Microsoft Defender for Cloud vs Sophos Cloud Optix comparison

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Wiz Logo
Read 11 Wiz reviews
15,070 views|11,203 comparisons
100% willing to recommend
Microsoft Logo
9,753 views|7,518 comparisons
95% willing to recommend
Sophos Logo
413 views|291 comparisons
100% willing to recommend
Comparison Buyer's Guide
Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between Microsoft Defender for Cloud and Sophos Cloud Optix based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out in this report how the two Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) solutions compare in terms of features, pricing, service and support, easy of deployment, and ROI.
To learn more, read our detailed Microsoft Defender for Cloud vs. Sophos Cloud Optix Report (Updated: March 2024).
771,170 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Featured Review
Quotes From Members
We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use.
Here are some excerpts of what they said:
Pros
"The CSPM module has been the most effective. It was easy to deploy and covered all our accounts through APIs, requiring no agents. Wiz provides instant visibility into high-level risks that we need to address.""With Wiz, we get timely alerts for leaked data or any vulnerabilities already existing in our environment.""The automation roles are essential because we ultimately want to do less work and automate more. The dashboards are easy to read and visually pleasing. You can understand things quickly, which makes it easy for our other teams. The network and infrastructure teams don't know as much about security as we do, so it helps to have a tool that's accessible and nice to look at.""Our most important features are those around entitlement, external exposure, vulnerabilities, and container security.""The product supports out-of-the-box reporting with context about the asset and allows us to perform complex custom queries on UI.""The solution is very user-friendly.""The security baseline and vulnerability assessments is the valuable feature.""The first thing that stood out was the ease of installation and the quick value we got out of the solution."

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"Defender is user-friendly and provides decent visibility into threats.""Threat protection is comprehensive and simple.""It is very intuitive when it comes to policy administration, alerts and notifications, and ease of setting up roles at different hierarchies. It has also been good in terms of the network technology maps. It provides a good overview, but it also depends on the complexity of your network.""The most valuable feature is that it's intuitive. It's very intuitive.""The integration with Logic Apps allows for automated responses to incidents.""The entire Defender Suite is tightly coupled, integrated, and collaborative.""One important security feature is the incident alerts. Now, with all these cyberattacks, there are a lot of incident alerts that get triggered. It is very difficult to keep monitoring everything automatically, instead our organization is utilizing the automated use case that we get from Microsoft. That has helped bring down the manual work for a lot of things.""It works seamlessly on the Azure platform because it's a Microsoft app. Its setup is similar, so if you already have a Microsoft account, it just flows into it."

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"The most valuable feature for me would be the solution's endpoint protection.""DLP is a valuable feature that we use a lot for info audits.""The most valuable feature of Sophos Cloud Optix is the simple way to manage my devices on the network. Additionally, it is easy to navigate and has a user-friendly interface."

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Cons
"The remediation workflow within the Wiz could be improved.""Wiz's reporting capabilities could be refined a bit. They are making headway on that, but more executive-style dashboards would be nice. They just implemented a community aspect where you can share documents and feedback. This was something users had been requesting for a while. They are listening to customer feedback and making changes.""Given the level of visibility into all the cloud environments Wiz provides, it would be nice if they could integrate some kind of mechanism to better manage tenants on multiple platforms. For example, let's say that some servers don't have an application they need, such as an antivirus. Wiz could include an API or something to push those applications out to the servers. It would be great if you could remedy these issues directly from the Wiz platform.""The solution's container security could be improved.""We wish there were a way, beyond providing visibility and automated remediation, to wait on a given remediation, due to a critical aspect, such as the cost associated with a particular upgrade... We would like to see preventive controls that can be applied through Wiz to protect against vulnerabilities that we're not going to be able to remediate immediately.""One significant issue is that the searches are case-sensitive, so finding a misconfigured resource can become very challenging.""We would like to see improvements to executive-level reporting and data reporting in general, which we understand is being rolled out to the platform.""The reporting isn't that great. They have executive summaries, but it's only a compliance report that maps all current issues to specific controls. Whether you look at one subscription or project, regardless of the size, you will get a multipage report on how the issues in that account map to that control. Our CSO isn't going to read through that. He won't filter that out or show that to his leadership and say, "Here's what we're doing." It isn't a helpful report. They're working on it, but it's a poor executive summary."

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"As an analyst, there is no way to configure or create a playbook to automate the process of flagging suspicious domains.""From a compliance standpoint, they can include some more metrics and some specific compliances such as GDPR.""Most of the time, when we log into the support, we don't get a chance to interact with Microsoft employees directly, except having it go to outsource employees of Microsoft. The initial interaction has not been that great because outsourced companies cannot provide the kind of quality or technical expertise that we look for. We have a technical manager from Microsoft, but they are kind of average unless we make noise and ask them to escalate. We then can get the right people and the right solution, but it definitely takes time.""There is no perfect product in the world and there are always features that can be added.""Azure is a complex solution. You have so many moving parts.""After getting a recommendation, it takes time for the solution to refresh properly to show that the problem has been eliminated.""Another thing is that Defender for Cloud uses more resources than CrowdStrike, which my current company uses. Defender for Cloud has two or three processes running simultaneously that consume memory and processor time. I had the chance to compare that with CrowdStrike a few days ago, which was significantly less. It would be nice if Defender were a little lighter. It's a relatively large installation that consumes more resources than competitors do.""The solution's portal is very easy to use, but there's one key component that is missing when it comes to managing policies. For example, if I've onboarded my server and I need to specify antivirus policies, there's no option to do that on the portal. I will have to go to Intune to deploy them. That is one main aspect that is missing and it's worrisome."

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"The dashboard and the process for applying policies could be more intuitive. Cloud Optix isn't that difficult once you get the hang of it, but the IT folks managing this want it to be more user-friendly.""The setup was a little bit complex.""There are times when the devices are at maximum capacity, and it takes a while before the device is updated. For example, if the device has a virus, and it's not aligned to connect to the network, even after you've scanned the device, and cleaned out the virus, once the management clears the system to allow it back on the network it takes some time. It can be frustrating when you have your line manager or in management affected trying to access the network."

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Pricing and Cost Advice
  • "The pricing seems pretty simple. We don't have to do a lot of calculations to figure out what the components are. They do it by enabling specific features, either basics or advanced, which makes it easy to select."
  • "The pricing is fair. Some of the more advanced features and functionalities and how the tiers are split can be somewhat confusing."
  • "The pricing is fair and comparable to their competitors. The cost seems to be going up, which is a concern. There are potential savings from consolidating tools, but we're uncertain how Wiz's pricing will change over time."
  • "I wish the pricing was more transparent."
  • "The cost of the other solutions is comparable to Wiz."
  • "Wiz is a moderately priced solution, where it is neither cheap nor costly."
  • More Wiz Pricing and Cost Advice →

  • "I'm not privy to that information, but I know it's probably close to a million dollars a year."
  • "We are using the free version of the Azure Security Center."
  • "Azure Defender is a bit pricey. The price could be lower."
  • "This is a worldwide service and depending on the country, there will be different prices."
  • "Security Center charges $15 per resource for any workload that you onboard into it. They charge per VM or per data-base server or per application. It's not like Microsoft 365 licensing, where there are levels like E3 and E5. Security Center is pretty straightforward."
  • "There is a helpful cost-reducing option that allows you to integrate production subscriptions with non-production subscriptions."
  • "Its pricing is a little bit high in terms of Azure Security Center, but the good thing is that we don't need to maintain and deploy it. So, while the pricing is high, it is native to Azure which is why we prefer using this tool."
  • "I am not involved in this area. However, I believe its price is okay because even small customers are using Azure Security Center. I don't think it is very expensive."
  • More Microsoft Defender for Cloud Pricing and Cost Advice →

  • "Regarding the pricing for Sophos Cloud Optix, I would say that it was a very good price."
  • More Sophos Cloud Optix Pricing and Cost Advice →

    report
    Use our free recommendation engine to learn which Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) solutions are best for your needs.
    771,170 professionals have used our research since 2012.
    Questions from the Community
    Top Answer:Wiz and Lacework sucks... Buy Orca. 
    Top Answer:Whether or not the cost of third-party Cloud Security tools is justified would depend on your specific needs and budget… more »
    Top Answer:With Wiz, we get timely alerts for leaked data or any vulnerabilities already existing in our environment.
    Top Answer:Azure Security Center is very easy to use, integrates well, and gives very good visibility on what is happening across… more »
    Top Answer:The entire Defender Suite is tightly coupled, integrated, and collaborative.
    Top Answer:Our clients complain about the cost of Microsoft Defender for Cloud. Microsoft needs to bring the cost down. What we're… more »
    Top Answer:The most valuable feature for me would be the solution's endpoint protection.
    Top Answer:I guess that customer training is an area that needs improvement. What I've noticed is that we are not best trained for… more »
    Top Answer:Sophos Cloud Optix is the endpoint scanner for the workstations at my company, and they control the firewall and the… more »
    Comparisons
    Also Known As
    Microsoft Azure Security Center, Azure Security Center, Microsoft ASC, Azure Defender
    Learn More
    Interactive Demo
    Wiz
    Demo Not Available
    Sophos
    Demo Not Available
    Overview

    Wiz is a highly efficient solution for data security posture management (DSPM), with a 100% API-based approach that provides quick connectivity and comprehensive scans of platform configurations and workloads. The solution allows companies to automatically correlate sensitive data with relevant cloud context, such as public exposure, user identities, entitlements, and vulnerabilities.This integration enables them to understand data accessibility, configuration, usage, and movement within their internal environments.

    Wiz's Security Graph delivers automated alerts whenever risks emerge, allowing teams to prioritize and address the most critical issues before they escalate into breaches. Furthermore, Wiz ensures rapid and agentless visibility into critical data across various repositories, enabling organizations to easily determine the location of their data assets.

    Wiz Features

    Wiz provides various features in the following categories:

    • Agentless Scanning: The solution can scan every layer of a cloud environment without requiring agents, managing the entire process and providing comprehensive visibility.

    • Workflow Integration: Users can create customized workflows within Wiz to identify and assign actions based on urgency, integrating them with ticketing systems for quick and efficient remediation.

    • Vulnerability Management: Wiz's vulnerability management modules provide detailed analytics and visibility across cloud systems, streamlining the manual process of vulnerability discovery. The automated attack path analysis helps identify risks and trace potential points of exposure, allowing users to understand and mitigate them effectively and proactively.

    • CSPM (Cloud Security Posture Management): Wiz's CSPM module offers instant visibility into high-level risks to an enterprise’s cloud environment, covering all accounts without the need for agents.

    • Out-of-the-Box Reporting and Custom Queries: The service supports comprehensive reporting with asset context, allowing users to perform complex custom queries on the solution’s user-friendly interface.

    • Automation Roles and Dashboards: The solution facilitates automation by providing essential roles and dedicated dashboards that enable teams to understand security information quickly, even those with limited expertise.

    • Contextual Risk Evaluation: The service contextualizes the various components contributing to an issue, providing a risk evaluation framework that helps prioritize remediation efforts.

    • Security Graph and Visibility: Wiz's security graph offers visibility across the entire organization, even with multiple accounts, enabling users to understand their environment and assets effectively.

    The Benefits of Wiz

    Wiz offers the following benefits:


    • Comprehensive agentless scanning

    • Effective identification and mitigation of vulnerabilities

    • Streamlined vulnerability management

    • Robust reporting capabilities and customizable queries

    • Enhanced automation and role-based access control

    • Prioritized risk evaluation for efficient remediation

    • Security posture across multiple accounts

    Reviews from Real Users

    Kamran Siddique, VP Information Security at boxed.com, remarks his company has seen a ROI while using Wiz, as it simplifies the process by integrating multiple useful tools into one solution.

    According to a Senior Security Architect at Deliveroo, Wiz has given their company a fresh approach to vulnerability management, as Wiz's native integrations are extremely useful and paramount to the operational success of their platform.



    Get a demo | Wiz

    Microsoft Defender for Cloud is a comprehensive security solution that provides advanced threat protection for cloud workloads. It offers real-time visibility into the security posture of cloud environments, enabling organizations to quickly identify and respond to potential threats. With its advanced machine learning capabilities, Microsoft Defender for Cloud can detect and block sophisticated attacks, including zero-day exploits and fileless malware.

    The solution also provides automated remediation capabilities, allowing security teams to quickly and easily respond to security incidents. With Microsoft Defender for Cloud, organizations can ensure the security and compliance of their cloud workloads, while reducing the burden on their security teams.

    Easily identify cloud resource vulnerabilities, ensure compliance, and respond to threats faster.

    Sample Customers
    Wiz is the fastest growing software company ever - $100M ARR in 18 months: Wiz becomes the fastest-growing software company ever | Wiz Blog  Discover why companies, including Salesforce, Morgan Stanley, Fox, and Bridgewater choose Wiz as their cloud security partner. Read their success stories here: Customers | Wiz
    Microsoft Defender for Cloud is trusted by companies such as ASOS, Vatenfall, SWC Technology Partners, and more.
    Information Not Available
    Top Industries
    REVIEWERS
    Computer Software Company33%
    Retailer11%
    Outsourcing Company11%
    Manufacturing Company11%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Computer Software Company16%
    Financial Services Firm14%
    Manufacturing Company9%
    Government6%
    REVIEWERS
    Computer Software Company24%
    Agriculture10%
    Consumer Goods Company10%
    Recruiting/Hr Firm10%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Computer Software Company17%
    Financial Services Firm13%
    Manufacturing Company8%
    Government7%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Computer Software Company19%
    Government11%
    Comms Service Provider10%
    Wholesaler/Distributor8%
    Company Size
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business15%
    Midsize Enterprise23%
    Large Enterprise62%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business21%
    Midsize Enterprise15%
    Large Enterprise65%
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business27%
    Midsize Enterprise11%
    Large Enterprise62%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business20%
    Midsize Enterprise14%
    Large Enterprise65%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business35%
    Midsize Enterprise22%
    Large Enterprise43%
    Buyer's Guide
    Microsoft Defender for Cloud vs. Sophos Cloud Optix
    March 2024
    Find out what your peers are saying about Microsoft Defender for Cloud vs. Sophos Cloud Optix and other solutions. Updated: March 2024.
    771,170 professionals have used our research since 2012.

    Microsoft Defender for Cloud is ranked 3rd in Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) with 46 reviews while Sophos Cloud Optix is ranked 25th in Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) with 3 reviews. Microsoft Defender for Cloud is rated 8.0, while Sophos Cloud Optix is rated 8.0. The top reviewer of Microsoft Defender for Cloud writes "Provides multi-cloud capability, is plug-and-play, and improves our security posture". On the other hand, the top reviewer of Sophos Cloud Optix writes "DLP is a valuable feature that we use a lot for info audits". Microsoft Defender for Cloud is most compared with AWS GuardDuty, Prisma Cloud by Palo Alto Networks, Microsoft Defender XDR, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and Microsoft Sentinel, whereas Sophos Cloud Optix is most compared with . See our Microsoft Defender for Cloud vs. Sophos Cloud Optix report.

    See our list of best Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) vendors.

    We monitor all Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.