Microsoft Defender for Office 365 is a cloud-based email and collaboration security solution designed to protect Microsoft 365 environments against phishing, business email compromise (BEC), malware, ransomware, malicious links, and malicious attachments. It protects services including Exchange Online email, Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive.
It uses AI-powered threat detection, real-time protection, investigation, threat hunting, automated response, and reporting to help organizations detect and respond to email and collaboration-based threats. Plan 1 focuses primarily on prevention and detection, while Plan 2 adds advanced investigation, threat hunting, automation, and attack simulation capabilities.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Service Type | Cloud-based email & collaboration security |
| Mailbox | Microsoft 365/Exchange Online cloud mailbox |
| License | Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Plan 1 or Plan 2, or an eligible Microsoft 365 subscription |
| Internet | Required for cloud-based protection and management |
| Browser | Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, or another supported HTML5 browser |
| Admin Account | Appropriate Microsoft Entra/Microsoft Defender administrative role |
| Microsoft 365 Services | Exchange Online, Teams, SharePoint, and/or OneDrive depending on protection scenario |
| Desktop Office | Microsoft 365 Apps on Windows or Mac for applicable Safe Links/Safe Documents functionality |
| Mobile | Supported mobile platforms for applicable Teams and Microsoft 365 protection scenarios |