Exciting News for Nonprofits: Enhanced Security with Microsoft Enterprise E5 Add-On!

What Does the E5 Security Add-On Include?

The Microsoft Enterprise E5 Security add-on offers advanced security capabilities, including:

1. Microsoft Entra ID Plan 2: Advanced identity protection and governance.
2. Microsoft Defender for Identity: Real-time identity threat detection and response.
3. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Plan 2: Comprehensive endpoint security.
4. Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Plan 2: Enhanced email and collaboration security.
5. Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps: Cloud application security and monitoring.

* Please note, that at the time this article was written, Microsoft's nonprofit grant included Business Premium licenses. Currently they are no longer free but offered at a nonprofit discount.

In-Depth Look at E5 Security Add-On Features

1. Microsoft Entra ID Plan 2 (formerly Azure AD Premium P2)

What it is: An advanced identity and access management (IAM) solution with capabilities beyond standard Entra ID.

Key Benefits for Nonprofits:

• Conditional Access & Risk-Based Policies: Detect risky sign-ins automatically and apply controls like MFA or block access.
• Identity Protection: Uses machine learning to detect user and sign-in risks, helping prevent account takeovers.
• Privileged Identity Management (PIM): Provides just-in-time access to admin roles, reducing exposure to privileged account misuse.
• Governance & Compliance: Automates entitlement reviews and helps ensure appropriate access to resources.

2. Microsoft Defender for Identity

What it is: A cloud-based solution that monitors and secures your identity within your organization.

Key Benefits for Nonprofits:

• Real-Time Threat Detection: Identifies lateral movement, privilege escalation, and other advanced threats within your network.
• Insider Threat Detection: Highlights risky behaviors from internal users, mitigating potential insider threats.
• Attack Surface Reduction: Detects brute force attacks, pass-the-hash, golden ticket attacks, and other identity-related threats.

3. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Plan 2

What it is: An endpoint detection and response (EDR) solution to secure servers, desktops, and mobile devices.

Key Benefits for Nonprofits:

• Threat & Vulnerability Management: Detects and prioritizes software vulnerabilities for remediation.
• Behavioral Analytics: Uses AI and threat intelligence to flag abnormal activities on endpoints.
• Automated Investigation & Response: Reduces the load on IT staff by automating threat investigations and remediations.
• Cross-Platform Protection: Protects Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android devices.

4. Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Plan 2

What it is: An advanced security solution for email, Teams, and other Microsoft 365 collaboration tools.

Key Benefits for Nonprofits:

• Threat Investigation & Hunting: Enables proactive threat hunting across email and collaboration platforms.
• Attack Simulation Training: Simulates phishing and other attacks to train staff on security awareness.
• Automated Incident Response: Automatically responds to and remediates malicious emails and collaboration-based threats.
• Safe Links & Safe Attachments: Protects users from malicious links and harmful file attachments.

5. Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps

What it is: A cloud access security broker (CASB) that monitors and protects SaaS applications.

Key Benefits for Nonprofits:

• App Discovery & Shadow IT Detection: Identifies unsanctioned or unmanaged apps used by staff.
• Data Loss Prevention (DLP): Helps prevent accidental or malicious leaks of sensitive data across cloud apps.
• Threat Protection: Detects suspicious behaviors in cloud applications, such as unusual login locations or mass file downloads.
• Compliance Monitoring: Helps organizations enforce compliance policies across cloud platforms.

Why Is This Important?

The E5 Security add-on offers nonprofits enterprise-grade security tools that enable them to detect, investigate, and respond to threats with greater speed and confidence. It allows organizations to proactively manage identity security, secure devices, and protect communications and data across cloud applications. By adopting these advanced solutions, nonprofits can build resilience against evolving threats and maintain the trust of their communities and stakeholders.

Valuable Training for Nonprofits

One of the most valuable features for nonprofits is access to cyber-attack simulation training. This training provides a safe and controlled environment to simulate real-world cyber-attacks, helping to train employees in recognizing and responding to threats.

How to Get Started

Nonprofits can easily add the E5 Security to their existing Business Premium licenses for $12 per user per month. This add-on ensures that your organization is equipped with the latest security tools to protect against evolving threats.

For more information on how to access this add-on, visit Cybersecurity for small and medium business | Microsoft Security and Add Microsoft 365 E5 Security to your Microsoft 365 Business Premium subscription - Microsoft Learn.

Empower your nonprofit with the best security solutions and continue making a positive impact in your community!