The final edition of our Optimising your Microsoft 365 investment saw us take a look at Microsoft 365 Security features in your subscription. With cyber threats higher than ever it is important you do as much as you can to protect your organisation. Optimising your Microsoft 365 investment can help with this, due to Security score, Windows Defender and Email Filtering tools. Have a read of each below.
First up, let’s take a look at Security Score…
Put simply security score is a comprehensive measure of your security posture. Helping you to assess, improve, and maintain a strong security foundation. Key aspects to leverage include:
- Risk Assessment: Security Score evaluates your organisation’s security based on its configuration, user behaviours, and applied security features. Providing a risk assessment that guides you in strengthening your security measures.
- Actionable recommendations: Receive actionable recommendations to enhance security. From multi-factor authentication to device compliance policies, Security Score guides you on implementing best practices tailored to your organisation.
- Continuous monitoring: Security Score is not a one-time evaluation; it offers continuous monitoring. Regularly assess your security stance and track improvements over time ensuring ongoing protection against emerging threats.
Next, Windows Defender…
This feature acts as front-line defence against myriad cyber threats, which as we all know are increasing in volume, what features can you make use of?
- Antivirus Protection: Windows Defender provides robust antivirus protection, scanning and detecting malicious software to safeguard your devices and data.
- Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR): Enjoy advanced threat detection and response capabilities. Windows Defender monitors endpoint activities, quickly identifying and responding to potential security incidents.
- Application guard: Isolate potentially harmful documents and websites. Windows Defender Application Guard ensures that potentially harmful malicious content is contained, preventing it from affecting your broader network.
- Secure Browsing: Protect users from phishing and malicious websites. Windows Defender SmartScreen helps block access to dangerous sites, reducing the risk of users falling victim to online threats.
Finally, there is Email Filtering…
Email remains a primary vector for cyber threats. Microsoft 365’s advanced filtering features are designed to protect your organisation from phishing attempts and malware. Some of it’s key features include
- Exchange online protection (EOP): EOP is Microsoft’s cloud-based email filtering service that helps protect against spam, malware and other email-borne threats, ensuring that your organisation’s email communication is secure
- Advanced Threat Protection (ATP): ATP adds an extra layer of defence by scanning email attachments and links for malicious content in real-time, preventing users from interacting with harmful elements.
- Safe Links and Safe Attachments: Ensure that users can click confidently on links and open attachments. Safe Links and Safe Attachments in ATP provide additional protection by dynamically analysing and blocking unsafe URL’s and attachments.
Summary
Security is paramount for businesses, with the costs of downtime, ransom and brand image all affected. These three tools alone aren’t enough to protect yourself fully, but they act as a good starting point and they are features you will have already paid for in your subscription. We hope this was helpful and you start to make use of these Microsoft 365 Security features. For more on how you can make use of security features and how we can help protect you further in the face of cyber threats, get in touch with our team.
