10 Benefits Of Microsoft Office 365 Security

Craig Wilson
Backupology
Published in
2 min readOct 12, 2022

The Microsoft 365 security offering is well-developed and formidable, considering that it includes many standard Microsoft licenses.

Microsoft 365 is undeniably the ultimate business software other providers seek to rival. With a raft of dynamic applications, Microsoft 365 has practical solutions and numerous benefits for companies of all sizes.

With Microsoft 365, you will have more storage capacity, more accessible access to folders and files, the mobility to work on multiple devices from remote locations, and easy-to-use software that enhances productivity, collaboration, and performance.

So what is available for your organization? I cover 10 features that could benefit your IT security:

Block email malware

Outlook security settings allow you to block specific attachments and file types that are known sources of malware.

Block ransomware

Outlook lets you use mail flow rules to block potential ransomware files and warn employees before they open risky messages.

Prevent auto-forwarding

Auto-forwarding is a one-way hacker can easily exfiltrate your internal email. Once again, mail flow rules can help you prevent automatic forwarding to external domains.

Multi-factor authentication

It is a significant part of our accounts, so bring it into the office. This extra security step will deter compromised passwords from letting criminals into your networks. Using phones for authentication and login is also quick and straightforward.

Train your staff

An estimated 60% of security breaches are caused by human error, so educating your users is critical to keeping networks secure. Plenty of training material accompanies Microsoft 365 security services, and Akita can provide additional support and training as needed.

Admin accounts

Administrative data is a valuable target for hackers. Using extra secure, dedicated administrator accounts only when necessary will reduce the risk of a breach. Please get in touch to configure them for Exchange, SharePoint, or your more comprehensive Microsoft 365.

Encrypt messages

Another security feature of Microsoft 365 is the encryption of Office messages. This encryption is compatible with other email services such as Outlook, Gmail, and Yahoo.

Protect against phishing

You can use Microsoft Defender to prevent phishing attacks. While Microsoft Defender doesn’t compare to a standalone security solution, it’s better than no protection. With the Security and Compliance Center, it’s simple to set up security policies to prevent phishing emails from impersonating users.

Block malicious attachments

Microsoft Defender will also let you automatically block malware-related emails and quarantine emails with dangerous attachments.

Prevent phishing with Safe Links

Attachments aren’t the only way phishing emails try to attack your company. Protect yourself from malicious links on websites with safe links. Safe Links will scan links when you click them, verifying their safety. Use this to protect your internal and external emails.

Conclusion

The benefits of Office 365 do supply a powerful package at a fairly affordable price. It is arguably the most cost-effective solution, assessing its many applications and security solutions.

That said, the full package may not work for every business when partnering with an experienced outsourced IT support agency pays dividends.

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Craig Wilson
Backupology

I am a tech journalist, and I enjoy meeting new people and finding ways to help them have an uplifting experience.