Microsoft 365 is a component of most businesses’ technology stack in some form. There are many different subscription types that offer different things. These options change fairly frequently to the dismay of both IT professionals and end users. One of the more underutilized subscriptions is Microsoft Business Premium. Business Premium may make sense as it contains many different components under one umbrella.
Why Microsoft 365 Business Premium is Worth the Upgrade from Business Standard
When choosing the right Microsoft 365 plan for your business, it’s essential to understand what you’re getting—and what you might be missing. Many small to medium-sized businesses start with the Business Standard license, which includes core productivity apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and services like Teams, OneDrive, and SharePoint. While it’s a solid offering for general office use, Microsoft 365 Business Premium takes things a step further—especially when it comes to security and device management.
Enhanced Security and Compliance
One of the most compelling reasons for upgrading to Business Premium is the suite of advanced security features. Business Premium includes Microsoft Defender for Business, which offers enterprise-grade endpoint protection against malware, phishing, and ransomware. This feature alone can help prevent costly data breaches or downtime.
Additionally, Intune—Microsoft’s mobile device management and application management tool—is included. This allows IT administrators to enforce policies, wipe corporate data from lost or stolen devices, and ensure only compliant devices access sensitive information. For companies with remote or hybrid teams, this level of control is invaluable.
Business Premium also allows for configuring encrypted email to better secure your company communications as well as other security benefits.
Access and Identity Management
With Azure Active Directory Premium Plan 1 included in Business Premium, businesses gain conditional access capabilities, multi-factor authentication, and identity protection tools. These features help ensure that only the right users can access company resources under the right conditions, reducing the risk of unauthorized access.
Conclusion
While Business Standard meets the needs of many organizations, Business Premium is a better fit for businesses that handle sensitive data, support remote teams, or need tighter security controls. For just a modest increase in monthly cost, Business Premium offers peace of mind and tools that scale with your business. If you’re looking to future-proof your IT infrastructure, upgrading to Business Premium is a smart investment.