September Microsoft Licensing Update: New Business Premium Add-Ons

Small and medium-sized businesses often face the same security and compliance requirements as large enterprises, but until now, many advanced tools have only been available to organizations with enterprise-level licensing. Microsoft has introduced new add-ons for Microsoft 365 Business Premium that make enterprise-grade security and compliance accessible to SMBs. These options are designed for organizations with up to 300 users and can be added to existing Business Premium licenses.

This update enables advanced threat protection, identity management, data loss prevention, and eDiscovery, with pricing designed to offer substantial savings compared to buying individual components.

What are the new Microsoft 365 Business Premium add-ons?

In this episode on the Demystifying Microsoft podcast, Wade Walker (VP, Microsoft Alliance at the Sourcepass MCOE) breaks down the latest Microsoft 365 Business Premium licensing changes, focusing on three new add-ons that deliver enterprise-grade security and compliance to SMBs. The discussion covers how these updates affect organizations managing up to 300 users, with details on pricing, features, and deployment.

Timestamped Key Moments

• 00:00 — Introduction and overview of new Microsoft 365 Business Premium add-ons
• 00:30 — What is Microsoft 365 Business Premium and who should use it
• 02:30 — Announcement of three new add-ons for Business Premium
• 04:07 — Deep dive into Defender Suite for Business Premium
• 06:16 — Deep dive into Purview Suite for Business Premium
• 08:09 — Combined Defender and Purview Suite: features and pricing
• 09:06 — Closing thoughts and next steps for IT teams

What is Microsoft 365 Business Premium and why does it matter?

Microsoft 365 Business Premium is designed for small and medium businesses (SMBs) with up to 300 users. It combines productivity apps (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams) with advanced security and compliance features. The new add-ons announced in September 2025 allow SMBs to access enterprise-level protection without moving to E3/E5 licensing.

How do the new add-ons solve security and compliance challenges for SMBs?

The three add-ons are:

• Microsoft Defender Suite for Business Premium ($10/user/month):
  Delivers advanced XDR across identity, devices, email, and SaaS. Includes Entra ID Plan 2, Defender for Endpoint Plan 2, Defender for Office 365 Plan 2, Defender for Identity, and Defender for Cloud Apps. This bundle offers a 65% cost savings compared to buying each product separately.

• Microsoft Purview Suite for Business Premium ($10/user/month):
  Provides enterprise-grade compliance, including E5 eDiscovery and Audit, Insider Risk Management, Information Protection and Governance, Data Loss Prevention, and message encryption. This suite saves 47% compared to individual licensing.
• Defender and Purview Suites for Business Premium ($15/user/month):
  Combines both security and compliance add-ons for broad protection, with a 68% savings over separate purchases.
  

What are some examples or use cases?

SMBs facing regulatory requirements such as HIPAA, PCI, or financial compliance can now deploy enterprise-level security and compliance tools without the complexity or cost of E3 or E5 licensing. Organizations can streamline onboarding, automate identity governance, and protect against advanced threats and data loss within the Business Premium framework.

How do these changes affect licensing strategy and cost optimization?

The new add-ons are capped at 300 licenses per customer, aligning with Business Premium’s target market. IT leaders can mix and match add-ons to fit their needs, avoiding over-licensing and reducing waste. The modular approach lets organizations right-size their security and compliance investments.

Explore Microsoft 365 Business Premium with Sourcepass MCOE

Business Premium licensing now offers small and medium-sized organizations access to security and compliance features that were previously reserved for enterprise customers. These new add-ons make it possible to address regulatory requirements and advanced threat protection without the complexity of moving to higher-tier licensing.

For ongoing updates and practical insights on Microsoft 365 Business Premium, subscribe to the Demystifying Microsoft Podcast.

If you have questions about how these changes could impact your organization or want to discuss options for deploying Business Premium add-ons, connect with a Microsoft licensing expert today.