Endpoint and Network Security Licenses

User bands, seat counts and renewals

Business protection is licensed per seat in bands, such as 2 to 25 users, 5 to 10 licenses or 51 to 250 users. Pick the band that contains your real headcount, including servers and spare devices; a license for a smaller band does not stretch. Titles also indicate the term, usually 1 year, and whether the listing is a new license or a renewal. Protection updates stop when the term ends, so note the expiry date and renew before then.

Endpoint licenses and appliance subscriptions are not the same

An endpoint license covers security software on PCs and servers, usually managed from a console. A network subscription, such as an advanced threat protection license for a named firewall model, attaches to specific hardware and normally needs that appliance's serial number. Match the model in the title to your device, since a license for a different firewall will not activate. If you are unsure which you need, check whether you are protecting computers or a network gateway.

Questions about Endpoint and Network Security Licenses

What happens when a one-year security license ends?

Protection updates and support stop, leaving devices exposed to new threats, although some products keep running with old definitions. Renew before the expiry date so that protection stays continuous.

Can I use a 2 to 25 user license for 30 computers?

No. The license covers a stated range of users, so 30 users need the next band up. Count servers and shared devices too, as the vendor's terms define what counts as a seat.

Is endpoint protection the same as antivirus?

Business endpoint products usually include antivirus plus extras such as web filtering, device control and central management from a console, which make it easier to protect many computers consistently.