Microsoft’s catalog offers a wide range of cloud solutions and services, including plans for small and medium businesses, as well as enterprises. We have talked in one of our previous articles about the security and device management capabilities that Microsoft 365 Business Premium offers, among other features. Defender for Business, on the other hand, provides advanced security protection for your devices, with next-generation protection, endpoint detection, and response, as well as threat and vulnerability management. This article compares the security features and capabilities that Microsoft 365 Business Premium offers vs. Defender for Business.
Defender for Business (standalone offer)
This product is an endpoint security solution, designed for small and medium businesses with up to 300 employees. Defender for Business secures your organization’s devices from ransomware, malware, phishing, among other threats. This solution is available as a standalone offer but is also included with the Microsoft 365 Business Premium subscription.
Defender for Business standalone offer includes:
- Next generation protection – Antivirus/antimalware protection on devices together with cloud protection.
- Attack surface reduction – Network protection, firewall, and attack surface reduction rules.
- Endpoint detection & response – Behavior-based detection and manual response actions.
- Automated investigation & response – With self-healing for detected threats.
- Microsoft Defender Vulnerability Management – To view exposed devices and recommendations.
- Cross-platform device support – For all devices from Windows to Mac, iOS and Android.
- Centralized management & reporting – In the Microsoft 365 Defender Portal.
- APIs for integration – For your custom tools and apps.
Microsoft 365 Business Premium subscription
This subscription is a world class productivity bundle, especially tailored for medium sized businesses. Microsoft 365 Business Premium was designed with cybersecurity in mind to safeguard your data, devices, and information.
This subscription includes:
- Microsoft 365 Business Standard – Office apps and services that this subscription brings, plus Microsoft Teams.
- Microsoft Intune – Device onboarding and management.
- Shared computer activation – For deploying Microsoft 365 apps.
- Windows 10/11 for Business – Upgrade from previous versions of Windows Pro.
- Windows Autopilot – For setting up and configuring Windows devices.
- Exchange Online Protection – Anti-phishing, antispam, antimalware, and spoof intelligence for email.
- Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Plan 1 – Advanced anti-phishing, real-time detections, Safe Attachments, and Safe Links.
- Auto-expanding – Archiving for email.
- Azure Active Directory Premium Plan – For identity management.
- Azure Information Protection Premium Plan – Protection for sensitive information.
- Azure Virtual Desktop – Centrally managed secure virtual machines in the cloud.
Having read this Microsoft 365 Business Premium vs. Defender for Business comparison, you can make the best decision for your organization. However, if you feel like you are not ready to buy or that you need more information, we offer expert guidance from Microsoft licensing specialists to help you choose the best plan or technology for your business.
