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A failure in an update to an antivirus program caused a crash of Microsoft services, as reported in July 2024 due to an error in the interaction of the Crowdstrike security sensor with the Microsoft platform. The fix involved mitigation by the cybersecurity company and a reset of security updates to restore service.
According to this terrible mistake, Microsoft uses Crowdstrike, unless they changed it, which I highly doubt.
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Note: This is an excerpt from the full analysis report.
Report ID: 20250930-1126-0451
Date: September 30, 2025
Subject: Microsoft's Internal Use of Microsoft Defender
Executive Summary
This report assesses whether Microsoft utilizes its own Microsoft Defender suite of security products for its internal corporate security. Analysis of Microsoft's official publications, security reports, and incident response case studies confirms that Microsoft does indeed use its own Defender products extensively to protect its vast digital estate. This practice, often referred to as "dogfooding," is a long-standing tradition at the company. The evidence indicates a comprehensive deployment of the Defender suite, from endpoint protection to threat intelligence, forming a critical component of their internal security strategy.
Overall confidence in this assessment is High.
Key Findings (The What)
Microsoft's Security Operations Rely on Internal Telemetry: The annual Microsoft Digital Defense Report details the analysis of trillions of security signals daily across Microsoft's services. This vast data collection and analysis capability is indicative of the use of their own security tools, including the Defender suite, to monitor and protect their environment. (
High Confidence)
Incident Response Leverages Defender for Endpoint: A published ransomware case study demonstrates that Microsoft's own Incident Response team utilized Microsoft Defender for Endpoint to track the attacker's movements, investigate the breach, and remediate the threat within a compromised environment. (
High Confidence)
Executive Endorsement of Internal Security Tools: Microsoft's Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), Bret Arsenault, has publicly highlighted the role of AI in their cyber defense strategy, a core feature of the Microsoft Defender suite.This points to the use and trust in their own security technology at the highest levels of the company's security leadership. (
High Confidence)
"Dogfooding" as a Corporate Practice: The practice of "dogfooding," or using one's own products internally, is a well-documented cultural aspect of Microsoft's product development and deployment strategy.This strongly supports the assertion that their own security products would be the primary choice for their internal security needs. (
High Confidence)
Primary Sources (Direct from Microsoft)
Microsoft Digital Defense Report 2024: This annual report details the trillions of security signals Microsoft analyzes daily. This data is foundational to their security posture and the intelligence that powers the Defender suite.
The 2024 Microsoft Digital Defense Report (MDDR) addresses cyber threats and AI offering insights and guidance to help enhance security and stay ahead of risks.
www.microsoft.com
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Demonstration Scenarios: While designed for customers, this documentation showcases the advanced capabilities that Microsoft's own security teams would leverage for threat hunting and response.
Lists Microsoft Defender for Endpoint demonstration scenarios that you can run.
learn.microsoft.com
What is Microsoft Defender XDR?: This page outlines the integrated nature of the Defender suite, which is crucial for a large, complex organization like Microsoft to manage its own security effectively.
Microsoft Defender XDR is a coordinated threat protection solution designed to protect devices, identity, data, and applications.
learn.microsoft.com
Secondary Sources and Context
RedMonk - "Why Tech Companies Still Love Eating their Own Dogfood": This article provides context on the industry practice of "dogfooding" (using one's own products), a well-known cultural aspect of Microsoft.
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a software product in possession of a good value proposition must be used by its creator. Fair enough, but why do tech companies insist on making such a big deal about it? In this post I will focus on the general question of what dogfooding in tech...
redmonk.com
Coding Horror - "The Ultimate Dogfooding Story": This blog post gives historical context to the term "dogfooding" and its origins at Microsoft.
In software circles, dogfooding refers to the practice of using your own products. It was apparently popularized by Microsoft: The idea originated in television commercials for Alpo brand dog food; actor Lorne Greene would tout the benefits of the dog food, and then would say it’s so good that
blog.codinghorror.com
