Many businesses are already using Microsoft 365 as part of their internal processes: Outlook for emails, Word and Excel for creating documents, Teams to communicate with employees, and SharePoint for file sharing. These all play a huge role in improving productivity, but what if we told you that you could access a higher level of security when it comes to managing devices, protecting accounts, and sharing company data? This is where Microsoft 365 Business Premium takes things to the next level.
Businesses choose Microsoft 365 Business Premium as it brings productivity tools, cyber-security and device management together in one licence. Rather than Microsoft 365 being a collection of office applications, it becomes a secure IT platform.
Microsoft Business Standard + Security & Control
Microsoft Business Premium includes all of the apps and services that come with Microsoft 365 Business Standard, such as desktop, web and mobile versions of Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint, as well as business email and cloud file storage. Depending on the licence you have, Microsoft Teams may also be included.
The main difference is that Business Premium adds advanced cyber-threat protection and device management. It includes Microsoft Intune Plan 1, Microsoft Entra ID Plan 1, Microsoft Defender for Business and Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Plan 1. So Microsoft 365 Business Standard gives your employees all the tools they need to work, while Business Premium adds an extra layer of security that helps protect your employees, their devices and business data.
Protection Against Cyber Threats
Security is one of the main reasons that businesses upgrade to Microsoft 365 Business Premium. Phishing, compromised passwords, malicious email attachments and ransomware are all threats that businesses need to be aware of. No matter how big or small your business is, these threats can still have a devastating impact.
Microsoft 365 Business Premium provides several layers of security, starting with Microsoft Defender. This protects email and collaboration tools against phishing and malicious links. Microsoft Defender also adds endpoint security for devices including threat detection, investigation and response capabilities.
Microsoft Entra ID provides enhanced identity and access management. Its Conditional Access option allows businesses to set up rules governing who can access company systems, and under what circumstances. Access can therefore be restricted based on the user, device, or location, and of course multi-factor authentication can be added where necessary.
Of course it is worth noting that no software licence can completely remove cyber risk, and the tools must be implemented correctly. However, bringing endpoint protection together with email and identity protection can help build stronger business defences.
Centralised Management
Microsoft 365 Business Premium also includes Microsoft Intune which provides a centralised endpoint management – ideal for employees who are hybrid working and using a mixture of company-owned and personal laptops / mobile phones. Administrators are able to use Intune to apply security & compliance policies across devices. This can include requiring encryption, setting password or PIN parameters, managing software updates, and simply checking whether a device meets the organisation’s security requirements before it is allowed to access business resources.
If a device is lost or stolen, or an employee leaves the business, administrators can take action remotely and remove business information from the device. Centralised management gives businesses much more visibility and control, instead of having to rely on every employee to configure and maintain their own device correctly.
Microsoft 365 Business Standard vs Business Premium
| Capability | Business Standard | Business Premium |
| Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook | ✓ | ✓ |
| Business email and cloud storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Teams collaboration* | ✓ | ✓ |
| Identity and access controls | Basic | Advanced |
| Microsoft Entra ID Plan 1 | ✗ | ✓ |
| Centralised device management with Intune | ✗ | ✓ |
| Endpoint security with Defender for Business | ✗ | ✓ |
| Advanced email threat protection | ✗ | ✓ |
| Conditional Access policies | ✗ | ✓ |
| Remote management of business devices and data | ✗ | ✓ |
Built for Flexible Working
There is an increasing need for employees to be able to work securely from different locations and devices. They may be working from home one day, a coffee shop another, and back at the office for the remainder of the week. Microsoft 365 provides the cloud services needed to aid this flexibility, particularly with OneDrive and SharePoint. These allow authorised users to access and collaborate on files, while Teams enables chats and online meetings.
Microsoft 365 Business Premium adds the management and security layer on top, to help support safer working patterns. Identity controls verify access, while device policies can be applied without employees having to be logged onto the office network.
Is Microsoft 365 Business Premium Worth It?
For businesses that just require the basic Office applications and cloud services, Microsoft 365 Business Standard provides everything they need. However, for businesses that also need to manage devices, strengthen access control, and have stronger cybersecurity defences, Microsoft 365 Business Premium is the better choice.
At Reality Solutions, we can help you choose, implement and manage the right Microsoft 365 licence for your business. From migrating your data and configuring security settings, to managing users and devices, our specialists ensure you get the most out of your Microsoft 365 Business Premium package. Contact us today to get started.
*This article contains general information in order to assist all of our customers and is meant for guidance only – there are no guarantees that the information we provide will be suitable for your particular needs. If you require specific assistance, we recommend that you seek professional guidance on your individual circumstances. Reality Solutions are in no way responsible for any loss or damage arising from any information contained within our articles.
