Why Microsoft 365 Business Premium is the “Smart Money” Choice for Your Business

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• Microsoft Licensing Changes – What You Need to Know
• Why It Might Be Time to Reevaluate Your Microsoft 365 Plan
• The Hidden Costs of Add-On Security
• How to Transition to Microsoft Business Premium
• A Smarter, Simpler, More Secure Future 

Microsoft Licensing Changes – What You Need to Know 

Microsoft is rolling out a 5% price increase on certain Microsoft 365 licenses starting April 1, 2025. This change applies to annual commitment plans paid monthly, meaning your rate will go up when your subscription renews after April 1. 

Initially, Microsoft announced that nonprofits, education, and government customers would be exempt, but that’s no longer the case—this increase now applies to all customers. 

What Should You Do Next? 

• Check your renewal dates—your price won’t increase immediately but will take effect when your subscription renews. 

• Review your licensing setup—this is a good time to ensure you’re on the best plan for your business needs. 

• Talk to your IT provider or account manager to explore cost-saving options before your renewal. 

A little planning now can help you avoid unexpected budget increases later. 

Why It Might Be Time to Reevaluate Your Microsoft 365 Plan 

With pricing changes on the horizon, now is a good time to ask: Am I really getting the most out of my Microsoft 365 subscription? 

Many businesses start with Microsoft 365 Business Standard or Office 365 E3, but these plans lack key security features—leading companies to buy costly add-ons. Microsoft Business Premium eliminates that need by bundling advanced security, compliance, and management tools into a single plan. 

What Sets Microsoft Business Premium Apart? 

Unlike Business Standard or Office 365 E3, Business Premium includes enterprise-level security features without the enterprise-level price. Here’s what you get: 

• Conditional Access – Ensures only trusted users and devices can access company data. 

• Data Loss Prevention (DLP) – Helps prevent accidental or malicious data leaks. 

• Microsoft Defender for Business – Advanced threat protection against malware, phishing, and cyberattacks. 

• Microsoft Defender for Office – Adds extra layers of email security. 

• Microsoft Purview for Encryption – Keeps sensitive emails and files locked down. 

• Microsoft Intune (MDM) – Manages and secures company devices remotely. 

With these built-in protections, Business Premium replaces the need for separate security add-ons, helping businesses save money while strengthening their security posture. 

Next let's break down the real cost difference—because when you look at the numbers, the savings become even clearer. 

Cost Breakdown – How Much Can You Save? 

At first glance, Microsoft Business Standard, Office 365 E3, and Business Premium may seem similar. They all include Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams, and SharePoint—but when you factor in security, the real differences become clear. 

Breaking Down the Costs 

Here’s the monthly per-user pricing for each plan: 

• Microsoft Business Standard – $12 

• Office 365 E3 – $23 

• Microsoft Business Premium – $22 

At first, Business Premium looks like it’s just $1 less than Office 365 E3, but that’s before you consider security. 

RELATED READING: Securing Remote Work: Microsoft 365's Essential Security Tools 

The Hidden Costs of Add-On Security 

If you're using Business Standard or Office 365 E3, you're likely paying for extra security tools to fill the gaps. Here’s what those add-ons typically cost per user per month: 

That’s $25 per user per month on top of your Microsoft 365 license. 

For businesses that need security, compliance, and device management, Business Premium isn’t just a better deal—it eliminates the need for extra tools, saving time and reducing complexity. 

 Let’s take a look at how these security features work in real-world scenarios.

Security Features in Action: What Business Premium Delivers

Microsoft Business Premium bundles enterprise-grade security into one package, helping businesses protect data, prevent cyber threats, and manage devices efficiently. Here’s how its key security features work in practice. 

Conditional Access: Blocking Unauthorized Access 

Conditional Access ensures only trusted users and devices can log in, automatically blocking suspicious attempts. 

How It Works: It evaluates login factors like location, device status, and behavior before granting access. If a login attempt looks unusual, it’s blocked or requires extra verification. For example, a sales manager logs in from a company laptop as usual, but when someone attempts to access the account from an unknown device in another state, Conditional Access blocks the attempt. 

Data Loss Prevention (DLP): Stopping Sensitive Data Leaks 

DLP prevents confidential information from being shared externally, whether by email, Teams, or file sharing. 

How It Works: It detects sensitive data (e.g., Social Security numbers, financials) and blocks unauthorized sharing, ensuring compliance with security policies. For example, an employee tries to email a spreadsheet with customer credit card numbers. DLP blocks the email and alerts IT, preventing a data leak. 

Microsoft Defender for Business: Protecting Against Cyberattacks 

Defender for Business blocks phishing, ransomware, and malware before they can do damage. 

How It Works: It uses AI and machine learning to scan emails, files, and devices for threats, blocking malicious content and alerting IT in real time.  For example, a finance employee receives an email that looks like it's from the CEO, requesting a wire transfer. Defender flags it as a phishing attempt and blocks the link, preventing fraud. 

Microsoft Purview Encryption: Securing Emails and Files 

Microsoft Purview Encryption ensures that only authorized recipients can access sensitive files and emails. 

How It Works: Employees can encrypt content with a single click. Even if an encrypted email is forwarded, security settings remain in place, restricting access to approved users. For example, a legal firm shares a confidential contract with a client. Instead of sending an unprotected attachment, they encrypt the file, ensuring only the intended recipient can open it. 

Microsoft Intune (MDM): Managing and Securing Devices 

Intune enables businesses to control access, enforce security policies, and remotely wipe lost or stolen devices. 

How It Works: IT can enforce compliance by restricting access to non-compliant devices, requiring encryption, and managing corporate apps on employee devices. For example, an employee loses a company phone while traveling. IT wipes the device remotely within minutes, protecting company data from unauthorized access. 

With Microsoft Business Premium, these security features come built-in—no extra software required. 

How to Transition to Microsoft Business Premium 

Moving to Microsoft Business Premium is straightforward and can improve security, efficiency, and cost savings almost immediately. A smooth transition starts with planning ahead and following these key steps. 

Step 1: Evaluate Your Current Licensing & Security Setup 

Before switching, assess what you’re using now and identify gaps: 

1. What Microsoft 365 plan are you on? Identify if you’re using Business Standard, Office 365 E3, or another plan to determine missing security features. 

Step 2: Plan the Migration for Minimal Disruption 

Planning your rollout? Here’s how to make it smooth: 

Start with a pilot group. Test Business Premium with a small team first before rolling it out company-wide. 
Communicate with employees. Explain what’s changing and why—better security, easier access, and no extra password hassles. 
Schedule upgrades during off-peak hours. Run migrations after hours or on weekends to minimize disruptions. 
 Work with your IT provider. If Microsoft 365 isn’t managed in-house, coordinate with your IT team or provider early. 

Step 3: Roll Out Security Features in Phases 

You don’t need to enable all security features on Day 1—phase them in gradually for a smooth transition. 

Phase 1: Secure Access – Enable Conditional Access & Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) first for immediate protection against unauthorized logins. 

Phase 2: Device Security – Roll out Microsoft Intune to ensure only secure, company-approved devices can access business data. 

Phase 3: Data & Email Protection – Implement Data Loss Prevention (DLP) and set up Microsoft Defender to block phishing, malware, and ransomware. 

Phase 4: Ongoing Optimization – Regularly review security settings and adjust policies as needed—Microsoft tools adapt to evolving threats. 

A Smarter, Simpler, More Secure Future 

Upgrading to Microsoft Business Premium is about more than just saving money—it’s about simplifying IT, strengthening security, and making sure your business is ready for the future. By following this phased approach, your company can transition without disruption, keeping employees productive while improving security behind the scenes. 

If you’re ready to make the switch—or just want to understand your options—reach out to Ntiva to review your current Microsoft 365 plan and map out the best upgrade path for your business. In the meantime, sign up for our monthly Microsoft 365 for Business Mastery Series, and stay up-to-date on all the newest tips and tricks.