No one can deny that Microsoft 365 is the go-to productivity suite for businesses of all sizes. From emails and documents to staff meetings, it’s now the central hub from which all daily operations sprout. But as the workplace becomes more digital, the danger grows. Cyber-attacks, data leaks, and compliance violations are no longer a rare occurrence – they happen every day.
Fortunately, Microsoft’s security and compliance management solutions have risen to the challenge. With robust built-in features, 365 empowers you to secure your business without sacrificing productivity.
But how?
Why Microsoft Security is Important
Cyber security is becoming a bigger concern every day, especially as threat actors begin using more creative tactics. Every external service you use is a potential attack vector – and once a cybercriminal is inside your network, removal is extremely difficult. It’s crucial to seal these vulnerabilities before they can be used to access your data and systems. Failure to do so could mean data loss, financial hardship, and reputational harm.
In more tightly regulated industries (such as healthcare), compliance is also a concern. These sectors handle the most sensitive data an individual can possess, a fact that governments across the world take very seriously. A breach could place you in violation of data protection laws, which may result in severe penalties.
For these reasons, it’s of the utmost importance to secure every third-party solution your business uses. Microsoft 365 should be at the top of your priority list, because of the far-reaching role it likely plays in your business. 365 has its hands in everything from meetings to document creation to data storage – and if it’s compromised, all those areas can be impacted.
An Intro to Microsoft 365 Security Features
Microsoft 365 security is far more than just antivirus and a strong password. This platform is known for implementing a variety of robust defence systems that, when used together, can create a powerful shield against cyber threats. Here are just a few of them:
- Microsoft Defender
- Microsoft Entra
- Microsoft Purview
- Microsoft Security Copilot
365’s other solutions also contain built-in security measures to help mitigate risk. For example, Word allows you to password protect documents. Understanding how to implement these features can mean the difference between a secure business and a major data breach.
Microsoft Defender for Business
Microsoft defender for Business is one of the most powerful security tools in Microsoft’s arsenal. Designed for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), it protects endpoints against a variety of threats.
Some of the features included are:
- Advanced Threat Detection: Detects and blocks sophisticated attacks.
- Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR): Continuously monitors and analyses endpoint activity, to identify potential threats.
- Vulnerability Management: Provides actionable recommendations to help you address vulnerabilities.
- Simplified Configuration: As with many Microsoft products, Defender for Business is user-friendly and simple to set up.
Microsoft Entra ID
Microsoft Entra ID is a cloud-based identity and access management platform, preventing unauthorised access and securing applications. It offers a wide range of solutions, such as:
- Authentication: Robust multi-factor authentication (MFA), password reset, and lockout solutions. Entra ID also allows you to set a list of banned passwords.
- Conditional Access: Only grants access to critical applications if a certain set of conditions is met.
- Identity Governance: Controls access based on a user’s digital identity.
- Device Management: Enables easier device identification and management.
Microsoft Purview
Microsoft Purview is a comprehensive set of compliance and data security solutions. It allows you to classify and protect sensitive information across your entire business. Among other tools, it features:
- Compliance Management: Assess and manage compliance across your entire IT environment.
- Data Loss Prevention (DLP): Categorise and protect data based on sensitivity.
- Data Lifecycle Management: Configure retention policies to automatically manage and delete data.
- Insider Risk Management: Identify potential data leak, security violations, or IP theft.
Microsoft Security Copilot
While most are familiar with Microsoft’s cutting-edge AI, you may not have heard that it can also prevent cyber-attacks. Microsoft Security Copilot is a separate version that uses natural language processing and machine learning (ML) to detect and resolve risk factors. It can analyse vast datasets in just seconds, offering actionable advice on potential improvements.
Microsoft Security Copilot can also generate reports, due to its origin as a generative AI. This allows you to quickly and clearly summarise context, vulnerabilities, threats, and protective measures for stakeholders. Using AI for these tasks reduces human error and keeps staff workloads light – improving security without risking morale or productivity.
OneDrive Security Tips
The security tools listed above are incredibly useful, but they aren’t enough on their own. You also need to utilise the solutions built into Microsoft’s other applications. OneDrive security is particularly crucial, as this is likely where you’re storing company data.
Here are some tips for protecting OneDrive data:
- Use MFA: Enable MFA to keep unauthorised users out of sensitive accounts.
- Enable Encryption: Use modern encryption standards to protect data both at rest and in transit.
- Introduce Strong Policies: Develop and communicate policies that describe how data can be stored, handled, and shared.
- Apply Access Controls: Use role-based access controls to ensure staff can only access the information necessary for their job.
These strategies can help you improve OneDrive security without significant effort or expenditure.
FAQs
Q: Is Microsoft 365 secure enough for my industry?
A: Microsoft 365 provides a wide range of enterprise-grade security solutions for businesses of all sizes, and many of these are built straight into the tools you already use. It can significantly increase your security, regardless of your industry.
Q: How can I tell if my security settings are working?
A: Use Microsoft Secure Score to measure your current defences, or compare your security measures against common frameworks such as the Essential 8.
Q: Is OneDrive safe for storing confidential files?
A: Yes—when configured correctly, OneDrive can be an extremely secure data storage solution. However, it depends on how much work you put into it.
Security That Works as Hard as You Do
You can’t afford to leave cyber security as an afterthought. Robust defenses are essential to prevent cyber-attacks and safeguard the future of your business. Luckily, Microsoft’s security and compliance solutions can do a lot to keep you safe. With the right oversight and planning, you can develop a Microsoft security posture that protects every part of your business.
As a certified Microsoft Solutions Partner, Austin Technology has the expertise you need to make the most of your current setup. We can help you implement security solutions you didn’t even know Microsoft offered. We’ll also handle day-to-day maintenance and management, so you can focus on your business. Explore how our Microsoft 365 experts can help.
