No matter the size of your business, if your organization stores data in the cloud, it’s only a matter of time before attackers attempt to breach it. While most people recognize Microsoft 365 for its productivity and collaboration tools, fewer are aware of its powerful security features. Whether you’re evaluating options or looking to enhance your existing security measures, here are some key Microsoft 365 security tools you should know about.
Advanced Threat Protection with Microsoft Defender
- Microsoft Defender goes beyond basic perimeter security, applying multiple layers of defense to protect Microsoft 365 apps and data. This layered approach detects a wide range of threats more effectively.
Email Security at the Network Edge
- Microsoft Defender filters and blocks over 25% of malicious emails before they reach your network. It also scans internal mail for suspicious content and sender authenticity.
Application-Level Protection
- Attackers often bypass email security by targeting other applications. Microsoft Defender secures OneDrive, SharePoint, Teams, and Office apps by detecting malicious activity and immediately locking down compromised files.
Safeguarding Sensitive Data with Microsoft 365 DLP
- Data protection is critical for maintaining business integrity. Microsoft 365 offers several security features to prevent data breaches and unauthorized access.
DLP Policies
- These policies flag and track sensitive data, such as credit card numbers, ensuring it remains secure and only shared according to set guidelines.
Email Information Protection
- Outlook allows businesses to control email sharing, preventing actions like copying, pasting, or forwarding sensitive messages outside the organization.
Device Theft Protection
- BitLocker encryption safeguards data on lost or stolen devices, while remote wipe capabilities allow businesses to erase or reset devices when necessary.
Strengthening Security with Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
- Weak passwords put sensitive data at risk. Microsoft 365 supports multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an extra layer of security.
Secure Logins
- Users must verify their identity using multiple authentication methods, such as passwords, security codes, or mobile app approvals.
Cross-Platform Protection
- The Microsoft Authenticator app enhances security for external services like Salesforce, Google Workspace, and Dropbox.
Mobile Device Management (MDM) for Remote Security
- With remote and hybrid work models becoming standard, Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies present security challenges. Microsoft 365 includes built-in Mobile Device Management (MDM) to mitigate risks.
Securing Employee Devices
Microsoft InTune ensures that only authorized devices can access corporate data and applications.
Remote Device Management
- Lost or compromised devices can be remotely locked or wiped to prevent data breaches.
- Controlling Access with Privileged Identity Management (PIM).
- Privileged Identity Management (PIM) allows businesses to restrict and monitor user access to sensitive cloud resources.
Time-Limited Access
- Admins can grant elevated privileges only when necessary, reducing the risk of misuse.
Approval-Based Access
- Some roles require approval before gaining higher-level permissions, adding an extra layer of security.
Email Archiving for Compliance and Security
- Businesses must adhere to data retention regulations, and Microsoft 365 simplifies compliance with robust email archiving features.
Litigation Holds
- Lockdown and retain entire mailboxes, including deleted and modified items, to preserve crucial records.
Custom Retention Policies
- Organizations can define how long emails are stored, whether permanently deleting them after a set period or moving them to a separate archive.
Data Classification with Azure Information Protection (AIP)
- Microsoft 365 provides Azure Information Protection (AIP) to classify and secure data stored in Azure cloud environments.
Automated Labeling
- Files can be tagged based on sensitivity levels like Confidential or Highly Confidential.
Restricted Sharing
- Options like Do Not Forward or Encrypt ensure data security across various business scenarios.
Contact Henson Group today to learn how our Microsoft 365 solutions can help improve the reliability and performance of your IT systems. Stay up-to-date with the latest trends and insights in the cloud industry by subscribing to our blog and newsletter. Sign up now and let our experts help you optimize your business operations!