Keeping critical systems secure is always your responsibility, even if the application is Software as a Service. This is especially true for Microsoft 365, because its applications, like email, are fundamental to business operations. There are several recommended security measures to take to protect your Microsoft 365 deployment:

1. Turn on multi-factor authentication.

Multi-factor authentication is always a good idea, but it’s particularly important for your admin accounts. Failed logins should be reviewed.

2. Use role-based access controls.

Limit the uncontrolled, inappropriate spread of privileges by using role-based controls to grant admin rights. Review these controls periodically to make sure only employees who need those capabilities have those rights.

3. Turn on logs and alerting.

Ignorance is not bliss when it comes to information security. Use the unified audit log and security alerts to ensure you are informed of suspicious behavior and can investigate it. Integrate the logs with your existing security information and event management tool to ensure a consistent process and allow more comprehensive analytics.

4. Disable legacy authentication protocols.

Don’t allow users to authenticate with obsolete, insecure protocols that can bypass multi-factor authentication. Where legacy protocols are required, limit their use by defining conditional access policies.

5. Measure your security posture with Microsoft Secure Score.

Check how well you’re doing with the Microsoft Secure Score. The score isn’t a complete security assessment, but provides useful data to help evaluate how well you’ve configured security features and addressed security tasks. The number can be used as a metric to measure improvements in security posture.

6. Monitor important changes.

Changes to privileges, roles, and groups can be routine or can indicate an attack. Monitor these changes to ensure no malicious activity is taking place. Creation of new resources is also significant, as is resource deletion. Monitoring all privileged activity can be useful.

7. Monitor sharing.

Much business productivity comes from collaboration and sharing, but sharing can also be a means to theft. File sharing, particularly externally, can be suspicious, but so can forwarding email messages. While shared mailbox access is often necessary for the business to function, it also can present a risk.

Make sure your Microsoft 365 environment is safe with Microsoft 365 support from Prescient Solutions. From ensuring a smooth email migration to providing ongoing administration and end user support, our expert team ensures this critical software meets your business demands. Contact us to learn why businesses in Chicago and Schaumburg turn to Prescient Solutions for Microsoft 365 support.