Microsoft 365 E5 Security as an add-on for Business Premium

Maxime Hiez
Microsoft 365
06 Mar, 2025

Introduction

Microsoft announced that Microsoft 365 E5 Security is now available as an add-on for Microsoft 365 Business Premium customers. This new plan is designed to help small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) stay secure in the face of evolving threats and increasing regulatory and cyber insurance requirements.

Why Microsoft 365 E5 Security?

SMBs are facing an increasing volume of attacks and increasingly sophisticated threats. While Microsoft 365 Business Premium already offers basic security solutions to protect data, defend against cyber threats, and manage access and devices, some organizations need additional protections. That’s where Microsoft 365 E5 Security comes in, providing advanced security features for enhanced protection.

Microsoft 365 E5 Security Features

Microsoft Entra ID Plan 2

Offers advanced security and governance capabilities, including :

Entra ID Protection : Uses behavioral analytics and risk signals to block identity attacks in real time.
Entra ID Governance : Automates workflows and processes to manage user access, making it easier to onboard employees and manage the user lifecycle.

Extended Detection and Response (XDR)

Microsoft Defender XDR delivers a unified and efficient approach to incident-level visibility across the attack lifecycle. XDR and exposure management (XSPM) consolidate multiple siloed security solutions to deliver industry-leading capabilities across identities, endpoints, applications, and email.

Identity Threat Detection and Response (ITDR)

Identities are one of the most common attack vectors, making identity-specific threat detection and response critical to securing your business. Microsoft Defender for Identity includes dedicated sensors and connectors for common identity elements, providing visibility into your unique identity landscape and delivering detailed posture recommendations, robust detections, and response actions.

Enhanced device security

Microsoft Defender for Business (MDB) already brings enterprise-grade device protection capabilities to Business Premium customers on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android devices. It includes vulnerability management, next-generation antivirus protection, AI-powered endpoint detection and response with automatic attack disruption, and automated investigation and remediation.

For customers requiring advanced hunting, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint P2 adds advanced hunting and 6 months of on-device data retention, as well as endpoint security for IoT devices.

Enhanced email and collaboration Security

Microsoft Defender for Office 365 P1 in Business Premium includes SafeLinks with point-of-click URL filtering, safe attachments with real-time scanning in a sandbox, and phishing and malware defense across email, Microsoft Teams, OneDrive, and SharePoint.

With Defender for Office 365 P2, you get access to Cyber Attack Simulation Training, which provides SMBs with a safe, controlled environment to simulate real-world cyber attacks, helping to train employees to recognize phishing attempts. Additionally, automated response capabilities and post-breach investigations help reduce the time and resources needed to identify and remediate potential security breaches.

SaaS application security

Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps is a comprehensive, AI-powered SaaS security solution that helps IT teams identify and manage rogue IT applications and ensure only approved applications are used. It protects against sophisticated SaaS-based attacks, OAuth attacks, and risky interactions with GenAI applications by combining SaaS application discovery, security posture management, app-to-app protection, and integrated threat protection.

Microsoft 365 E5 Security add-on benefits

Adding Microsoft 365 E5 Security to Microsoft 365 Business Premium gives SMBs :

Advanced identity and access controls : Manage identities and access with enhanced security and governance capabilities.
Advanced threat protection : Detect and respond to advanced threats across identities, endpoints, email, and cloud applications.
Workflow automation : Simplify onboarding and user management processes with automated workflows.

Note : Prices in USD before applicable taxes.

Conclusion

The introduction of Microsoft 365 E5 Security as an add-on to Microsoft 365 Business Premium provides SMBs with a comprehensive and advanced security solution to address modern threats. By strengthening the protection of identities, endpoints, email, and cloud applications, this offering helps organizations better protect themselves and comply with regulatory and cyber insurance requirements.