft Defender for Identity within their infrastructure and improve visibility into user and entity activities. It is especially relevant for organizations using Windows Server Active Directory and holding eligible Defender for Identity licensing through Microsoft 365, EMS, Microsoft 365 Security, or standalone licenses.

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