Microsoft has made the decision to deprecate Microsoft Defender Application Guard (MDAG) for Edge, a move that signals a shift in its security strategy for corporate users. Microsoft's decision comes after the same feature was deprecated in Microsoft Office last month. MDAG, which employs hardware isolation technology, has traditionally provided a higher level of protection by opening non-trusted sites in a secured environment, thus keeping corporate data and networks at a safe distance from potential threats.
Transitioning to new security measures
While the termination of MDAG for Microsoft Edge for Business might suggest a gap in security, Microsoft maintains a robust suite of alternative measures. Administrations are encouraged to refer to the Microsoft Edge for Business Security Whitepaper, which comprehensively details the browser's current security capabilities. The whitepaper offers insights and guides on how to ensure secure browsing for business users within the evolving cybersecurity landscape.
Other features facing deprecation
Microsoft has recently phased out other features, including Microsoft Defender Application Guard for Office, which the company has confirmed is no longer undergoing active development. The list of deprecated offerings further includes legacy elements such as the legacy console mode, the previous iteration of the Speech Recognition app, and the Steps Recorder tool. Microsoft continues to streamline its applications suite to better align with user needs and industry standards.
Organizations utilizing MDAG for Edge are advised to transition to supported security features outlined in the available Microsoft documentation. This move to deprecate aligns with Microsoft's ongoing revision of its software offerings, which includes the phasing out of legacy features such as VBScript and WordPad, as well as the end of support for insecure TLS protocols.
