Which Defender license do we need?
Microsoft Defender is a set of modules (for M365, for Endpoint, for Cloud). Business Premium bakes some in; Standard does not.
Try this first
- 1Defender for Office 365: anti-phishing, anti-malware in email. Built into Business Premium and E5; add-on for Standard or E3.
- 2Defender for Endpoint: device detection and response. Plan 1 is in Business Premium; Plan 2 needs E5 or a separate add-on.
- 3Defender for Identity: detects suspicious behavior in Active Directory. Add-on or via E5 / EMS E5.
- 4First decide what you want to protect: mail only, also devices, or identity too.
- 5On Business Premium you already have a chunk; upgrade only if you genuinely miss features.
When to bring us in
Defender licensing touches your security posture directly. Ask for advice; the wrong plan wastes money and leaves gaps.
See also
- New hire has an account but cannot reach Outlook or TeamsAn M365 account without a license is an empty shell. Assigning takes a few clicks, but picking the right plan pays off long-term.
- Employee left, but their email must be retainedPulling the license straight away starts a 30-day timer on the mailbox. The right route keeps access to the mail without paying for the license.
- We pay for licenses nobody usesBetween leavers, duplicate plans, and test accounts there is often 10-20% wasted license spend. A usage report exposes it fast.
None of the above fits?
Describe your situation below. We pass your input plus the steps you already saw to our AI and return tailored next-step advice. If it's too risky to DIY, we'll say so.
Or skip the DIY entirely
Our Managed IT clients do not look these things up. One point of contact, a fixed monthly price, resolved within working hours.