MICROSOFT 365 SECURITY
Microsoft 365 Security Best Practices for Businesses
Microsoft 365 gives businesses powerful tools for email, collaboration, file sharing and productivity. But protecting those tools requires more than simply assigning licenses. Learn the Microsoft 365 security practices organizations should consider to protect users, data and business systems.
WHY MICROSOFT 365 SECURITY MATTERS
Microsoft 365 Is Part of Your Business Security Environment
Microsoft 365 often contains some of an organization’s most important information, including email, documents, financial information, customer information and internal business communications.
A secure Microsoft 365 environment requires organizations to consider identity, access, email security, data protection, device security and employee behavior as part of a broader security strategy.
Organizations looking for help evaluating or improving their environment can learn more about our Microsoft 365 consulting services.
1. IDENTITY SECURITY
Protect User Identities and Accounts
Identity is one of the most important security layers in Microsoft 365. Organizations should establish appropriate controls around how users authenticate and what they can access.
- Require multifactor authentication
- Review administrative accounts
- Use least-privilege access
- Review inactive accounts
- Monitor unusual sign-in activity
- Protect privileged identities
2. EMAIL SECURITY
Strengthen Microsoft 365 Email Security
Email remains one of the primary ways attackers attempt to gain access to organizations. Microsoft 365 security should therefore include controls designed to reduce phishing, spoofing and malicious email risks.
- Configure anti-phishing protections
- Review spam and malware policies
- Configure SPF, DKIM and DMARC
- Monitor suspicious messages
- Educate employees about phishing
- Review email forwarding rules
3. DATA PROTECTION
Protect Business Data Across Microsoft 365
Microsoft 365 can contain sensitive information across Exchange Online, SharePoint, OneDrive and Teams. Organizations should understand where sensitive information exists and how it is protected.
- Classify sensitive information
- Review sharing permissions
- Control external access
- Protect confidential documents
- Review retention requirements
- Monitor data access
Learn more about how organizations can use SharePoint as part of their Microsoft 365 environment in our guide: What Is SharePoint and How Can Businesses Use It?
4. DEVICE & ACCESS SECURITY
Secure the Devices Connecting to Microsoft 365
Microsoft 365 security extends beyond cloud services. Organizations should also consider the devices employees use to access business information.
- Manage organizational devices
- Apply security policies
- Keep operating systems updated
- Protect mobile devices
- Control access from unmanaged devices
5. SECURITY & GOVERNANCE
Microsoft 365 Security Should Support Your Broader Governance Program
Technology controls are only one part of security. Organizations should also establish policies, responsibilities and processes that explain how Microsoft 365 should be used and protected.
This becomes particularly important as organizations adopt AI tools and begin processing business information through AI systems. Our AI Governance Consulting services can help organizations establish practical policies and controls around responsible AI use.
MICROSOFT 365 SECURITY CHECKLIST
Questions Every Business Should Consider
- Is multifactor authentication enabled?
- Are privileged accounts properly protected?
- Are SPF, DKIM and DMARC configured correctly?
- Are external sharing permissions reviewed?
- Are inactive accounts disabled?
- Are sensitive files appropriately protected?
- Are Microsoft 365 security alerts being monitored?
- Are employees trained to recognize phishing?
- Are organizational devices properly managed?
- Are security policies aligned with business requirements?
MICROSOFT 365 & AI
Security Becomes Even More Important as Organizations Adopt AI
Organizations considering AI should understand whether their technology, data, people, processes and security controls are ready.
Our AI Readiness Assessment helps organizations evaluate these areas and identify practical gaps before moving forward.
Organizations can then use those findings to develop an AI Strategy aligned with business priorities.
NEED HELP WITH MICROSOFT 365?
Build a More Secure Microsoft 365 Environment
WS Tech Consulting helps organizations evaluate Microsoft 365 environments, improve security controls and align Microsoft cloud services with business requirements.