Quick Summary
- Microsoft Purview is a data security, governance and compliance platform that controls what happens to your data across Microsoft 365.
- Microsoft Defender Suite focuses on threat protection, securing endpoints, email, identities, cloud apps and networks.
- AI tools like Copilot have increased risk by surfacing and sharing data in ways traditional controls don’t catch, making these platforms more important than ever.
- Purview features include Data Loss Prevention, Insider Risk Management, eDiscovery, audit logs and Compliance Manager.
- Defender features include malware and phishing protection, identity security (with Entra ID), and cloud app and network visibility.
- Together they provide end-to-end protection: Defender stops threats, Purview protects the data those threats target.
- From September 2025, Microsoft bundled Purview and Defender Suite add-ons for Business Premium, making enterprise-grade security accessible to small and mid-sized businesses.
- A phased, use-case-driven rollout (starting with the highest-risk areas) works better than configuring everything at once.
As Microsoft continues to expand its security ecosystem, many businesses are asking the same question: What is Microsoft Purview and Defender Suite, and do we actually need it?
If you’re already using Microsoft 365 Business Premium, the answer is increasingly yes. Especially as AI tools like Copilot reshape how businesses create, share and expose data.
This guide explains what these platforms do and how they work together. Plus, why they are becoming essential for modern business security.
Why Data Security Has Never Mattered More
The AI adoption risk
AI tools are now embedded across Microsoft 365, from Outlook to Teams and SharePoint. While they improve productivity, they also introduce new risks.
AI can:
- Surface sensitive data from across your environment
- Access files users didn’t realise were visible
- Share or summarise information in ways that bypass traditional controls
In most environments we assess, this risk does not come from malicious intent. It comes from visibility and access being broader than expected.
What happens when data protection fails
When controls are not in place, the impact can be significant:
- Sensitive client or financial data exposed internally or externally
- Compliance breaches, especially in regulated industries
- Reputational damage and loss of trust
- Financial penalties or legal consequences
What is Microsoft Purview?
Microsoft Purview is Microsoft’s data security, governance and compliance platform. It helps you understand, protect and manage your data across Microsoft 365 and beyond.
Put simply, Purview controls what happens to your data.
Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
Insider Risk Management
Compliance, eDiscovery, and Audit
Data Loss Prevention helps stop sensitive information from being shared incorrectly.
For example, you can:
- Block credit card or personal data from being emailed externally
- Prevent sensitive files from being uploaded to unauthorised apps
- Apply automatic protections based on content
Not all risks come from outside your business.
Purview helps identify:
- Risky user behaviour, whether intentional or accidental
- Unusual data access patterns
- Potential data exfiltration
This is especially important with remote work and AI-driven access.
Purview also supports governance and compliance requirements.
This includes:
- eDiscovery for legal investigations
- Audit logs to track activity across systems
- Compliance Manager to assess regulatory posture
These tools help you respond quickly when something goes wrong and demonstrate compliance when required.
What Is Microsoft Defender Suite?
While Purview focuses on data, Microsoft Defender Suite focuses on threat protection.
In simple terms, Defender protects your systems from attack.
Endpoint and email protection
Identity security
Cloud app and network defence
Defender helps secure devices and communication channels by:
- Detecting malware, ransomware and suspicious activity
- Protecting email from phishing and malicious attachments
- Monitoring endpoints such as laptops and desktops in real time
Identity is now one of the most targeted attack surfaces.
Defender helps protect:
- User accounts and credentials
- Login behaviour and anomalies
- Privileged access
This works alongside Microsoft Entra ID to strengthen access control.
Defender also extends across your broader environment.
It can:
- Monitor cloud applications and usage
- Detect risky integrations or shadow IT
- Provide visibility across network activity
Why They Work Better Together
Individually, both platforms are powerful. Together, Microsoft Purview and Defender Suite provide end-to-end security.
Defender detects and responds to threats, while Purview controls and protects the data those threats target.
Because they are built within the Microsoft ecosystem, they offer:
– Shared intelligence across tools
– Centralised visibility
– Consistent policy enforcement
They can also integrate with non-Microsoft tools, helping strengthen your existing environment rather than replacing it.
What This Means for Microsoft 365 Business Premium Users
In September 2025, Microsoft introduced bundled Purview Suite and Defender Suite add-ons for Business Premium. This makes enterprise-grade security more accessible to small and mid-sized businesses.
However, these tools can feel overwhelming if you try to implement everything at once.
At Lanter, we recommend a use-case-driven approach:
- Start with your highest-risk areas, such as email or data leakage
- Implement controls step by step
- Continuously review and refine
In real-world deployments, this phased approach delivers better results than trying to configure everything upfront.
Talk to Lanter About the Best Bundled Pricing
Understanding what Microsoft Purview and Defender Suite do is one thing. Implementing them properly is another.
Most businesses already use a mix of systems, tools and workflows. The goal is not to replace everything, but to strengthen what you already have.
Lanter helps you:
- Identify your highest-risk areas
- Configure Purview and Defender around real use cases
- Integrate with your existing environment
- Manage and optimise your security over time
If you are already using Microsoft 365 Business Premium, now is the right time to review whether these tools should be part of your environment.
Speak to Lanter about bundled pricing and implementation to ensure your security keeps up with your business.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Microsoft Purview?
Microsoft Purview is Microsoft’s data security, governance and compliance platform. It helps you understand, protect and manage data across Microsoft 365 through tools like Data Loss Prevention, Insider Risk Management, eDiscovery and audit logs.
What is Microsoft Defender Suite?
Defender Suite is Microsoft’s threat protection platform. It secures endpoints, email, user identities, cloud apps and network activity against malware, phishing, account compromise and other attacks.
What’s the difference between Purview and Defender?
Purview protects your data, controlling how it’s used, shared and stored. Defender protects your systems, detecting and stopping threats. Most businesses need both to be properly secured.
Do I need Purview and Defender if I already have Microsoft 365 Business Premium?
Increasingly, yes. AI tools like Copilot have expanded how data is surfaced and shared, creating risks that Business Premium alone doesn’t fully address. The new bundled add-ons make these platforms more accessible than before.
How do Purview and Defender work together?
Defender detects and responds to threats, while Purview controls and protects the data those threats target. Because they’re built within the Microsoft ecosystem, they share intelligence, centralise visibility and apply consistent policies.
What’s the best way to roll out Purview and Defender?
A phased, use-case-driven approach works best. Start with your highest-risk areas like email or data leakage, implement controls step by step, then review and refine rather than trying to configure everything upfront.