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Licensing Guide

M365 & Google Workspace
Security by License

Not all licenses are created equal. Understand what security features you get at each tier—and how we can help maximise your protection regardless of which license you have.

Why This Matters

Many businesses don't realise that their Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace license determines which security features they can access. A Business Basic license doesn't include the same protection as Business Premium or Enterprise. Understanding your license helps you make informed decisions about security investments.

The good news: Prism Security can help at any license level. Lower tiers? We fill security gaps with open-source tools. Higher tiers? We ensure you're actually using the features you're paying for.

Microsoft 365 Licenses

From basic productivity to comprehensive enterprise security

Basic Security

Microsoft 365 Business Basic

~£5/user/mo

Security Features

  • Web & mobile Office apps
  • Exchange Online email
  • OneDrive (1TB)
  • Teams
  • Multi-factor authentication
  • Security defaults
  • Desktop Office apps
  • Defender for Business
  • Intune device management
  • Conditional access
  • Advanced threat protection
  • Data loss prevention

How Prism Helps

We configure MFA and security defaults properly, set up secure email transport rules, and implement access controls. For monitoring, we deploy Wazuh to provide visibility that isn't included at this tier.

Basic Security

Microsoft 365 Business Standard

~£10/user/mo

Security Features

  • Desktop Office apps
  • Web & mobile Office apps
  • Exchange Online email
  • OneDrive (1TB)
  • Teams
  • Multi-factor authentication
  • Security defaults
  • Defender for Business
  • Intune device management
  • Conditional access
  • Advanced threat protection
  • Data loss prevention

How Prism Helps

Same security features as Business Basic—desktop apps don't change your security posture. We still recommend adding monitoring through Wazuh and proper configuration of available security features.

Strong Security

Microsoft 365 Business Premium

~£19/user/mo

Security Features

  • Desktop Office apps
  • Exchange Online email
  • OneDrive (1TB)
  • Teams
  • Multi-factor authentication
  • Defender for Business (EDR)
  • Intune device management
  • Conditional access
  • Azure AD Premium P1
  • Azure Information Protection P1
  • Safe Attachments (limited)
  • Advanced threat protection Requires E5 or add-on
  • Full DLP policies Requires E5 or add-on

How Prism Helps

This is the sweet spot for SMBs. We configure Defender for Business, set up conditional access policies, implement Intune for device compliance, and integrate logs into our monitoring. You get enterprise-grade protection at an SMB price.

Good Security

Microsoft 365 E3

~£32/user/mo

Security Features

  • Everything in Business Premium
  • Unlimited OneDrive storage
  • eDiscovery
  • Windows Enterprise licensing
  • Advanced compliance tools
  • Information barriers
  • Defender for Office 365 P1 Requires add-on
  • Defender for Endpoint P2 Requires add-on
  • Cloud App Security Requires E5
  • Azure AD Premium P2 Requires E5

How Prism Helps

E3 adds compliance capabilities but not advanced security. We often recommend Business Premium for pure security value, or adding security add-ons to E3 if you need the compliance features. We manage whatever configuration you choose.

Comprehensive Security

Microsoft 365 E5

~£50/user/mo

Security Features

  • Everything in E3
  • Defender for Office 365 P2
  • Defender for Endpoint P2
  • Defender for Identity
  • Defender for Cloud Apps
  • Azure AD Premium P2
  • Advanced eDiscovery
  • Insider Risk Management
  • Communication Compliance
  • Microsoft Sentinel (separate) Consumption-based

How Prism Helps

E5 includes comprehensive security tools that many organisations underutilise. We help you get full value from your investment: proper configuration, alert tuning, integration between Defender products, and ongoing management. If you're paying for E5, you should be using E5.

Google Workspace Licenses

From startup essentials to enterprise-grade security

Basic Security

Google Workspace Business Starter

~£5/user/mo

Security Features

  • Gmail (custom domain)
  • Drive (30GB per user)
  • Meet (100 participants)
  • Docs, Sheets, Slides
  • 2-Step Verification
  • Basic admin controls
  • Vault (archiving & eDiscovery)
  • Advanced security controls
  • Security investigation tool
  • Data regions

How Prism Helps

We configure 2-Step Verification enforcement, review sharing settings, and implement appropriate access controls. For security visibility, we deploy Wazuh with Google Workspace integration to monitor for threats.

Basic Security

Google Workspace Business Standard

~£10/user/mo

Security Features

  • Gmail (custom domain)
  • Drive (2TB per user)
  • Meet (150 participants, recording)
  • Docs, Sheets, Slides
  • 2-Step Verification
  • Admin controls
  • Vault (archiving & eDiscovery)
  • Advanced security controls
  • Security investigation tool
  • Data regions

How Prism Helps

More storage and meeting features, but same security capabilities as Starter. We recommend the same approach: proper configuration of available controls plus external monitoring through Wazuh.

Good Security

Google Workspace Business Plus

~£15/user/mo

Security Features

  • Gmail (custom domain)
  • Drive (5TB per user)
  • Meet (500 participants, attendance tracking)
  • Vault (archiving & eDiscovery)
  • Advanced endpoint management
  • Enhanced security controls
  • 2-Step Verification
  • Security investigation tool Requires Enterprise
  • Data loss prevention Requires Enterprise
  • Security centre Requires Enterprise

How Prism Helps

Business Plus adds Vault for compliance and better endpoint management. We configure advanced security controls, set up endpoint policies, and integrate with our monitoring. Good balance of features and cost for growing businesses.

Strong Security

Google Workspace Enterprise Standard

Contact Google

Security Features

  • Everything in Business Plus
  • Security centre & investigation tool
  • Data loss prevention
  • Context-aware access
  • Advanced protection program
  • S/MIME encryption
  • Data regions
  • Advanced mobile management
  • Work Insights Requires Enterprise Plus
  • BigQuery export Requires Enterprise Plus

How Prism Helps

Enterprise Standard unlocks serious security capabilities. We help you leverage context-aware access, configure DLP policies, and use the security investigation tool effectively. Combined with our monitoring, you get comprehensive protection.

Comprehensive Security

Google Workspace Enterprise Plus

Contact Google

Security Features

  • Everything in Enterprise Standard
  • Advanced security & compliance
  • BigQuery export for logs
  • Work Insights
  • Noise cancellation in Meet
  • In-domain live streaming
  • Client-side encryption
  • Maximum storage (5TB pooled)

How Prism Helps

Enterprise Plus gives you everything Google offers. We ensure you're actually using these capabilities: proper DLP configuration, client-side encryption setup, log analysis through BigQuery integration, and comprehensive security monitoring.

Our Recommendations

For Microsoft 365

Business Premium offers the best security value for SMBs. You get Defender for Business, Intune, and conditional access—features that make a real difference. If you're on Basic or Standard, consider upgrading for security alone.

If you need E3 or E5 for compliance or other features, make sure you're actually using the security capabilities. Many organisations pay for E5 but only use E3 features.

For Google Workspace

Business Plus is where meaningful security features begin—Vault and enhanced endpoint management. For serious security needs, consider Enterprise Standard for the security centre and DLP.

Google's security controls are often simpler than Microsoft's, which can be good or limiting depending on your needs. We help you get the most from whichever tier you choose.

Security at Every Level

Your license tier doesn't have to limit your security. Here's how we help:

Lower Tiers

We deploy open-source tools (Wazuh, n8n) to provide monitoring and detection capabilities not included in basic licenses. Enterprise-grade security without enterprise licensing costs.

Mid Tiers

We properly configure the security features you're paying for—conditional access, endpoint management, security policies. Most organisations don't use these features effectively.

Enterprise Tiers

We manage your security tools so you get value from your investment. Alert tuning, policy management, integration between tools, and ongoing optimization to match your actual risks.

Not sure which license you need?

We'll review your current setup and recommend the right balance of licensing and managed services for your business.

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