What is the alternative to Defender for IoT "micro-agent" since it retires on 1st August 2025?

Arjun Sivasree 60

What is the alternative to Defender for IoT "micro-agent" since it retired on 1st August 2025?

I was reading this [documentation] and found a note that the micro-agent retires this year in August.

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What is the alternate to this? Is the documentation already updated to use the alternative to micro-agent?

VSawhney 110 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2025-02-06T13:10:04.31+00:00

Hello Arjun Sivasree,

Just checking in to see if the below answer helped. If this answers your query, do click Accept Answer and Yes for was this answer helpful. And, if you have any further query do let us know.
Sampath 510 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2025-02-10T02:57:28.9433333+00:00

@Arjun Sivasree, We still have not heard back from you. If this answer was helpful (or)pointed you in the right direction, please consider clicking "Accept Answer" and and Yes for the answer—it may benefit other community members reading this thread. If you have any further questions, feel free to let us know!
Arjun Sivasree 60 Reputation points

2025-02-10T05:17:14.47+00:00

@VSawhney Thank you for your answer. Though I am not still sure about ( and so have not accepted your answer);

Whether the "DefenderIotMicroAgent" module twin you mentioned is different from and a successor of the soon to be retired "micro-agent" or are they the same?
Sampath 510 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2025-02-12T08:23:04.2066667+00:00

Hello @Arjun Sivasree,I hope this is below answers are helpful! Do not hesitate to let me know if you have any other questions . If it answers your query, please do click Accept Answer and Yes for the answer, as it might be beneficial to other community members reading this thread. And, if you have any further query do let us know.

2 answers

VSawhney 110 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2025-02-05T12:52:32.75+00:00

Hello Arjun Sivasree,

Thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A Forum.

The alternate you may use is DefenderIotMicroAgent module twin, which is in preview stage.

You may create an individual DefenderIotMicroAgent module twin for new devices as it helps in both device management and process automation, for IoT solutions that are built into Azure. You can integrate your Defender for IoT by using the IoT Hub twin mechanism. To learn more about the general concept of module twins in Azure IoT Hub, see Understand and use module twins in IoT Hub.

For in-depth understanding you may go through this link: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/defender-for-iot/device-builders/tutorial-create-micro-agent-module-twin

For installation you may follow this link:

Install the Defender for IoT micro agent (Preview).

Hope this helps. Do let us know if you any further queries.

If this answers your query, do click Accept Answer and Yes for was this answer helpful.
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Arjun Sivasree 60 Reputation points

2025-02-05T13:21:30.4633333+00:00

VSawhney, Thank you for replying.

So does that also mean the "DefenderIotMicroAgent" module twin is different from and is a successor to the soon getting retired "micro-agent" mentioned in the documentation?

Arjun Sivasree 60 Reputation points

2025-02-05T13:23:37.2666667+00:00

@VSawhney , Thank you replying. Appreciate it.

So, does this also mean the "DefenderIotMicroAgent" module twin is different from and a successor of the soon to be retired "micro-agent"?

VSawhney 110 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2025-02-05T14:50:12.03+00:00

Thank you for follow-up query.

As per the latest information, Defender for IoT uses the module twin mechanism, and maintains a Defender-IoT-micro-agent twin named DefenderIotMicroAgent for each of your devices.

Device security properties are configured through a dedicated Defender-IoT-micro-agent twin for safer communication, to enable updates, and maintenance that requires fewer resources.

Hope this helps. Do let us know if you any further queries.

If this answers your query, do click Accept Answer and Yes for was this answer helpful.

Arjun Sivasree 60 Reputation points

2025-02-07T07:52:05.63+00:00

@VSawhney Thank you for your answer. Though I am not still sure about;

Whether the "DefenderIotMicroAgent" module twin you mentioned is different from and a successor of the soon to be retired "micro-agent" or are they the same?

Sampath 510 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2025-02-10T11:09:57.8266667+00:00

Arjun Sivasree, in addition to the answers below, you can also provide feedback to the respective authors/contributors of article in the Feedback section of the Microsoft documentation.
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Sander van de Velde | MVP 35,246 Reputation points MVP

2025-02-05T13:49:52.39+00:00

Hello @Arjun Sivasree ,

welcome to this moderated Azure community forum.

The original version of the IoT Defender was based on the AuditD agent.

I have no experience with it but it is available on GitHub and supported by that AuditD team.

This could be a viable alternative.

Please share your experiences here for the community.

If the response helped, do "Accept Answer". If it doesn't work, please let us know the progress. All community members with similar issues will benefit by doing so. Your contribution is highly appreciated.
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Arjun Sivasree 60 Reputation points

2025-02-07T07:52:58.7933333+00:00

@Sander van de Velde | MVP Thank you Sander. I will check this out.
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What is the alternative to Defender for IoT "micro-agent" since it retires on 1st August 2025?

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