Microsoft Defender for Office 365

What is Microsoft Defender for Office 365?

Microsoft Defender for Office 365 is Microsoft's email security for Office 365, with threat protection built into Microsoft 365 and often included in E5, the natural choice for organisations protecting Microsoft 365 email. It protects Exchange Online email (and Teams, SharePoint and OneDrive) against phishing, BEC, malware and spam, with safe attachments and safe links (sandboxing), anti phishing and impersonation protection, automated investigation and response, and attack simulation training, integrated into Microsoft 365 and the Microsoft Defender XDR stack. Available as Plan 1 and Plan 2, with Plan 2 included in Microsoft 365 E5, it is the native email security for Microsoft 365, which many organisations use as their baseline. For Microsoft 365 protection, Defender for Office 365 is a leading choice.

Defender for Office 365's distinction is native, integrated Microsoft 365 email protection, often already owned. As Microsoft's own email security, it protects Microsoft 365 natively, integrates with the Defender XDR stack and Microsoft security signals, and is included in E5, so Microsoft organisations get strong baseline email protection within their environment at little or no extra cost. That native integration and bundling set it apart for Microsoft 365 users.

Who Microsoft Defender for Office 365 is best for

Microsoft Defender for Office 365 is best for organisations on Microsoft 365 that want native email protection integrated with the Microsoft Defender stack, especially those with Microsoft 365 E5 where it is included. It suits Microsoft 365 email protection as a baseline. It is a weaker fit as the sole defence against the most advanced BEC and phishing, where many layer an AI native tool like Abnormal, organisations wanting a dedicated gateway and resilience suite, where Proofpoint or Mimecast fit, or non Microsoft email.

Key features

The core strengths are native protection of Microsoft 365 email (and Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive) against phishing, BEC, malware and spam, safe attachments and safe links sandboxing, anti phishing and impersonation protection, automated investigation and response, and attack simulation training, integrated with Microsoft Defender XDR. It offers Plan 1 and Plan 2, with Plan 2 in E5. Its native Microsoft 365 integration and bundling are its defining advantages.

Microsoft Defender for Office 365 pricing

Defender for Office 365 is priced per user per month, with Plan 1 around 2 US dollars and Plan 2 around 5, and Plan 2 is included in Microsoft 365 E5, so many Microsoft organisations already have it. Pricing is very favourable within the Microsoft stack. Costs depend on plan and licensing. Confirm details via the Defender for Office 365 page.

Integrations and ecosystem

Defender for Office 365 integrates natively with Microsoft 365 (Exchange Online, Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive) and the Microsoft Defender XDR stack and Sentinel, sharing signals across Microsoft security. Its native Microsoft integration, which protects Microsoft 365 and feeds the Defender XDR and Sentinel ecosystem, is a signature strength for Microsoft organisations.

Defender for Office 365 and Microsoft 365

Native integration and bundling are the signature strength: as Microsoft's own email security, Defender for Office 365 protects Microsoft 365 natively, integrates with the Defender XDR stack, and is included in E5, so Microsoft organisations get strong baseline protection within their environment, often already owned. For Microsoft 365 users, this is the main reason to use it.

Ease of use and support

Defender for Office 365 is well rated for native Microsoft 365 protection, integration and value, with Microsoft support, though reviewers note configuration complexity and that the most advanced attacks may need an added layer. Its G2 reviews praise integration and value, with advanced threat gaps and complexity the main considerations.

Is Microsoft Defender for Office 365 worth it?

For organisations on Microsoft 365 that want native email protection integrated with the Defender stack, often included in E5, Defender for Office 365 is a strong, cost effective baseline. The main caution is that the most advanced BEC and phishing may need an added AI native layer like Abnormal, and those wanting a dedicated gateway and resilience suite may prefer Proofpoint or Mimecast, but for Microsoft 365 protection Defender is a leading baseline.