Independent Advisory Research — March 2026

Security Licensing
Unbundled:
Microsoft’s Security Suite vs. Best-of-Breed

Microsoft positions its integrated security stack as a cost-saving consolidation play. This guide provides a head-to-head cost and capability analysis, identifies where Microsoft excels versus where it falls short, and delivers three unbundling strategies that save 25–45% versus full Microsoft consolidation.

$43+
Microsoft full security stack
per user per month
$24–$35
Best-of-breed equivalent
per user per month
65%
Of enterprises where
Microsoft stack costs more
180+
Security licensing
assessments completed
Free Download

Get the Security Licensing Guide

Domain-by-domain cost comparison, Sentinel cost modelling, where Microsoft excels vs. falls short, 3 unbundling strategies at 25–45% savings, 8 consolidation traps.

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What's Inside

The security licensing analysis Microsoft’s consolidation pitch conveniently omits

This is not a product comparison. It’s an independent, domain-by-domain cost and capability analysis that tests Microsoft’s consolidation narrative against real enterprise data — and shows you how to unbundle what you actually need at 25–45% less cost.

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Head-to-Head Cost Analysis

Domain-by-domain cost comparison: EDR, email security, identity, CASB, SIEM, compliance, vulnerability management, and network security. Microsoft vs. CrowdStrike, Proofpoint, Splunk, Palo Alto, and others at negotiated enterprise rates.

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Where Microsoft Excels

Identity protection (Entra ID P2), email security (Defender for O365), cloud app security, and unified management. Four domains where Microsoft’s native integration gives it a genuine, defensible advantage over best-of-breed alternatives.

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Where Microsoft Falls Short

EDR detection depth, SIEM cost predictability (Sentinel), network security, vulnerability management, multi-cloud coverage, and SOC workflow maturity. Six domains where best-of-breed outperforms.

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The Sentinel Cost Problem

Consumption-based SIEM pricing that exceeds initial projections by 40%+ in 58% of deployments. Per-GB cost modelling, commitment tier analysis, and comparison to Splunk, Elastic, and Google Chronicle.

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3 Unbundling Strategies

Selective Microsoft (25–30% savings), hybrid stack (30–40% savings), and full best-of-breed (35–45% savings). Each modelled with blended per-user costs for a 5,000-user enterprise.

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Vendor Independence Guarantee

100% independent. Zero Microsoft, CrowdStrike, Splunk, or security vendor partnership. Based on 180+ security licensing assessments. Every recommendation in your interest — not any vendor’s.

In 65% of security licensing assessments conducted by Redress, the total cost of Microsoft’s full security stack exceeded the total cost of the organisation’s existing multi-vendor architecture. The “consolidation savings” existed only in Microsoft’s TCO model — not in the customer’s actual cost comparison.

REDRESS COMPLIANCE — ORACLE PRACTICE

Evaluating Microsoft Security Consolidation?

Don’t accept Microsoft’s consolidation TCO at face value. This guide gives you the independent cost comparison, capability analysis, Sentinel cost modelling, and three unbundling strategies. Download it and share it with your CISO, CIO, and procurement team before committing.

Get the Guide