Microsoft Sentinel

What is Microsoft Sentinel?

Microsoft Sentinel is Microsoft's cloud native SIEM on Azure, with scalable analytics, automation (SOAR) and deep Microsoft and Defender integration, the natural choice for Microsoft and cloud centric security teams. A cloud native, scalable SIEM and SOAR, it collects security data from across cloud and on premise, applies analytics, machine learning and threat intelligence for detection, and automates response with playbooks, all delivered as an Azure service with elastic scale and per GB pricing. Integrated tightly with Microsoft Defender, Entra and the Microsoft security stack, and connecting to many non Microsoft sources, Sentinel suits organisations in Azure and Microsoft environments and those wanting cloud native SIEM. For cloud native SIEM in Azure, Sentinel is a leading choice.

Microsoft Sentinel's distinction is cloud native, scalable SIEM with SOAR and deep Microsoft integration, on usage based pricing. As an Azure service it scales elastically without infrastructure to run, integrates tightly with Defender, Entra and Microsoft security signals (with some Microsoft 365 data ingested free), and bills per GB, which suits Microsoft and cloud centric teams. That cloud native delivery, Microsoft integration and SOAR set it apart.

Who Microsoft Sentinel is best for

Microsoft Sentinel is best for organisations in Azure and Microsoft environments, and cloud centric security teams, that want a scalable, cloud native SIEM with SOAR and deep Defender and Microsoft integration, on usage based pricing. It suits Microsoft and cloud security teams. It is a weaker fit for teams wanting on premise SIEM, those outside the Microsoft ecosystem preferring neutral tools, or very cost sensitive high volume environments where per GB ingest adds up, where open Elastic Security may fit.

Key features

The core strengths are cloud native, scalable collection and analytics, machine learning and threat intelligence for detection, UEBA, and automation and orchestration (SOAR) with playbooks, delivered as an Azure service, with deep Microsoft Defender, Entra and Microsoft security integration and many data connectors. Sentinel offers elastic scale and per GB pricing. Its cloud native delivery, Microsoft integration and SOAR are its defining advantages.

Microsoft Sentinel pricing

Microsoft Sentinel is usage based, priced mainly per GB of data ingested (with commitment tiers for discounts and some Microsoft 365 data available free), plus Azure Monitor Log Analytics costs, so there is no infrastructure to buy but cost scales with ingest. Pricing is transparent but grows with data volume, a key consideration. Model your ingest. Confirm current figures on the Sentinel pricing page.

Integrations and ecosystem

Sentinel integrates deeply with Microsoft Defender, Entra ID, Azure and the Microsoft security stack, and connects to many non Microsoft sources via data connectors, with a content hub of detections and playbooks. Its deep Microsoft integration plus broad connectors, which unify Microsoft and third party security signals in a cloud native SIEM, are a signature strength.

Sentinel and cloud native SIEM

Cloud native delivery with Microsoft integration is the signature strength: Sentinel runs as an elastic Azure service with no infrastructure to manage, integrates tightly with Defender and Microsoft signals, and includes SOAR, so Microsoft and cloud centric teams get scalable SIEM within their environment, paying per GB. For them, this is the main reason to choose Sentinel.

Ease of use and support

Sentinel is well rated for cloud native scale, Microsoft integration, real time monitoring and SOAR, with easier setup than legacy SIEMs and Microsoft support. Its G2 reviews praise Microsoft integration, cloud scale and automation, with per GB cost at high volume and Azure focus the main considerations.

Is Microsoft Sentinel worth it?

For organisations in Azure and Microsoft environments and cloud centric security teams that want scalable, cloud native SIEM with SOAR and deep Defender integration, Microsoft Sentinel is a leading choice. The main caution is per GB cost at high data volumes and Azure focus, so very cost sensitive high volume teams may prefer open Elastic Security, and non Microsoft teams neutral tools, but for cloud native SIEM in Azure Sentinel leads.