Data Protection Issues

Does Microsoft 365 Business Premium Include Data Loss Prevention?

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is inquiring whether Microsoft 365 Business Premium includes Data Loss Prevention (DLP) features for a small organization with a limited budget.

Product: Microsoft 365 Business Premium
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Implementing data loss prevention for a small organization with fewer than 250 employees.
Observed behavior: Seeking confirmation on whether the existing Business Premium subscription includes necessary DLP capabilities to protect sensitive information.

Before you start

Review your organization's specific compliance requirements and identify the types of sensitive data you need to protect before configuring Microsoft 365 DLP capabilities.

Solution 1Recommended

Utilize Basic Data Loss Prevention in Business Premium

Microsoft 365 Business Premium includes built-in, basic DLP features suitable for standard organizational needs without additional costs.

Business Premium covers basic information protection and DLP capabilities across Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, and OneDrive. This is usually sufficient for small organizations with standard compliance requirements.

Access the Compliance Center

Navigate to Data Loss Prevention

In the left navigation pane, select 'Data loss prevention' and then choose 'Policies'.

Create a new policy

Click 'Create policy' and select a template that matches your industry or regulatory requirements, such as Financial, Medical, or Privacy data templates.

Included Services: These basic DLP features are fully functional for Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, and OneDrive natively within your Business Premium license.

Solution 2

Upgrade for Advanced DLP Features

If your organization requires complex compliance controls, endpoint DLP, or machine learning classification, an upgrade or add-on may be necessary.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Secure and Cost-Effective Document Management

While Microsoft 365 handles enterprise-level cloud data loss prevention, WPS Office offers a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative for everyday document creation. If your small business needs powerful office tools with local document protection capabilities without the hefty subscription fees, WPS Office is an excellent choice.

1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free version for your operating system.
2. Open Your Files: Launch WPS Office and seamlessly open your existing Microsoft Office documents.
3. Secure Your Documents locally: Use the 'Encrypt' feature under the main Menu to add password protection and restrict editing permissions for sensitive files.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint file formats (DOCX, XLSX, PPTX).Built-in document encryption and password protection features to keep local files secure.Lightweight software with a familiar, easy-to-use tabbed interface.Highly cost-effective solution for small businesses operating on a limited budget.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Microsoft 365 Business Standard include DLP?

No, Microsoft 365 Business Standard does not include native Data Loss Prevention capabilities. You must upgrade to Business Premium or an Enterprise plan to access DLP features.

Which Microsoft 365 apps are covered by Business Premium DLP?

The basic DLP capabilities included in Microsoft 365 Business Premium primarily cover data shared via Exchange Online (email), SharePoint Online, and OneDrive for Business.

Do I need Microsoft 365 E5 for basic data protection?

No, Microsoft 365 Business Premium is sufficient for basic DLP needs for organizations with under 250 employees. Microsoft 365 E5 is only required if you need advanced compliance features, such as Endpoint DLP or machine-learning-based data classification.

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