Cyber threats are a real concern for businesses of all sizes, and Microsoft 365 comes with some powerful security tools built right in. The trouble is, they’re not always switched on by default. Here’s where to start if you want to make sure your business is properly protected.
Turn On Multi-Factor Authentication
If you do one thing after reading this, make it this. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) means that even if someone gets hold of a password, they can’t log in without a second confirmation – usually a code sent to a phone or generated by an app. It blocks the vast majority of unauthorised access attempts, and it takes minutes to set up.
MFA should be enabled for every user in your organisation, especially anyone with admin access.
Review Your Admin Accounts
Global admin accounts have the keys to everything in your Microsoft 365 environment. A good rule of thumb: keep the number of global admins as small as possible, and make sure those accounts are only used for admin tasks – not for day-to-day email and work. Dedicated admin accounts with MFA are much harder to compromise.
Use Conditional Access
Conditional Access lets you set rules around how and where people can log in. For example, you can block sign-ins from certain countries, require MFA when someone logs in from an unrecognised device, or restrict access to specific apps for certain users. It sounds complex, but Microsoft 365 has pre-built policies that make it much more approachable.
Don’t Overlook the Basics
Keeping software updated, training your team to spot phishing emails, and knowing what’s in your Microsoft 365 Secure Score – these are all things worth paying attention to. Your Secure Score gives you a real number that reflects how well your current settings protect your organisation, along with specific actions to improve it.
Security doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. If you’d like us to take a look at your Microsoft 365 setup and flag anything worth addressing, we’re here to help.
