Protecting your customers with Microsoft Defender for Business

Time to read

4 minutes

Date published

April 2025

Cyber threats aren’t just a problem for big corporations – they’re hitting your customers just as hard. The reality? 43% of cyberattacks target SMBs, and only 14% of those are adequately prepared to defend themselves.

But here’s the good news: Microsoft Defender for Business is built to give Small and Medium sized businesses (SMBs) enterprise-grade security – without the enterprise-grade price tag or complexity.

Whether your customers are consultancies or retailers, protecting their business should be easy, effective, and affordable.

Why Microsoft Defender for Business?

Think of Defender for Business as your customers’ security team on autopilot – continuously scanning, detecting, and neutralising threats before they become real problems.

And the best part? It’s included in Microsoft 365 Business Premium, which already delivers a powerful combination of productivity and security tools tailored for SMBs.

What your customers get with Defender for Business:

Advanced Threat Protection – Stops malware, phishing, and ransomware before they reach customers.

Automated Security – Investigates and resolves threats in real time across Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.

Easy Setup & Management – Preconfigured security policies and a simple dashboard make protection effortless.

Cost-Effective – Included in Microsoft 365 Business Premium or available as a standalone solution for just £2.30 per user/month.

Even more security with E5 add-ons

With cyber threats growing in volume and sophistication, some SMBs are looking for even stronger security to meet compliance requirements. That’s why Microsoft has introduced the E5 Security add-on for Business Premium customers.

For those needing extra layers of protection, this upgrade brings:

Microsoft Entra ID Plan 2 – Advanced identity protection and conditional access.

Microsoft Defender for Identity – Detects and blocks suspicious activity before it leads to a breach.

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Plan 2 – Even more powerful endpoint security with deeper analytics.

Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Plan 2 – Enhanced email and collaboration security.

Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps – Protection across third-party cloud services like Dropbox, Google Drive, and Salesforce.

Why does this matter?

Many SMBs are now required to meet stricter cyber-security regulations or cyber-insurance requirements – and if they don’t now, they may soon be. E5 Add-ons help tick those boxes. It’s also perfect for businesses that handle sensitive data or work in industries with strict compliance needs.

Real-world security for SMBs

Picture this; your customer launches a game-changing product, and it’s gaining traction. Suddenly, cybercriminals try to breach their systems – looking for customer data, intellectual property, or financial information. Microsoft Defender for Business spots the attack, neutralises the threat, and keeps their operations running smoothly – all without your customers having to lift a finger.

And for Managed Service Providers (MSPs) like you, Microsoft 365 Lighthouse makes it easy to manage and respond to security incidents across multiple customers, giving you better visibility and control.

Breaking down common objections for your customers

“I already have antivirus.”

Traditional antivirus isn’t enough anymore. Attacks are smarter, and businesses need multi-layered protection. Defender for Business includes next-gen antivirus plus advanced Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) to catch threats before they spread.

“Microsoft isn’t a security company.”

That’s old news. Microsoft is investing $20 billion in cybersecurity over five years, and Gartner and Forrester rank Microsoft as a top-tier security leader – ahead of traditional players like CrowdStrike and Fortinet.

“I can’t afford it.”

You can’t afford a breach. Business Premium is just £6.60 more per user/month than Business Standard – and that includes Defender for Business plus a full suite of advanced security and productivity tools.

Take the next step

Your customers deserve enterprise-level security without enterprise-level hassle. Whether you stick with Microsoft Defender for Business or supercharge it with the E5 Security add-on, your customers are getting cutting-edge protection that keeps their data, employees, and business safe.

Already got your customers on Microsoft 365 Business Premium? It’s worth checking that all the security features are switched on, otherwise they could be missing out on the highest level of protection on offer.

Need even more security? Talk to our in-house security specialists about the wider cyber security opportunity in the UK SMB market. Alternatively, book a business review with our in-house cyber security specialists to support you on your cyber security journey.

Ready to secure your business? Let’s talk.