Microsoft 365 is a powerful and versatile solution for many businesses. Although it comes packed with a ton of security features, your organization might not be using them in a way that keeps your data safe. In this article, we’ll show you why securing Microsoft 365 is so important and give tips on how to do it effectively.

Written by guest contributor Cybernews team,

Why Should You Improve Microsoft 365 Security?

Just like most software solutions, Microsoft 365 is prone to cyberattacks. One of the most common types of attack is known as a phishing attack, where hackers use fraudulent emails or websites to try and trick people into giving them sensitive information like passwords or credit card numbers.

According to one report, there was an increase in phishing attacks in from 2017 to 2020, with businesses seeing an increase from 72% to 86%. This is just one example of the kind of threat that businesses need to be aware of, and it underscores the importance of having strong security measures in place.

How To Secure Microsoft 365

Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) For All Accounts

One of the most effective ways to improve Microsoft 365 security is to enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all users. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is an authentication method that requires users to provide more than one factor when logging in.

This can include something they know (like a password), something they have (like a phone), or something they are (like a fingerprint). By requiring multiple factors, you can make it much more difficult for hackers to gain access to accounts, even if they have stolen a password.

MFA can be enabled for individual user accounts or for all accounts in an organization. We recommend enabling it for all accounts to help ensure the highest level of security possible.

Using Strong Passwords

We’re all guilty of using simple passwords that are easy to remember, but these are also the first passwords that hackers will try to guess.

As a rule of thumb, passwords should be long and complex, utilizing a mix of upper- and lower-case letters, numbers, and symbols. Also, users should never use the same password for multiple accounts and avoid storing passwords in insecure locations like their browsers or plain text files.

Keep Your Apps Up to Date

Outdated software is one of the most common ways hackers gain access to systems, as they can exploit known vulnerabilities that have already been patched in newer versions.

Keeping your apps up to date can help ensure that your organization is protected against these kinds of attacks. This includes not only Microsoft 365 apps but also any third-party apps that integrate with it.

Complement Microsoft 365 Security with third-party apps like FileWall

In addition to the built-in security features of Microsoft 365, other third-party security solutions can further improve your organization’s security. These solutions can provide additional protection against file-based attacks, phishing attempts, malware, and other threats while offering a safe way to back up your Microsoft 365 data.

A great example is FileWall, a native SaaS security service for Microsoft 365 that offers real-time protection against malware and malicious attachments across Microsoft 365 business applications including Exchange Online and SharePoint. FileWall supports Deep File Analysis of complex files like nested and password-protected files.

Ensure that Employees Use a VPN

A virtual private network (VPN) is a critical security measure for any organization, and it’s especially important for businesses that use Microsoft 365. A VPN creates a secure, encrypted connection between a user’s device and the corporate network, which helps to protect sensitive data from being intercepted by hackers.

We recommend that all Microsoft 365 users use a VPN when connecting to the corporate network, especially when working remotely. This will help ensure that data is protected and that only authorized users can access it.

The VPN market is huge, and this often makes it challenging to narrow it down to one. We recommend checking out the most secure VPN services in 2022 to help you make an informed decision.

Educate Your Employees About Security

One of the most important things you can do to improve your organization’s security is to educate your employees about the risks they face and what they can do to avoid them.

Ensure your employees know how to spot a phishing email, and teach them what to do if they receive one. It would be best if you also had policies that dictate how employees handle sensitive information.

Bottom Line

You can do many things to improve the security of Microsoft 365. These include enabling MFA for all users, using a complementary security software solution, and ensuring that employees use a VPN. Following these tips will ensure your Microsoft 365 accounts are as secure as possible and that your organization’s data is protected against the most common threats.

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