As threats evolve and technology advances, there’s always an opportunity to strengthen your organisation’s security posture, streamline workflows, and maintain compliance with global industry standards. Many of these measures may already be in place, but it’s always beneficial to review, refine, and optimise them. Use this as a checklist to confirm what’s already covered and identify areas for improvement, ensuring you’re making the most of Microsoft 365’s powerful tools.
1. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
One of the most critical security controls in Microsoft 365 is Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). Enabling MFA adds an extra layer of protection, reducing the risk of compromised accounts due to phishing attacks or weak passwords.
- Configure MFA using an authentication app like Microsoft Authenticator.
- Apply security defaults to enforce MFA for all administrator accounts and specific users.
- Monitor authentication logs in the unified audit log to detect suspicious login attempts.
2. Use Conditional access policies for secure access control
Conditional access policies allow you to restrict access based on predefined security conditions, ensuring only authorised users can access corporate data.
- Define role-based access control to limit permissions based on user roles.
- Block legacy authentication protocols to prevent outdated security risks.
- Require modern authentication for all cloud services and mobile devices.
- Use Microsoft Secure Score to evaluate and improve security settings.
3. Implement Mobile Device Management (MDM) and Security Policies
With the increase in remote work, managing mobile devices securely is essential. Microsoft 365 provides Intune for mobile device management (MDM), ensuring security policies are enforced across all devices accessing company data.
- Configure device encryption to protect sensitive data.
- Restrict access to Exchange Online and SharePoint Online from unmanaged mobile devices.
- Apply compliance policies to enforce secure configurations and audit logs for device monitoring.
4. Configure Data Loss Prevention (DLP) to Safeguard Sensitive Information
Configuring Data Loss Prevention (DLP) policies helps prevent the unintentional sharing of personally identifiable information (PII), financial records, or other sensitive information.
- Set up DLP rules in the Compliance Center to detect and block unauthorised file sharing.
- Use sensitivity labels to classify and restrict access to critical data.
- Apply secure password policies to minimise the risk of data breaches.
5. Leverage Microsoft 365 Compliance Tools for Risk Assessment
Ensuring compliance with global industry standards requires proactive risk assessment and audit logs monitoring.
- Use the Microsoft Compliance Center to track compliance posture and mitigate risks.
- Monitor the unified audit log to detect suspicious activities.
- Enable Secure Score to identify potential threats and improve security measures.
6. Optimise Microsoft Teams for Secure Collaboration
Microsoft Teams is a powerful collaboration tool, but it must be configured securely to prevent unauthorised access and data leaks.
- Restrict file sharing to trusted users and enforce sensitivity labels.
- Enable secure communication by configuring encryption settings.
- Manage app permissions to limit third-party access to business operations.
- Regularly review administrator accounts to ensure effective management.
7. Regular Security Awareness Training for End Users
Human error remains one of the biggest risks to data protection. Conducting regular security awareness training helps employees recognise phishing attempts, malware attacks, and potential security breaches.
- Educate employees on recognising phishing attempts and secure password policies.
- Enforce basic security measures like up-to-date software and role-based access control.
- Use self-service environments to encourage secure IT practices.
8. Automate Routine Tasks with Power Automate
Boost efficiency by automating routine tasks in Microsoft 365 with Power Automate.
- Automate file approvals, email responses, and data entry tasks.
- Schedule restore testing to ensure data backups are functioning properly.
- Use centralised dashboards to track and manage automation workflows. Monitor & Analyse Microsoft 365 Usage with Unified Audit Logs
9. Monitor & Analyse Microsoft 365 Usage with Unified Audit Logs
Proactive monitoring helps detect potential threats before they escalate.
- Enable unified audit logs to track and investigate security incidents.
- Regularly review reports in the Compliance Center for suspicious activity.
- Use Microsoft Secure Score insights to continuously improve security.
10. Enforce Secure Communication & Threat Protection
Protecting business communication is key to preventing cyber threats.
- Enable threat protection features to detect and block potential cyberattacks.
- Configure secure communication settings, including email encryption.
- Monitor global administrators to prevent unauthorised system access.
Final Thoughts
By implementing these best practices for Microsoft 365, organisations can strengthen their security posture, protect sensitive information, and enhance productivity. From enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) to configuring data loss prevention and monitoring unified audit logs, these steps ensure business operations run securely and efficiently. Stay proactive, enforce security policies, and make the most of Microsoft 365’s powerful security and compliance features.
Need help optimising your Microsoft 365 security? Get in touch with us for expert guidance and tailored solutions.
