Most MSPs know the high-level benefits of Microsoft Business Premium; however, clients are still reluctant to pay more for the cybersecurity that it provides. Our research in the managed services community shows that between 2022 and 2024, the percentage of MSP tenants with a Microsoft Business Premium license has increased from 41% to over 60%. This is great progress; however, we talk to MSPs each week who have clients that experience account breaches and/or business email compromise (BEC).

We’ve put together this short list of benefits that we hope will help in your next client conversation around Microsoft 365 security.

The Growing Need for Enhanced Security

The statistics are alarming: 91% of successful cyberattacks begin with an email, and 61% of breaches involve the exploitation of user credentials. These numbers highlight the significant vulnerabilities that SMBs face, especially those still relying on basic or standard licensing tiers.

For MSPs, the challenge is twofold: not only do you need to protect your clients from these cyber threats, but you also need to convince them of the necessity of upgrading their security measures. This is where Microsoft Business Premium comes into play.

Why Microsoft Business Premium?

Microsoft Business Premium is more than just an upgraded license—it contains powerful security solutions tailored for SMBs. Upgrading to premium unlocks a suite of tools and features designed to protect email, user accounts, and devices—the three primary entry points for cyberattacks.

Email Security

Phishing remains the top method attackers use to breach organizations. With Microsoft Business Premium, MSPs can leverage advanced email security features that help block malicious emails and links before they reach end-users and, in some cases, prevent users from clicking suspicious links. Defender for Microsoft 365 plays a crucial role here, proactively protecting your clients’ inboxes and minimizing the risk of a successful phishing attack.

User Account Protection

User credentials are a common target for attackers. With Microsoft Business Premium, MSPs can implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and conditional access policies, significantly reducing the risk of unauthorized access. These tools are essential for protecting client accounts from both internal and external threats.

Device Security

Endpoints are often a weak link in an organization’s security chain. Microsoft Business Premium includes Intune, a powerful solution for managing device security. Intune allows MSPs to deploy configuration policies and, coupled with conditional access policies, can enforce compliance, ensuring that only secure, compliant devices can access company resources. This layer of protection is critical in preventing attacks that target end-user devices.

The Value of Proactive Monitoring and Detection

One of the key benefits of upgrading to Microsoft Business Premium is its ability to enhance your security posture with advanced tools, but it’s important to complement this with proactive monitoring and detection. In today’s environment, it’s not enough to simply prevent breaches; you must also be able to detect and respond to them in real-time.

For your clients that are still on Microsoft Business Basic or Standard, Augmentt will be able to review Microsoft logs to detect suspicious account sign-ins and security configuration changes. Microsoft Business Premium, however, leverages Microsoft’s systems that analyze over 70 trillion signals per day to provide additional alerting intelligence for what is occurring in your clients’ environment. Augmentt allows you to implement comprehensive monitoring, receive real-time alerts, and report on security risks effectively, ensuring that you and your clients can respond quickly and minimize potential damage.

Simplifying Security Management

Managing security across multiple clients can be a complex and time-consuming task. Microsoft Business Premium provides a robust foundation for securing client environments, but true efficiency comes from integrating it with specialized tools.

With Augmentt, MSPs can apply a security baseline across a client with just a few clicks, significantly reducing the time spent on manual configurations. In addition, you can fully audit your security and define policies such as Conditional Access to properly secure a client’s assets. Having a multi-tenant Microsoft security solution allows MSPs to standardize their security, streamline alerts to their PSA, and solve their client reporting needs.

A Worthwhile Investment

For MSPs, Microsoft Business Premium represents a crucial investment in the cybersecurity and success of your clients. By upgrading to Premium, you can protect your clients from the growing threat of cyberattacks, while also streamlining your own operations.

As cyber threats continue to rise, the need for advanced security measures becomes increasingly clear. Microsoft Business Premium provides the tools MSPs need to safeguard their clients, making it an essential component of any SMB’s security strategy.

If you’re looking to enhance your clients’ security posture and provide them with the protection they need, it’s time to consider Microsoft Business Premium. Contact us today to learn how we can help you make the transition and secure your clients’ future.