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Microsoft, IBM Partner on Enterprise Cloud Security

Another partnership agreement between IBM and Microsoft promises to extend the reach of the latter's cloud security portfolio.

The two companies on Monday announced a "strengthened cybersecurity collaboration" aimed at buttressing their joint customers' cloud environments. Previously, they had announced a separate AI partnership via the IBM Copilot Runway program.

As described by IBM, the new partnership entails IBM folding Microsoft security products -- namely Microsoft Sentinel, Microsoft Defender XDR and Microsoft Defender for Cloud -- into its Threat Detection and Response (TDR) Cloud Native solution.

TDR Cloud Native uses AI to monitor customers' cloud environments, helping automate the process of detecting and responding to security threats. Included in the service is round-the-clock security monitoring from IBM Consulting agents.

"By leveraging the full range of Microsoft's security portfolio, the TDR Cloud Native service effectively protects Microsoft cloud environments for clients," IBM said in its announcement. "In recognition of its tight integration with the Microsoft Security platform, the service achieved Microsoft MXDR verified solution status."

The two companies are also partnering to provide customers with a streamlined identity management solution. This solution is built on Entra, Microsoft's family of identity and access management tools for cloud, hybrid cloud and multicloud environments.

The identity management aspect of the partnership aims to help organizations navigate "the identity landscape and costs associated with running multiple identity tools and services, resulting in a more optimized, cost effective, and secured service for clients."

More information on the IBM-Microsoft security partnership is available here.

About the Author

Gladys Rama (@GladysRama3) is the editorial director of Converge360.

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