What is the difference between Microsoft Defender and Enterprise Mobility + Security E5?

Question

Our business has Microsoft 365 Business Standard Licenses plus Microsoft Defender for Office 365 (Plan 1) for all users. It has been recommended that obtain Enterprise Mobility + Security E5 licenses in addition to the licenses we already have to promote additional safeguards and cyber security. I am having difficulty understanding the differences and if the EMS E5 option requires all new licenses that supersede our existing licenses or if there is an add on to obtain these features.
To summarize:

1. What is the difference between Microsoft Defender and EMS E5?
2. Is there an add on for EMS E5 or does it require entirely new Microsoft 365 licenses?

Thanks.

Answer 1

@Maggie Thanks for posting in our Q&A. For this issue, it is not related windows 365. It is related to Microsoft 365 license.

For this issue, I have done a lot of research. I find some information about these two licenses' Feature availability.
Defender for Office 365 Plan 1:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/office365/servicedescriptions/office-365-advanced-threat-protection-service-description#feature-availability

Enterprise Mobility + Security E5:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/enterprise/e5?activetab=pivot%3aoverviewtab
Please click on "Full comparison (PDF)".

Based on my experience, Enterprise Mobility + Security E5 includes intune and Azure AD licenses. If you have Enterprise Mobility + Security E5, we can manage your organization’s devices and apps with intune.

To get more accurate help, it is suggested to contact Licensing support. Here is the support link:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/licensing/default?rtc=1

Hope it will help.

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