Microsoft Security Experts service brings together human expertise and security technologies

Updated May 9, 2022 at 8 PM: This piece had been updated to specify Cybersecurity Ventures as the source of statistics regarding the cost of cybercrime.

Microsoft just announced a new service category called Microsoft Security Experts. It combines human-led service with security technologies to help companies and organizations improve security. Microsoft Corporate Vice President, Security, Compliance, Identity, and Management Vasu Jakkal announced the new service category and detailed its components in a new post.

Microsoft Security Experts consists of three services: Microsoft Defender Experts for Hunting, Microsoft Defender Experts for XDR, and Microsoft Security Services for Enterprise.

Microsoft Defender Experts for Hunting is for customers that already have a security operations center, but that want assistance from Microsoft when it comes to proactively hunting for threats. The service protects Office 365, cloud applications, and other endpoints. Microsoft has experts on demand as part of the service to consult with regarding security threats.

Microsoft Defender Experts for XDR is aimed at extending security operations centers. XDR stands for extended detection and response. The service detects threats and responds across Microsoft 365 Defender. Both automation and human expertise are utilized by the service to help teams respond to issues.

Microsoft Security Services for Enterprise combines proactive threat hunting and managed XDR. It also has dedicated security experts from Microsoft to help organizations.

Cybercrime is expected to cost $10.5 trillion around the globe annually by 2025, which is a dramatic increase compared to the $6 trillion cost seen in 2021, according to Cybersecurity Ventures.

According to Microsoft, the tech giant blocked over 9.6 billion malware threats and more than 35.7 billion phishing attacks lazy year. Additionally, the company tracks more than 35 ransomware families and 250 unique threat actors. Microsoft Security blocks more than 900 brute force password theft attempts every second as well.

"Wherever you are in your security journey, Microsoft Security Experts will meet you there, whether you need additional security expertise, help with specific technologies, or guidance in navigating new security challenges," said Jakkal. "Leveraging industry-leading technology, the best defenders from Microsoft and our partner community, and the most comprehensive threat intelligence in the world, we can build a safer world for everyone, together."

Jakkal and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella will speak at the Microsoft Security Summitt on May 12, 2022. Jakkal promised "cool things" at the Microsoft Security Hub, though the VP didn't share any more details.