RemoteEndpoint protection
Antivirus is the floor. Someone watching the alerts is what stops attacks.
Modern attacks use normal admin tools and scripts that antivirus does not flag. EDR spots the behaviour, and MDR puts a person on the alert at 2am. Here is the difference, what Microsoft Defender for Business already gives you, what to roll out and in what order, and a quick check of your coverage.
Microsoft Defender features from Microsoft Learn, checked 30 October 2026.
- AV vs EDR vs MDR
- What Defender covers
- Nine-point coverage check
Reviewed by Blake Bath, General Manager, on 30 October 2026.
Three layers
Antivirus, EDR and MDR are layers, not rivals.
Each adds something the one below cannot do.
Antivirus
Blocks known malicious files. Misses attacks that use normal tools, scripts and stolen logins.
- Known malware
- Signatures and reputation
- The floor
EDR
Watches behaviour, flags suspicious activity and keeps a timeline. Can isolate a device and roll back changes.
- Behaviour detection
- Investigation timeline
- Included in Business Premium
MDR
EDR with analysts watching 24/7, who confirm real threats and contain them on your behalf.
- Around the clock
- Real alerts only
- Acts without waiting
Endpoint coverage check
How complete is your endpoint protection?
Tick what is true today. The gaps are where an attacker would get further than they should.
Tick what is true for your devices today.
Where you stand
0of 9 controls in place
9 gaps to close.
- EDR on every workstationOne unprotected laptop is enough.
- EDR on every serverAttackers move from laptops to servers, where the data is.
- Macs covered tooMacs get compromised too.
- Tamper protection onAttackers try to disable security tools first.
- Attack surface reduction rules onStops common techniques before detection is needed.
- Someone watching 24/7An alert at 2am on Saturday is worthless if read on Monday.
- Automatic isolation allowedMinutes matter once something runs.
- Every device checking inBroken agents look like quiet devices.
- No local admin for staffMost malware needs admin rights to do real damage.
Already in Business Premium
What Microsoft Defender for Business gives you.
- Next-generation antivirusCloud-backed protection on Windows, Mac, iOS and Android.
- Endpoint detection and responseBehaviour alerts, device timelines and the ability to isolate a device.
- Automated investigation and responseMany alerts are investigated and fixed automatically.
- Attack surface reduction rulesBlock risky Office, script and macro behaviour before it runs.
- Tamper protectionStops staff and malware switching protection off.
What it does not include is people watching the alerts out of hours. That is the gap MDR fills.
What we run
Defender as the base, with people watching it.
For managed clients, Guardz runs our managed detection and response, with SentinelOne on devices and a follow-the-sun team of analysts watching around the clock. Some clients still run Huntress while they move across. Defender for Business comes with Business Premium and stays switched on underneath.
Whichever tools you choose, the questions that matter are the same: is every device covered, can protection be switched off, and who acts on an alert at night.
Rollout
Rolling out endpoint protection in six steps.
- Step 1Inventory
Every laptop, desktop, server and Mac.
- Step 2Pilot
IT and a small group first, to tune false alarms.
- Step 3Roll out in waves
Through Intune or your management tool, checking each device reports in.
- Step 4Harden
Tamper protection on, ASR rules on, local admin removed.
- Step 5Automate response
Allow automatic isolation of compromised devices.
- Step 6Add 24/7 eyes
MDR if you do not have your own night shift.
Related guides
Endpoints are one layer. These are the others.
Identity, backup and response sit alongside endpoint protection.
Get help your way
Six ways to reach us. Pick whichever suits you.
Helpdesk hours are Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm AEST. On Advantage and above, emergencies get a response within 1 hour and outages within 2, with 24/7 best-effort escalation.
- Call 07 3114 2808
An engineer answers Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm AEST. After hours, weekends and public holidays, Chip, our AI agent, answers on the same number or on 07 3180 0965, logs it and escalates urgent incidents to the on-call engineer.
Call now - Email the helpdesk
Send it to helpdesk@realbytes.com.au and a ticket is logged straight away, with a reference number you can quote.
Email us - Client portal
Log and follow your tickets, see what we are working on and who has it.
Open the portal - Remote support
When an engineer asks to see your screen, start a secure session here. You start it, so nobody sees your screen until you do.
Start a session - Chat in Microsoft Teams
Clients can message Chip, our AI assistant, in Teams to log a request without leaving their desk.
How clients reach us - Service status
Check whether Microsoft 365 or another cloud service is down before you lose an hour troubleshooting.
See live status
Questions
What people ask about endpoint protection.
What is the difference between antivirus, EDR and MDR?
Antivirus blocks known malicious files. EDR, endpoint detection and response, watches what programs do, flags suspicious behaviour and records a timeline you can investigate. MDR, managed detection and response, is EDR with people watching it around the clock who can isolate a device and act for you.
Is Microsoft Defender enough for a small business?
Defender for Business, included in Microsoft 365 Business Premium, gives you proper EDR with automated investigation and response. What it does not give you is a person watching alerts at night. That is what an MDR service adds.
What does Real Bytes use?
Guardz runs our managed detection and response, with SentinelOne on devices and analysts watching around the clock. Some clients still run Huntress while they move across, and Defender for Business comes with Business Premium. We recommend the mix after seeing your setup.
Do servers need EDR as well as laptops?
Yes. Attackers usually land on a laptop and move to a server, because that is where the data and the admin accounts are. Servers need the same coverage, and someone watching them.
Do Macs need endpoint protection?
Yes. Macs are attacked too, and the main EDR products all support macOS. Cover every Mac with the same tool as your Windows machines so alerts land in one place.
Next step
Who is watching your alerts tonight?
We will check every device is covered and protected from tampering, and put analysts on your alerts around the clock.
Keep reading
Reviewed by Blake Bath, General Manager, on 30 October 2026. Defender for Business features from Microsoft Learn. Real Bytes' platform details as published on our MDR page. Checked 30 October 2026. Microsoft Learn, Microsoft Defender for Business overview; Microsoft Learn, Attack surface reduction; Microsoft Learn, Tamper protection; ASD, Essential Eight