Cyber threats aren’t just a problem for big enterprises - small and medium businesses (SMBs) are facing increasing risks, tighter regulations, and rising cyber insurance requirements.

While Microsoft 365 Business Premium already delivers solid security, many SMBs often find themselves priced out of the full Microsoft 365 E5 suite, which offers powerful enterprise-grade protection. The good news? Microsoft 365 E5 Security is now available as an add-on for Business Premium customers! This means you can unlock top-tier security without the hefty price tag of a full E5 license, bringing advanced protection to businesses of all sizes.

So, what does this mean for your business? Let’s break it down in simple terms.

What Does E5 Security Bring to Business Premium? 🛡️

Adding E5 Security to your Business Premium subscription unlocks powerful new features that take your cybersecurity to the next level.

Here’s what you get: -

1️⃣ Smarter Identity & Access Protection 🔐

Your identities are at the core of your security and often serve as the primary entry point for cyber threats. E5 Security fights back with Microsoft Entra ID Plan 2 and Microsoft Defender for Identity. These tools provide: -

• Advanced threat detection using intelligence to spot suspicious logins.

• Defender for Identity extends cloud protection to your on-premises systems, including Active Directory and Certificate Authorities. It helps detect threats targeting your on-prem AD environment, including lateral movement, privilege escalation, and credential theft.

• Automated identity governance, making it easier to manage access and keep compliance tight.

• Risk-based conditional access, which evaluates risky sign-ins and risky users in real time to block identity-based attacks.

• Protection against token theft, ensuring only trusted sign-ins with valid, session-bound tokens, preventing attackers from using stolen authentication tokens to bypass MFA and gain unauthorised access.

  
  

Why this matters: It stops attackers before they even get a foot in the door!

2️⃣ Advanced Threat Detection & Response 🚨

E5 Security brings Microsoft Defender XDR (Extended Detection and Response), which goes beyond traditional security tools by integrating multiple layers of defense:

• Detects and responds to threats across emails, devices, identities, cloud apps, and networks – providing a unified approach to security.

• Uses AI-powered automation to contain threats before they spread.

• Correlates security signals from different sources, reducing false positives and improving detection accuracy.

• Provides deep threat intelligence and analytics to understand attack patterns and proactively defend against them.

  
  

Why this matters: Cyberattacks are getting more sophisticated, and this gives SMBs enterprise-grade protection without the enterprise-sized budget.

3️⃣ Stronger Device Security 🖥️

Business Premium already includes Microsoft Defender for Business, but E5 Security enhances it with Defender for Endpoint P2, adding: -

• Proactive threat hunting analysts can proactively & reactively search for threats using custom queries and behavioral analytics.

• Longer data retention with up to 6 months of device security logs, allowing for deeper investigation into past incidents.

• Custom device groups and response actions enables security teams to apply different policies and actions to specific device groups based on their risk profile.

• IoT security detects and helps protect against threats targeting smart devices within the business environment.

  
  

Why this matters: Your computers, mobile devices, and even IoT devices stay locked down tight.

4️⃣ Enhanced Email & Collaboration Protection 📧

Phishing attacks remain one of the biggest threats, and E5 Security takes Microsoft Defender for Office 365 P2 to the next level with: -

• Cyberattack simulation training helping employees spot and avoid phishing attempts.

• Automated investigation & response cutting down response time to security incidents.

• Advanced hunting capabilities allows security teams to run queries and analyse email threat patterns beyond basic reporting.

• Detailed reports on phishing trends in your organisation.

  
  

Why this matters: Phishing is responsible for most data breaches, so this feature alone is worth it.

5️⃣ Securing Your SaaS Applications ☁️

More businesses are using cloud apps, but not all apps are safe. Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps helps by: -

• Detects Unauthorised SaaS Apps (Shadow IT) by identifying and taking and taking action against unsanctioned apps, ensuring your business stays secure.

• Blocks Risky Interactions by providing on-demand protection by blocking risky actions in real time, preventing exposure to threats.

• Ensures Security Posture Management by providing visibility into potential misconfigurations in your cloud apps. It helps identify risks and assists in ensuring security best practices to reduce vulnerabilities.

• Offers Session Monitoring and Policy Enforcement which monitors user sessions and enforces security policies, providing real-time control over activities.

  
  

Why this matters: If employees use unauthorised apps, your data could be at risk - this helps you stay in control.

Is E5 Security Worth the Investment? 💰

The E5 Security add-on isn’t just about providing extra protection; it also offers significant cost savings while delivering enterprise-level cybersecurity for SMBs. Purchasing E5 Security as an add-on to your Business Premium subscription saves you 57% compared to buying each tool separately.

Here’s why it’s a smart choice: -

• Comprehensive Protection in One Package: With E5 Security, you get a suite of powerful tools for identity management, threat detection, device security, email protection, and cloud app security - all for a fraction of the cost.

• Cost-Effective: The cost of this E5 Security add-on is just £9.20 per user/month with an annual commitment or $12 user/month in the US. Considering the savings and the added layer of protection, it’s an investment that can help prevent costly breaches and downtime.

• Value for SMBs: As SMBs face increasing cyber threats and tighter regulations, E5 Security offers essential protection in one comprehensive package, without the need to buy and manage individual security solutions.

  
  

For just a small additional monthly cost, you get a full suite of security tools that would normally cost much more when purchased separately, making E5 Security an essential upgrade to protect your business.

How to Get Started 🚀

If you’re already on Microsoft 365 Business Premium, introducing E5 Security features takes your defenses to the next level. If you're unsure how it could benefit your business, we’re here to help.

📨 Get in touch today to chat about how E5 Security can work for you and keep your business even safer from modern cyber threats!

• info@mondocloud.co.uk

• 0800 640 4258