---
title: Microsoft Defender for SQL Servers on Machines should be enabled
description: Datadog, the leading service for cloud-scale monitoring.
breadcrumbs: >-
  Docs > Datadog Security > OOTB Rules > Microsoft Defender for SQL Servers on
  Machines should be enabled
---

# Microsoft Defender for SQL Servers on Machines should be enabled
 
## Description{% #description %}

Microsoft Defender for SQL Servers on Machines protects SQL Server instances running on Azure VMs, on-premises servers, and other clouds via Arc-enabled SQL Server. The plan must be enabled at the *Standard* tier on every subscription that hosts these SQL Server instances.

## Remediation{% #remediation %}

See [Protect your databases with Defender for Databases](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/defender-for-cloud/tutorial-enable-databases-plan) for step-by-step instructions on enabling the SQL servers on machines plan.