Microsoft Defender XDR: Unified response actions across identity accounts

What and why

Microsoft Defender XDR is expanding identity response actions into a unified experience across linked accounts. Security teams will be able to apply supported response actions to all supported accounts associated with an identity, or to selected accounts, from a single workflow.

Available actions depend on the identity system or connector managing the account and may include:

• Disable account
• Enable account
• Revoke session
• Mark as compromised
• Force password change

Supported identity systems and applications include:

• Active Directory
• Microsoft Entra ID
• Okta
• CyberArk Identity
• SailPoint Identity Security Cloud
• Google Workspace
• Salesforce
• Box

This enhancement helps security operations teams respond more quickly and consistently to compromised identities across connected identity providers and SaaS applications.

Rollout schedule

• Worldwide, GCC, GCC High, DoD: Rollout begins mid-October 2026 and is expected to complete by mid-October 2026.

Who is affected

• Security Operations Center (SOC) analysts
• Incident responders
• Identity administrators
• Administrators managing Microsoft Defender-connected identity systems

Platforms and services

• Microsoft Defender XDR
• Microsoft Defender for Identity
• Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps
• Microsoft Entra ID
• Supported third-party identity provider and SaaS application connectors

What will happen

• Authorized analysts can initiate supported response actions from the Identity page, Identity side panel, Advanced Hunting, or Action center.
• Available response actions vary based on the identity system or connector managing each account.
• Administrators can review action status in Action center and in audit records generated by the target system.
• No account changes occur unless an authorized analyst initiates a response action or Microsoft Defender Automatic Attack Disruption applies a supported automated response action.

Action required / Recommendations

No action is required to enable this capability. However, we recommend that administrators:

• Review and assign the required Microsoft Defender Unified RBAC permissions and Microsoft Entra roles.
• Verify Microsoft Defender for Identity action account configuration for Active Directory response actions.
• If using Microsoft Defender for Identity sensor version 3.x, ensure the sensor is running under the Local System account.
• Verify that supported identity provider and SaaS application connectors are configured with credentials that allow the intended response actions.
• Enable Identity Inventory integration in Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps if SaaS cloud accounts are included in response workflows.
• Update incident response runbooks and train analysts to verify selected accounts before confirming response actions.

Learn more

• Microsoft Defender for Identity remediation actions
• Investigate identities and take identity actions in Microsoft Defender XDR
• Microsoft Defender XDR custom permissions