Microsoft 365 is a powerful suite of tools that help businesses improve collaboration, productivity, and efficiency. However, it is easy to underestimate the cybersecurity risks that can arise while using these applications. It is essential to make use of Microsoft 365’s advanced cybersecurity solutions, as well as best practices, in order to protect your business.
1. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Depending on your circumstances, you may need to manually enable MFA. This security measure requires users to provide more than one form of verification before they can access their account, preventing unauthorized access.
To Enable MFA:
Go to the Microsoft Entra Admin Center, navigate to Identity > Overview > Properties, and select ‘Manage Security Defaults’.
Enable these.
2. Use Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
By implementing role-based access control (RBAC) through Microsoft Intune, you can assign permissions based on each employee’s role within the organization, ensuring that they can only access the information necessary for their specific job responsibilities.
RBAC Best Practices:
Define user roles based on departments or job functions.
Limit access to administrative tools and settings.
Review and update access permissions regularly, especially when employees change roles or leave the company.
3. Secure Administrative Accounts
Administrative accounts have elevated privileges that allow them to control important settings and manage other users. This makes it critical to secure these accounts, as they are common targets for threat actors.
Account Security Best Practices:
Avoid using your regular user account for administrative tasks.
Limit the number of global administrators to only those who absolutely need that level of access.
Use Privileged Identity Management (PIM) to grant time-based, temporary access to administrative functions when necessary.
4. Use the Audit Log
Microsoft 365’s audit log records all user and admin activities within the environment, allowing you to track suspicious behavior and identify potential security incidents.
How to use the Audit Log:
Navigate to the Microsoft Purview Portal, and find Audit. It should be enabled by default.
Regularly review audit logs for abnormal activity such as failed login attempts, unauthorized data access, or unusual file-sharing activity.
Set up alerts to notify your security team of potential malicious activity.
5. Enable Message Encryption
Unencrypted emails can present a security risk to your business, potentially exposing sensitive data to unauthorized users. Message encryption ensures that only the intended recipient can read the content.
Setting up Message Encryption:
Follow these instructions to ensure that Message Encryption is enabled and configured.
Create rules that automatically apply encryption to emails containing sensitive information.
6. Implement Data Loss Prevention (DLP) Policies
DLP policies help prevent the accidental or unauthorized sharing of sensitive information, by monitoring data transit and blocking certain actions.
Creating DLP policies:
In the Microsoft Purview Portal, navigate to Data Loss Prevention.
Define rules that trigger alerts when sensitive information is shared through email, SharePoint, or OneDrive.
Customize actions when a DLP rule is triggered, such as blocking the message.
7. Backup Microsoft 365 Data
While Microsoft 365’s security features offer significant protection, it is still essential to prepare for potential cyber-attacks, disasters, or human error by backing up critical data.
Backup Best Practices:
Use a third-party backup solution that is compatible with Microsoft 365.
Schedule regular backups for Exchange Online, OneDrive, and SharePoint data.
Ensure that backup solutions comply with industry regulations.
8. Review and Strengthen Conditional Access Policies
Conditional access policies allow you to apply additional access controls based on factors such as location, device, or risk level. This provides a higher level of security than RBAC alone, by enabling stricter controls in certain scenarios.
Configuring Conditional Access:
Go to the Endpoint Security options in the Microsoft Intune Admin Center, and set up Conditional Access policies.
Define rules such as requiring MFA for access from external networks, blocking access from unauthorized devices, or limiting access from high-risk locations.
Regularly review conditional access policies to ensure they align with your security requirements.
Need more information? Learn how to create a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy
Creating a Safer Workplace with Microsoft 365
Implementing Microsoft 365 security best practices is an essential step for protecting data and preventing cyber-attacks. The steps listed above provide a valuable starting point that will significantly reduce your chances of experiencing a security breach. By combining them with other advanced cybersecurity solutions such as antivirus and threat detection, you will be able to use Microsoft 365 safely and efficiently.
ION247 provides Microsoft 365 consulting services designed to help you choose the best solutions for your business. Whether you are trying to improve your security posture or increase productivity, we can find a setup that will allow you to reach your goals. Learn how our Microsoft consultants can help you today.
