Microsoft introduces Defender Workload Unit for Defender for Cloud billing
⏳ Microsoft announced Defender Workload Unit (DWU) as an upcoming billing model and product experience for Microsoft Defender for Cloud.
💰 Supported workload usage will convert into a common unit with a consistent global per-unit price, calculated hourly and billed monthly.
💰 The model also introduces a signed-in cost estimator, a Defender portal dashboard and revised pricing structures for database, container and API protection.
💡 Microsoft says Enterprise Agreement, MCA Enterprise, Cloud Solution Provider and online purchasing channels will be supported.
⏳ Initial DWU coverage focuses on Azure; broader multicloud and hybrid support is planned, and Security Copilot is not included.
Partner briefing
- What it is
A common consumption and billing unit for Microsoft Defender for Cloud.
- What’s changing
Supported workloads will convert to DWUs, with unified estimation and reporting plus revised models for databases, containers and APIs.
- Why it matters
The model is intended to make Defender for Cloud consumption easier to estimate, track and explain across supported workloads.
- Who it affects
Cloud security customers, CSP partners, security practices and teams that plan or manage Defender for Cloud consumption.