Expanded Access to Microsoft 365 E5 Security and Compliance Add-Ons
- Lili Kutcher, HBS Microsoft Licensing Specialist
- Read Time: 2 mins
In this article...
- Microsoft has expanded access to its most advanced security and compliance tools—without requiring a full E5 license.
- Find out who qualifies, what each add-on includes, and how you can take advantage of the change.
Microsoft just made it easier—and smarter—for more organizations to step up their security and compliance game.
More organizations can now tap into Microsoft 365 E5 extra services—without needing a full Microsoft 365 E5 or E3 license.
This change expands eligibility for two of Microsoft’s most advanced add-ons:
- Microsoft 365 E5 Security
- Microsoft 365 E5 Compliance
If you’re using Office 365 E3 with + Enterprise Mobility + Security E3 (EMS E3) or Microsoft 365 Business Premium, these premium add-ons are now available
Which Subscriptions Are Now Eligible to Add Microsoft 365 E5 Security
Microsoft 365 E5 Security is Microsoft’s most powerful security bundle, designed to defend identities, endpoints, email, applications, and cloud data in one unified solution. Until now, it was limited to customers with the full Microsoft 365 E3 or E5 suite. That’s changed.
Now eligible:
- Office 365 E3 with + Enterprise Mobility + Security E3
- Microsoft 365 Business Premium
What You Get with Microsoft 365 E5 Security ($144/user/year)
- Microsoft Entra ID Plan 2: Advanced conditional access, identity protection, and governance
- Microsoft Defender for Identity: Threat detection and response across Active Directory
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Plan 2: Threat hunting, live response, extended retention, and IoT security
- Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Plan 2: Automated investigation, training simulations, and advanced threat tracking
- Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps: Shadow IT visibility and SaaS security controls
These tools are built to scale with your organization—without needing to jump to a full Microsoft 365 E5 license.
Expand Compliance Coverage with Microsoft 365 E5 Compliance Add-On
Microsoft has also made Microsoft 365 E5 Compliance available to organizations using Office 365 E3 with + Enterprise Mobility + Security E3. This unlocks advanced tools for managing risk, securing sensitive data, and meeting regulatory demands with less manual effort.
What You Get with Microsoft 365 E5 Compliance ($144/user/year)
- Advanced eDiscovery and Audit
- Insider Risk Management and Communication Compliance
- Data Loss Prevention across more services
- Information Governance with Microsoft Purview
It is important to note that the $144/user/year prices for both Microsoft 365 E5 Security and Microsoft 365 E5 Compliance are based on annual terms paid annually.
Get Licensing Clarity with HBS
If you’re already using Microsoft 365 Business Premium or Office 365 E3 with EMS E3, now’s the time to consider how Microsoft 365 E5 Security and Microsoft 365 E5 Compliance can improve your protection and reduce risk.
At HBS, we help you cut through the noise of Microsoft Licensing. Whether you’re trying to understand if you qualify for Microsoft 365 E5 Security or Compliance extra services, want to upgrade your Microsoft 365 E5 security posture, or need guidance on your Microsoft licensing path, we’ll help you make the right call.
We’ll assess your current environment, recommend what fits, and make sure you’re not overpaying—or under-protecting.
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