Managing Security Using Microsoft Defender XDR for MS-102
Threats are evolving faster than most security teams can respond—and Microsoft Defender XDR is where modern detection happens. This focused course walks you through real-world threat scenarios, unified security operations, and the practical skills you’ll need to manage enterprise security effectively. You’ll leave with hands-on confidence in XDR deployment and incident response.
AIU.ac Verdict: Ideal for security professionals preparing for MS-102 or those managing Microsoft security stacks in production environments. The course is lean and practical, though it assumes foundational Azure and Microsoft 365 knowledge—beginners may need prerequisite grounding first.
What This Course Covers
You’ll explore Microsoft Defender XDR’s core capabilities: unified threat detection across endpoints, email, cloud apps, and identity. The course covers incident investigation workflows, alert triage, automated response actions, and integration with your existing security infrastructure. Liam Cleary walks you through real attack scenarios and shows you how to configure detection rules, tune false positives, and escalate critical threats.
Practical application focuses on day-one tasks: setting up XDR dashboards, responding to detected threats, and understanding how XDR correlates signals across your Microsoft environment. You’ll see how this fits into broader security operations and why unified detection matters when you’re managing multiple attack surfaces.
Who Is This Course For?
Ideal for:
- Security Operations Centre (SOC) analysts: Need hands-on XDR skills to investigate incidents and manage alerts efficiently in Microsoft-heavy environments.
- Microsoft 365 and Azure security administrators: Responsible for threat detection and response across cloud and hybrid infrastructure; MS-102 exam candidates.
- Security engineers transitioning to detection and response: Want practical XDR knowledge without deep prerequisite study; benefit from Cleary’s real-world incident examples.
May not suit:
- Security beginners with no Microsoft platform experience: Course assumes working knowledge of Azure, Microsoft 365, and basic security concepts; not an introductory primer.
- Non-Microsoft security practitioners: Focused entirely on XDR within the Microsoft ecosystem; limited value if your stack is Splunk, Elastic, or third-party SIEM.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Managing Security Using Microsoft Defender XDR for MS-102 take?
1 hour 3 minutes of video content. Most learners complete it in one sitting or across two focused sessions.
Do I need to pass an exam after this course?
No exam is included. However, the content aligns with MS-102 (Microsoft 365 Certified: Enterprise Administrator Expert) exam objectives, making it excellent exam prep alongside official Microsoft Learn modules.
What prerequisites should I have?
Foundational knowledge of Microsoft 365, Azure AD, and basic security concepts (alerts, incidents, threat detection) is assumed. If you’re new to Microsoft cloud services, start with Microsoft Learn’s Azure fundamentals first.
Will I get hands-on lab access?
Yes. Pluralsight includes sandbox environments and hands-on labs with your course access, allowing you to practise XDR workflows in a safe, isolated setting.
Who is Liam Cleary?
Liam Cleary is a Microsoft security expert and Pluralsight course author. He’s among the top 5.5% of instructors accepted to create content on the platform, bringing real-world incident response and XDR deployment experience.
Course by Liam Cleary on Pluralsight. Duration: 1h 3m. Last verified by AIU.ac: March 2026.
