Many organisations invest in Microsoft 365 but never fully configure the security features included within their licence. Whilst purchasing the right licences is important, cyber security improvements are often achieved through better configuration rather than additional spending.
As a Microsoft 365 security partner, we review Microsoft 365 environments that frequently reveal powerful security controls are disabled, misconfigured or only partially implemented. By enabling the right settings and policies, businesses can significantly reduce the risk of phishing attacks, ransomware, account compromise and data loss. For many businesses this could have more impact than investing in new security technology.
5 Microsoft security configurations for your organisation
Here are five Microsoft security configurations every organisation should consider.
- Enforce Multi-Factor Authentication Across All Users
If your users are still relying solely on passwords, you are leaving one of the most common attack vectors exposed.
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) requires a second method of verification before access is granted. Even if a password is compromised, attackers cannot easily gain access without the additional authentication factor.
Key Microsoft Entra ID settings to review include:
- Requiring MFA for all users
- Blocking legacy authentication protocols
- Registering users for Microsoft Authenticator
- Enabling passwordless authentication where appropriate
- Monitoring risky sign-ins
For most organisations, properly implementing MFA is the single biggest security improvement available within Microsoft 365.
- Configure Conditional Access Policies
Not every login attempt should be treated equally.
Conditional Access allows Microsoft Entra ID to make intelligent decisions about whether users should be granted access based on risk, location, device status and user identity.
Effective Conditional Access policies often include:
- Blocking sign-ins from high-risk countries
- Requiring MFA when users access sensitive applications
- Restricting access from unmanaged devices
- Preventing access from unsupported operating systems
- Requiring compliant devices for critical business systems
Rather than allowing unrestricted access, Conditional Access creates a Zero Trust security model where every request is verified before access is granted.
- Strengthen Email Security in Microsoft Defender
Email remains the primary route for cyber attacks, with phishing, malware and business email compromise causing significant disruption for organisations of all sizes.
Microsoft Defender for Office 365 contains several security settings that are often underutilised.
Recommended configurations include:
- Safe Links protection for email and Microsoft Teams
- Safe Attachments sandboxing
- Anti-phishing policies
- User impersonation protection
- Domain impersonation protection
- Quarantine policies and reporting
A well-configured Defender environment can stop many attacks before employees ever see them.
- Implement Device Compliance Policies in Intune
Laptops, tablets and smartphones regularly access company data. Without proper controls, they can become a significant security risk.
Microsoft Intune allows organisations to establish minimum security standards that devices must meet before they are allowed access to company resources.
Key device configuration settings include:
- Mandatory device encryption
- Operating system version requirements
- Antivirus protection requirements
- Screen lock policies
- Device health checks
- Automatic security updates
By linking Intune compliance policies with Conditional Access, organisations can ensure that only secure and managed devices can access Microsoft 365.
- Configure Data Loss Prevention and Sensitivity Labels
Many businesses focus heavily on preventing external attacks whilst overlooking accidental data exposure.
Employees regularly share files, emails and documents both internally and externally. Without the correct controls, sensitive information can easily end up in the wrong hands.
Microsoft Purview provides several important data protection capabilities, including:
Sensitivity Labels
Automatically classify documents based on their content and apply security controls such as encryption and access restrictions.
Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
Detect and prevent the sharing of:
- Customer information
- Financial data
- Personal data
- Confidential business information
- Intellectual property
Retention Policies
Ensure important data is retained appropriately whilst reducing unnecessary risk from legacy information.
These settings help organisations improve governance and strengthen compliance while reducing the chance of accidental data breaches.
Security Configuration vs Security Spending
Many organisations already have access to Microsoft security technologies through Microsoft 365 Business Premium, E3 or E5 licences but are not making full use of them.
A properly configured Microsoft 365 environment can improve protection against phishing attacks, strengthen identity, access, device and data security, enhance compliance capabilities, and provide greater visibility of security threats.
Before investing in additional security products, it is often worth reviewing whether your existing Microsoft 365 security settings are configured according to current best practice.
How Bridgeall Can Help with Microsoft 365 Security
As a Microsoft Solutions Partner, Bridgeall helps organisations across Scotland and the UK assess, secure and optimise their Microsoft 365 environments.
Our Microsoft 365 security consultants can review your current configuration, identify security gaps and implement practical improvements across Microsoft Entra ID, Microsoft Defender, Intune and Microsoft Purview.
Whether you’re working towards Cyber Essentials, ISO 27001 or simply want greater confidence in your cyber security posture, a Microsoft 365 security assessment can provide a clear roadmap for improvement.
