Microsoft has announced a significant change in how security teams interact with Microsoft Sentinel. While the Sentinel product itself isn’t going anywhere, the way organisations access and manage it will shift away from the familiar Azure portal and into a unified Defender experience.
By bringing Sentinel under the Microsoft Defender umbrella, Microsoft aims to streamline how security teams monitor, investigate, and respond to threats across endpoints, identities, cloud apps and infrastructure.
Even though the move promises to simplify workflows and speed up incident response, it requires a well-considered approach.
To help you prepare, this blog breaks down what’s changing, what actions you should take now, and how we can support your transition.
What’s new?
In November 2023, Microsoft unveiled a bold strategy to unify security operations by combining the best capabilities of Extended Detection and Response (XDR) and Security Information and Event Management (SIEM). A key milestone in this journey was the integration of Microsoft Sentinel into the Microsoft Defender portal. This consolidation offers security teams a single, unified view of incidents, streamlining queue management, enhancing threat intelligence, accelerating incident response, and allowing Security Operations Centre (SOC) teams to fully leverage the power of generative AI in their daily workflows.
Building on this progress, Microsoft has now entered the next phase of the transition. As of 1 July 2026, the Azure portal for Microsoft Sentinel will be officially retired. To prepare for this change, Microsoft recommends that organisations begin planning their migration and change management efforts now.
Tips for a Successful Migration to Microsoft Defender
Early preparation creates space for workflow validation, training, and process alignment, helping you make the most of the new capabilities and experience. Here are some tips to help you get started with a successful migration to Microsoft Defender.
1. Tap into Microsoft’s Resources
From detailed documentation and step-by-step tutorials to in-product guidance and instructional videos, there’s a wealth of material in Microsoft’s comprehensive support ecosystem available to support your transition. A great place to begin is Microsoft Learn, where you’ll find curated resources tailored to Microsoft Sentinel and Defender.
2. Start Planning Early
It can be helpful to bring key stakeholders, such as SOC leads, IT security teams, MSSPs, and compliance officers, into the conversation early. Taking time to align on timelines, training requirements, and overall organisational readiness can support a smoother transition. Developing a shared roadmap may also help avoid potential delays and ensure the migration becomes a coordinated priority across the organisation.
3. Prepare Your Environment Thoroughly
A well-prepared environment is key to a successful migration. This includes reviewing onboarding prerequisites for Microsoft Sentinel workspaces, defining access controls, and designing your tenant and workspace architecture. Early preparation reduces the risk of disruption and ensures operational continuity.
4. Harness Advanced Threat Detection
The Defender portal brings enhanced threat detection powered by AI and machine learning. Use these capabilities to detect and respond to threats with greater speed and accuracy. By proactively addressing critical alerts, you strengthen your organisation’s overall security posture.
5. Streamline Workflows with Unified Hunting and Incident Management
The unified interface within Microsoft Defender enhances threat detection, investigation, and response workflows. Bringing incidents, alerts, and analysis into a single view helps your team work more efficiently and respond to threats with greater speed and clarity.
6. Optimise for Cost and Coverage
Built-in features such as SOC Optimisation and Summary Rules offer opportunities to manage costs and improve data efficiency. Leveraging these capabilities helps increase visibility, reduce overhead, and maximise the overall value of your SIEM investment.
How CWSI Can Help
At CWSI, we understand that a successful migration to the Microsoft Defender portal is about more than just switching interfaces, it’s an opportunity to rethink, refine, and future-proof your security operations.
With extensive experience across both Microsoft Sentinel and Microsoft Defender, our experts know how to navigate the nuances of each platform and deliver outcomes that align with your security goals.
Whether you’re in the early planning stages or already preparing your environment, we’re here to guide you through the transition and ensure your Sentinel setup is fully optimised for the Defender experience. Fill out the form below to connect with one of our specialists and discover how we can support you throughout and beyond your migration journey.
