Licensing Overview
Understanding the Concept
Microsoft Purview features are available across different Microsoft 365 and standalone licenses. Understanding licensing is crucial for planning deployments and managing costs.
The main license tiers are: Microsoft 365 E3/E5, Office 365 E3/E5, and standalone compliance add-ons like Microsoft 365 E5 Compliance or E5 Information Protection & Governance.
Some features like basic DLP are available in E3, while advanced features like Endpoint DLP, exact data match, and advanced trainable classifiers require E5 or compliance add-ons.
Key Points
- E3 = Basic DLP for Exchange, SharePoint, OneDrive
- E5 = Advanced DLP including Endpoint DLP, exact data match
- E5 Compliance add-on = Full Purview suite without full E5
- E5 Info Protection add-on = Focus on protection features
- Always check current licensing docs - Microsoft updates frequently
License Tiers & Features
Microsoft 365 E3
Basic DLP, basic sensitivity labels, basic retention
Microsoft 365 E5
Full DLP, auto-labeling, advanced classifiers, endpoint DLP
E5 Compliance Add-on
Add E5 compliance features to E3 base
E5 Info Protection Add-on
Focused on classification and protection
Why This Matters in Real Organizations
Incorrect licensing leads to either overspending on unused features or compliance gaps from missing capabilities. Many organizations discover mid-deployment that they need additional licenses, causing project delays and budget overruns.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Interview Tips
- Show awareness of licensing complexity
- Mention the importance of license planning in project scoping
- Discuss cost optimization strategies
Exam Tips (SC-401)
- Know which features require E5 vs E3
- Understand the compliance add-on options
- Remember: Endpoint DLP always requires E5 or add-on
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