Introduction
In the rapidly evolving landscape of remote work, cybersecurity is of paramount importance. Organizations are facing new challenges in securing not only their physical office locations but also the remote workforce and the data they handle. The need for robust cybersecurity solutions is more critical than ever. This article explores why Microsoft 365 Business Premium stands as the best choice for most businesses, offering a compelling combination of cost-effectiveness and top-tier cybersecurity features.
The Age of Remote Work
The surge in remote work, accentuated by global events, has exposed vulnerabilities in organizational cybersecurity. Traditional security measures that once safeguarded in-house operations are no longer sufficient in a dispersed work environment. The shift towards remote work is a long-term trend, and as such, businesses need to adapt by securing not just physical locations but also every remote employee, their devices, and the data they handle.
The Power of Proximity
Effective data protection is all about proximity – the closer to the data, the more robust the defense should be. This begins with your cloud infrastructure, which serves as the backbone of your digital operations. Your cloud is the heart of your technology ecosystem, making it crucial to fortify it against potential threats.
Microsoft 365 Business Premium: Your Ultimate Choice
Microsoft 365, or M365, is a suite of applications designed to harness the power of Azure cloud technology. It offers plans tailored for home, business, and enterprise use, each with distinct pricing and features. For businesses, M365 provides several options, including Business Basic, Business Standard, and the subject of our focus, Business Premium.
Pricing
As of the time of this writing, Microsoft 365 Business Premium is priced at $22 per user per month. While this represents a slight increase from its previous rate of $20, it’s essential to recognize the immense value it offers in return.
Features
Microsoft 365 Business Premium offers a plethora of features that set it apart as a cost-effective powerhouse. While it may not match the extensive feature set of the premium E5 plan, it’s worth noting that Business Premium costs a mere 39% of an E5 license.
One of its standout features is the inclusion of all essential productivity apps, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint Online, Planner, and Teams, to name a few. But what truly distinguishes Business Premium is Microsoft Intune, a feature also found in M365 E3. Additionally, Business Premium provides a generous 50 GB mailbox storage limit in Outlook, along with a 1 TB storage limit in OneDrive. It also includes Azure Information Protection, complete with Microsoft Purview Email Encryption.
However, where Business Premium truly shines is in its built-in cybersecurity features, which remain absent in the surrounding plans. Let’s delve deeper into these security features.
Security Features
Business Premium takes cybersecurity seriously and offers enterprise-level protection for your data and users. These features go above and beyond what most other M365 plans,including the enterprise-grade E3, provide.
Among the notable inclusions are features like Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Plan 1 (formerly known as Office 365 Advanced Threat Protection) and Defender For Endpoint Plan 2 (formerly Microsoft Defender Advanced Threat Protection). Both of these essential defenders are bundled with Business Premium.
Business Premium extends an extra layer of anti-phishing measures, incorporating user and domain impersonation intelligence and alerts for unusual character and sender activity. It also boasts safe links and attachments, a feature that “detonates” potentially malicious data by subjecting it to rigorous virtual scrutiny. These safeguards cover Outlook, SharePoint, OneDrive, and Teams, all under the umbrella of Defender for O365 Plan 1.
These security alerts are backed by real-time reporting, empowering you to stay vigilant and proactively manage your environment’s security.
Business Premium vs. Business Standard
Comparing Business Premium to Business Standard highlights the stark contrast between a comprehensive cybersecurity solution and a standard offering. Business Standard lacks the essential security features that businesses need to protect their data effectively. While it’s priced $9.50 per user per month lower than Business Premium, the cost savings pale in comparison to the potential risks and financial repercussions of a data breach.
Considering that the average cost of a data breach stands at $4.24 million, opting for Business Standard may eventually prove to be a costly mistake. The security features in Business Premium provide invaluable peace of mind.
Business Premium vs. E3
Upgrading from Business Premium to Microsoft 365 E3, a higher-tier plan, might be expected to enhance security. However, the reality is quite different. E3 only offers standard anti-phishing features, leaving many security aspects unaddressed.
To match the level of security in Business Premium, E3 license holders must purchase additional licenses for Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Plan 1 ($2 per month) and Defender for Endpoint Plan 2 ($5 per month). Combined with E3’s base price of $36 per user per month. The total cost for a fully secured E3 license is nearly double that of Business Premium.
While E3 offers some advantages, such as a premium version of Azure AD and Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager. It lacks the comprehensive security features inherent to Business Premium. For those interested in a detailed comparison, we recommend our in-depth article on the subject.
The Ideal Choice for Small Businesses
In essence, Microsoft 365 Business Premium is the ideal choice for small businesses with up to 300 employees. Beyond this threshold, E3 and its supplementary licenses become necessary. Business Premium ensures the security features necessary for business operations, features notably absent in Business Standard and E3.
For organizations with fewer than 300 users, Business Premium provides an unbeatable combination of productivity tools and robust cybersecurity. For those seeking guidance on selecting the right Microsoft 365 licenses for their organization. We invite you to schedule a consultation with our team of experts. We are committed to helping you tailor the best configuration for your specific goals.
In the dynamic landscape of remote work, cybersecurity is paramount. Microsoft 365 Business Premium stands as the prime choice, delivering a cost-effective package with unmatched cybersecurity features.
Read More: How Unlocking Cost Reduction and Efficiency with Microsoft 365
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not endorse any specific company or product. The mentioned prices and features are accurate as of the article’s publication date.
