Microsoft Defender Licensing Guide: Office 365, Endpoint, and Servers
Question details
The user needs to identify which Microsoft licenses include email phishing protection, Defender for Endpoint, and Defender for Servers for an organization currently using Exchange hybrid and Microsoft 365 Business Standard.
- Product
- Microsoft Defender
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Upgrading security infrastructure to include advanced protection for emails, endpoints, and servers.
- Observed behavior
- The organization needs to find the correct licensing bundle or add-on combination to cover all three specific Defender services efficiently.
Before changing your licensing structure, verify your current active Microsoft 365 Business Standard licenses and calculate the exact number of users and servers that require advanced Defender protection.
Upgrade to Microsoft 365 E5 or E5 Security
For comprehensive coverage across Office 365, endpoints, and servers, E5 tier licenses provide the most straightforward and complete path.
Microsoft 365 E5 and E5 Security bundles natively include Microsoft Defender for Office 365 (Plan 2) and Defender for Endpoint.
Defender for Servers typically requires Azure integration (Microsoft Defender for Cloud), which may involve separate consumption billing depending on your specific Azure environment.
Log in to the Microsoft 365 Admin Center using your global administrator credentials.
Click on 'Billing' in the left-hand navigation menu and select 'Purchase services' to browse available E5 upgrade paths.
Compare the Microsoft 365 E5 or E5 Security add-on against your current Business Standard subscription to determine the optimal deployment and cost difference.
Add Microsoft Defender for Business
Organizations currently on Business Standard can add Defender for Business to gain endpoint security without moving to a full Enterprise plan.
Choose WPS Office for Cost-Effective Business Productivity
If enterprise Microsoft 365 licensing costs are becoming too high to accommodate advanced security add-ons, consider migrating your general workforce to WPS Office. It provides powerful, lightweight, and highly compatible productivity tools without the premium price tag.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click on the 'Free Download' button.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded installer and follow the simple on-screen instructions to set up the suite on your device.
- 3. Open Existing Files: Launch WPS Office and open your existing Microsoft Office files instantly without any formatting loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Microsoft 365 Business Standard include Defender for Endpoint?
No, Business Standard includes standard security features but does not include advanced Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. You must purchase it as an add-on (like Defender for Business) or upgrade your plan.
Can I buy Defender for Office 365 as a standalone license?
Yes, Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Plan 1 or Plan 2 can be purchased as a standalone add-on to certain existing Exchange or Microsoft 365 subscriptions.
Is Defender for Servers included in Microsoft 365 E5?
While E5 covers user endpoints and Office 365 heavily, Defender for Servers is generally managed and billed through Microsoft Defender for Cloud within Azure, requiring separate considerations.
