Over the last year, 89.7% of US organizations saw at least one successful cyber-attack – an increase of 6.7% from the previous 12 months. It’s becoming increasingly critical to ensure your business data is secure at all times, and fortunately, there are ways to increase your cybersecurity posture to keep threats at bay.
Microsoft 365 is a great tool for managing, storing, and sharing data, but it’s important to remember that it can also be vulnerable to cyber threats. However, with the right strategies in place, you can keep your data safe and secure, and protect your business from any potential threats.
Microsoft 365 built-in security features
Microsoft 365 has a number of built-in security features that you can take advantage of to help protect your data and maintain maximum security. These include:
Advanced Threat Protection: ATP uses machine learning to detect and respond to potential threats quickly, proactively protecting your business from cyber threats like ransomware.
Azure Active Directory: Azure AD’s identity-based security model allows you to control access to your data based on user identity. You can also use Azure AD’s built-in security features, such as multi-factor authentication (MFA), to protect your data and maintain maximum security.
Data Protection: Data Protection encrypts data at rest, helping to protect it in the event of a breach. It uses encryption keys, making it more difficult for malicious actors to break into your data. It automatically encrypts all your data on OneDrive for Business, SharePoint, and Teams.
Data Loss Prevention: DLP allows you to detect, monitor, and protect sensitive data across Microsoft 365 apps and services, so you can ensure that your data remains secure.
Intruder Detection: Intruder Detection is a built-in security feature in Microsoft 365 that actively protects your organization from brute force attacks. It monitors your network and identifies suspicious activities.
Disable Microsoft 365 macros
Macros are built-in functions in Microsoft Word and Excel that can automate repetitive tasks and make completing certain tasks easier. While macros can be helpful and time-saving, they can also be risky, as attackers can use them to infect your computer with malware. To help protect your computer and prevent infection, disable the macros feature on Microsoft 365.
Implement a strong password policy
Cybercriminals are always looking for ways to get access to accounts, and a weak password can be easy pickings for them. The good news is that a strong password policy can help keep your account secure. A good password should have at least 12 characters, with a combination of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and symbols. It’s also important to change your password regularly, as well as not reusing passwords from other accounts.
Enforce multi-factor authentication
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) requires employees to confirm their identity and provide proof of their identity by using two different authentication methods. This ensures that if someone does get hold of any user login details, they won’t be able to access the account without the code.
MFA also makes it harder for cybercriminals to brute force their way into your account, as they would have to guess the code in addition to the password. And since the code is only valid for a limited amount of time, this makes it even harder for them to get in.
Control user access
With user access controls, you can ensure that only the right people have access to certain documents and other resources. You can also set up different levels of access, so that some people have more or less control than others.
Admins can also set up different levels of access privileges, depending on the user’s position within the company. For example, admins can grant certain roles the ability to create and edit documents, while other roles may only be able to view them.
Set file sharing settings
Settings on OneDrive and SharePoint – Microsoft’s collaboration apps – may be set to more permissive file sharing levels than is necessary, or secure. Review and reconfigure the default settings to better protect your business data; this should be done in conjunction when setting user access controls, to ensure that your users can only access the data and files they need to do their jobs.
Encrypt data
Encryption scrambles data so it can only be accessed by someone with the correct encryption key. This means that even if malicious actors access your data, they won’t be able to decrypt it.
Encrypting your data will help protect sensitive information, like customer contact information and financial records, from prying eyes. It also protect your communications, like emails and instant messages, from being read by unauthorized people.
Microsoft offers built-in tools to help you encrypt your data, making it easy to ensure that your Microsoft 365 environment is secure.
Train your users
Training users can help your business stay secure and reduce the risk of a data breach or malicious attack. It’s also important to keep abreast of the latest phishing trends and update your staff on any new tactics they should be aware of.
Phishing, a type of cyber-attack, has become increasingly sophisticated and is a major threat to organizations of all sizes. By educating your users on phishing tactics, you can help them recognize emails that may be malicious.
Protect your Microsoft 365 data with expert help
Microsoft 365 is a great tool for managing, storing, and sharing data, but it’s important to remember that it can also be vulnerable to cyber threats. Luckily, there are ways to increase your cybersecurity posture and protect your business data.
The Microsoft specialists at Technology Solutions can audit your Microsoft environment, advise you on cybersecurity best practises to implement, and manage your Microsoft accounts for maximum protection. Talk to them today and learn more.
