Microsoft Defender for Business rolling out now
The commercialisation of cybercrime has led to an increase in the frequency and sophistication of attacks on small and medium-sized businesses. Business interruption is a concern, especially from a cyber-attack such as ransomware (Allianz Risk Barometer 2022). For smaller businesses this type of impact can be hard to manage with potential operational, financial, and customer trust implications.
Microsoft are pleased to announce the general availability of Microsoft Defender for Business for Microsoft 365 Business Premium customers. This brings cross-platform endpoint security capabilities to many small business customers worldwide. At no additional cost!
Microsoft Defender for Business now rolling out to new and existing Microsoft 365 Business Premium customers
Microsoft introduced Microsoft Defender for Business, built to bring enterprise-grade endpoint security to businesses, in a solution that is easy-to-use and cost-effective. Defender for Business goes beyond traditional antivirus and delivers threat and vulnerability management, endpoint detection and response, and automated investigation and remediation capabilities in a single solution.
Defender for Business has started rolling out to existing Microsoft 365 Business Premium customers. No action or additional transactions are required for existing customers, the service will become available within the Endpoint section of the Microsoft 365 Defender security portal over the next few weeks. For new Microsoft 365 Business Premium customers, you will see Defender for Business available immediately.
If you have an existing Microsoft Defender for Endpoint license within your tenant this will affect the administrative experience, within the Microsoft 365 Defender security portal. Enabling the Defender for Business service changes the following experiences:
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint P1 changes to Microsoft Defender for Business.
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint P2 will remain in place and Microsoft Defender for Business product experience will not be seen until the Defender for Endpoint P2 license is completely removed from the tenant. Then the Defender for Business experience will be seen.
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Servers, or Microsoft Defender for Cloud is active within the Azure tenant. This will also impact the Microsoft 365 Defender admin center and switch it to a more advanced Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Plan 2 product experience. Defender for Business experience will not be seen.
The transition from Microsoft Defender for Endpoint P1 or P2 to Microsoft Defender for Business will not require offboarding and onboarding devices again. Security settings will remain in place.
Defender for Business will also be offered as a standalone package. This will be coming later this year. You can continue to preview the standalone solution by signing up at https://aka.ms/MDB-SA-Preview.
To read the full Microsoft announcement, click here.
If you are looking for more support and guidance on Microsoft Business Defender, Adepteq can assist you. Contact us today.
