License & Subscription Issues

Microsoft Attack Simulation Licensing Requirements Explained

Phi Hung Vo Oct 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs clarification on which Microsoft 365 plans include the Attack Simulation Training feature.

Microsoft Attack Simulation Licensing Requirements Explained

Product: Microsoft Defender for Office 365
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Determining if the current Microsoft 365 subscription includes access to the Attack Simulation Training feature for employee security testing.
Observed behavior: It is unclear whether Attack Simulation Training is available with Microsoft 365 Business plans or if it is strictly limited to Enterprise plans.

Before you start

Ensure you have access to your Microsoft 365 admin center and know your current subscription plan details before checking feature availability.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify Your Microsoft 365 License for Attack Simulation Training

Check your organization's subscription tier to see if it meets the requirements for Attack Simulation Training.

Microsoft Attack Simulation Training is primarily an enterprise-grade security feature. It is not included by default in standard Microsoft 365 Business plans and requires specific Enterprise licenses or advanced Defender add-ons.

Log in to the Admin Center

Go to the Microsoft 365 admin center and sign in using your global administrator or billing administrator credentials.

Check Your Current Licenses

Navigate to 'Billing' in the left-hand menu and click on 'Your products' to view the active subscriptions for your tenant.

Verify Eligible Enterprise Plans

Check if your organization has Microsoft 365 E5, Microsoft 365 A5, or Office 365 E5. These plans include full access to Attack Simulation Training.

Verify Defender Add-ons

If you do not have an E5/A5 plan, look for a 'Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Plan 2' license, which also grants access to this feature.

Check for E3 Trial Access

If you are on a Microsoft 365 E3 plan, you may have access to a subset of capabilities as a trial. Navigate to the Microsoft 365 Defender portal to check if the trial is available for activation.

Verify Your Microsoft 365 License for Attack Simulation Training

Business Plan Limitations: Standard Microsoft 365 Business Basic, Standard, and Premium plans do not include Attack Simulation Training natively. You will need to purchase Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Plan 2 as an add-on.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Attack Simulation Training with Microsoft 365 Business Premium?

No, Attack Simulation Training is not included natively in Business Premium. You would need to purchase the Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Plan 2 add-on to access this feature.

Is there a trial available for Attack Simulation Training?

Yes, organizations with Microsoft 365 E3 licenses may have access to a limited subset of Attack Simulation capabilities as a trial within the Microsoft 365 Defender portal.

How do I access Attack Simulation Training once I have the correct license?

Once licensed, you can access the feature by logging into the Microsoft 365 Defender portal, navigating to 'Email & collaboration' on the left menu, and selecting 'Attack simulation training'.

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