As SMBs expand their IT infrastructure, comprehensive security is more important than ever. Make sure your SMB customers have the tools and resources they need to protect their users, apps, data, devices, and infrastructure—both on-premises and in the cloud.

Register here for the Security for SMB Technical Training on April 7, 2022.

Your SMB customers have a variety of options when it comes to cloud solutions and services plans. We’re excited to introduce Microsoft Defender for Business, a new endpoint security solution that’s now generally available within Microsoft 365 Business Premium, and standalone solution in preview.

Microsoft Defender for Business is specially built to bring enterprise-grade endpoint security to businesses with up to 300 employees, in a solution that’s easy-to-use and cost-effective. Customers who may not be ready to purchase Microsoft 365 Business Premium or don’t have a Microsoft 365 subscription can still purchase and use Microsoft Defender for Business. We’re keeping the licensing model as flexible as possible to serve customers—whether on-premises, using Microsoft 365, or using a competitive solution.

Microsoft Defender for Business is designed to integrate with Microsoft 365 Lighthouse. If you’re a member of the Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) program and have Microsoft 365 Lighthouse, you can manage your SMB customers’ security requirements at scale. This will allow you to view security incidents across tenants in your Microsoft 365 Lighthouse portal.

Both partners and customers can sign up for the public preview here.

What is Microsoft Defender for Business?

Microsoft Defender for Business is a standalone endpoint security solution that’s purpose-built for businesses with up to 300 employees. As cyberattacks targeting SMBs continue to rise and become increasingly sophisticated, Microsoft Defender for Business keeps SMBs better protected from ransomware, malware, phishing, and other security threats.  At General Availability, Microsoft Defender for Business will be offered via Direct and CSP channels.

SMB customers who already have Microsoft 365 Business Basic or Standard can add Microsoft Defender for Business to gain additional threat protection capabilities. Customers who have Microsoft 365 Business Premium, our most comprehensive security and productivity solution for SMBs, will automatically get the added benefits of Microsoft Defender for Business.

Elevate your customers’ security and grow your business

Microsoft Defender for Business will help protect your SMB customers’ devices and data, whether they’re using Microsoft 365, on-premises, or third-party cloud services. Benefits to customers include:

	Enterprise-grade protection. Provides next-generation protection, endpoint detection and response, and threat and vulnerability management across devices.
	Ease of use. Streamlined experiences deliver actionable insights. Includes wizard-driven configuration and default security policies activated out of the box, so no specialized knowledge is required.
	Cost-effectiveness. Endpoint security keeps SMBs productive and works with IT without compromising budget.

Partners can grow their customer base by using Microsoft Defender for Business as an on-ramp to new customers not using Microsoft 365 and by upselling existing Microsoft 365 customers to Microsoft 365 Business Premium.

Next steps

Sign up for the preview trial to try Defender for Business standalone.

Engage your customers in a conversation around Microsoft 365 Business Premium and how Microsoft Defender for Business can improve their security posture.

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Sign up for the Microsoft Defender for Business public preview

Tags: Business Applications, Security, tag-SMB