Octobits Blog – Given the growing sophistication of cyber threats, it’s more important than ever to invest in Microsoft 365 Defender’s robust security. But, how much does Microsoft 365 Defender cost?
Microsoft 365 Defender is a comprehensive security suite designed to help organizations protect themselves from a wide range of cyber threats, including phishing, ransomware, and advanced malware.
Knowing how much Microsoft 365 Defender costs helps businesses make smart choices and make sure their security investments match their budget and risk tolerance.
What is Microsoft 365 Defender?
Microsoft 365 Defender is a handy set of tools to keep your data safe and secure in the Microsoft ecosystem.
It protects all your Microsoft 365 services, including Office 365, Windows 10, and other cloud services.
Microsoft 365 Defender takes a different approach to traditional antivirus software.
Microsoft 365 Defender uses a multi-layered approach, combining different security tools to create a unified defense system.
It brings together lots of different security solutions into one place, including Defender for Endpoint, Defender for Office 365, Defender for Identity, and Cloud App Security.
This unification helps us to improve how we detect, investigate, and respond to threats by providing a complete overview and seamless integration across different security areas.
For reference on Microsoft 365 Basic, please refer to “Work Smarter with Microsoft 365 Basic Price (Your Wallet Will Thank You!)“
Key Features and Benefits
Microsoft 365 Defender has many features designed to give your organization rock-solid security.
Advanced Threat Protection uses AI and machine learning to spot and block sophisticated threats like zero-day exploits and phishing attacks.
By looking at lots of data and spotting patterns, we can stop potential threats from causing harm before they do.
Endpoint Protection keeps your devices, like desktops, laptops, and mobile devices, safe from malware, ransomware, and other bad stuff.
Automated Response and Remediation makes it easier to deal with security incidents.
Microsoft 365 Defender makes it easier to respond to threats, including investigating and fixing them. This saves time and effort, and makes things run more smoothly.
Threat Intelligence keeps organizations in the loop about the latest threat landscape as it happens.
This ongoing update helps organizations make smart decisions and adjust their defenses in real-time to stay ahead of new threats.
Integrated Security Operations bring together extended detection and response (XDR) with security information and event management (SIEM) capabilities.
This integration gives your security teams a complete picture of threats across the ecosystem, so they can respond more quickly and effectively.
Cloud App Security keeps your cloud apps safe, even when accessed outside the corporate network.
Microsoft 365 Defender Pricing Structure & Breakdown
Microsoft 365 Defender has pricing structures à la carte, so you can get the protection you need for your organization.
Microsoft Defender for Office 365 is available in two different plans. Plan 1 costs $2 per user per month and includes essential email protection features.
This plan is perfect for businesses that just need the basics in terms of security, offering solid protection against the most common email threats.
Plan 2 is for those who need more advanced protection and costs $5 per user per month.
Then there’s Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, which includes Microsoft 365 E3, E5, and F3 licenses.
The E3 plan, which is all about foundational endpoint protection, costs about $33.75 per user per month. It covers the basics, like antivirus and device management.
The E5 plan offers more advanced detection and response capabilities at around $54.75 per user per month.
Then, you can get Microsoft Defender for Business to secure device and server security for small and medium-sized businesses.
There are two pricing plans: the basic plan at $3.00 per user per month and the more advanced Microsoft 365 Business Premium plan at $22.00 per user per month.
On the other hand, there’s Microsoft Defender for Individuals, which is a simple security solution for individual users and families.
It helps keep your identities, data, and devices safe from online threats. The Microsoft 365 Personal plan is only available to US customers and costs $6.99 per month.
The Microsoft 365 Family plan, which covers up to six family members, is priced at $9.99 per month.
Also, Microsoft Defender XDR and Microsoft Defender for Cloud services are available for businesses that need extra security.
These services offer some pretty advanced, customizable security options, but you’ll need to chat with a Microsoft rep to make sure they’re right for your organization.
Meanwhile, for reference on Microsoft 365 Developer Program, please refer to “Microsoft 365 Developer Program Cost: A Guide of Free to Paid Innovation.”
Factors Influencing the Cost
It goes without saying that the number of users in an organization has a big impact on the total cost.
Larger organizations with more users will end up spending more overall, but per-user pricing might help them scale up.
Subscription plans also play a big part in how much it costs. Higher-tier plans, like Microsoft 365 E5, come with advanced features like extended detection and response (XDR) and security information and event management (SIEM) capabilities, so they cost more than basic plans like E3.
You’ll also have to factor in any additional services you might need. Licensing agreements can also affect pricing.
For instance, adding on extra services like Cloud App Security or Identity Protection makes things more secure, but also adds to the overall cost.
If you’re an enterprise customer, you might get a discount or special pricing based on how much you buy and how committed you are to the service.
If you’ve got more advanced defense systems on your mind, the Microsoft 365 Business Premium plan at $22.00 per user per month is a great option. It’s got all the security features you could need.
Also, Microsoft Defender XDR and Microsoft Defender for Cloud offer top-notch, customizable security solutions, but you’ll need to chat with a Microsoft rep to get the pricing right for your company.
Comparing Microsoft 365 Defender with Competitors
Microsoft 365 Defender has a lot going for it compared to other security solutions.
It’s easy to use because it works with other Microsoft 365 services. This makes it easier for organizations that already use Microsoft products to protect their data.
Microsoft 365 Defender’s got your back with comprehensive coverage that protects you from email, endpoints, identity, and cloud applications. It’s got your back from all angles.
In terms of cost-effectiveness, Microsoft 365 Defender is pretty competitive, especially when you consider the features included in higher-tier plans like E5.
Other security solutions out there, like those from Symantec, McAfee, and CrowdStrike, are pretty robust too, but they can be more expensive and complicated to manage.
CrowdStrike is known for its great threat detection, but it often requires more infrastructure and management than other options.
Symantec’s tools are pretty integrated, but they might have trouble in multi-OS environments and have had issues with data loss during encryption failures.
If you need to double-check any of the info we’ve given you or want to buy something, just head to the Microsoft 365 Defender page here.
Just so you know, we don’t get any affiliate benefits or other incentives for sending you to the Microsoft 365 Defender page.
At Octobits, we’re here to help you find reliable and worthwhile products.
We know how Microsoft 365 Defender is always reliable, which is why it became our inspiration when developing Octobits as a SaaS management platform to help streamline your business operations.
Octobits has tools to help you keep track of how your software is being used, ensure you’re following the rules, and better understand how your software is being used.
For more on how Octobits can help your company manage SaaS license, kindly visit our Octobits website. The good news is that we’re free to use until the end of June 2024.
In Closing
By looking at the pricing models, key features, and what makes one product better than another, businesses can make smart choices about their cybersecurity investments.
If you’re looking to get the most out of your SaaS management, tools like Octobits can help.
This all-in-one Octobits approach helps you get the most out of your Microsoft 365 Defender investment.
