Microsoft Defender Suite is an add-on to Microsoft 365 Business Premium, Microsoft 365 E3, and Office 365 E3 + Enterprise Mobility and Security E3. It provides advanced security features without paying for the full Microsoft 365 E5.
TL;DR
What is Microsoft Defender Suite?
Microsoft Defender Suite (formerly E5 Security Add-On) delivers advanced security across identity, endpoints, email, and cloud apps without requiring a full Microsoft 365 E5 license.
- $12/user/month (enterprise)
- $10/user/month (Business Premium add-on)
- Built on Microsoft Defender XDR for unified threat detection and response
- Does not include compliance tools (Purview, eDiscovery, Insider Risk)
What Is Microsoft Defender Suite (Formerly E5 Security)?
Microsoft Defender Suite is a security add-on that enhances:
In October 2025, Microsoft renamed “Microsoft 365 E5 Security” to “Microsoft Defender Suite” to align all security capabilities under the Defender brand
What is Included in Microsoft Defender Suite?
Microsoft defines Defender Suite as layered security across the full attack surface:
-
Endpoint protection
-
Email and collaboration security
-
SaaS / cloud app security
-
Cross-domain threat detection (XDR)
Powered by Microsoft Defender XDR
Defender Suite is not just a collection of tools. It’s an integrated system powered by Microsoft Defender XDR.
Microsoft Defender XDR:
-
Correlates signals across identity, endpoints, email, and apps
-
Combines alerts into a single incident view
-
Automates response actions across systems
These are the core tools included in Defender Suite:
Identity Protection
- Microsoft Entra ID Plan 2
- Risk-based conditional access
- Privileged Identity Management
- Detection of risky sign-ins and compromised accounts
Endpoint Security
-
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Plan 2
-
Endpoint detection and response (EDR)
-
Threat and vulnerability management
Email & Collaboration Security
-
Defender for Office 365 Plan 2
-
Protection against phishing, malware, and ransomware
- Security for Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive
- Automated investigation and response
Identity Threat Detection
-
Defender for Identity
- Detects lateral movement and credential abuse
- Uses Active Directory signals to identify threats early
SaaS & Cloud App Security
-
Defender for Cloud Apps
- Shadow IT discovery and monitoring
- App governance and risk detection
- Control over third-party SaaS usage
Microsoft Defender Suite Pricing
| Plan |
List Price |
Requirements |
| Defender Suite (Enterprise) |
~$12/user/month |
Requires E3 or equivalent |
| Defender Suite for Business Premium |
~$10/user/month |
For SMBs (≤300 users) |
What is the difference between Defender Suite and Defender Suite for Business Premium?
They include the same core security capabilities, but are designed for different Microsoft licensing tiers—enterprise vs SMB environments.
Defender Suite vs Microsoft 365 E5
| Capability |
Defender Suite |
Microsoft 365 E5 |
| Identity Security |
✅
|
✅
|
| Endpoint Protection |
✅
|
✅
|
| Email Security |
✅
|
✅
|
| SaaS Security |
✅
|
✅
|
| XDR (cross- domain protection) |
✅
|
✅
|
| Compliance (Purview) |
|
✅
|
| Insider Risk |
|
✅
|
| eDiscovery / Audit |
|
✅
|
Bottom line:
Why Organizations Choose Defender Suite
Defender Suite solves:
- Lack of visibility across identity, endpoints, and apps
- Slow or manual incident response
- Too many disconnected security tools
Microsoft’s advantage:
- One platform
- One incident view
- One response engine
How ProArch Helps You Get More Value
Choosing the right Microsoft security licensing is just the beginning. You need a partner who can configure, optimize, and actively manage your environment.
Defender Suite only delivers value if:
- It’s configured correctly
- Signals are integrated
- Response automation is enabled
That’s where ProArch comes in. As a top Microsoft Solutions Partner and proud member of the Microsoft Intelligent Security Association (MISA), we help you:
- Identify the right Microsoft 365 licensing model and optimize what you already have
- Deploy and configure Microsoft Defender Suite end-to-end
- Tune security policies to your risk profile
- Monitor and respond to threats 24/7 with our Managed Detection and Response (MDR) services
Contact us to talk Microsoft 365 E5 Security.
