Defender for Business Servers: the 60 licence ceiling
Microsoft Defender for Business Servers
per user per month, excluding VAT
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Defender for Business Servers extends Microsoft Defender for Business to Windows and Linux servers, so a small organisation manages client and server protection from one console rather than two products. Two conditions decide whether it applies. It requires at least one licence of Microsoft 365 Business Premium or Microsoft Defender for Business, so it is an add-on rather than a standalone product. And it is capped at 60 licences per customer: above that Microsoft directs you to Microsoft Defender for Servers instead. That ceiling is lower than most buyers assume and is worth checking against the server count before quoting.
What it is
Microsoft Defender for Business Servers brings server endpoints into the same Defender for Business experience that protects the client devices, so both are administered in one place.
Who it is for
Small and medium organisations of up to 300 users that run Windows or Linux servers and already use Defender for Business or Microsoft 365 Business Premium.
Key capabilities
- Endpoint security for Windows and Linux servers
- The same level of protection for clients and servers
- Administered inside Defender for Business, in a single console
Requirements, and the cap that catches people
At least one licence of Microsoft 365 Business Premium or Microsoft Defender for Business is required to buy and use this add-on.
The maximum is 60 licences per customer. If more than 60 server licences are needed, Microsoft directs you to Microsoft Defender for Servers, which is the Azure product rather than an extension of Defender for Business. Count the servers before quoting, because the answer changes the product, not just the quantity.
One thing that interacts with the Defender Suite
If the organisation holds Defender for Business Servers licences and then moves all users to the Microsoft Defender Suite, the server plan has to change too: Microsoft directs you to Defender for Endpoint for servers or to Microsoft Defender for Servers. Plan the server side alongside any user-tier change rather than after it.
The alternative on the enterprise side
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Server is the equivalent for organisations on the enterprise Defender for Endpoint line, licensed per server operating system environment.
Can I buy it on its own?
No. At least one licence of Microsoft 365 Business Premium or Microsoft Defender for Business is required to purchase and use the Defender for Business Servers add-on.
How many servers can it cover?
The maximum is 60 licences per customer. Above that, Microsoft directs you to Microsoft Defender for Servers, which is a different product rather than a larger quantity of this one.
What happens if we move users to the Microsoft Defender Suite?
The server plan has to change with them. Microsoft directs you to Defender for Endpoint for servers or Microsoft Defender for Servers. Plan the server side alongside the user move.
Does it cover Linux as well as Windows?
Yes. It provides endpoint security for both Windows and Linux servers, in the same Defender for Business experience as the client devices.
What is the enterprise equivalent?
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Server, for organisations on the enterprise Defender for Endpoint line. It is licensed per server operating system environment.
- Vendor
- Microsoft
- Category
- Security
- Type
- SaaS
- Billing
- Monthly
- Commitment
- 1-Year
- Available terms
- 3-Year, Monthly, 1-Year
- SKU
- MST-NCE-DBS-C100
Add-ons Pax8 lists for this licence.
- 1You request the licence, or add it to the cart.
- 2I confirm price, term and seats, and check your VAT number in VIES. Businesses in the EU only.
- 3You pay before we provision, under the CSP Marketplace Terms. The invoice comes from Michal Jatczak, a sole trader registered in Malta, trading as ITSailor. Reverse charge for an EU VAT number that validates in VIES.
- 4Your authorised signatory accepts the Microsoft Customer Agreement before activation.
- 5I place the order with Pax8 within one business day of payment.