Enhance Security with the Best Microsoft 365 Cybersecurity Features and Compliance

How secure is Microsoft 365? Protect your Microsoft 365 environment from viruses, unwanted access, and cyberattacks.

Microsoft 365 services: how safe? Are your Microsoft 365 operations safe from malware, unlawful access, and cyberattack?

Yes! Microsoft 365 protects against viruses and follows pre-set standards like limiting file-type attachments.

Few protection services are included by default. Microsoft 365 protects business data from cyberattacks if you follow its security standards.

The major security features for Microsoft 365 for Business are covered in this article.

Is Microsoft 365 Secure?

What about Microsoft 365 security?

Microsoft 365 is a highly secure platform with over 1 Million businesses globally. It offers powerful security in four vectors:

See what they offer:

• Access and identity management. To secure Microsoft 365 user identities and devices and access essential company data/resources based on risk.
• Protecting against threats. Protects users and devices from sophisticated threats and aids business recovery. Defender, Cloud App Security, and Defender for Endpoint are Microsoft 365 treat protection products.
• Information security. It restricts email and important document viewing to approved users.
• Manage security and risk. IT workers have control and data and information security tools are visible.

Every Microsoft 365 license type has comprehensive security protections protecting each security vector. Majority apply to:

• Microsoft 365 Business Basic
• MS 365 Business Standard
• Microsoft 365 Business Premium

Summary: Microsoft 365 for Business includes many security capabilities, such as anti-phishing, anti-spam, and anti-malware protection. Microsoft 365 Business Premium adds device security, enhanced threat protection, and information protection.

Top 11 MS 365 Security Features and Compliance for Data Security

Let’s look at the following top Microsoft 365 security and compliance features for businesses:

#1. Multi-factor authentication

Multi-Factor authentication (MFA), including 2FA, adds security to device, website, and app logins. Signing into Microsoft 365 using a code or authentication app on your phone is a crucial first step to protecting your Microsoft 365 and corporate data. You can verify your identity and authority with a passcode and biometrics (retinal or fingerprint scan). MFA/2FA prevents password-knowing hackers from taking over.

Microsoft 365 offers 2 MFA:

• Built-in 2FA lets IT admins activate users at multiple levels using biometrics, passcodes, etc.
• Azure MFA is a paid security add-on for Microsoft 365 that gives enterprises more control.

Internal or external Microsoft 365 admins oversee MFA policies and processes.

#2. Secure Admin Accounts

Admins of Microsoft 365 are more vulnerable to illegal access and cyberattacks due to their enhanced privileges. Your Business needs the correct amount of admin accounts, separated from user accounts, and well-managed. Following the information security principle of least privilege—granting users and apps only the data, processes, and information they need to do their jobs—is also crucial.

#3. Follow preset security policies

Microsoft 365 comes with recommended antimalware, antispam, and anti-phishing security measures. Following these policies and security measures is crucial. . Security provisions may need to be adjusted to meet business and security needs. Always make sure policies work.

#4. Strong Password Policies

To secure devices, networks, websites, and data, businesses have password policies for users, IT personnel, and network admins. Use strong passwords with length and allowed/disallowed characters.

IT/Network admins cannot alter password policies for Microsoft 365 and Azure AD (cloud-only accounts). Microsoft 365 and Azure AD (cloud-only accounts) have predefined password policies that IT/Network admins cannot change. These include password length, complexity, characters, and expiration. For improved password security, users/admins should avoid using names, dates of birth, and other sensitive information and reusing passwords.

#5. Use MDM to secure all devices

Even BYOD devices used at work must be configured appropriately to prevent network or data breaches. Protecting these endpoints protects your business.

Microsoft 365 manages mobile devices. MDM software and methods monitor and manage mobile devices accessing sensitive company data.

MDM controls access to sensitive data, including BYOD devices, not employee spying.

The typical MDM parts are:

• Inventory of devices
• Tracking
• Password protection
• Access and identity management
• App whitelist/blacklist
• Secure endpoints
• Wipe remotely
• Encryption
• And more.

A corporation can control enterprise data with Microsoft 365 built-in MDM or Microsoft Intune.

#6. Microsoft 365 Defender

Microsoft 365 Defender protects against sophisticated attacks and malware in the cloud. A unified pre- and post-breach cybersecurity package for Microsoft 365 email and other protection needs.

Defender for Office 365 uses Microsoft’s database to scan endpoints for malware in texts, files, emails, and URLs. Microsoft 365 Defender provides end-to-end encryption, threat research, protection policies, and reports. It offers three security services:

• Exchange Online Protection
• Defender for Office 365 P1
• Defender for Office 365 P2

See what Microsoft Defender services you have in your plan.

#7. Email encryption

Microsoft 365 business offers email encryption options like:

• Microsoft Purview Message Encryption
• Management of information rights
• Secure/Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions

Email encryption converts text into unreadable ciphertext that only authorized recipients may read/consume. Email encryption has two methods:

• TLS encryption (default) in the service
• Customers control encryption.

Since Microsoft 365 provides email security, encryption is used by default. Nothing has to be configured. The only person who can read an encrypted email is the intended recipient. Microsoft 365 encrypts server connections with TLS.

#8. DLP in Microsoft 365

Office 365 DLP protects data loss through practices, technology, and processes. Companies hold sensitive data such employee, financial, customer, credit card, health, and social security numbers. These sensitive data must be protected from cyberattacks, unlawful access, and unethical data sharing.

Under DPL, businesses must secure data at rest, in motion, and in use. This is possible with Microsoft 365’s network, endpoint, and cloud DLP capabilities.

An effective DLP policy will automate the identification, monitoring, and protection of sensitive data/devices across corporate areas, including:

• SharePoint, Teams, Exchange, and OneDrive from Microsoft 365. Give staff/third parties only the access they need.
• Office 365 apps including Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Excel, Access, etc.
• Protect Windows 10, 11, and macOS (Catalina 10.15+).
• Protect on-premises SharePoint and file shares.
• Secure non-Microsoft cloud apps

Creating and managing strong DLP policies in the Microsoft 365 Compliance center help businesses stay compliant with security regulations. 

#9. Advanced Threat Protection

In Microsoft 365 Defender, there’s an offer of Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) to help businesses monitor, detect and respond to advanced cybersecurity threats. ATP is an investigative response capability in MS 365 for phishing, business email compromise, and other attacks. It blocks harmful links, websites, and email attachments before access to protect the organization’s data, emails, website, and network from advanced attacks.

Most Microsoft 365 licenses, including Office 365 Enterprise E5, include ATP.

Microsoft 365 Business and ATP Plans

Microsoft 365 Business includes four main plans with distinct features:

• MS 365 Business Basic. Ideal for SMBs. OneDrive, SharePoint, and Word, Excel, and PowerPoint are included.
• Microsoft 365 Business Apps. Includes only Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, OneNote, OneDrive, Teams, Access, SharePoint, and Publisher. Businesses can use mobile and desktop apps for collaboration and productivity.
• Microsoft 365 Business. Offers Microsoft 365 Apps, cloud services, and basic features. It offers advanced services including professional email and online storage for targeted audiences.
• MS 365 Business Premium. This corporate plan supports 300-user SMBs. It is the greatest productivity suite for Microsoft cloud services and ATP security. Windows 365, audio conferencing, and business voice are significant add-ons.

Choose the correct Microsoft 365 plan depending on your business size, features, and security.

#10. Instruct everyone on email best practices

Everyone in the Business needs email security and best practices training in addition to cybersecurity training. Why?

Phishing attacks target email, which can disguise dangerous content. as harmless communications. Because everyone in the business uses email, email systems are vulnerable. Safety and security training is crucial since humans must make appropriate decisions with this communication medium.

So, teach everyone how to spot phishing, spam, spoofing, and malware in email.

#11. Maintain your environment

After your initial Microsoft 365 for business setup and configuration is complete, your Business needs a maintenance and operations plan to protect your data and environment. As employees come and go, you may reset passwords, add or remove users, and reset devices. Also, restrict access to only the sites/data needed for work.

The key is to protect your business and operations from attack, unwanted access, and data loss.

Conclusion

Cybersecurity is vital and changing.

Businesses and organizations use sensitive data that must be protected. Employee exposure, data loss, and cyberattacks are typically prevented.

These Microsoft 365 cybersecurity features can help you secure and safeguard your business if you use or plan to use Microsoft’s Business (any subscription).