Mimecast and Microsoft Defender: A Powerful New Cyber Integration

Cyber threats are evolving faster than ever, and no single tool — no matter how advanced — can catch everything. That’s why collaboration between trusted cyber security vendors has become essential. The newly launched integration between Mimecast and Microsoft Defender is a perfect example of this shift: two powerful platforms now sharing threat intelligence to deliver smarter, faster, and more comprehensive protection for businesses.

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What This Blog Covers:

• A New Era of Integrated Threat Intelligence
• Protecting Your Supply Chain Starts with Smarter Security
• One Dashboard, Clearer Decisions, Stronger Protection
• You’ve Got Microsoft Defender — So Why Add Mimecast?
• The ROI of Layered Security
• Your People: Your Greatest Defence — and Biggest Risk
• How Babble Turns Integration into Impact
• The Future of Cyber Security Is Collaboration
• Where to Start with the Mimecast–Microsoft Integration
  

A New Era of Integrated Threat Intelligence

The new Mimecast–Microsoft Defender integration takes the threat intelligence that Microsoft receives through Defender and layers it into Mimecast’s human risk and email protection systems. It’s a clever way of joining data together to give organisations a fuller, more accurate picture of risk.

In essence, this means that the two systems exchange cyber threat intelligence in real time. Defender detects and analyses threats across endpoints, devices, and networks. Mimecast takes that same intelligence and applies it to the human layer — email, user behaviour, and training — so the two systems talk to each other and work in harmony.

This means that when Microsoft identifies a potential threat, Mimecast can use that data to:

• Identify risky users who may be targeted or vulnerable.
• Trigger proactive training through Mimecast Engage.
• Feed intelligence back into Defender for improved overall protection.

Historically, cyber security tools operated in silos — each working independently and often creating visibility gaps. Integrations like this are closing those gaps by connecting endpoint, email, and user data into a full picture of risk.

Protecting Your Supply Chain Starts with Smarter Security

Email remains one of the most common entry points for cyber attacks, especially those using social engineering tactics. We’re seeing a lot of impersonation-based attacks. Bad actors are opening the door to organisations through simple process flaws or convincing emails. Without automation and integration between tools, it’s easy for threats like that to slip through.

These attacks don’t just target large enterprises. In fact, SMBs are often seen as the easiest way into bigger organisations (a tactic known as ‘island hopping’). Now, larger customers are sending out detailed security questionnaires to their suppliers, asking how you manage email security, endpoint protection, and training. In these cases, if you can’t demonstrate a joined-up approach, you could lose valuable contracts.

One Dashboard, Clearer Decisions, Stronger Protection

Now, if you’re running an SMB, chances are you don’t have the luxury of having a dedicated cyber security team monitoring dashboards all day. The Defender-Mimecast integration allows you (or your managed provider) to see threats, risks, and user behaviour through one lens, rather than switching between disconnected systems. This interoperability also strengthens supply chain security that larger enterprises expect from their smaller suppliers.

Even if you do have an IT manager or team in your organisation, “alert fatigue” is real. Dozens of warnings, logs, and notifications can overwhelm even the most experienced IT managers. By pulling data into a unified Mimecast dashboard, you can cut through the noise and focus on what requires immediate attention. Instead of chasing every alert, you get a clear story about which users, devices, or departments pose the greatest risk and why.

You’ve Got Microsoft Defender — So Why Add Mimecast?

Now, I’ve recently had a lot of conversations with customers who tell me: “We’ve already got Microsoft security, do we really need anything else?” It’s a fair question, and I understand the logic. Microsoft 365 has become the cornerstone of modern business, and with Defender built in, it already provides a strong layer of protection. But here’s the truth: Microsoft (or any other solution for that matter) can’t be an expert in every area of cyber security.

That’s where partnerships like the new Mimecast and Microsoft Defender integration come in. By combining Microsoft’s world-class endpoint protection with Mimecast’s unmatched email and human risk intelligence, we finally have a way to close the gaps that single-vendor setups often leave wide open.

The ROI of Layered Security

Another objection I hear all the time is: “We can’t justify another security spend this year.” Understandably so, given how stretched budgets are across the board. However, integrating Mimecast and Microsoft Defender doesn’t mean buying two completely new tools. It’s about getting more value out of what you already have.

Most of our customers are surprised to learn that enabling the integration costs only a few extra pounds per user, per month. And when you look at the risk reduction it delivers, it practically pays for itself. Think of it as paying a little extra to connect two powerful systems and give them the context they need to work smarter together. It’s not about replacing Microsoft: it’s about helping it do its job even better.

Your People: Your Greatest Defence — and Biggest Risk

One of the most valuable outcomes of this partnership is the ability to pinpoint which users present the greatest risk to the organisation. No matter what or how many cyber security tools you have in place, people remain both the strongest line of defence and the biggest security risk.

We often say that 80% of threats come from 8% of users – and if you zero in on that cohort, just one person who clicks on a phishy link could put the entire business (and your customers) in jeopardy. Herein lies the problem: most organisations don’t actually know who that 8% are.

Mimecast Engage – a user awareness training tool, now enhanced with data from Microsoft Defender – helps you identify the employees most at risk. They could be the ones who click links too quickly, use weak passwords, or handle sensitive information daily. This solution can even simulate phishing exercises to help employees recognise and resist attacks before they cause damage.

Defender identifies threats coming from devices and endpoints, while Mimecast maps that intelligence against user behaviour. This reveals patterns that help security teams focus their efforts where it matters most. And for small businesses with limited IT staff, this combined visibility reduces manual monitoring and speeds up response time — all from a single, unified view in the Mimecast dashboard.

Once you know who’s vulnerable, you can focus your efforts where they’ll make the biggest impact.

How Babble Turns Integration into Impact

At Babble, we believe in forming valuable partnerships and not just working with any vendor. With this in mind, we’ve built deep expertise in both Microsoft and Mimecast, meaning we can help you deploy, configure, and optimise the integration without needing a full-time in-house IT team.

We act as your managed cyber security partner, ensuring that:

• Threat intelligence is shared effectively between tools.
• Dashboards are properly configured for visibility.
• Users are trained and aware of their responsibilities.

For us, the integration also makes our job more powerful: now we see where risks begin, how they spread, and who needs support. That allows us to spot risks faster, correlate incidents more accurately, and offer guidance tailored to your business.

The Future of Cyber Security Is Collaboration

If there’s one takeaway I want business owners to remember, it’s this: cyber security isn’t about buying more tools — it’s about connecting the ones you already have. For too long, products have lived in silos. Each claimed to be the “silver bullet,” but the reality is that true protection comes from integration and collaboration between platforms.

At Babble, we’re already seeing the light bulb go on for our customers who’d like us to help them take advantage of this integration. They used to ask, “Why do I need Mimecast if I already have Microsoft?” Now they see that these tools don’t compete: they complement each other perfectly.

This Mimecast–Microsoft Defender partnership marks a turning point – especially as cyber attacks become more targeted and human-focused. It proves that when vendors work together, the result is stronger protection for everyone.

Where to Start with the Mimecast–Microsoft Integration

If your business is looking to enhance its cyber security posture without adding complexity and keeping costs manageable, this integration offers the best of both worlds: Microsoft’s comprehensive detection capabilities combined with Mimecast’s industry-leading email and human risk protection.

Here’s what I recommend to get started:

1. Review your current setup: Are your Microsoft Defender and Mimecast systems connected and sharing intelligence?
2. Assess your human risk: Use dashboards to identify the 8% of users responsible for 80% of threats.
3. Engage your people: Run awareness campaigns and phishing simulations on Mimecast Engage tailored to your riskiest users.
4. Simplify management: Consider working with a managed provider like Babble to oversee configuration and monitoring.

Cyber security can be a daunting feat, but you don’t have to do it alone. With the right integrations and the right partner, you can build resilience, reduce stress, and protect your business from all angles.