Microsoft Licensing Update: Purview Suite Adds E5 Compliance to SMBs

Microsoft Purview Suite for Business Premium is a compliance add-on for Microsoft 365 Business Premium that delivers enterprise-grade data protection, risk management, and regulatory compliance capabilities at a fraction of the cost of traditional enterprise licensing. 

For organizations facing complex compliance requirements, Purview Suite consolidates advanced tools for data loss prevention, insider risk management, information protection, eDiscovery, and audit, making it possible to meet regulatory demands and reduce risk without the overhead of an E5 license.

Using Microsoft Purview Suite to Strengthen Compliance and Data Governance

In this episode of the Demystifying Microsoft podcast, Wade Walker (VP, Microsoft Alliance at Sourcepass MCOE) explores how organizations can use Microsoft Purview Suite for Business Premium to address compliance challenges, streamline data governance, and protect sensitive information. The discussion covers the suite’s core features, practical use cases, and the value proposition for organizations seeking to elevate their compliance posture without migrating to enterprise licensing.

Timestamped Key Moments

• 00:00 — Introduction to compliance challenges in Microsoft 365
• 01:18 — Why Microsoft introduced Purview Suite for Business Premium
• 02:24 — What’s included in Purview Suite for Business Premium
• 02:50 — Deep dive on eDiscovery, Audit, Insider Risk Management, and Information Protection
• 04:36 — End-to-end compliance: DLP, message encryption, customer key, lifecycle management
• 07:13 — Pricing and value: 47% discount compared to individual licenses
• 07:38 — Who benefits from Purview Suite and how compliance requirements vary
• 08:44  — Next steps and how to evaluate if Purview Suite is right for your organization

What is Microsoft Purview Suite for Business Premium?

Microsoft Purview Suite for Business Premium is an add-on for Microsoft 365 Business Premium that brings E5-level compliance and data governance features to organizations without the need for a full enterprise license. It includes advanced tools for information protection, insider risk management, eDiscovery, audit, and more, all for $10 per user per month, which represents a 47% discount compared to buying the components individually.

How does Purview Suite for Business Premium Address Compliance and Data Protection?

The suite addresses several critical compliance and security needs:

• Data Loss Prevention (DLP): Prevents accidental or unauthorized sharing of sensitive data across email, Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive, and endpoints.
• Insider Risk Management: Uses behavioral analytics to detect and mitigate risks from accidental or malicious insider actions.
• Information Protection and Governance: Enables organizations to classify, label, and encrypt sensitive data, manage data lifecycle, and enforce retention policies.
• eDiscovery and Audit (Premium): Provides advanced tools for legal hold, case management, and long-term audit log retention.
• Message Encryption and Customer Key: Enhances email privacy and gives organizations control over their encryption keys, supporting regulatory requirements.
• Compliance Manager and Data Security Posture Management: Offers actionable insights and a compliance score to track progress against regulations.

How Organizations Use Microsoft Purview Suite for Business Premium to Manage Compliance

• Meeting Regulatory Requirements: Automates data discovery, classification, and retention to support frameworks like GDPR, HIPAA, and industry-specific mandates.
• Preventing Data Breaches: DLP and insider risk tools reduce the risk of accidental or intentional data leaks.
• Streamlining Audits: Advanced eDiscovery and audit features simplify legal and compliance investigations.
• Managing Data Lifecycle: Automates retention, archiving, and deletion of data to reduce storage costs and compliance risk.

How does Purview Suite Compare to E5 Compliance?

Purview Suite for Business Premium delivers many of the same compliance features found in Microsoft 365 E5 Compliance, but at a lower price point and with a seat cap of 300 users. This makes it ideal for organizations that need advanced compliance but don’t require the full breadth of E5 licensing. Key differences include the scope of included features and integration with Business Premium’s productivity and security baseline.

Getting Started with Microsoft Purview Suite for Business Premium

• Start with a Data Inventory: Identify sensitive data and map regulatory requirements before deploying policies.
• Engage Stakeholders: Involve compliance, legal, and business units in policy design.
• Iterate on Policy Design: Begin with a few targeted DLP and retention policies, monitor results, and refine over time.
• Leverage Compliance Manager: Use built-in tools to track compliance posture and prioritize remediation efforts. 

Learn More about Microsoft Purview Suite with Sourcepass MCOE

Microsoft Purview Suite for Business Premium offers a practical path to enterprise-grade compliance without the complexity or cost of full E5 licensing. For organizations navigating regulatory demands, internal audits, or partner-driven compliance requirements, this add-on delivers the tools needed to strengthen data governance and reduce risk. Whether you're preparing for funding, working with government contractors, or simply tightening your security posture, Purview Suite helps you meet the moment with confidence.

For ongoing updates and practical insights on Microsoft 365 compliance, 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 Purview Suite, connect with a Sourcepass Center of Excellence for Microsoft expert today.