Configuring your Microsoft 365 tenant settings with security and usability in mind is essential for protecting your organization’s data and enhancing productivity. While the specific settings may vary depending on your organization’s needs, here are 15 important configuration changes you should consider:
1. Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA): Require users to provide an additional form of verification, such as a mobile app or text message code, when accessing Microsoft 365 services to protect against unauthorized access.
2. Set strong password policies: Enforce complex password requirements, including minimum length, complexity, and regular password changes, to prevent easy password guessing or brute-force attacks.
3. Implement Conditional Access policies: Define policies that allow or restrict access based on certain conditions, such as location, device compliance, or risk level, to ensure that only authorized and secure devices can access Microsoft 365 services.
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A Call to action section made with Neve Custom Layouts4. Configure Data Loss Prevention (DLP) policies: Utilize DLP policies to identify and protect sensitive information, such as personally identifiable information (PII) or financial data, by preventing its accidental or intentional disclosure.
5. Enable mailbox auditing: Enable mailbox auditing to track and log user activities within Exchange Online mailboxes, helping to detect and investigate any suspicious or unauthorized actions.
6. Implement Microsoft Defender for Office 365: Activate the advanced threat protection features of Defender for Office 365 to detect and prevent malware, phishing attacks, and other email-based threats.
7. Enable email encryption: Use Office 365 Message Encryption or S/MIME to encrypt sensitive emails, ensuring that only intended recipients can read the content.
8. Enable and configure Azure Information Protection (AIP): Utilize AIP to classify and label documents and emails based on sensitivity levels, applying encryption and access controls to protect sensitive data from unauthorized access or leakage.
9. Enable unified audit logging: Activate unified audit logging to capture user and administrator activity across Microsoft 365 services, enabling effective investigation and compliance reporting.
10. Configure mobile device management (MDM): Utilize Microsoft Intune or other MDM solutions to enforce security policies on mobile devices accessing corporate data, such as requiring device encryption, enabling remote wipe, or managing app permissions.
11. Disable legacy authentication protocols: Disable outdated and less secure authentication protocols, such as POP3, IMAP, or older versions of ActiveSync, to reduce the risk of unauthorized access or account compromise.
12. Implement sensitivity labels: Utilize sensitivity labels in Microsoft 365 to classify and protect files and emails based on their sensitivity, automatically applying appropriate protection and access controls.
13. Regularly review and update security settings: Continuously monitor and review your Microsoft 365 security settings, including user access privileges, configuration policies, and security reports, to stay up-to-date with evolving threats and maintain a secure environment.
14. Enable Microsoft Cloud App Security (MCAS): Utilize MCAS to gain visibility and control over cloud applications and services, allowing you to monitor and manage data access and activities across various cloud platforms.
15. Use Microsoft Secure Score: Leverage Microsoft Secure Score to assess the security posture of your Microsoft 365 environment, receive recommendations, and track progress in implementing security best practices.
Remember to consider your organization’s specific needs and consult with qualified IT professional like Invicta IT Solutions to ensure these configuration changes align with your Microsoft 365 Business Premium subscription and meet your security and usability requirements. Microsoft 365 Business Premium is the minimum version of M365 that Invicta recommends. Lower versions like Basic simply don’t have the security and device management capabilities SMBs need. Contact us today to learn how we can help configure and monitor hundreds of your tenant settings to ensure you’re as secure as possible, while getting maximum value from your subscription. We would be happy to demo our proprietary solution, Office Protect, which properly configures hundreds of M365 settings, and monitors for any issues.
