In today’s rapidly evolving digital world, Office 365 offers crucial security capabilities to shield companies from online attacks. This platform combines robust security features designed to protect business data across various devices and apps with practical tools for collaboration and productivity.
Beyond its productivity capabilities, Office 365 has robust security technologies that safeguard data, devices, and people from potential threats.
In this article, we’ll examine Office 365’s key security features, explain how they function, and explain why they’re essential for protecting your organization.
What exactly is Office 365?
Office 365 is a subscription-based suite of well-known cloud-based programs, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, that also includes Microsoft’s online services (such as OneDrive and SharePoint) and security features. Although Microsoft apps are helpful, they might strain your IT staff and machines.
Many small businesses need help to upgrade their technology regularly to match the needs of the desktop versions of these programs, which may slow down operations due to their size. That is where Microsoft’s subscription-based service comes into play.
Is Office 365 Secure?
Modern digital workplaces confront constant and evolving security challenges. Cyberattacks are a prime target for networked cloud-based systems that enable remote work.
However, IT must offer adequate security to ensure safe conversing, cooperating, and exchanging data online.
Microsoft 365 is a highly secure platform with over 1 Million businesses globally. It offers robust security such as:
- Access and identity management: To safeguard Microsoft 365 user identities and devices while allowing access to critical enterprise data/resources depending on risk.
- Protecting against threats: Defender helps businesses recover while shielding consumers and devices from advanced attacks. Microsoft 365 protection tools include Defender, Cloud App Security, and Defender for Endpoint.
- Information security: It limits email and key document access to authorized individuals.
- Manage security and risk: Data and information security technologies are visible, and IT personnel have authority.
Top Office 365 Security Features
Let us look at the top Microsoft 365 security and compliance features for businesses:
Secure Admin Accounts
Because of their increased powers, Microsoft 365 administrators are more susceptible to unauthorized access and cyberattacks. Having the correct number of administrator accounts that are kept apart from user accounts and adequately maintained is essential for your business.
The information security concept of least privilege, which states that users and applications should only be given the data, procedures, and information necessary to do their duties, must also be adhered to.
Email Encryption
Microsoft 365 Business provides email encryption features, including Microsoft Purview Message Encryption, Management of Information Rights, and Secure/Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions.
Email encryption encodes text into unreadable ciphertext only authorized receivers may read/consume. It may be done using TLS (the service’s default) or encryption that the client controls.
Encryption is used by default since Microsoft 365 offers email security. There is nothing to set up. An encrypted email can only be viewed by the intended recipient. TLS is used by Microsoft 365 to encrypt server connections.
Multi-factor authentication
Multi-factor authentication (MFA), which includes 2FA, makes device, website, and app logins more secure. Protecting your business data and Microsoft 365 requires signing in with a code or authentication app on your phone.
A password and biometrics (retina or fingerprint scan) may be used to validate your identity and authority. MFA/2FA stops hackers who know the password from taking control.
Strong Password Policies
Businesses have password rules for users, IT staff, and network administrators to protect devices, networks, websites, and data. Use long, secure passwords that include both permitted and prohibited characters.
IT/Network administrators cannot change Microsoft 365 or Azure AD password policies. It has predetermined password policies that IT/Network administrators cannot change.
These include the password’s length, characters, difficulty, and expiry date. To increase password security, users and administrators should refrain from repeating passwords and using names, birth dates, and other personal information.
Use MDM to secure all devices.
Even BYOD devices used for work must be properly set up to avoid network or data intrusions. Protecting these endpoints safeguards your company.
Office 365 controls mobile devices. MDM software and procedures monitor and control mobile devices that access sensitive business information.
Multi-factor authentication
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) includes 2FA and secures device, website, and app logins. Signing into Office 365 using a code or authentication app on your phone is an essential first step toward safeguarding your Office 365 and business data.
You may use a password and biometrics (a fingerprint or can) to confirm your identity and authority. MFA/2FA keeps password-knowing hackers at bay.
Office 365 DLP
Office 365 DLP uses procedures, technology, and practices to prevent data loss. Sensitive information businesses include social security numbers, credit card numbers, employee, financial, and customer information. Safeguarding this private information from illegal access, hacks, and unethical data sharing is necessary.
Under DPL, businesses must safeguard data while it is in use, in transit, and at rest. Microsoft 365’s network, endpoint, and cloud DLP features make this feasible.
An efficient DLP strategy will automate the detection, monitoring, and safeguarding of sensitive data and devices throughout the business.
Advanced Threat Protection
Microsoft 365 Defender includes sophisticated Threat Protection (ATP), which assists enterprises in monitoring, detecting, and responding to sophisticated cybersecurity threats.
ATP is an investigative response feature in MS 365 that detects phishing, corporate email compromise, and other assaults. It prevents sophisticated assaults on the organization’s data, emails, website, and network by blocking hazardous links, websites, and email attachments before they can be accessed.
Most Office 365 subscriptions, including Office 365 Enterprise E5, contain ATP.
Microsoft 365 Defender
Office 365 Defender protects against sophisticated attacks and malware in the cloud. It is a unified pre- and post-breach cybersecurity package for Office 365 email and other protection needs.
Defender for Office 365 uses Microsoft’s database to check endpoints for malware in text, files, emails, and URLs. Office365 Defender offers end-to-end encryption, threat analysis, security rules, and reporting. It provides three security services: Exchange Online Protection, Defender for Office 365 P1, and Defender for Office 365 P2.
Final Thoughts
Office 365 has several security capabilities to safeguard your company against cyberattacks. These products safeguard your data, users, and devices with multi-factor authentication, data loss prevention, sophisticated threat protection, and encryption. Businesses may secure sensitive data by maximizing these features in an increasingly complicated digital ecosystem.
Review and update your security policies often, keep up with emerging threats, and train your staff on security best practices to maximize Office 365’s security capabilities. With the correct strategy, you can safely safeguard your company in the dynamic danger landscape of today.
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