Microsoft 365 offers companies a broad collection of communication and collaboration tools, productivity apps, and even AI assistants. With more than 345 million paying customers worldwide, it’s one of the most popular work suites available. But like any digital platform, it comes with risks.
For businesses transitioning into Microsoft’s platform in today’s digital world, it’s crucial to ensure their data, employees, and even customers are protected. After all, over the last few years, cybercrime has increased at an incredible rate, putting more companies at risk than ever before.
Fortunately, there are ways to effectively secure and protect your Microsoft 365 environment, defending both your data, and your commitment to compliance.
Step 1: Implement Secure Access Control
One of the most valuable ways to keep business data safe in today’s digital environment, is to ensure only the right people can access it. Fortunately, Microsoft 365 already offers companies resources they can use to streamline and enhance user access management.
With Azure AD single sign-on, companies can manage authentication across on-premises apps, cloud tools, and devices. This also increases productivity and efficiency, by reducing the number of credentials employees need to remember. Microsoft also allows organisations to leverage multi-factor authentication and conditional access policies for more comprehensive user control.
There’s even the option to use biometric technology, like “Windows Hello”, to minimise the risk caused by stolen passwords or lost devices. A comprehensive approach to access control should ensure that your data doesn’t fall into the wrong hands, even if devices or passwords are lost.
Step 2: Introduce Stringent Data Protections
Even with comprehensive access control strategies in place, data leaks and breaches can still happen. When distributing technology to your employees, make sure you’re applying Microsoft’s security best practices. Install recommended security solutions in Microsoft 365 apps, Windows PCs, and the Microsoft Edge browser ecosystem.
You can also leverage Microsoft’s Endpoint management tools to implement protection policies for mobile workers. Business leaders can also identify, monitor, and automatically defend sensitive data across Microsoft 365 apps and Teams, with data loss prevention policies, set up by administrators.
Plus, you’ll be able to tap into useful features for critical documents, like sensitivity labels in Office apps, and secure sharing features in Microsoft’s Outlook email client. On Outlook, you can even implement safe links, safe attachment, and anti-spam, malware, and phishing protection tools.
Step 3: Take a Proactive Approach
When it comes to protecting your business from security threats, a proactive approach is crucial. The key to defending yourself from significant losses is stopping issues before they occur. With that in mind, carefully analyse cloud applications and their potential risks. Ensure every app you install is configured with the correct security settings and policies.
Consider working with a leading Microsoft partner, such as Daisy Corporate Services, to assess your risk landscape, and get a real-time insight into your security posture. You can also leverage real-time monitoring tools and solutions for data loss prevention, to give your team additional peace of mind.
Moreover, taking a proactive approach to security also means ensuring your team are trained on security best practices. Ensure employees know which apps are safe to use, and how data should be stored and shared throughout your business ecosystem. Provide consistent up-to-date training as new threats to your business or industry emerge.
Step 4: Leverage Advanced Security Technology
While Microsoft’s own solutions for data and business security are excellent, you can always build on your defence strategy with additional resources. Vendors like Daisy can offer access to next-generation firewalls, DDoS protection services, and SASE technologies.
They can help you implement comprehensive Azure security ecosystems, and assist businesses with email security tools, vulnerability management, and incident response solutions. For an end-to-end approach, these companies also offer access to powerful endpoint management capabilities, so you can proactively monitor and manage devices, computers, virtual machines and more.
If you have more advanced security needs, you can even work with a Microsoft partner like Daisy to implement secure solutions into Microsoft Dynamics, the Power Platform, and more.
Step 5: Consider an End-to-End Solution Provider
Speaking of working with experts on your Microsoft 365 security strategy, sometimes the best way to ensure you have complete protection, is to work with a vendor who can assess and enhance your ecosystem for you. For instance, Daisy offers a comprehensive range of consultancy packages, as well as migration and configuration services for Microsoft 365 systems.
The company also works with other Microsoft Gold Partners like Cloud9 to give businesses a holistic solution for implementing fully secure cloud ecosystems. With Daisy, companies can access solutions like managed detection and response capabilities, security awareness training and compliance management. The company even offers end-to-end penetration testing options.
Working with a Microsoft partner can give you access to extensive expertise throughout your migration, configuration, and consistent work process. The right vendor will even help you to securely update your ecosystem over time, as you implement new features and capabilities.
Keep Your Microsoft 365 Environment Secure
Microsoft 365 represents an exceptional digital workplace for businesses and their teams. Offering access to everything from generative AI to intelligent productivity tools, this powerful suite supports countless companies worldwide. However, to truly make the most of your Microsoft investment, and protect yourself from “data and compliance risks, you need a robust security strategy.
Implementing the best security solutions offered by Microsoft Teams, and leveraging support from partners who can help secure and configure your ecosystem will give you a critical edge.
You’ll be able to ensure that you protect not just your data, but your company’s reputation and your employees too.
“Ensuring your data, employees, and customers are protected in today’s digital landscape as well as implementing secure access controls, stringent data protections, proactive security measures, as well as considering end-to-end solutions for complete protection will set businesses apart in 2024”, says Chris Tallis, Head of Cloud, Daisy Corporate Services.
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