By Craig Birch, Technology Evangelist/Principal Security Engineer
Introducing Guardian Protector
Free Real-Time Hybrid Identity Threat Detection, Change Monitoring, and Alerting
Identity attacks do not wait. So why should you?
Every second counts when an attacker escalates privileges, reactivates dormant accounts, or quietly rewrites Group Policy. By the time legacy tools finish ingesting logs or snapshots, the compromise is already spreading through your environment.
This is the visibility gap that has plagued Microsoft Identity for two decades. And this is the gap Cayosoft Guardian Protector closes.
Launched recently, Guardian Protector is the first free solution that delivers unlimited, real-time threat detection and continuous change monitoring across Active Directory, Entra ID, Microsoft 365, Intune, Teams, and Exchange Online.
Superior Real‑Time Detection: Outpacing Legacy Tools
In the face of relentless identity attacks, many organizations remain vulnerable, relying on outdated approaches that cannot keep pace:
- SIEMS ingesting logs with critical delays
- Point-and-time scans that give us a false sense of security
- Audit reports arriving weeks after the breach
By the time these legacy tools finally surface an anomaly, attackers have already escalated privileges, moved laterally, or firmly established persistence within your environment. The damage is often already done, and the business is suffering.
Guardian Protector rewrites this narrative. It delivers instant visibility into the identity-layer risks that attackers exploit, catching what you currently miss:
- Privilege Escalation
- Dormant Account Reactivations
- Group Policy Object Tampering
- Unauthorized deletions
- Policy Misconfigurations
This is not just faster detection; it’s a fundamental shift. Guardian Protector actively surfaces Indicators of Exposure (IOEs), Indicators of Compromise (IOCs), and Indicators of Attack (IOAs) in true real-time—a level of immediate insight that legacy tools cannot deliver.
Unrivaled Continuous Monitoring For Hybrid Identity
In today’s complex landscape, hybrid identity isn’t just a strategy, it’s a critical reality. The tightly intertwined nature of Active Directory and Entra ID, combined with the constantly expanding attack surface of M365, Intune, Teams, and Exchange Online, demands a new level of vigilance.
Guardian Protector eradicates the hidden risks within this intricate environment, delivering a single-pane-of-glass view into every critical change, every impacted object, and every second that matters.
This means IT admins gain the comprehensive visibility they’ve lacked; compliance officers secure the irrefutable evidence required for audits, and security responders are empowered to act decisively, preventing minor issues from escalating into critical breaches that threaten business continuity.
Introducing The Guardian Threat Directory
While threat detection is paramount, actual security effectiveness hinges on rapid, informed response. Identifying an alert is merely the first step; understanding its implications and executing precise remediation is the real challenge.
That’s why we are proud to launch the Guardian Threat Directory alongside Guardian Protector. This essential resource empowers your security teams to move beyond mere alerts, transforming them into actionable intelligence.
Eliminating the need to sift through fragmented blogs or outdated whitepapers, The Guardian Threat Directory serves as a centralized, authoritative knowledge hub. It’s purpose-built for the exact threats administrators encounter daily across Active Directory, Entra ID, M365, and Intune.
Starting with critical misconfigurations like Unconstrained Delegation, Shadow Admins, and Entra Application Abuse, the library is a living resource. It expands weekly to incorporate new threats and evolving attack techniques, ensuring your defenses are always informed and up to date.
A Community Built For Admins
While cutting-edge security tools are essential, true cyber reliance is forged through shared knowledge and collaborative problem-solving. Security admins, on the front lines, need a dedicated space to ask candid questions, exchange detection insights, and share practical solutions that deliver real‑world impact.
That is why we are excited to launch the Guardian Community on Reddit, an open forum for collective expertise.
Facilitate direct, real-time discussions on Guardian Protector detections
Engage with peers on alerts and findings, moving from identification to understanding.
Enable context-rich discussions directly linked to Threat Library entries
Deepen your understanding with conversations rooted in comprehensive documentation.
Offer a platform for direct feature feedback, actively shaping our product roadmap
Your valuable input drives product evolution and innovation.
Provide a dedicated space for overworked identity teams to cut through the noise and find rapid, actionable answers
Access practical solutions and best practices from experienced practitioners.
Facilitate direct, real‑time discussions on Guardian Protector detections
Engage with peers on alerts and findings, moving from identification to understanding.
Enable context-rich discussions directly linked to Threat Library entries
Deepen your understanding with conversations rooted in comprehensive documentation.
Offer a platform for direct feature feedback, actively shaping our product roadmap
Your valuable input drives product evolution and innovation.
Provide a dedicated space for overworked identity teams to cut through the noise and find rapid, actionable answers
Access practical solutions and best practices from experienced practitioners.
This is more than just another forum; it’s a dynamic, open ecosystem where identity defenders can learn, share, and collectively influence the future of hybrid identity protection. Join us to strengthen your defenses and empower your team.
Why Guardian Protector Matters Now
The timing could not be more critical. Enterprises are facing the perfect storm.
- Veteran AD experts are retiring, leaving IT teams stretched thin
- Hybrid identity is expanding faster than most teams can keep up
- Attackers are exploiting configuration drift, delegation risks, and shadow admins at an unprecedented scale
Traditional tools are not built for this moment. They are too slow, too expensive, too incomplete, and give a false sense of security.
Guardian Protector was built for this moment:
- Real-time detection instead of delayed review
- Continuous monitoring instead of point-in-time snapshots
- Unlimited coverage instead of quotas and caps
- Knowledge and community alongside the tool itself
FAQs
Guardian Protector is a powerful version of our Guardian solution that allows you to monitor your hybrid Microsoft identity environment in real-time, detect threats, and gain crucial visibility. It provides a foundational layer of security and is ideal for organizations looking to enhance their cybersecurity posture without initial investment.
The Guardian Protector version offers robust real-time monitoring and threat detection capabilities. While it provides essential insights and access to the Guardian Threat Library and Guardian Community, certain advanced features like automated remediation, extended data retention, and premium support tiers are exclusive to our paid Guardian subscriptions.
Guardian Protector is designed for comprehensive coverage across your hybrid Microsoft identity environment, including:
- Active Directory
- Entra ID
- Microsoft 365 Services
- Intune
It offers a unified view of security across these interconnected systems.
Deployment is straightforward and designed to be quick. Guardian Protector leverages existing Microsoft APIs and protocols, requiring minimal on-premises infrastructure. Most organizations can get up and running within hours, with detailed documentation and community support available to guide you through the process.
Guardian Protector’s core features include:
- Real-time threat detection and change monitoring: Monitor for suspicious activities and anomalies across your hybrid identity
- Unified Visibility: Provides a single dashboard to view security events from Active Directory, Entra ID, M365, and Intune.
- Alerting: Alerts to notify administrators of critical security events via common communication channels such as SMTP, Exchange, Teams, and in dashboard alerts
- Guardian Threat Library: A continuously updated repository of known threats and attack patterns.
- Guardian Community: An active forum for users to share insights, best practices, and collaborate on threat intelligence.
Guardian Protector complements and enhances Microsoft’s native security tools. While Microsoft provides strong baseline protections, Guardian Protector offers deeper correlation across hybrid environments, specialized threat intelligence through the Guardian Threat Library, and a community-driven approach to security challenges that goes beyond standard offerings. It’s built to give you the ability to see everything you might otherwise miss.
Guardian Protector users have access to our comprehensive online documentation, knowledge base, and the Guardian Community on Reddit. This vibrant community is an excellent resource for troubleshooting, sharing experiences, and learning from other security professionals. For dedicated technical support and faster response times, we recommend upgrading to a paid Guardian plan.
Start Protecting Your Hybrid Identity Today
You cannot stop what you cannot see. Guardian Protector gives you the ability to see everything, in real time, across your hybrid Microsoft Identity environments.
And now, with the Guardian Threat Directory and Guardian Community, you have the tools and people to help you understand, fix, and learn from every detection.